HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES |
H.R. NO. |
12 |
TWENTY-FIFTH LEGISLATURE, 2009 |
H.D. 1 |
|
STATE OF HAWAII |
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
|
HOUSE RESOLUTION
REQUESTING THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE TO PROVIDE FEDERAL AID TO ASSIST AGRICULTURAL OPERATIONS IN VOG-IMPACTED AREAS IN MEETING THEIR WATER NEEDS.
WHEREAS, in March of 2008, a rupture in the lower east wall of Kilauea's Halema'uma'u crater resulted in the release of large quantities of volcanic emissions that, mixed with air, formed what is commonly referred to as "vog"; and
WHEREAS, emissions from the newly created vent have continued throughout the year, resulting in elevated levels of vog in the atmosphere; and
WHEREAS, vog contains sulfur dioxide which, in addition to being a potential health hazard in high concentrations, has also proven to be particularly harmful to agricultural crops; and
WHEREAS, sulfur dioxide, and by-products like sulfuric acid, damage both the leaves and the flowers of plants, including protea and other cut flowers, rendering them unsalable; and
WHEREAS, farmers provided testimony on the devastating impact of vog on their businesses at fact-finding meetings convened by the House Special Committee on Vog Effects; and
WHEREAS, one of the methods used to treat plants exposed to sulfur dioxide involves spraying plants with large amounts of water to wash off the sulfur dioxide; and
WHEREAS, many farmers are located in rural areas that have no access to relatively inexpensive county water and, instead, must rely on costly water provided by privately operated public utilities;
WHEREAS, the cost to farmers that are forced to rely on water treatments to save their crops is enormous; and
WHEREAS, the Legislature, in 2008, passed a measure enacted into law as Act 169, to assist farmers living in remote areas by allowing the Public Utilities Commission to establish preferential water rates for customers that use water for bona-fide agricultural activities; and
WHEREAS, notwithstanding these efforts, additional aid is needed to assist farmers in meeting their water needs; now, therefore,
BE IT RESOLVED by the House of Representatives of the Twenty-fifth Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2009, that the United States Department of Agriculture is requested to provide federal aid to assist agricultural operations in vog-impacted areas in meeting their water needs; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that certified copies of this Resolution be transmitted to the U.S. Secretary of Agriculture and Hawaii's congressional delegation.
Agricultural Water; Aid; Vog