HomeMy WebLinkAboutINDIVIDUAL COMMENT EMAIL - 129218Mori, Ashley r
C.
From: i k n
Sent: Thursday, October 31, 2019 12:12 PM
To: General Plan
Al ;
Subject: Comments on general plan-please don't use PONC for waste lands 0.11; n
Attachments: General.plan_PONC.docx
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Aloha,
Thanks for all of your hard work. Please see the attached comments on the general plan. 1.
Best regards,
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1 1292. 8
October 31, 2019
Aloha Planning Commission,
Thank you for the opportunity to comment on the Draft General Plan for the County of Hawai`i.
I am writing to draw your attention to the language on page 30 of the General Plan(section
36.1.38) which proposes the following:
36.1.38 Amend Charter to revise land acquisition and preservation regulations and
criteria (PONC) to include lands impacted by climate change or those with beneficial
attributes for climate adaptation and mitigation.
I strongly oppose the portion of this amendment which proposes that the Charter be revised so
that PONC funds may be used to acquire lands which have been impacted by climate change.
This particular clause would directly contravene the true purpose ofthe PONC which is to
acquire,protect, and maintain lands of extraordinary natural beauty and significant natural
resources; of cultural and historic importance; and/or to provide shoreline and mountain access.
The impacts of climate change already include many detrimental effects ranging from flooded
shoreline properties; groundwater inundated with saltwater intrusion; soil rendered toxic from
soil salinization; dramatic erosion and instability due to unpredictable and unsafe storm surges;
and so on. These lands could be considered as waste and PONC funds should not be used to
purchase them. Instead, the proposed amendment should read as follows:
36.1.38 Amend Charter to revise land acquisition and preservation regulations and
criteria (PONC) to include lands with-beneficial attributes for climate adaptation and
mitigation.
This amendment would allow for PONC funds that still fit within the specific PONC criteria
AND provide beneficial attributes for climate adaptation and mitigation. This amendment would
allow further flexibility in using the PONC funds to acquire and protect extraordinary lands
while considering the ongoing and unpredictable impacts of climate change.
Thank you for the opportunity to comment on this section. I very much appreciate your hard
work and attention to this matter.
Best regards,
r
ENERGY - ENVIRONMENT - SUSTAINABILITY