State and federal officials are pursuing the possibility of designating a part of Kaneohe Bay as a research-focused estuarine reserve.
As is the case with the 28 existing national estuarine reserves, the proposed reserve in Heeia comes with no new federal regulations and no new restrictions on activities.
"It all stays the same," said state Office of Planning Acting Director Leo Asuncion Jr.
The proposed He‘eia National Estuarine Research Reserve would encompass 880 acres owned by the state and Kamehameha Schools/Bishop Estate, including the He‘eia Fishpond, He‘eia State Park, the mouth of He‘eia Stream and the Hawai‘i Institute of Marine Biology.
University of Hawaii research professor Rob Toonen said the reserve designation would likely allow research groups studying the area a chance to compete for federal capital improvement funds, research fellowships and ecological restoration money.
"There are many advantages and no real disadvantages, from my perspective," Toonen said.
Kamehameha Schools/ Bishop Estate said it generally supports the estuarine reserve concept, according to spokesman Kekoa Paulsen. "We are looking forward to learning more about it," Paulsen said.
The National Estuarine Research Reserve System is a network of areas representing varied biogeographic regions of the United States that have been established for long-term research, water quality monitoring, education and coastal stewardship. The system protects more than 1.3 million acres of coastal land and waters in areas from Alaska to Puerto Rico.
Established by the Coastal Zone Management Act of 1972, as amended, the reserve system is a partnership program between the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and the coastal states.
NOAA provides funding, national guidance and technical assistance. The reserves are managed by a lead state agency or university, with input from local partners.
Asuncion said volunteers are wanted for focus groups that will discuss what is best for the community and the public. Also, the state Office of Planning is accepting written comments about the proposal. Comments may also be submitted to hawaii.nerr.comments@noaa.gov or mailed to Rebecka Arbin, Hawaii Office of Planning, PO Box 23359, Honolulu, HI 96804.
As part of the process, the state Office of Planning is in charge of developing a draft management plan and a draft environmental impact statement. Public meetings will be held later this year to discuss a draft federal environmental impact statement and other matters pertaining to the proposed reserve, Asuncion said.
