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February 6, 2019 <br />To: Douglass Adams, Chairperson, and Members of the Charter Commission <br />From: Rose Schilt <br />Re: In Support of CA -18, for Initial Approval; Proposal to Amend Section 10-16, <br />Public Access, Open Space, and Natural Resources Preservation Maintenance Fund. <br />I support strengthening the maintenance fund in light of the goal of funding the non- <br />profits who are caring for the 2% Land Fund properties. It has been stated by current <br />researchers that only 9% of all the money has been allocated to the community, since <br />these groups began receiving maintenance assistance for PONC lands in 2013. <br />Increasing the use of this fund to 70%, as proposed in CA -18, would be a boost to <br />preservation and the many long-term values offered by conservation. Opening the <br />fund to new uses would be especially valuable, with the practical access of trails or <br />paths, educational facilities' maintenance, sanitary facilities' leasing/renting, and the <br />application of some money as salaries/wages for people who make all the work <br />happen. <br />As a member of a Garden Board (below), currently applying for PONC Conservation - <br />designated assistance and eventually and hopefully, also for Maintenance Funds in <br />the future, I am very aware of the value of these funds to the well-being of the Big <br />Island. Supporting the Maintenance Fund in this way will also increase involvement <br />from communities, increase local and visitor access, and everyone's appreciation of <br />and participation in government. <br />Ultimately, more properties could be better -maintained and more matching funds <br />would be obtained for local and tourist industry benefit, ad improved stewardship will <br />result. Protected lands are fundamental to the economic, cultural, agricultural, <br />educational, recreational, youth development and tourism vitality of the island. <br />PONC and its Maintenance Fund are vital to assuring that Big Island remains unique, <br />planning for a sustainable and healthy 'aina for present and future generations. <br />Mahalo nui for this opportunity to testify. <br />Rose Schilt, Member, Board of Directors, Amy B.H. Greenwell Ethnobotanical Garden <br />808-366-6428 <br />Comm. No. 35.4 <br />