STATE OF HAWAII
DEPARTMENT OF LAND AND NATURAL RESOURCES

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING
ON PROPOSED AMENDMENTS TO CHAPTER 13-209
HAWAII ADMINISTRATIVE RULES

The Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR) will hold public hearings to discuss proposed amendments to Chapter 13-209, Hawaii Administrative Rules (HAR), Rules Regulating Activities Within Natural Area Reserves (NAR). The hearings are scheduled to begin at 6:30 p.m. on June 28, 2006 at:

Hilo: DLNR – Division of Forestry and Wildlife Baseyard conference room, 19 E. Kawili Street
Honolulu: Kalanimoku Building, 1151 Punchbowl Street, Room 131
Waikapu (Maui): Waikapu Community Center, 22 East Waiko Road
Lihue: Chiefess Kamakahelei Middle School cafeteria, 4431 Nuhou Street

The proposed amendments to Chapter 13-209 would remove bedroll camping as an activity allowed without a permit; would require permits for hiking and nature study for groups of ten or more; would allow service animals accompanying their masters within a NAR; would prohibit the establishment of residences within a NAR; would prohibit the possession of tools, equipment, or implements used to take, injure or kill marine life, plant life, or wildlife in a NAR; would prohibit anchoring in marine waters in a NAR; would prohibit entry into any cave within a NAR; would prohibit actions in a NAR inconsistent with the purpose and intent of the NARS system; would authorize DLNR to close all or portions of a NAR for the protection of the natural, geological, or cultural resources of a NAR; would authorize DLNR to establish visiting hours for individual NARs; and would make changes to the special use permit process, to clarify what permit applications must contain and how applications will be reviewed.

All interested persons are urged to attend the public hearings to present relevant information and individual opinion for the DLNR to consider. Persons unable to attend or wishing to present additional comments may mail written testimony by Friday, July 14, 2006, to DLNR, 1151 Punchbowl Street, Room 325, Honolulu, HI 96813.

If you desire to attend the above public hearing and require auxiliary aids or have special needs which require accommodation, please contact DLNR in writing or by calling Christen Mitchell, DOFAW Planner, at (808) 587-0051 at least three days in advance of the public hearing.

Additional information or a free copy of the proposed rule changes is available by verbal or written request to DLNR at 1151 Punchbowl Street, Room 325, Honolulu, HI 96813; (808) 587-0051. A copy of the proposed rules may also be viewed in person at the DLNR, 1151 Punchbowl Street, Room 325 during normal business hours of 7:45 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday except state holidays. The proposed rule changes may also be viewed on the web at http://www.state.hi.us/dlnr/dofaw/ draftrulesindex.html.

PETER T. YOUNG, Chairperson
Board of Land and Natural Resources Dated: May 15, 2006
(SB05522996 5/28/06)