Hawaii Historic Preservation Agency Says It's Improved
By Sophie Cocke 10/10/2012
The beleaguered State Historic Preservation Division says it has hired staff and met other federal requirements necessary to keep a critical certification and hundreds of thousands of dollars in funding.
The state agency had been given two years by the federal government to improve its operation and make sure it can effectively carry out its mission of protecting Hawaiis historic and archaeological resources. That deadline was up this month.
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At stake is half of SHPDs budget $500,000 in federal funds, and an equal amount of state matching funds. If the agency loses its certification it could delay billions of dollars of projects in the state.
Any project in Hawaii that involves federal funding, permitting or licensing must be reviewed by SHPD. This includes some private developments, transportation projects, such as highways and airports, and the $5.26 billion Honolulu rail project, as well as military and Department of Defense projects.
More:
http://www.civilbeat.com/articles/2012/10/10/17341-hawaii-historic-preservation-agency-says-its-improved/
One of the more glaring parts of the dysfunction that is the Hawaii Department of Land and Natural Resources.