HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

H.B. NO.

1997

TWENTY-NINTH LEGISLATURE, 2018

H.D. 1

STATE OF HAWAII

 

 

 

 

 

 

A BILL FOR AN ACT

 

 

RELATING TO VESSELS.

 

 

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

 


     SECTION 1.  The legislature finds that the process of removing vessels found stranded in nearshore waters is in need of evaluation.  One example of a vessel stranded in nearshore waters is a commercial fishing vessel called the Pacific Paradise that ran aground on the beaches of Waikiki on October 10, 2017.  Salvage crews took nearly two months to remove the vessel through various means and eventually brought the vessel further out to sea to be sunk.  During the time that the salvage efforts were being made, the vessel leaked oil and fuel, which caused a fire and damaged shallow reefs.  The delayed removal of the stranded vessel exposed the serious potential impact that stranded vessels can have on Hawaii's nearshore waters.  Delays in addressing future vessel strandings may have similar or even greater detrimental impacts on the environment.

     The purpose of this Act is to require the legislative reference bureau to conduct a study on the process that the department of land and natural resources uses to remove stranded vessels in nearshore waters.

     SECTION 2.  (a)  The legislative reference bureau shall conduct a study on the process that the department of land and natural resources uses to remove stranded vessels in nearshore waters.  In conducting the study, the legislative reference bureau shall:

     (1)  Review the department's process for the removal of vessels stranded in nearshore waters;

     (2)  Identify the environmental impacts on the State's nearshore resources that are caused by stranded vessels;

     (3)  Consider ways to minimize environmental impacts through the removal of stranded vessels;

     (4)  Examine the events that transpired during the Pacific Paradise vessel stranding;

     (5)  Make recommendations on measures to prevent similar vessel strandings in the future; and

     (6)  Provide an assessment of the extent of environmental and economic damages caused by the Pacific Paradise stranding.

     (b)  The department of land and natural resources shall provide the legislative reference bureau with any information in its possession that is relevant to the study.

     SECTION 3.  The legislative reference bureau shall submit a report of its findings and recommendations, including any proposed legislation, to the legislature no later than twenty days prior to the convening of the regular session of 2019.

     SECTION 4.  This Act shall take effect on December 24, 2088.


 


 

Report Title:

Department of Land and Natural Resources; Vessel Stranding; Study

 

Description:

Requires the Legislative Reference Bureau to conduct a study on the process that the Department of Land and Natural Resources uses to remove vessels stranded in nearshore waters and report its findings to the Legislature.  (HB1997 HD1)

 

 

 

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