Purpose of the Public Access, Open Space, and Natural Resources Preservation Fund

In adopting each fiscal year's budget and capital program, the Council shall appropriate a minimum of one-half of one percent (0.5%) of the certified Real Property Tax revenues to a fund known as the Public Access, Open Space, Natural Resources Preservation Fund ("fund"). The moneys in this fund shall be utilized for purchasing or otherwise acquiring lands or property entitlements and any corresponding improvement of those lands or property entitlements for land conservation purposes in the County of Kaua'i for the following purposes:Public outdoor recreation and education, including access to beaches and mountains:Preservation of historic or culturally important land areas and sites;Protection of significant habitats or ecosystems, including buffer zones;Preserving forests, beaches, coastal areas, and agricultural lands;Protecting watershed lands to preserve water quality and water supply;Conserving land in order to reduce erosion, floods, landslides, and runoff;Improving public access to, and enjoyment of, public land, and open space;Acquiring public access to public land, and open space;Conserving land for open space and scenic values.The moneys in this fund may also be used for the payment of interest, principal, and premium, if any, due with respect to bonds issued pursuant to Sections 3.13, 3.14, or 3.15, Charter, in whole or in part, for the purposes enumerated in Subsection (a) of this Section and for the payment of costs associated with the purchase, redemption or refunding of such bonds.The moneys in this fund may also be used to improve public pedestrian access to coastal areas.At any given time, no more than five percent (5%) of this fund shall be used for the maintenance of one (1) land or property entitlement and any corresponding improvements that were purchased or acquired using this fund; or two (2) public pedestrian access to coastal areas that were improved using this fund.Any balance remaining in this fund at the end of any fiscal year shall not lapse, but shall remain in the fund, accumulating from year to year. The moneys in this fund shall not be used for any purpose except those listed in this Section.