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r PUNA SOIL and WATER CONSERVATION DISTRICT 154 WAIANUENUE AVE. - RM. 322 HILO, HAWAII 96720 TESTIMONY BEFORE THE HAWAII COUNTY COUNCIL ON BILL 51 RELATING TO AN ORDINANCE AMENDING CHAPTER 27, FLOOD CONTROL, HAWAII COUNTY CODE 1983 (2005) EDITION, RELATING TO STORMWATER MANAGEMENT. PRESENTED BEFORE HAWAII COUNTY COUNCIL MEETING HILO, HAWAII JUNE O1, 2005 Chairman Hoffmann and Members of the Council: STRONGLY OPPOSE. My name is Loren Mochida, GenQral Manager of Tropical Hawaiian Products (THP) in Keaau, Hawaii. THP is a processor and exporter of Hawaiian Premium papayas to CONUS and Japan. I also serve as the Chairman for the Puna Soil and Water Conservation District (SWCD), which I am representing today. We are strongly opposed to Bi1151, (Proposed Amendments to Draft 2), in its present form. It appears that the County Council intends to control development and growth along the floodways and flood hazard zones in Weat Hawaii. Although intentions of this Bill are commendable, it also adds elements that exceed the requirements of the National Flood Insurance Program and may create undue burdens for farmers and ranchers on the Big Island. The proposed statement in article 4, section 27-18(c)(6) which basically states that lands with slopes exceeding 10% will limit the land owner to developing only 20% of the total area. This 20% limit will bring upon severe economic constraints to our island's farmers and ranchers. They will not be able to expand, or to a certain extent maintain older farm/ranch land and remain competitive. Also, will the farmers and ranchers who obtain grading and grubbing exemptions from their respective SWCD be exempt from the changes? The proposed statement in article 4, section 27-20 (g) essentially states that all flood control structures in new agricultural subdivisions be designed to retain all rainflaltl comm. Wo. ' 7 V • ~T Ref. To:°r~ Ref. Dcte --~.r.