Council committee to review draft official Maui wetland inventory map

Maui County Council members will hear a presentation from the Department of Planning on Monday on a draft of Maui County’s first official wetland map.

The Agriculture, Diversification, Environment and Public Transportation Committee, chaired by Council Member Gabe Johnson, is scheduled to begin at 1:30 p.m. Monday.

Johnson said Ordinance 5421, enacted in 2022, created the Wetlands Overlay District in the Comprehensive Zoning Ordinance, with enhanced wetland protections and new mapping requirements. The draft wetland map is an inventory of wetlands in Maui County and was prepared by the Planning Department, the University of Hawaiʻi Sea Grant College Program and consultants H. T. Harvey and Associates, Johnson said.

“Two years ago, I supported the bill that created the Wetlands Overlay District to require identification and mapping of county wetlands so that these important areas could be better protected and restored,” said Johnson, who holds the seat for the Lānaʻi residency area. “Wetlands are critical for collecting and filtering runoff, adapting to sea-level rise, creating green fire breaks, sequestering carbon, providing habitats for native plant and animal species, preserving cultural traditions and maintaining open space and scenic-view recreation.”

On the county’s behalf, H. T. Harvey and Associates will accept comments on the draft wetlands map through May 15 by email at mauiwetlandoverlay@harveyecology.com. Individuals may comment on specific wetland features or identify wetlands that are not included on the map, Johnson said.

Johnson invited public participation in the meeting, saying: “My hope is to provide an opportunity for the public to become better informed on the draft wetland map, and I would encourage anyone with feedback to submit their comments so they can be considered in the final map.”

To learn more about the Wetlands Restoration and Protection Project and view the draft wetland map, visit mauicounty.gov/2724/Wetlands-Restoration-and-Protection-Proj.

Information regarding upcoming council and committee meetings, including instructions on how to provide testimony, can be found at mauicounty.us/agendas/.