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Help Save Maui's Mantas - Nov. 27 deadline - www.saveolowalureef.org

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deakos

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Happy Thanksgiving all.

I want to bring your attention to a decision that is being made in Maui that will have dramatic consequences to one of the few remaining healthy reefs left in Maui. Maui's reefs have suffered an alarming 25%-90% decline in coral coverage at most of its reefs in the past decade alone, primarily from coastal development. Our nine member County Council is voting on the final revisions of the Maui Island Plan (a 30 year plan for growth), which includes a recommendation for urban growth at Olowalu, the addition of 1,500 new homes and more than 4,000 new people uphill from one of only two reefs left in Maui with >50% coral cover (Olowalu reef). This reef also happens to be an aggregation area for over 350 manta rays, the 4th largest resident population in the world and new research has shown this reef seeds the struggling reefs of West Maui, south Molokai, and north Lanai. The Olowalu reef, with its 500 year old corals, supports Maui's 3.8 billion dollar a year marine resource industry.

However, because there is no union or lobbyists for this industry, council members have expressed that a voice to support protection of this reef is insignificant compared to the voice of the construction industry who want the million dollar contracts to build this town.

The Maui Island Plan already includes 150% of anticipated growth so urbanizing this area is not necessary. In fact, the portions of lands that are on the oceanside of the highway, which would have the greatest impact on the reef and the manta rays, is designated in a tsunami disaster area and has such low elevation, is likely to be underwater in 50 years based on conservative predictions of sea-level rise.

Council members expressed to me if I could bring to them the voice of those that recognize the importance of preserving Maui's legacy reef, it would provide them with better justification to amend the current Maui Island Plan to not designate those lands for urban growth.

Currently they have received over 1,500 signatures but I am reaching out to all of you to help insure we save Olowalu reef and the unique manta ray population and habitat that exists there. We have until November 27th (4 more days) to send a clear message. So please check out the website, sign the petitions, send in testimony, pick up the phone and call our council members, or if you live on Maui, give testimony in person on Nov. 27th, 9 am, Council Chambers. And most importantly spread the word (share on Facebook) so that everyone is aware of what is at stake. Thank you for your support.

www.saveolowalureef.org

https://www.change.org/petitions/save-maui-s-mantas-save-olowalu-reef

http://www.thepetitionsite.com/936/961/637/save-mauis-legacy-reef-save-olowalu-reef/

Save Maui's Mantas - YouTube
 
Last edited by a moderator:
Will my petition signature be valid if I am Canadian?
 
Will my petition signature be valid if I am Canadian?

All signatures are valid, no matter what part of the world you are from. The loss of our reefs impacts everyone. Leave a personal comment on the petition to give it more impact.

Thanks for your support.
 
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