HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0489.518 2018-2020 From: Fern A Holland
To: Council Testimony
Subject: Testimony in Support of Bill 101-Ecosystem Connectivity
Date: Tuesday,November 19,2019 9:18:40 AM i i NOV 9 NI 10: 27
Aloha Hawaii County Council Members,
I am writing today in strong support of Bill 101.
Thank you so much for being willing to take this important step to better protect your community
and unique island environment. I appreciate you taking a leading role in advancing our land
management practices to be more in line with our values and current science. This is a great step
forward for Hawaii.
While the science, and quickly the liability issues, become more and more clear it is quickly
becoming apparent that we cannot wait any longer to take action. We must move away from
herbicide dependent land management and the transition into a more sustainable land
management system.
There is a multitude of references and science about the dangers of exposure to herbicides,
especially for our keiki. I am confident that you have had many references, resources and
testimonies provided that speak to this point.
I am an ecologist and environmental scientist who is passionate about the protection on our native
ecosystems and natural world and will speak instead to the possibility of this bill to help with
increasing ecological stability on Hawaii Island. In addition to the benefits of reduced toxicity to
native species there is the potential to enhance the ecological resilience and native forests on
Hawai'i Island through this transition in land management practices.
As an environmental scientist for the Department of Transport and Main Roads in Queensland
Australia.Iworked to protect the integrity of the native vegetation along the road reserve, or road
easement. We worked to select low growing appropriate native plants to establish along the road
reserve to naturally out compete weed species and reduce the cost of maintenance.
During my degree I learned about the importance of ecosystem connectivity and the need for
areas of native vegetation to connect for the distribution of seeds and native fauna. I see an
opportunity for Hawai'i County to establish native corridors along the road reserve that add to this
connectivity on Hawai'i Island.
Not only would the roadsides be beautified with the enhancement of native plants but with the
correct selection of species maintenance costs would be reduced and native connectivity
increased. With careful thought about the selection of species we could create a much more cost-
efficient solution to the long-term maintenance of our own road reserves and parks while really
enhancing our native ecosystems.
Thank you for taking the time to consider my testimony. I would be happy to provide additional
resources or support for this transition however possible.
Please see the two references provided here relating to ecosystem connectivity and the benefits it
provides. I would be happy to provide more for you.
Please support Bill 101.
Mahalo,
Fern
Fern Anuenue Holland BSc.
Marine Biologist&Environmental Scientist - HAPA ���Q r^
Kaua'i Hawaii `CV1.%t
Comm. No�
Ref.To: Q (An(A 0
Ref. Date „�OV.2 . 2019