[CPEO-MEF] Kaho'olawe Access & Risk Management Draft

[Lenny Siegel <lsiegel@cpeo.org>]

The Kaho?olawe Island Reserve Commission (KIRC) has made available its
Draft Kaho?olawe Access & Risk Management Plan. The public comment
period for the Draft Plan closes on January 31, 2002. Copies of the Plan
may be downloaded from
http://www.state.hi.us/kirc/uxo/armp/armp.html.

Though the plan also addresses naturally-occurring risks, its emphasis
is to minimize human contact with unexploded ordnance on the former Navy
bombing and firing range as well as surrounding waters. By the time the
Navy transfers responsibility for the island to the Commission in 2003,
only a small fraction of the island, including high priority use areas
and roadways, will have received subsurface clearance. As much as a
third of the island, including half the rugged coastline and virtually
all underwater areas, will have received no clearance whatsoever.

The plan is based upon the unique features of Kaho'olawe. It divides the
Reserve into four land and two underwater zones or categories, each of
which will be subject to its own access rules. To maintain the cultural
integrity of Kaho'olawe, the plan does not envision fencing. and it only
calls for the limited emplacement of warning signs. Instead, it relies
upon organized visits and education to ensure compliance. In fact, it
says little about patrolling or enforcement to prevent unauthorized visits.

-- 


Lenny Siegel
Director, Center for Public Environmental Oversight
c/o PSC, 222B View St., Mountain View, CA 94041
Voice: 650/961-8918 or 650/969-1545
Fax: 650/961-8918
lsiegel@cpeo.org
http://www.cpeo.org