STAND. COM. REP. NO.1502

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2003

RE: S.C.R. No. 166

 

 

Honorable Robert Bunda

President of the Senate

Twenty-Second State Legislature

Regular Session of 2003

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committees on Energy and Environment and Water, Land, and Agriculture, to which was referred S.C.R. No. 166 entitled:

"SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION URGING A JOINT EFFORT BETWEEN THE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE AND THE DEPARTMENT OF LAND AND NATURAL RESOURCES TO STOP THE IMPORTATION OF ALIEN AQUATIC ORGANISMS THAT COULD BECOME INVASIVE,"

beg leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to urge a joint effort between the Department of Agriculture (DOA) and the Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR) to stop the importation of alien aquatic organisms that could become invasive.

The Hawaii Audubon Society, The Nature Conservancy of Hawaii, Sierra Club Hawaii Chapter, Ocean Law & Policy Institute, Earthtrust, and Greenpeace submitted testimony supporting this measure. DOA and DLNR submitted testimony opposing this measure based on their statements that they are already fulfilling the purpose of this measure.

In particular, this measure urges DOA and DLNR to develop a joint procedure whereby no potentially invasive alien aquatic organism can be imported into the State without the approval of both DOA and DLNR.

Your Committees find that DOA and DLNR should work together to pool their resources and expertise to address the severe threat of alien aquatic species. Your Committees believe that no aquatic plant, animal, or organism that has the potential to become invasive should be allowed in the State until importers obtain approval from both DOA, which is the lead agency for determining what can and cannot come into the State, and DLNR, which has the knowledge and expertise in alien aquatic organisms.

Your Committees further find that a report to the Legislature and the citizens of Hawaii will provide adequate assurance and accountability that DOA and DLNR are making progress in preventing the importation of alien aquatic organisms. Moreover, if DOA and DLNR are in fact already making progress, they should timely report on their benchmarks and accomplishments.

As affirmed by the records of votes of the members of your Committees on Energy and Environment and Water, Land, and Agriculture that are attached to this report, your Committees concur with the intent and purpose of S.C.R. No. 166 and recommend its adoption.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committees on Energy and Environment and Water, Land, and Agriculture,

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LORRAINE R. INOUYE, Chair

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J. KALANI ENGLISH, Chair