HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

H.C.R. NO.

289

TWENTY-THIRD LEGISLATURE, 2006

 

STATE OF HAWAII

 
   


HOUSE CONCURRENT

RESOLUTION

 

REQUESTING THE DEPARTMENT OF LAND AND NATURAL RESOURCES TO FORM A TASK FORCE TO RECOMMEND SOLUTIONS TO ABATE AND PREVENT THE ACCUMULATION OF SEDIMENT IN WAILOA RIVER AND HILO BAY.

WHEREAS, there are five natural bodies of water that discharge into the Hilo Bay: Wailoa River, Wailuku River, Pukihae Stream, Pohakaunanaka Stream, and Maili Stream; and

WHEREAS, these rivers and their tributaries originate on the slopes of Mauna Kea and Mauna Loa, and drain forests, pasture and range land, agricultural fields, and urban areas; and

WHEREAS, the Wailoa River discharges into Hilo Bay and is one of the major sources of sediment into Hilo Bay; and

WHEREAS, the prevailing winds along Wailoa River and the stagnation of water in places of the river encourage the growth of phytoplankton; and

WHEREAS, the movement of water of the Wailoa River is generally insufficient to flush out silt and mud; and

WHEREAS, the sediment accumulation in the Wailoa River eventually deposits into the Hilo Bay which causes water pollution of the bay and is a public health hazard; and

WHEREAS, it has been reported that State monitoring of water for Hilo Bay in the past showed frequent violations of water quality standards for nitrogen, phosphorus, and turbidity; and

WHEREAS, there are exceptionally high levels of arsenic in sediments in Hilo Bay and other contaminants found in Hilo Bay include lead, zinc, chromium, chlordane residues, and harmful agricultural chemicals; and

WHEREAS, Wailoa River and Hilo Bay are subject to chronic nonpoint source sewage pollution with high bacterial counts; and

WHEREAS, Wailoa River and Hilo Bay are important wildlife and fishery areas and are highly visible to residents and tourists; now, therefore,

BE IT RESOLVED by the House of Representatives of the Twenty-third Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2006, the Senate concurring, that the Department of Land and Natural Resources is requested to form a Wailoa River and Hilo Bay sedimentary abatement task force to recommend solutions to sedimentation; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the task force be composed of the following members:

(1) Chairperson of the Board of Land and Natural Resources or designee, as chair;

(2) Director of Transportation or designee;

(3) Chairperson of the Board of Agriculture, or designee;

(4) Director of Health, or designee;

(5) Mayor of Hawaii County, or designee;

(6) Representative of an environmental protection advocacy organization, as selected by the Chairperson of the Board of Land and Natural Resources;

(7) Representative of a Big Island farm organization, as selected by the Chairperson of the Board of Agriculture;

(8) Representative of recreational boaters, to be selected by the Director of Transportation;

(9) Representative of commercial boaters, to be selected by the Director of Transportation; and

(10) Representative of canoe clubs, to be selected by the Mayor of Hawaii County.

and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the task force report its findings and recommendations to the Legislature no later than twenty days prior to the convening of the Regular Session of 2007; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that certified copies of this Concurrent Resolution be transmitted to the Chairperson of the Board of Land and Natural Resources, Director of Transportation, Chairperson of the Board of Agriculture, Director of Health, and Mayor of Hawaii County.

 

 

 

OFFERED BY:

_____________________________

Report Title:

Wailoa River and Hilo Bay Sediment Task Force