HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

H.B. NO.

2435

TWENTY-EIGHTH LEGISLATURE, 2016

 

STATE OF HAWAII

 

 

 

 

 

 

A BILL FOR AN ACT

 

 

RELATING TO WATER CONTAMINATION.

 

 

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

 


SECTION 1.  The legislature finds that Hawaii is home to the best beaches and marine life in the world, with millions of visitors coming each year to swim, surf, snorkel, scuba dive, and sunbathe on our shores.  As such, the legislature must be good stewards of the land and sea by protecting our habitats and ecosystems for generations to come.  The legislature further finds that the State's terrestrial and marine life may be threatened from imprudent past and present practices that may be affecting the quality of the State's waters.

     The legislature further finds that the department of health, in collaboration with the department of agriculture and United States Geological Survey Cooperative, responded to public concerns about pesticide use with a statewide pesticide sampling pilot project of twenty-four sites to determine the pesticide levels present at a single point in time.  The legislature further finds that more information is needed on the water quality to determine any correlation or causation of negative effects to marine life. 

The purpose of this Act is to make an appropriation to the department of health and department of agriculture for a joint water quality study of the water resources, including, but not limited to, ground water and surface water on and marine waters adjacent to the Waialua district on the Island of Oahu.

SECTION 2.  (a)  The departments shall collaborate to conduct a water quality pesticide sampling pilot project of the water resources, including, but not limited to, ground water and surface water on and marine waters adjacent to the Waialua district on the Island of Oahu, provided that the departments shall consult with the relevant government and non-government organizations, businesses, experts, and individuals in their analysis. 

(b)  The departments shall sample and test for any pesticides, pollutant, and toxic chemicals no less than two times per month for twelve consecutive months.

(c)  The departments shall update their water quality plan to the extent necessary to describe the present scope of the water quality in the Waialua district on the Island of Oahu and any recommendations related to policy, programs, and funding to address water quality concerns.

(d)  The departments may contract for the services of another entity to perform an economic modeling or any related services that may be required pursuant to this Act.  Any contract for services executed pursuant to this Act shall be exempt from chapter 103D, Hawaii Revised Statutes.

(e)  The departments shall submit the study to the legislature no later than twenty days prior to the convening of the regular session of 2018.

     SECTION 3.  There is appropriated out of the pesticide use revolving fund the sum of $100,000 or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2016-2017 and the same sum or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2017-2018 to conduct a water quality study of the water resources on and oceans adjacent to the Waialua district on the Island of Oahu.

     The sums appropriated shall be expended by the department of health and department of agriculture for the purposes of this Act.

     SECTION 4.  This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2016.

 

INTRODUCED BY:

_____________________________

 

 


 


Report Title:

Water Quality Study; Environmental Protection; Appropriation.

 

Description:

Makes an appropriation to the department of health and department of agriculture for a water quality study of the water resources, including, but not limited to, ground water and surface water on and marine waters adjacent to the Waialua district on the Island of Oahu.

 

 

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