Report Title:

Study of Alien Aquatic and Terrestrial Species

 

THE SENATE

S.C.R. NO.

45

TWENTY-FIRST LEGISLATURE, 2001

H.D. 1

STATE OF HAWAII

 
   


SENATE CONCURRENT

RESOLUTION

 

REQUESTING THE LEGISLATIVE REFERENCE BUREAU TO study policy recommendations and funding options for a comprehensive invasive species protection and control program for the State of Hawaii.

 

WHEREAS, the silent invasion of Hawaii by insects, disease organisms, snakes, weeds, and other pests is the single greatest threat to Hawaii's economy, natural environment and the health and lifestyle of Hawaii's people and visitors; and

WHEREAS, invasive pests already cause millions of dollars of crop losses, the extinction of native species, the destruction of native ecosystems, and the spread of disease; and

WHEREAS, many more harmful pests threaten to invade Hawaii and wreak further damage; and

WHEREAS, the cumulative impacts of harmful invasive species create a burden for the United States, and the nation's current protection system is piecemeal and lacking adequate rigor and comprehensiveness; and

WHEREAS, these deficiencies led to a 1999 Executive Order that brought increased regulatory scrutiny and responsibilities for federal agencies as well as the creation of a national invasive species management plan; and

WHEREAS, the State of Hawaii's programs to address invasive species are also piecemeal, lacking adequate rigor, comprehensiveness, and political will; and

WHEREAS, the deficiencies in Hawaii's programs to address invasive species are evidenced by debate over determining a lead state agency and the formation in 1995 of a coalition of state agencies and non-profit partners called the Coordinating Group on Alien Pest Species (CGAPS); and

WHEREAS, a principal lesson from the CGAPS program is that Hawaii needs a more coordinated invasive species prevention and control program that has sufficient programmatic capability to prevent new invasive species from entering into the State and control those species already present at a level that reduces the risks and mitigates the hazards to the people of Hawaii; and

WHEREAS, public and private sectors involved and affected by the invasive species issue should participate together in formulating funding options and policy changes for future legislative consideration; now, therefore,

BE IT RESOLVED by the Senate of the Twenty-First Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2001, the House of Representatives concurring, that the Legislative Reference Bureau is requested to conduct a study on policy recommendations and funding options for a comprehensive invasive species protection and control program for the State of Hawaii; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that this study should address, but not be limited to, the following areas:

(1) The scope of the invasive species problem on a global and local level;

(2) The economic and environmental costs to Hawaii associated with invasive species;

(3) The health and safety issues for Hawaii associated with invasive species;

(4) Hawaii's existing programs and policies that address the invasive species problem;

(5) Existing collaborative efforts between organizations in the public, private, and non-profit sectors and among government agencies;

(6) Potential for future collaborative efforts between organizations in the public, private, and non-profit sectors and among government agencies;

(7) Statutory changes the Legislature can make to improve control and prevention of invasive species;

(8) Assessing the need for a lead state agency for the control and prevention of invasive species, and if deemed necessary, recommending the lead state agency; and

(9) Evaluating existing funding sources and recommending potential future funding sources for a comprehensive state plan;

and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Legislative Reference Bureau consult with the Department of Agriculture, Department of Land and Natural Resources, Department of Health, Department of Transportation, Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism, Hawaii Tourism Authority, affected private sector industry groups, relevant federal agencies, and relevant non-governmental organizations in its analysis; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Legislative Reference Bureau submit a report on its findings and recommendations, including draft legislation, to the Legislature no later than twenty days prior to the convening of the Regular Session of 2002; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that certified copies of this Concurrent Resolution be transmitted to the Governor, the Legislative Reference Bureau, the Board of Land and Natural Resources, the Department of Agriculture, the Department of Health, the Department of Transportation, the Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism, and the Hawaii Tourism Authority.