HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

H.B. NO.

588

TWENTY-NINTH LEGISLATURE, 2017

H.D. 1

STATE OF HAWAII

 

 

 

 

 

 

A BILL FOR AN ACT

 

 

MAKING AN APPROPRIATION FOR HEEIA NATIONAL ESTUARINE RESEARCH RESERVE.

 

 

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

 


     SECTION 1.  The National Estuarine Research Reserve System is a network of twenty-eight protected areas along America's coasts.  According to the National Estuarine Research Reserve System Strategic Plan 2011-2016, the System is founded on the principle that long-term protection of representative estuaries provides stable platforms for research and education and the application of management practices that will benefit the nation's estuaries and coasts.

     The legislature finds that the State has coordinated with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) to nominate Heeia estuary as a National Estuarine Research Reserve.  The site, located on Oahu's windward shore, includes Heeia state park, fishpond, and wetlands as well as marine waters with patch and fringing reefs and Moku o Loe (Coconut Island).  In 2014, Heeia was officially nominated as a Reserve to support NOAA's policy to encourage expansion of the program in unrepresented areas of the country.  NOAA is currently poised to begin implementation of Heeia Reserve's management plan.

     For Heeia Reserve to succeed in its function within the System, funding for initial staffing is essential.  The initial staffing needs are four full-time equivalent (4.00 FTE) positions:  a reserve manager, education coordinator, research coordinator, and cultural resource coordinator.  Although the University of Hawaii has agreed to fund these positions in the first year, additional funding is required to maintain the positions and to keep Heeia Reserve fully functioning.  These positions must be established as well as maintained to develop and manage Heeia reserve and keep it fully functioning.  The legislature notes that as funding or partnership opportunities become available, additional staff will be required within the first five years to meet management plan goals and objectives.

     The purpose of this Act is to support Heeia estuary in its designation as a National Estuarine Research Reserve by appropriating funds to maintain the initial staff positions that are necessary to develop and manage Heeia Reserve and its programs.

     SECTION 2.  Contractors and other third parties who receive funds under this Act may be subject to review and inspection by the department of land and natural resources, the attorney general, or the auditor.  Upon request by such agencies, the contractor or third party shall be required to submit for review all files, records, documents, and accounting related to the use and expenditure of funds received pursuant to this Act, whether the funds were received via contract, grant, or other agreement.

     SECTION 3.  There is appropriated out of the         special fund the sum of $        or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2018-2019 for the hiring of four full-time equivalent (4.00 FTE) permanent positions in the University of Hawaii to maintain the initial staff positions that are necessary to develop and manage Heeia reserve and its programs, as follows:

(1)  $         for one full-time equivalent (1.00 FTE) reserve manager position;

(2)  $         for one full-time equivalent (1.00 FTE) education coordinator position;

(3)  $         for one full-time equivalent (1.00 FTE) research coordinator position; and

(4)  $         for one full-time equivalent (1.00 FTE) cultural resource coordinator position.

     The sum appropriated shall be expended by the University of Hawaii for the purposes of this Act.

     SECTION 4.  This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2050.



 

Report Title:

Heeia National Estuarine Research Reserve; Staff Hiring; University of Hawaii; Appropriation

 

Description:

Appropriates funds for Fiscal Year 2018-2019 for the initial staff positions that are necessary to develop and manage the Heeia National Estuarine Research Reserve and its programs.  (HB588 HD1)

 

 

 

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