THE SENATE

S.C.R. NO.

117

TWENTY-FIRST LEGISLATURE, 2002

 

STATE OF HAWAII

 
   


SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION

 

REQUESTING THE DEPARTMENT OF LAND AND NATURAL RESOURCES TO PRIORITIZE THE USE OF THE OCEAN AND COASTAL AREAS.

 

 

WHEREAS, for the benefit of the present and future generations, the State Constitution mandates that the use and development of Hawaii's natural resources, such as the ocean and coastal areas, be consistent with their conservation and protection and in furtherance of the self-sufficiency of the State; and

WHEREAS, the multitude of demands on our ocean and coastal areas have in many cases resulted in the exclusive use of a certain area or aspect of these resources by a certain user-group to the exclusion of the public at large; and

WHEREAS, the Legislature finds that:

(1) Managing the use of the ocean and coastal areas must be prioritized in a manner consistent with constitutional mandates;

(2) User conflicts and the resulting exclusion of the public must be avoided; and

(3) The vitality of our ocean tourism industry must continue to improve;

and

WHEREAS, priority in the use of the State's ocean and coastal resources should be in the following order of importance:

(1) Protection of natural resources;

(2) Subsistence needs and cultural practices of native Hawaiians;

(3) Non-commercial recreational use; that is, any use of an ocean recreation and coastal area available to all members of the public with a low degree of exclusion of other users of the ocean recreation and coastal area, and if participants pay to engage in an activity, the payment does not benefit a private entity;

(4) Commercial recreational use; that is, any use of an ocean recreation and coastal area available to all members of the public with a low degree of exclusion of other users of the ocean recreation and coastal area, and participants pay a private entity to engage in an activity; and

(5) Non-recreational use; that is, any use of an ocean recreation and coastal areas only available to a highly select group with a high degree of exclusion of other users of the ocean recreation and coastal area, and participants expect direct financial gain from the use of the ocean recreation and coastal area;

now, therefore,

BE IT RESOLVED by the Senate of the Twenty-first Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2002, the House of Representatives concurring, that the Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR) is requested to adopt rules addressing the use of the ocean and coastal areas that include the above priorities; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that DLNR apply these rules to the management of boating, fisheries, and public use of the ocean and coastal areas; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that DLNR allow ample opportunity for public input and comments during the rule-making process; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a certified copy of this Concurrent Resolution be transmitted to the Chairperson of the Board of Land and Natural Resources.

 

 

OFFERED BY:

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Report Title:

Use of Ocean and Coastal Areas; DLNR to Prioritize