HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

H.B. NO.

2612

TWENTY-FIFTH LEGISLATURE, 2010

 

STATE OF HAWAII

 

 

 

 

 

 

A BILL FOR AN ACT

 

 

relating to land management.

 

 

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

 


     SECTION 1.  To protect the safety of Hawaii's citizens, the land use commission should prevent the development and construction of residential or commercial real estate on or near dangerous unimproved land.  The tools to indentify these dangerous conditions are geological surveys and maps.  While landslides pose a significant risk throughout the State, current state geological maps should be reviewed to determine whether the maps accurately identify those areas susceptible to land failure.  These geological "hazard" maps would help the land use commission to make decisions regarding land classification when dangerous conditions exist.

     The purpose of this Act is to appropriate funds to the department of land and natural resources for the purpose of developing hazard mapping for use by the land use commission in preventing residential and commercial development on or near dangerous, unimproved land.

     SECTION 2.  To prevent the development and construction of residential or commercial structures on or near dangerous, unimproved land, the department of land and natural resources is directed to develop a method to identify potential land failure or landslides that pose a safety risk to the public. In identifying areas vulnerable to land failure, the department shall conduct a thorough review of current state geological maps and determine the adequacy and relevance of available maps.  The chairperson of the board of land and natural resources is directed to consult with the land use commission to ensure proper utilization of available hazardous mapping information.

The department of land and natural resources is directed to consult with appropriate federal agencies to determine whether additional resources are needed to conduct a thorough assessment of areas vulnerable to land failure.  In particular, the department shall consult with the United States Geological Survey and the University of Hawaii to take advantage of extensive geological maps developed by those agencies.  The department shall pursue matching funds available for geological mapping through the United States Geological Survey Statemap program.

     SECTION 3.  There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $         or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2010-2011 to develop hazard mapping of dangerous conditions on unimproved state land.

     The sum appropriated shall be expended by the department of land and natural resources for the purposes of this Act.

     SECTION 4.  The department of land and natural resources shall submit a report to the legislature regarding the status of the department's assessment of vulnerable land in the State pursuant to this Act no later than twenty days prior to the convening of the 2011 regular session.  The report also shall include information on the availability of matching funds through the United States Geological Survey Statemap program and the status of the department's request for funds.

     SECTION 5.  This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2010.

 

INTRODUCED BY:

_____________________________

 

 


 


 

Report Title:

Land Management; Hazard Mapping

 

Description:

Appropriates funds to the department of land and natural resources for hazard mapping.

 

 

 

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