Dropping out of the federal program has not hampered efforts to protect the islands’ marine species, including monk seals, state and federal agents say.

Since the 2005 ban took effect, EPA says more than 3,862 cesspools in Hawaii have been closed.

A draft environmental impact statement remains open for public comment through Aug. 7.

The ruling likely will result in the estimated 400,000 tons of fire debris and ash staying much longer than expected in the temporary dump site at Olowalu.

Money to manage feral chickens and educate the public are among the items zeroed out of the budget. Millions of dollars have been cut from other programs for pest management.

The county is compiling public input to help prioritize fire recovery projects and programs for disaster funding.

The proposed deal with the state follows extensive native bee habitat destruction and the killing of a nesting albatross at Marconi Point last year.

The area was the focus of decades of political and legal efforts to preserve sensitive habitat that includes 5 miles of coastline.

Started by fishermen and firefighters, Kuleana Coral Restoration prioritizes workforce development to aid coral reefs stressed by warming oceans, urban runoff and more.

Dive tour operators were warned to stay away from the area by commercial divers working there. They feared the worst.