STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1637

                                 Honolulu, Hawaii
                                                   , 1999

                                 RE: H.C.R. No. 122
                                     




Honorable Calvin K.Y. Say
Speaker, House of Representatives
Twentieth State Legislature
Regular Session of 1999
State of Hawaii

Sir:

     Your Committees on Agriculture and Energy and Environmental
Protection, to which was referred H.C.R. No. 122 entitled: 

     "HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION REQUESTING THE UNITED STATES
     DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE, NATURAL RESOURCES CONSERVATION
     SERVICE TO RECOMMEND THE USE OF HEMP FIBER SOIL EROSION
     CONTROL BLANKETS WHENEVER FEASIBLE,"

beg leave to report as follows:

     The purpose of this concurrent resolution is to request the
United States Department of Agriculture, Natural Resources
Conservation Service to recommend the use of hemp fiber soil
erosion control blankets whenever feasible.

     Your committee finds that industrial hemp fiber is an
excellent material for soil erosion control, soil stabilization
and mulching applications.  The hemp fiber is a degradable
textile that can halt soil erosion caused by wind and rain and is
a suitable environment for revegetation, by retaining moisture
and providing a protected environment for seed germination and
plant growth.  This natural revegetation will develop fertile
grasslands and contribute to good soil as the matting slowly
degrades.

     JB Plant Fibres submitted testimony in support of this
concurrent resolution.  The Honolulu Police Department opposed
this measure.


 
 
 
                                 STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1637
                                 Page 2

 
     As affirmed by the records of votes of the members of your
Committees on Agriculture and Energy and Environmental Protection
that are attached to this report, your Committees concur with the
intent and purpose of H.C.R. No. 122, and recommend that it be
referred to the Committee on Judiciary and Hawaiian Affairs.

                                   Respectfully submitted on
                                   behalf of the members of the
                                   Committees on Agriculture and
                                   Energy and Environmental
                                   Protection,

                                   
                                   
                                   
                                   
______________________________     ______________________________
HERMINA M. MORITA, Chair           FELIPE P. ABINSAY, JR., Chair