THE SENATE

S.B. NO.

500

TWENTY-EIGHTH LEGISLATURE, 2015

S.D. 1

STATE OF HAWAII

 

 

 

 

 

 

A BILL FOR AN ACT

 

 

RELATING TO ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS.

 

 

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

 


     SECTION 1.  The legislature finds that because major construction projects in coastal areas are environmentally precarious, it is essential to take impacts related to projected sea level rise into account during the planning stage in order to protect infrastructure investments over time.

     The purpose of this Act is to make impacts related to sea level rise a consideration in any environmental assessment or environmental impact statement for a major infrastructure improvement project or major construction project proposed in any special management area.

     SECTION 2.  Chapter 343, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by adding a new section to be appropriately designated and to read as follows:

     "§343-    Content of environmental assessments and environmental impact statements; coastal lands.  Beginning July 1, 2016, whenever any major infrastructure improvement project or major construction project is proposed in any special management area, as defined in section 205A-22, any necessary environmental assessment or environmental impact statement may include an analysis of the environmental impact of projected sea level rise over the anticipated lifespan of the project.  The detailed analysis shall include a detailed scientifically-based methodology for evaluation of the project based on the best available information.

     (b)  For purposes of this section, the office of environmental quality control shall work with the Hawaii coastal zone management program and relevant state agencies to provide guidance documents concerning ecological and environmental problems related to the development of the coastal zone management area, as defined in section 205A-1.

     (c)  As used in this section, "major" means any project having a projected completion cost exceeding $3,000,000."

     SECTION 3.  This Act does not affect rights and duties that matured, penalties that were incurred, and proceedings that were begun before its effective date.

     SECTION 4.  New statutory material is underscored.

     SECTION 5.  This Act shall take effect upon its approval.

 


 


 

Report Title:

Special Management Area; Environmental Assessment; Environmental Impact Statements

 

Description:

Provides that any environmental assessments and environmental impact statements for any major infrastructure improvement project or major construction project in any special management area may include an analysis of the environmental impact of projected sea level rise over the anticipated lifespan of the project.  (SD1)

 

 

 

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