Conservation Planning

One of the main contributions from the Oahu Soil an Water Conservation Districts is providing conservation plans to farmers and conservationists. If you are interested in a conservation plan, please contact us. Learn about steps you can take to prepare for getting your conservation plan here.

A conservation plan will provide a permit exemption for soil disturbing work such as:

• Grading (more than 3’ elevation change, or 50 cubic yards)
• Stockpiling (more than 100 cubic yards)
• Grubbing (removing any vegetation on 15,000 square feet or greater and trenching

Without a conservation plan, a Special Management Area permit is required if the planned work is in the Special Management Area, this is mostly work near the coastal areas and is tied to Coastal Zone Management program requirements*. Each county is responsible for issuing this permit.

Conservation Technical Assistance

*Land which is being managed in accordance with soil conservation practices acceptable to the applicable soil and water conservation district directors, and that a comprehensive conservation program is being actively pursued for the entire area in the program and that the conservation program with appropriate modification is reviewed and accepted by the soil and water conservation district directors periodically but not less than once every five years and shall be made available to the city and county; provided, however, that no grading which, in the opinion of the chief engineer, endangers abutting properties or which alters the general drainage pattern with respect to abutting properties shall be commenced or performed without a grading permit;