Land conservation grants approved
Source: MSNMoney.com
June 13, 2007
Forest, farmland and caves will be preserved thanks to $4.7 million in new Legacy Land Conservation Grants approved by the Hawaii Board of Land and Natural Resources.
Two state agencies, three nonprofits and the Big Island county government get grants acquire land on three islands for permanent conservation, protecting cultural, archeological and natural resource values.
The approved projects:
$1.5 million for the National Tropical Botanical Garden to buy 170 acres in Hana for conservation of native hala forest and cultural resources. $1.2 million for Hawaii County to buy 234 acres in Kau district near Kawaa Bay for preservation of natural and cultural resources. $1.1 million for the state-sponsored Agribusiness Development Corp. to buy Kunia land from the Hawaii Agricultural Research Center to preserve farm land. $430,000 for the Hawaii Division of Forestry and Wildlife to buy the 1,336 acre Carlsmith property near Hilo for the conservation of native forest. $301,000 for the Kona Historical Society to buy the 5.536 acre Uchida Farm in Kealakekua for preservation of agricultural and historical resources. $154,000 for the Cave Conservancy of Hawaii to buy nine acres in Kula Kai View Estates for conservation of cave tunnels and cultural resources. "I'm very pleased that this year we are able to preserve and protect such a wide range of resources for Hawaii's future generations," said BLNR Interim Chairman Allan Smith.
Projects are subject to consultative review by legislative leaders and approval by the governor. The new Legacy Land Conservation Commission -- a nine-member commission composed of cultural, agricultural and natural resource experts and representatives from each county -- also advised on projects.
"Virtually every one of the proposals we received was viewed by the commission as significant lands with resources that merited protection," said commission Chairman Dale Bonar, who is also executive director of the Maui Coastal Land Trust. "This was a tough choice, but we're proud to have played a role in it."
