HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

H.R. NO.

67

TWENTY-THIRD LEGISLATURE, 2005

 

STATE OF HAWAII

 
   


HOUSE RESOLUTION

 

requesting participation in the federal program to assist states in obtaining scrapped federal ships to use as artificial reefs in the waters of the state of hawaii.

 

 

WHEREAS, pursuant to section 187A-2, Hawaii Revised Statutes, the Department of Land and Natural Resources is responsible for the establishment, management, and regulation of artificial reefs in the waters of the State; and

WHEREAS, artificial reefs are usually composed of scrapped metal vessels such as maritime vessels or concrete structures; and

WHEREAS, these artificial reefs provide an ideal habitat for marine life such as fish and coral to propagate and proliferate, thus enhancing fish populations, marine ecosystems, and recreational opportunities for the surrounding ocean area; and

WHEREAS, however, prior to a scrapped vessel being sunk as utilized as an artificial reef structure, the vessel must be sufficiently remediated to ensure no harmful pollutants are left in the sunken structure; and

WHEREAS, this remediation procedure is usually very costly, making the use of such scrapped marine vessels as artificial reefs cost prohibitive; and

WHEREAS, a program established by the United States Department of Transportation's Federal Maritime Administration will provide states with federal moneys to help offset the cost of remediating scrapped federal maritime vessels for use as artificial reefs; and

WHEREAS, if the State of Hawaii is able to obtain such funds, the use of scrapped maritime vessels as artificial reefs will become economically viable; and

WHEREAS, an area that could benefit from the installation of additional artificial reefs is Waianae on the island of Oahu; and

WHEREAS, as an area that is frequented by many recreational and commercial fishing boats, Waianae is in need of establishing additional means of maintaining and hopefully increasing its fish and marine life population; and

WHEREAS, in addition, the establishment of more artificial reefs in the area may assist in the creation of additional surf breaks and the curtailment of beach erosion; now, therefore,

BE IT RESOLVED by the House of Representatives of the Twenty-third Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2005, that the Department of Land and Natural Resources is requested to actively participate in the federal program to utilize scrapped federal ships for artificial reefs; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Department of Land and Natural Resources is also requested to designate the Waianae coast on the island of Oahu as its initial location for sinking any acquired scrapped federal ship for the purpose of establishing an artificial reef; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Department of Land and Natural Resources is requested to report to the Legislature on its actions to comply with the purpose of this Resolution not later than twenty days prior to the convening of the 2006 Regular Session; and

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

 

 

 

OFFERED BY:

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Report Title:

Artificial Reefs; Federal Scrapped Ships Program