Report Title:

East Kauai Irrigation System; Appropriation

Description:

Appropriates funds for the continued operation and maintenance of the east Kauai irrigation system.

THE SENATE

S.B. NO.

1218

TWENTY-THIRD LEGISLATURE, 2005

 

STATE OF HAWAII

 


 

A BILL FOR AN ACT

 

making an appropriation for the operation and maintenance of the east kauai irrigation system.

 

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:

SECTION 1. Amfac Sugar company announced in 2001 that it was ceasing operation of its ditch system comprising of twenty-two miles of ditch and three reservoirs serving two thousand acres of land in the Kapaa area. After more than a year of effort, the East Kauai Water Users' Cooperative received a revocable permit to operate this state-owned system and took it over in March 2002. Since then, the system has provided a number of benefits. For example, a reservoir in the system provides water to the ferns in Fern Grotto; prior to the involvement of the Cooperative, the ferns did not receive sufficient water to live. Continued health of the Wailua Reservoir, which is part of the system, will greatly assist the State's plans for a public fishing area, campground, and educational center for children in the area.

The Cooperative is now faced with the problem of funding ongoing operations and maintenance of the system. Income from users is insufficient to pay for the normal operations and maintenance expense on the system. The legislature finds that reliable irrigation water is critical for the survival of agricultural crops in the Kapaa area.

The purpose of this Act is to appropriate moneys for the continued operation and maintenance of the east Kauai irrigation system.

SECTION 2. There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $100,000, or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2005-2006, and $100,000, or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2006-2007, for the agribusiness development corporation to fund the East Kauai Water Users' Cooperative to operate and maintain the east Kauai irrigation system; provided that the sums appropriated shall not supplant moneys appropriated to the East Kauai Water Users' Cooperative for fiscal years 2005-2006 and 2006-2007.

SECTION 3. The sums appropriated shall be expended by the department of agriculture for the purposes of this Act.

SECTION 4. This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2005.

INTRODUCED BY:

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