U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to Hold Additional Public Meeting on Proposed Big Island Critical Habitat Tomorrow

Press Release

On Wednesday, August 7, 2013, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service will be holding a second public informational meeting on a proposal to designate nearly 19,000 acres of land on the Big Island as critical habitat. The meeting is scheduled to take place from 3-5pm at the West Hawaii Civic Center -- Community Meeting Hale, Building G in Kailua-Kona.

"As a member of the House Committee on Natural Resources, I am pleased we were able to work with USFWS to give Big Island residents and stakeholders another opportunity to provide input about this proposal and raise any unanswered questions," said U.S. Representative Colleen Hanabusa. "I will continue to follow these discussions as we work towards a compromise that properly protects our native species and supports our communities."

USFWS also reopened the public comment period until September 3, 2013.

On the Big Island, USFWS has proposed designating approximately 18,766 acres of land as critical habitat for three endangered plant species. More than 1/3 of the proposed lands are in private ownership and about 12,000 acres are owned by the State of Hawaii. A public meeting was held on May 15, 2013, but interested parties were left with unanswered questions and concerns.

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