HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

H.B. NO.

710

TWENTY-SEVENTH LEGISLATURE, 2013

 

STATE OF HAWAII

 

 

 

 

 

 

A BILL FOR AN ACT

 

 

relating to fishponds.

 

 

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

 


            SECTION 1.  The legislature finds that the repair of many Hawaiian fishponds may require permits from the department of land and natural resources, department of health, office of planning, and federal and county governments.

     The legislature further finds that the process of obtaining a permit for the restoration of Hawaiian fishponds is time consuming, complicated, confusing, and varies depending upon the circumstances of the party applying for the permit.  The existing regulations and permit requirements preclude community organizations and Native Hawaiian aquaculturalists from repairing and maintaining Hawaiian fishponds.

     The State has the ability to streamline the permit process and promote interagency cooperation to facilitate restoration and leasing of fishponds to cultural and familial descendants.  However, the State has not led a comprehensive initiative to streamline the permit process for restoration of Hawaiian fishponds in more than thirty years.

     The restoration and reuse of loko ia provide an opportunity to increase supplies of certain fish which will make Hawaii more food-secure and increase sustainable economic development opportunities for rural communities.

     The purpose of this Act is to require the department of land and natural resources, department of health, and office of planning in collaboration with community organizations and Native Hawaiian aquaculturalists, to streamline the permitting process and facilitate the restoration of Hawaiian fishponds.

     SECTION 2.  The department of land and natural resources, department of health, and office of planning, in collaboration with community organizations and Native Hawaiian aquaculturalists, shall streamline the permitting process and facilitate the restoration of Hawaiian fishponds by implementing:

     (1)  One master conservation district use application process that applies to all Hawaiian fishponds;

     (2)  A coastal zone management program consistency statement for Hawaiian fishponds;

     (3)  Water quality certification for Hawaiian fishponds;

     (4)  A general permit for Hawaiian fishponds that conforms to the requirements for a Hawaiian fishpond pollution discharge elimination system; and

     (5)  Administrative rules to be applied consistently throughout the State.

     The department of land and natural resources with input from the department of health and office of planning shall submit a report of its findings and recommendations, including any proposed legislation for a streamlined permit process for the restoration of Hawaiian fishponds, to the legislature no later than twenty days prior to the convening of the regular session of 2014.

     SECTION 3.  This Act shall take effect upon its approval.

 

INTRODUCED BY:

_____________________________

 

 


 


 

Report Title:

Fishponds; Restoration; Permits

 

Description:

Requires the Department of Land and Natural Resources, Department of Health, and Office of Planning to streamline the permitting process and facilitate the restoration of Hawaiian fishponds.  Requires DLNR to submit a report of findings and recommendations.

 

 

 

The summary description of legislation appearing on this page is for informational purposes only and is not legislation or evidence of legislative intent.