honoluluadvertiser.com

Sponsored by:

Comment, blog & share photos

Log in | Become a member
The Honolulu Advertiser
Posted on: Saturday, October 5, 2002

Habitat plan may cost up to $2 million

Advertiser Staff

A draft analysis of the economic impact of designating areas of Maui and Kaho'olawe as critical habitat for rare plants estimates the cost at between $310,000 and $2 million over a 10-year period.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has proposed setting aside 126,500 acres on Maui and 19,000 acres on Ka-ho'olawe to protect 61 plant species. Fifty-three percent of the land is state-owned, 45 percent privately owned and a small portion is part of Haleakala National Park.

The report focuses on the costs related to the requirement that federal agencies consult with the Fish and Wildlife Service whenever they propose a project that may destroy or diminish the value of critical habitat for the survival and recovery of endangered species.

The draft analysis predicts that most of the proposed critical habitat designations on Maui and Kaho'olawe would have "modest" economic impacts, mainly because most of the land is mountainous and rugged and unsuitable for farming or development, and because few projects are planned over the next 10 years.

The largest potential costs are associated with possible project modifications for activities within the critical habitat, the report said. Projects on agricultural land financed through the Natural Resources Conservation Service may be affected, the analysis said, as well as new communication facilities and water improvement projects.

Potential economic benefits include enhanced ecotourism opportunities and new jobs in conservation activities. The draft economic analysis was prepared by Industrial Economics Inc. of Cambridge, Mass., with assistance from Anden Consulting of Honolulu.

Critical habitat refers to areas essential for the conservation of rare species that may require special management. A designation does not set up a preserve or refuge.

The proposed designations and draft economic analysis are available online at pacificislands.fws.gov, or call the Fish and Wildlife Service at 541-3441. Submit comments by Nov. 1 to U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Pacific Islands Office, 300 Ala Moana, Room 3-122, Box 50088, Honolulu, HI 96850, or e-mail to Maui_crithab@rl.fws.gov.