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The Maui News
A Maui County Council committee will reconvene at 1:30 p.m. Thursday to continue its discussion on potential lands for conservation.
The Agriculture, Diversification, Environment and Public Transportation Committee is discussing Resolution 23-146, requesting that the Conservation Planning Committee review and provide recommendations on the possible acquisition or management of certain lands for conservation purposes.
Committee Chairperson Gabe Johnson explained that the Conservation Planning Committee is a public board that reviews and provides recommendations on land management and acquisition of open space real property. The board considers environmental, cultural and social aspects to assist in advising the mayor and the council.
"We would like to do everything we can to preserve open spaces and our few remaining wetlands to ensure that our land and natural resources are preserved for generations to come," Johnson, who holds the Lanai residency seat, said in a news release Monday. "Wetlands serve many important functions vital to our community, including mitigating flooding and erosion, minimizing sedimentation that can harm coral reefs and providing habitat for endangered plant and animal species."
The committee will continue to focus on identifying the most important lands to seek the input on from the Conservation Planning Committee, Johnson said. If the Agriculture, Diversification, Environment and Public Transportation Committee recommends and the council approves the resolution, the Conservation Planning Committee will have 120 days to review and provide recommendations.
While oral testimony has been closed for the reconvened meeting on Thursday, written testimony is still being accepted through eComment. Testimony instructions and legislation are available on meeting agendas at mauicounty.us/agendas. There will also be opportunities to provide additional testimony as the proposed resolution moves through council and the Conservation Planning Committee.
For more information, email ADEPT.Committee@mauicounty.us or call the committee staff at (808) 270-7761.