HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOR-17-111198 DLNR Land Div 2 & DOFAWDomian, Jesse
2317 APR 24 opt 5
Morikawa, Lydia M <lydia.m.morikawa hawaii. ov> ' '''''i i` `'`
From:
Sent:
Monda24, 2017 1:55 PMy,April g r, NTi
To:
@
i ' U;= l;t;11vA1iPlanningInternetMailSubject:
Review of the Hamakua Community Development Plan (CDP)Attachments:
Hamakua Community Development Plan 04.24.17.pdf
Aloha Mr.Yee,
Attached for your review are additional comments for the subject project.
Ma ha lo,
Lydia M.Morikawa
DLNR—Land Division
1151 Punchbowl Street;Rm.220
Honolulu,Hawaii 96813
Phone: (808)587-0410
Fax:(808)312-6357
11198
DAVID Y.IGE E'o .iy,GOVERNOROF HAWpIf
y'}P auj9 g; 4 SUZANNE D.CASE
r -i,. CHAIRPERSON
BOARD OFLANDAND NATURAL RESOURCESdand,ydt Y ,ZIP, }
j COMMISSIONON WATER RESOURCE
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STATE OF HAWAIIStateofHatta%DEPARTMENT OF LAND AND NATURAL RESOURCESLANDDIVISION
POST OFFICE BOX 621
HONOLIJLIJ.HAWAII 96809
April 24,2017
County of Hawaii
Planning Department
Attention: Mr. Michael Yee, Director via email: planning®hawaiicounty.gov101PauahiStreet, Suite 3
Hilo, Hawaii 96720
Dear Mr. Yee:
SUBJECT: Review ofthe Hamakua Community Development Plan(CDP)
Thank you for the opportunity to review and comment on the subject matter. In additiontothecommentspreviouslysentyouonApril20, 2017, enclosed are comments from thea) Engineering Division and (b) Division of Forestry & Wildlife (2) on the subject matter.Should you have any questions, please feel free to call Lydia Morikawa at 587-0410. Thankyou.
Sincerely,
Russell Y. Tsuji
Land Administrator
Enclosure(s)
cc: Central Files
ARDAY.ICE
GOVERNOROFHAVAI[ rpaE...............•§F - -'iRIG'+c3 Dri 1 I'EEr^.IFI',
SUZANNED.CASE1,t,, CHAIRPERSON
BOARD OF LANDANDNATURAL RESOURCES
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f,yN andNj E i)nj:3?ter MANAGEMENT
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j STATE OF HAWAIIS.ateoniavia DEPARTMENT OF LAND AND NATURAL RESOURCES
LAND DIVISION
POST OFFICE BOX 621
HONOJ[J.IJ.HAWAII 96509
March 30,2017
MEMORANDUM
DLNR Agencies:CI; i7-
X Div. ofAquatic Resources
Div. ofBoating&Ocean Recreation ca
X Engineering Division rn r
X Div. of Forestry&Wildlife x--= 71
Div. of State Parks
X Commission on Water Resource Management o
X Office of Conservation&Coastal Lands
X Land Division—Hawaii District
X Historic Preservationfe >
RRA: Rus el . Tsuji,Land AdministrateSUBJECT: Review of the Hamakua Community Development Plan(CDP)
LOCATION:Hamakua,N. Hilo &Parts of S.Hilo; Island of Hawaii; TMK: (3)variousAPPLICANT: County of Hawaii,Hamakua Community Development Plan
Transmitted for your review and comment is information on the above-referenced project.We would appreciate your comments on this project. Please submit any comments by April 19,2017.
The CDP can be found on-line at: http://www.hawaiicountycdp.info/hamakua-
cdp/recommended-cdpJanuary-2017
If no response is received by this date, we will assume your agency has no comments. If
you have any questions about this request,please contact Lydia Morikawa at 587-0410. Thank you.
Attachments
We have no objections.
We have no comments.
X) Comments e attached.
Signed: 0 ,Print Name: GaVia—h.Rngl Chief'EngineerDate:
cc: Central Files
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DEPARTMENT OF LAND AND NATURAL RESOURCES
ENGINEERING DIVISION
LD/Russell Y. Tsuji
Ref: Review of the Hamakua Community Development Plan(CDP)
COMMENTS
The rules and regulations of the National Flood Insurance Program(NFIP), Title 44 of
the Code of Federal Regulations (44CFR), are in effect when development falls within adesignatedFloodHazard.
The owner of the project property and/or their representative is responsible to research
the Flood Hazard Zone designation for the project. Flood Hazard Zone designations can
be found using the Flood Insurance Rate Map (FIRM),which can be accessed throughtheFloodHazardAssessmentTool (FHAT) (http://gis.hawaiinfip.org/FHAT).
Be advised that 44CFR reflects the minimum standards as set forth by the NFIP. Local
community flood ordinances may take precedence over the NFIP standards as local
designations prove to be more restrictive. If there are questions regarding the local floodordinances,please contact the applicable County NFIP Coordinators below:
o Oahu: City and County of Honolulu,Department of Planning and Permitting808) 768-8098.
o Hawaii Island: County of Hawaii,Department of Public Works (808) 961-8327.
o Maui/Molokai/Lanai County of Maui, Department of Planning (808) 270-7253.
o Kauai: County of Kauai, Department of Public Works (808)241-4846.
L
Signed:
CART S. HA ",CHIEF ENGINEER
Date: 7
Morikawa, Lydia M
From: MyersTremblay, DietraSent: Friday,April 21,2017 10:37 AMTo: Morikawa, Lydia M
Cc: Sprecher,Irene M;Hauff, Robert D;Cogswell,James MSubject:DOFAW(Wildfire)Comments on the Hamakua Community Development 1pn
Hi Lydia,
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Tj'7 .- C7 r'Per our discussion today,you will submit my comments below through Land Division. Irene Sprecheris alslannnsubmittingcomments.She may either submit comments to you or submit them directly to Ha nfaitoianty.-Thankcommentsbelow.
Pursuant to the Land Fire Protection Law,Chapter 185, Hawaii Revised Statutes,the Department of Land and NaturalResourcesismandatedtotakemeasuresfortheprevention,control and extinguishment of wildland fires on Division ofForestryandWildlife (DOFAW)managed lands and is also required to cooperate with established fire control agencies ofthecountiesandthefederalgovernmentindevelopingplansandprogramsandmutualaidagreementsforassistancefortheprevention, control,and extinguishment of wildland fires on lands not managed by DOFAW.
The Hamakua Planning Area includes several Communities at Risk(CAR)from Wildfires(see CAR map:http://www.hawaiiwildfire.org/fire-resource-library-blodcommunities-at-risk-state-map), including at least one CARthatisHighRisk. Additionally,wildfire hazard assessments for this area ranks some communities in this area as High orExtremeHazarddependentontheratingelementused(see community hazard assessments for County of Hawaii -North:
https://staticl.squarespace.com/static/5254fbe2e4b04bbc53b57821/t/54ff73dee4b07ef14e0103c8/1426027486997/County+of+Hawaii+%28North%29+Community+Hazard+Assessment+Maps.compressed.pdf).
Although this plan mentions that natural disasters, include wildfires are a consistent threat,it fails to specify wildfire riskreductionapproachessuchas:
1) Voluntary or nonregulatory mitigation measures and tools, including establishing Community WildfireProtectionPlans (CWPPs)for this area and working towards gaining Firewise recognition for communities in thisarea. In order for communities to be eligible for funds available through the Wildland Urban Interface(WUI)Grant Program,the area must have an approved CWPP. U.S. Forest Service funds to reduce communities'riskfromwildlandfirewithintheWUIareavailablethroughtheWUIGrantProgramandareawardedannuallythroughacompetitiveprocesswithemphasison: 1) Hazardous fuel reduction in the WUI;2)Information andeducation;and 3)Planning.
2) Involuntary or regulatory mitigation measures,including land use laws,subdivision design regulations, homeignitionzoneordinances,and WUI Fire codes. These planning and regulatory tools can be used to providebetterwildfireprotectionfornewresidentialdevelopment.
Land use planners and policymakers as well as community members who determine where and how growth occurs playanimportantroleinsafeguardingHawaii's emerging communities from wildfires. Although this plan addresses land useandcommunityinfrastructuregoalsbyconcentratingfuturedevelopmentsintheexistingtowns,villages,andsubdivisions,it fails to specify that reducing urban sprawl can curb future growth from occurring in areas that are athigher-risk of wildfires. Risk reduction for new communities can be achieved by forming a wildfire planning policy thatalignslanduseandplanningdecisionswithsafegrowth. However,the State of Hawaii does not have a wildfire planning
1
policy that addresses growth management in respect to wildfire risk. This is an opportunity for Hamakua to use land use
and settlement patterns as a wildfire risk reduction approach and advocate for safe growth.
This plan addresses the protection of watersheds, native wildlife,and natural ecosystems. Wildfires in Hawaii are athreattothesetypesofnaturalresourcesMaukatoMakai. Over 98%of wildfires in Hawaii are human-
caused. Furthermore,the percentage of land area burned annually in Hawaii exceeds the national average,and some
years surpasses the 12 most fire-prone western states. Human-caused wildfires that occur in the WUI,especially in
residential areas near native ecosystems and forested watersheds,concern natural resource managers.Human-caused
wildfires that started near communities, but then spread toward and burned valuable conservation areas have occurred
in Hawaii.This plan does not specify actions at the county level that would ensure development uses, including land use
and settlement patterns, are compatible with reducing wildfire risk to Hamakua's conservation areas,includingwatersheds, native wildlife,and natural ecosystems.
Lastly, in regards to Kokua Action 42 under 3.11 Land and Natural Resources in the Guidance to Agencies document,
DOFAW is involved with several wildfire risk reduction efforts in collaboration with partners. This Kokua Action only
addresses response. However, minimizing impacts to cultural and natural resources can also be achieved byimplementingriskreductionprograms, including prevention and mitigation measures.
i
Dietra A.Myers Tremblay
Acting Fire Protection Forester
State of Hawaii
Department of Land and Natural Resources
Division of Forestry and Wildlife
1151 Punchbowl St.Rm 325
Honolulu, HI 96813
Phone(808)587-4186
Cell(808)347-6740
Fax(808)587-0160
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1151 PUNCHBOWL STREET,ROOM 325 r4HONOLULU,HAWAII 96813 4::,,;-- rn
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County ofHawai`i 1.-- =': cn r-.
Planning Department 0-1 r
101 Pauahi Street,Suite 3 CO `"
Hilo,Hawai`i 96720
SUBJECT: Comments for the Hamakua Community Development Plan(CDP)
Thank you for the opportunity to provide comments on the Harnakua Community Development
Plan (CDP). The Division of Forestry and Wildlife has the following comments for your
consideration and incorporation as appropriate.
The U.S.Forest Service's Institute for Pacific Island Forestry,in partnership with the Division of
Forestry and Wildlife (DOFAW), has an established research forest within the Hamakua
community. The Hawaii Experimental Tropical Forest (http://www.hetf.us/page/home/) was
established in 2007 and includes portions of the Hilo Forest Reserve and Laupahoehoe Natural
Area Reserve. The management of this forest supports research from a variety of educational
institutes and agencies all focused on understanding Hawaii's tropical forests. The Division
recommends the inclusion of this significant resource into the CDP and the development of
corresponding policy and/or kokua actions.
Pursuant to the Land Fire Protection Law,Chapter 185,Hawaii Revised Statutes,the Department
of Land and Natural Resources is mandated to take measures for the prevention, control and
extinguishment ofwildland fires on Division of Forestry and Wildlife(DOFAW) managed lands
and is also required to cooperate with established fire control agencies of the counties and the
federal government in developing plans and programs and mutual aid agreements for assistance
for the prevention, control, and extinguishment of wildland fires on lands not managed by
DOFAW.
The Hamakua Planning Area includes several Communities at Risk (CAR) from Wildfires (see
CAR map: http://www.hawaiiwildfire.org/fire-resource-library-blog/communities-at-risk-state-
map), including at least one CAR that is High Risk.Additionally, wildfire hazard assessments
for this area ranks some communities in this area as High or Extreme Hazard dependent on the
rating element used (see community hazard assessments for County of Hawaii - North:
https://staticl.squarespace.com/static/5254fbe2e4b04bbc53b57821/t/54ff73dee4b07efl4e0103e8
1426027486997/County+of+Hawaii+%28North%29+Community+Hazard+Assessment+Maps.c
ompressed.pdf).
DLNR DOFAW
Hamakua Community Development Plan
Although this plan mentions that natural disasters, include wildfires are a consistent threat, it
fails to specify wildfire risk reduction approaches such as:
1) Voluntary or non-regulatory mitigation measures and tools,including establishing
Community Wildfire Protection Plans(CWPPs)for this area and working towards
gaining Firewise recognition for communities in this area. In order for communities to be
eligible for funds available through the Wildland Urban Interface(WUI)Grant Program,
the area must have an approved CWPP. U.S.Forest Service funds to reduce
communities' risk from wildland fire within the WUI are available through the WUI
Grant Program and are awarded annually through a competitive process with emphasis
on: 1)Hazardous fuel reduction in the WUI;2)Information and education; and 3)
Planning.
2) Involuntary or regulatory mitigation measures,including land use laws,subdivision
design regulations,home ignition zone ordinances,and WUI Fire codes. These planning
and regulatory tools can be used to provide better wildfire protection for new residentialdevelopment.
Land use planners and policymakers as well as community members who deterii ine where and
how growth occurs play an important role in safeguarding Hawaii's emerging communities from
wildfires.Although this plan addresses land use and community infrastructure goals by
concentrating future developments in the existing towns, villages, and subdivisions, it fails to
specify that reducing urban sprawl can curb future growth from occurring in areas that are at
higher-risk of wildfires.Risk reduction for new communities can be achieved by forming a
wildfire planning policy that aligns land use and planning decisions with safe growth. However,
the State of Hawaii does not have a wildfire planning policy that addresses growth management
in respect to wildfire risk.This is an opportunity for Hamakua to use land use and settlement
patterns as a wildfire risk reduction approach and advocate for safe growth.
This plan also addresses the protection of watersheds, native wildlife, and natural ecosystems.
Wildfires in Hawaii are a threat to these types of natural resources Mauka to Makai. Over 98%
of wildfires in Hawaii are human-caused. Furthermore, the percentage of land area burned
annually in Hawaii exceeds the national average, and some years surpasses the 12 most fire-
prone western states. Human-caused wildfires that occur in the WUI, especially in residential
areas near native ecosystems and forested watersheds, concern natural resource managers.
Human-caused wildfires that started near communities, but then spread toward and burned
valuable conservation areas have occurred in Hawaii. This plan does not specify actions at the
county level that would ensure development uses, including land use and settlement patterns,are
compatible with reducing wildfire risk to Hamakua's conservation areas, including watersheds,
native wildlife,and natural ecosystems.
Comments generated from the Agency Guide of the CDP:
Policy 43: We respectively request the inclusion of DOFAW as part of the watershed
management goals and planning for collaboration. The Division is a major partner with the
Mauna Kea Watershed Alliance, and manages significant forested watershed lands within the
Harnakua District that would benefit from additional collaboration with the county and
community.
2
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5
DLNR DOFAW
Hamakua Community Development Plan
Policy 44: DOFAW strongly supports the encouragement of native and noninvasive planting
alternatives for landscaping and restoration projects; however, we recommend utilizing the
Hawaii-Pacific Weed Risk Assessment (HPWRA) available through Plant Pono
http://plantpono.org/)instead of Hawaii Administrative Rule 4-68.The HPWRA and Plant Pono
was developed in partnership with DOFAW, Coordinating Group of Alien Pest Species,
University ofHawaii, and the Urban and Community Forestry Council to quickly identify plants
that are invasive or have a high likelihood of becoming invasive. The website is a more
comprehensive list ofinvasive plants as well as provides numerous plant alternatives.
Policy 49: DOFAW recommends expanding this policy to require persons requesting subdivision
of their lands to provide vehicular and/or pedestrian public access easements to forest reserves,
natural areas,shoreline,historic sites,and other public resources.The county's support with
identification ofpaper and homestead roads that can provide this access,as well as the
development of access routes,through acquisition as necessary,would assist with meeting the
County's,community's,and Division's access priorities.
Policy 56:DOFAW recommends that a feasibility study include access to the Hamakua Forest
Reserve(Kea'a and Hanapai sections)along the scenic route.
Policy 60: Waimanu Valley camping,Muliwai Trail and Kohala Forest Reserve information
should be integrated with the support facilities for Waipio Lookout and the Heritage Corridor
route.
Policy 74: The planning and implementation of a Complete Streets Program would benefit from
additional consideration for supporting green infrastructure that can enhance roadway, sidewalk,
and bike path designs. Trees are an important component to a complete street,- enhancing
people's enjoyment of the area as well providing numerous economic and ecological benefits.
Often times, the green infrastructure components are not included in the initial planning phase
and design plans, which results in less than ideal conditions for growing and maintaining trees.
Sufficient planting and growing spaces should be factored into early designs, as well as the
utilization of native or non-invasive trees and plants.
Policy 92: Waimanu Valley hikers and campers should be included in evacuation planning for
this area. Further, the Division recommends seeking consultation and collaboration with the
County Arborist Committee, or local arborists, to identify management needs for priority
emergency routes, develop response plans for tree maintenance following disaster events, and
support of educational material for residents on tree care that will improve their resiliency (also
in support of Kokua Action 42).
Policy 103:DOFAW recommends the incorporation of a recreation priority for the location,
possibly including development and management of a firearm or archery target range.
Kokua Action 19:The U.S.Forest Service should be included in the list of federal agencies that
need sufficient funding to implement critical programs, in particular with their work at the
3
1
DLNR DOFAW
Hamakua Community Development Plan
Laupahoehoe section of the Hawaii Experimental Tropical Forest and support of Rapid Ohi`a
Death research.
Kokua Action 31:The Bureau of Land and Natural Resources should be changed to the State of
Hawaii Department of Land and Natural Resources within the table ofcontents and moved under
the State Agencies section.
Kokua Action 34:DOFAW recommends revising this action to the following: "Review possible
inclusion of mamane-naio forest site from Mauna Kea Forest Reserve into the Natural Area
Reserve System,including benefits to the natural resources as well as any impacts to community
use and access to the area.
Kokua Action 42: DOFAW is involved with several wildfire risk reduction efforts in
collaboration with partners.This Kokua Action only addresses response; however, minimizing
impacts to cultural and natural resources can also be achieved by implementing risk reduction
programs,including prevention and mitigation measures.
Thank you again for the opportunity to provide comments on the Hamakua Community
Development Plan. Should you require additional information from DOFAW, please contact
Irene Sprecher at(808) 587-4167 or by email at irene.m..sprecher@hawaii.gov. Mahalo
S'tre
J14141
DAVID G.SMITH
Administrator
4