Hearing set for O'ahu critical habitat proposal

Advertiser Staff

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service will hold two informational sessions and a public hearing on a proposal to establish critical habitats for 99 threatened and endangered plant species on O'ahu.

The informal meetings will be held on Tuesday at McCoy Pavilion in Ala Moana Beach Park and Thursday at Nanakuli High School. Both meetings will be from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.

The public hearing will be held Nov. 19 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the Ala Moana Hotel. The hearing will be preceded by a question-and-answer session from 3:30 to 4:30 p.m.

The proposed rules to designate critical habitats for the plant species identified 25 proposed critical habitat areas covering 111,364 acres, mostly in the Ko'olau and Wai'anae mountains.

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.

Copies of the proposed rules and a fact sheet regarding the O'ahu plant critical habitat proposal are available by calling the Fish and Wildlife Service at 541-3441.