Report Title:

East Kauai Irrigation System

 

Description:

Appropriates funds for the operation and maintenance of the East Kauai Irrigation System.

 


HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

H.B. NO.

403

TWENTY-FOURTH LEGISLATURE, 2007

 

STATE OF HAWAII

 

 

 

 

 

 

A BILL FOR AN ACT


 

 

RELATING TO THE EAST KAUAI IRRIGATION SYSTEM.

 

 

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

 


     SECTION 1.  A reliable irrigation system is the lifeblood of Hawaii’s agricultural industry.  To ensure that Hawaii’s crops receive a steady and dependable supply of water, sufficient funding is needed to maintain and improve irrigation systems throughout the state.

     The legislature finds that a potential crisis is developing at the East Kauai irrigation system.  In 2001, Amfac Sugar Company announced that it was ceasing operation of its ditch system, comprised of twenty-two miles of ditches and three reservoirs, which had irrigated four thousand acres of land in the Kapaa area.  Subsequently, the East Kauai Water Users' Cooperative (Cooperative) received a revocable permit from the State to operate the East Kauai irrigation system and took over operations in March 2002.

     The legislature further finds that the Cooperative faces a serious funding shortfall.  Income from users is insufficient to pay for the day-to-day operation and maintenance expenses of the East Kauai irrigation system.

     The purpose of this Act is to appropriate funds for the operation and maintenance of the East Kauai irrigation system.

     SECTION 2.  There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $50,000 or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2007-2008, and the same sum or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2008-2009 for the operation and maintenance of the East Kauai irrigation system.

     The sums appropriated shall be expended by the agribusiness development corporation for the purposes of this Act.

     SECTION 3.  This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2007.

 

INTRODUCED BY:

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