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<br />THE TRUST FOR PUBLIC LAND’S TESTIMONY IN SUPPORT OF COMM. <br />NO. 24.104 TRANSMITTING CA-9, DRAFT 3, FOR SECOND AND FINAL <br />READING; PROPOSAL TO AMEND SECTION 10-15 TO PROVIDE THAT <br />FUNDS FROM THE PUBLIC ACCCESS, OPEN SPACE, AND NATURAL <br />RESOURCES PRESERVATION FUND BE USED TO FUND A STAFF PSOTION <br />DEDICATED TO ADMINISTERING THE PROVISIONS OF SECTION 10-15 <br />AND SECTION 10-16 (PUBLIC ACCESS, OPEN SPACE, AND NATURAL <br />RESOURCES PRESERVATION FUND); AS SUBMITTED BY COMMISSIONER <br />1003 Bishop St. <br />GALIMBA AND AMENDED BY COMISSIONER HOPKINS <br />Pauahi Tower, Ste. 740 <br />HAWAII COUNTY CHARTER COMMISSION <br />Honolulu, HI 96813 <br />9:30 A.M., JUNE 7, 2019 <br />T: 808.524.8694 <br />25 Aupuni Street, Hilo, Hawaii <br />F: 808.524.8565 <br />Hawaii County Building, Room 1401, Council Chambers <br />Aloha Chair Adams and Commission Members: <br />The Trust for Public Land strongly supports advancing CA-9, Draft 3 through second and <br />final reading. The Trust for Public Land was originally involved in and supported the <br />creation of the PONC fund through its 501(c)(4) organization, the Conservation <br />Campaign. The Trust for Public Land thanks the staff of the PONC 2% fund and the <br />volunteers who serve on the PONC Commission for their hard work in advancing the <br />wishes of the residents of Hawaii County who voted for the 2% Fund. <br />We support the use of PONC funds to support a full-time staff person under the <br />Department of Finance who will administer the program. That staff person’s duties <br />would include acquiring property, obtaining matching funds, helping the public fill out <br />suggestion forms and stewardship applications, and administering the maintenance fund. <br />Other programs, such as the State Legacy Land Conservation Program, are allowed to use <br />program funds to fund positions supporting the program. A full time program <br />coordinator ensures that the public’s and Council’s conservation priorities are timely and <br />efficiently met. <br />Mahalo for this opportunity to testify. Unfortunately, we will not be able to testify in <br />person due to scheduling conflicts. <br />Lea Hong <br />State Director <br />Edmund C. Olson Trust Fellow <br />