State wary of project impact law

Phased historic preservation reviews are sought to safeguard multiyear construction projects

By Derrick DePledge

POSTED: 01:30 a.m. HST, Jan 25, 2013

~~<p>Distressed that a state Supreme Court ruling that halted construction of the Honolulu rail project could also sidetrack state highway projects, the Abercrombie administration wants the state to be able to review in phases the potential impact of construction on burials or other historic sites.</p>
<p>The Supreme Court ruled in August that the State Historic Preservation Division failed to follow state law when it signed off on the $5.26 billion rail project before an archaeological inventory survey was completed along the 20-mile route from Kapolei to Ala Moana Center. The court found that the city erred by granting a permit for the rail project and by starting construction before the historic preservation review process was finished on all four phases.</p>
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<td><strong>HISTORIC PRESERVATION REVIEW</strong><br />
<em>The Abercrombie administration, worried that the state Supreme Court ruling that halted construction on the Honolulu rail project could also affect state highway projects, wants state lawmakers to amend the historic preservation law.</em>
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Distressed that a state Supreme Court ruling that halted construction of the Honolulu rail project could also sidetrack state highway projects, the Abercrombie administration wants the state to be able to review in phases the potential impact of construction on burials or other historic sites.

The Supreme Court ruled in August that the State Historic Preservation Division failed to follow state law when it signed off on the $5.26 billion rail project before an archaeological inventory survey was completed along the 20-mile route from Kapolei to Ala Moana Center. The court found that the city erred by granting a permit for the rail project and by starting construction before the historic preservation review process was finished on all four phases. HISTORIC PRESERVATION REVIEW The Abercrombie administration, worried that the state Supreme Court ruling that halted construction on the Honolulu rail project could also affect state highway projects, wants state lawmakers to amend the historic preservation law. Login for more...