STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1167

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2005

RE: H.B. No. 1278

H.D. 2

S.D. 1

 

 

Honorable Robert Bunda

President of the Senate

Twenty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2005

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Water, Land, and Agriculture, to which was referred H.B. No. 1278, H.D. 2, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO IMPROVING WATER QUALITY,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to develop and demonstrate comprehensive watershed management measures to improve the water quality of Lake Wilson and to reduce contaminated sediments from the lake in statewide waterways.

The Department of Health, the University of Hawaii Center for Conservation, Research, and Training, and two individuals submitted testimony in support of this measure. The University of Hawaii Environmental Center submitted comments on this measure.

Your Committee finds that with growing concerns over the preservation of Hawaii's environment, ecosystems, and water quality, it is increasingly in the State's best interest to address these problems through innovative, comprehensive watershed management measures that are cost-effective and sustainable. Thus, this measure appropriates funds to:

(1) Develop comprehensive strategies that establish broad water quality management goals for the entire Lake Wilson catchment, consistent with comprehensive watershed management practices (phase 1); and

(2) Secure funding and coordinate the implementation of the strategies identified in phase 1 (phase 2).

Your Committee finds that a similar measure, S.B. No. 1451, was heard and approved by this Committee and was subsequently heard and approved, with amendments, by the Committee on Ways and Means. Your Committee has amended this measure to reflect the provisions in S.B. No. 1451, S.D.2, by:

(1) Appropriating the necessary funds from the Environmental Response Revolving fund, rather than from the General fund;

(2) Clarifying that the University of Hawaii's Center for Conservation, Research and Training will expend the appropriated funds;

(3) Deleting the amount of the appropriation to allow the Committee on Ways and Means to determine the funding;

(4) Inserting an effective date of July 1, 2050 to facilitate further discussion on this measure; and

(5) Making technical, nonsubstantive changes for style, clarity, and consistency.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Water, Land, and Agriculture that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 1278, H.D. 2, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 1278, H.D. 2, S.D. 1, and be referred to the Committee on Ways and Means.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Water, Land, and Agriculture,

____________________________

RUSSELL S. KOKUBUN, Chair