STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1184

 

Honolulu, Hawaii

                  

 

RE:    H.B. No. 496

       S.D. 2

 

 

 

Honorable Shan S. Tsutsui

President of the Senate

Twenty-Sixth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2011

State of Hawaii

 

Sir:

 

     Your Committee on Ways and Means, to which was referred H.B. No. 496, S.D. 1, entitled:

 

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO LAKE WILSON,"

 

begs leave to report as follows:

 

     The purpose and intent of this measure is to determine the feasibility of using phytoremediation as an environmentally responsible means of removing pollutants and improving water clarity in Lake Wilson.

 

     Specifically, this measure:

 

     (1)  Establishes a pilot project within the Department of Land and Natural Resources to demonstrate the effectiveness of phytoremediation using plants that are native to Hawaii;

 

     (2)  Appropriates funds for the pilot project; and

 

     (3)  Requires the Department of Land and Natural Resources to submit a report of its finding and recommendations to the Legislature.

 

     Your Committee received written comments in support of this measure from the Office of Hawaiian Affairs. 

 

Your Committee received comments on the measure from William J. Aila, Jr., Chairperson, Department of Land and Natural Resources.

 

     Your Committee finds that Lake Wilson, Hawaii's largest reservoir, has the potential to be used for agricultural and other uses on Oahu's North Shore if the condition and quality of the water were improved.  The phytoremediation pilot project proposed under this measure will help bring Lake Wilson's water quality to acceptable levels so that it may be used to water crops and provide broader recreational opportunities along the lake.

 

     Your Committee has amended this measure by changing the effective date to July 1, 2117, to facilitate further discussion on the measure.

 

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Ways and Means that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 496, S.D. 1, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Third Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 496, S.D. 2.

 

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Ways and Means,

 

 

 

____________________________

DAVID Y. IGE, Chair