League of Women Voters – Hawaii County sets General Meeting
The public is invited to join the Jan. 21 General Meeting of the League of Women Voters – Hawaii County at 10 a.m.
The League of Women Voters is a grassroots, nonpartisan organization open to all and facilitates informed and active participation in government for a more perfect democracy. Entering her third term, guest speaker Council member Rebecca Villegas will speak on “Capacity.”
Attendees will participate via Zoom. Please register online at https://my.lwv.org/hawaii/hawaii-county. A Zoom link will be sent.
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Input sought on adding lands to state reserve systems
The state Deparmtent of Land and Natural Respirces is seeking comments on a proposal to protect nearly 100 unencumbered State land parcels across Hawaii as part of the State Forest Reserves, Natural Area Reserves, and Wildlife Sanctuaries systems.
Additionally, comment is being sought to update administrative rules associated with the Natural Area Reserves System (NARS). Both proposals are being shared online and in meetings to collect people’s input.
The proposed parcels are state lands not currently managed for environmental protection or any particular land use. New land designations will allow the DLNR Division of Forestry and Wildlife (DOFAW) to protect these parcels and provide areas for conservation, preservation, recreation, and sustainable forest products. Activities on these parcels could include the protection of endangered species habitat, cultural site preservation, forest restoration, and access for hiking or hunting.
The parcels, include over 21,000 acres of land, 18,630 acres are proposed as forest reserves, 2,192 acres for natural area reserves, and 196 acres proposed for wildlife sanctuaries.
Input from community members can be provided in multiple ways: online via the DOFAW website, via mail or in person at a DOFAW office, or online from 6 to 8 p.m. via Zoom Jan. 18. Meeting ID is 815 0847 7808; passcode y19hjR.
DOFAW is also proposing updates to administrative rules for the Natural Area Reserves System. The amendments would improve the protection of reserves by modifying prohibited activities and penalties, allowing longer-term special use permits, adjusting parking fees for non-residents, managing commercial usage similar to the Na Ala Hele Trails and Access program, extending the closure of areas, and restricting access to off-trail areas.
An online meeting will be held from 5 to 7 p.m. Feb. 18 via Zoom. Meeting ID: 816 9683 3617; passcode: QrVz0G.
Proposals, maps, online commenting, and instructions for mail-in or in-person comments can be found online at dlnr.hawaii.gov/dofaw/comment.
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