COM 0942.107 2006-2008 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Mar ll 08 10:26p John Harrison (808}5955143 p.1 A~'AIJ For the Protection e3 Hawon's Native Wt)dML- IIAWAH AUDUBON SOCIETY ffiO Richards Smet, Suite 505. Hono4du, H7 968134709 4 Pboneft -(8061528-1432; himWd Qpixis .v www1womiatdahon. $ ~o s°° v~ 00 z. P7 Date: March 10, 2008 To: Hawaii County Council 3 01 Re: Council Hearing, March 12, 2008, Bill 224 - Y c.a TESTIMONY IN STRONG SUPPORT Chair Hoffinann, Vice Chair Pilago, and members of the Hawaii County Council. The Hawaii Audubon Society would like to once again offer testimony in strong support of Bill 224. Founded in 1939, the Hawaii Audubon Society is Hawai`i's oldest conservation organization, with a membership of over 1,500 dedicated individuals statewide, including the island of Hawaii. The Society's primary mission is the protection of Hawai`i's endemic birds, wildlife and their habitats. The Society supports efforts that improve habitat resources and the environment It is well known that our ecosystems are under attadu Hawaii is the endangered species capitol of the world with the highest comber of listed threatened and endangered species in the nation. There are 294 threatened and endangered bird, animal and plant species in KawaPi, many of which can only be found on the Big Island. We know that cigarette butt litter, which includes packaging and plastic lighters, is a major problem at our beaches, in the ocean, and our watersheds, all of which are critical habitats for our various bird species. Cigarette butts discarded in parking lots, along sidewalks and in street gutters miles from the coast inevitably make their way through storm drains, creeks and rivers. eventually collecting in our costa ecosystem and ocean. Cigarette bulls discarded onto beaches add to the problem, it isn't just a matter of unsightly trash. Toxins Balm cigarettes collect on the filter and are then leach out into the beach sands and aquatic coastal waters_ Comm. No. Ref. To: Ref. Dote rend