Comm No 0044.05 - Testimony - CA-27 - PONC fund - Easements - Eminent Domain

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more stewardship funds to the non -profits. We have heard from staff and the non -profits over the years and we believe that the proposed changes to the Maintenance Fund coupled with the the addition of a full time staff person who works ONLY on the 2% Program with accomplish these goals. OPPOSE Comm. CA -27 This amendment adds language to place an emphasis on the acquisition of Easements and that the County may exercise eminent domain to acquire Properties and easements for the purposes of this fund; as submitted by Commissioner Roehrig. Here's what it says. sats section. Whenever practicable the County shall seek to aedfe€ure an easement as it preferred ha a ut -.e a',rnt,►lith the ohJecative5:insuhs tion (c)('1). tent to thMs 5ecti to (1'f 'ttt5 We object to (g) because this is already being done so it is unnecessary. Conservation easements are being used to acquire land at Waikapuna so this is unnecessary. If a full time person is hired to work only on the 2% Land Fund program who has real estate and conservation land experience they will know that. All of the staff do know this. Many of the PONC commissioners also know this. When I was on the commission we discussed the use of conservation easements when ranking properties. I object to (h) because: 1. I was a real estate broker selling land and I believe in private property rights. I believe that eminent domain might be necessary to protect the public health and welfare. This option is already open to the county through the courts, it is also unnecessary to include here. 2. The highest and best use to maximize taxpayer's money is to obtain dollar for dollar matching funds. I agree with the Trust of Public Lands (see their testimony) that grant funders would not grant matching funds for properties obtained through eminent domain. 3. I am concerned with the legal costs. If the county had this power, would they pay for the extensive legal fees to "take" someone land for open space or a park out of the 2% Land Fund? Who would decide if and when this was necessary? I don't want my tax money spent on that use. PLEASE SAY NO TO CA -27, it is UNNECESSARY. Mahalo for your consideration of these very important issues and mahalo for your service. Debbie Hecht, Campaign Coordinator for the Save our Lands Citizens Committee and the 2% Land Fund Program since 2006 ATTACHMENTS: Proposed Maintenance Fund Amendment Maintenance Fund Critique Debbie Hecht 2