HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0258.009 1996-1998 r ,
County Council Members , 9~ 16 p11 3 L~
County of Hawaii
Hawaii County Building ~UN~Y Ur k-',AWAl1
25 Aupuni Street C
Hilo, Hawaii 96720
Dear County Council Members:
Re: Letter of Intent dated February 27, 1997 from OJI/MARUBENI.
I understand that prior to May 27, 1997 the County Council must decide on the
continuance of lease negotiations between the County of Hawaii and Oji/Marubeni for a
long term lease agreement pertaining to approximately 4400 acres of County Land.
I oppose kasae. Count}• lard for the purpose of the proposed Eucalyptus Mono Culture
Plantation.
Some of the reasons for my opposition are the following:
1. Worldwide studies show that Eucalyptus plantations damage the ecosystem, deplete soil
nutrients, adversely effect natural water systems and pollute water.
2. The practices of spraying herbicides and pesticides, as well as burning of sugarcane,
grasses etc. result in increased health problems and contaminated water supplies.
3. Brown clear cut hillsides, pollution, wood chipper noise and heavy logging truck traffic
will negatively impact property values, local business and tourism.
4. The investment made by Oji/Marubeni will not result in reasonable employment, and the
return on the investment will not energize the County's economy.
5. Terms of the lease, Lease rate and property tax rate do not justify the long term
commitment and the impact on infra-structure.
6. It is 50% cheaper to ship pulp than wood chips. As soon as Oji/Marubeni alone or
together with other Pulp Growing Companies have secured over 100,000 acres of Pulp
Trees a pulp mill will be economically feasible and in all probability will be sought. I
personally will not support and will strongly oppose the construction and operation of a
pulp mill anywhere in the County of Hawaii.
I urge you to make THE RIGHT DECISION, which is NOT to proceed will: the
negotiations a~od to support alternative uses of this County Land. -
Mahalo and Aloha !
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Name and Address ° SS # Date:
Signature ~tim~x, pla,_,~~,$~,
CS
~ MAY 1 6 1997
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