HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0988.014 2018-2020TO:
Office of the County Clerk
25 Aupuni Street
Hilo, HI 96720
Email: counciltestimonyQhawaiicounty.aov
FROM:
Susan Kaye Lundburg
Box 484
Paauilo, HI 96776
Email: kayelundburg@gmail.com
Ka Malu o Niupe'a
COUNTY CLERK
COUNTY 'OF HAWAI' I
RECEIVED
Time—q: QUM By
Date JUS. 0 6 2020
RE:
In Support of: Native Forest Dedication (NF) Bill 178
In 2013, Forest Stewardship Plan was approved by DLNR for:
Address: Niupea Homestead Road, portion of Lot 27
Hamakua District, Hawaii Island
TMK (3)-4-1-004:045
Zoning: Ag. -5a
Land Use District: Agricultural
Property acreage: 41.396 acres
The long-term vision for the property. Ka Malu o Niupe'a, is to reclaim, restore and
steward a native forest for conservation. Actions that support this vision include:
perimeter fencing to exclude all ungulates, eradication of ungulates within the fenced
project area, continued eradication of invasive vegetation and planting of native trees,
shrubs and vines that will protect and improve the habitat and food source of native
wildlife.
We believe that protecting and planting a forest is essential in the water cycle and
carbon sequestration. Healthy diverse forests protect the watershed, prevent erosion
and increase the water -retention capacity of the soil. "Strawberry guava negatively
affects our native biodiversity, agricultural productivity, water resources, and the
traditional and contemporary uses and values these represent to the people of Hawaii
(Hawaii Conservation Alliance)."
Ka Malu o Niupe'a works in partnership with the USDA — Natural Resource
Conservation Service (NRCS) and is a Forest Stewardship Project of the Department of
Land and Natural Resources (DLNR) of the State of Hawaii. A Conservation Easement
is granted to Hawaii Island Land Trust to protect this property in conservation in
perpetuity.
Comm. No. 1'
Ref. To:
Ref. Dote 1111 fi 2 _
Now, 2020, we are in the final region of clearing and planting the last 6 acres, having
completed 35 acres — clearing invasive strawberry guava and planting 6285 native
trees, shrubs and vines. Maintenance is ongoing.
In 2018 1 was granted a NF Dedication of TMK (3)-4-1-004:045, 41.396 acres. As a private
landowner, committed to prese'rvatiori`"arid 'conservation on the native forest and wildlife, I
support Bill 178. The increased, Property Tax Relief will help offset the ongoing maintenance
costs of this work and serve to encourage other private landowners to invest in native
reforestation projects.. -
Respectfully submitted for your consideration.
Susan Kaye Lundburg
Susan Kaye Lundburg, Trustee