8. Inter-agency Coordination
Much of the coastline of Maui consists of parks, highways, and other public works projects, which are threatened or will soon be threatened by erosion and other coastal hazards. Inter-agency communication and education is necessary to more effectively plan for or mitigate coastal hazards and implement more environmentally sound projects. Better inter-agency coordination would also reduce delays, duplications, paperwork, and resource demands in permit processing, resulting in cost-savings to both permit applicants and governmental agencies.
For example, the Department of the Army has proposed a General Permit for beach nourishment and restoration in Hawaii. The purpose of the General Permit is to expedite the authorization of minor non-controversial projects (e.g., beach nourishment and offshore submerged berms). Activities that do not conform to the provisions and limitations of this permit will still require an individual permit from the USACOE and/or a project-specific DOH Section 401 Water Quality Certification and a Coastal Zone Management (CZM) Federal Consistency determination. This General Permit has already been reviewed for Hawaii Coastal Zone Management (CZM) Program Federal Consistency.
Beach nourishment projects and other shore protection measures often fall within two or more jurisdictional boundaries (e.g., Federal and State, State and County, or Federal, State, and County). This leads to jurisdictional conflicts. Each agency is often not fully aware of the other agencies' permitting requirements and the status of pending applications.
Some progress has recently been made towards the coordination of county and state shoreline management efforts. Maui County and the State DLNR are discussing the formation of improvement districts (see section on Beach Management Districts), the selection of pilot beach nourishment sites, and data-management needs through the Coastal Erosion Management Plan for the State of Hawaii.
However, more interagency communication is needed. For example, better cooperation between State Parks and the County Parks and Recreation should be sought since many of our beach parks are maintained by these departments. In addition, discussions should be enhanced with the State Department of Transportation (DOT), because some highway facilities are threatened or will soon be threatened by coastal erosion. In most cases, state highway facilities are the major or only thoroughfare between regions. Proactive planning of new highway construction, widening, and realignment could reduce the threat of coastal erosion, high-wave hazards, and beach loss by anticipating future shoreline trends (Figure 21).
Maui County should continue to work with the Federal and State agencies to improve coordination on shoreline matters in order to avoid duplication, expedite permit processing, and encourage more environmentally sensitive shoreline protection measures.
Figure 21. Launiupoko State Park, Lahaina, Maui. This section of the state highway is being threatened by ongoing coastal erosion and is earmarked for a revetment project by the State DOT and the USACOE. However, the project was questioned by the County since it seemed to be a short-term solution to a long-term problem and would likely promote construction of other similar structures. Beach nourishment with cobbles or highway relocation may be more appropriate solutions.
Objectives
8.1) To enhance coordination with federal, state, and other governmental agencies with jurisdiction over shoreline management issues-Army Corps of Engineers, Natural Resource Conservation Service, State and County Parks Departments, the State Department of Transportation (Highways and Harbors Division) the State Department of Land and Natural Resources, State Department of Health, and the County Department of Public Works8.2) To develop an atmosphere which allows communities to act proactively to meet demands for shore protection and preservation
Recommendations
8.1a) Maintain ongoing discussions and improve coordination on shoreline matters with other agencies in order to avoid duplication, expedite permit processing, and encourage more environmentally sensitive shoreline protection measures8.2a) Proactively plan highway construction, park improvements, and other infrastructure projects
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