Report Title:

Ala Wai Canal; capital improvements

Description:

Appropriates funds for vegetative cover and construction of retention basins for discharge into Manoa and Palolo streams.

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

H.B. NO.

2722

TWENTY-SECOND LEGISLATURE, 2004

 

STATE OF HAWAII

 


 

A BILL FOR AN ACT

 

relating to the ala wai watershed improvements.

 

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

SECTION 1. The legislature finds that the Ala Wai canal collects and drains runoff from Manoa, Palolo, Makiki, and other surrounding areas of Honolulu, serving as a catchment basin for sediment and pollutants that flow into the canal. These pollutants have posed many problems over the years, especially to those using the Ala Wai canal for recreational purposes or as a source of food.

The Ala Wai Watershed Association is a nonprofit, tax exempt organization under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code that has worked diligently to care for this waterway as well as the watershed. Over the years, it has leveraged state funds and organized human and material resources to maximize the benefits of various Ala Wai watershed projects.

The legislature finds that it is in the best interest of the people of the State to improve the Ala Wai watershed to reduce pollution and protect the health and safety of the public. This can be accomplished by reducing erosion in the watershed through stabilization of the banks of streams, providing vegetative cover, and improving access to trails.

The purpose of this Act is to reduce sediment flow into the Ala Wai canal by constructing retention basins and providing vegetative cover along stream banks in the Ala Wai watershed.

SECTION 2. The director of finance is authorized to issue general obligation bonds in the sum of $400,000 or so much thereof as may be necessary, and the same sum or so much thereof as may be necessary is appropriated for fiscal year 2004-2005 for the following projects relating to the Ala Wai watershed on Oahu:

1. Retention basins

Design and construction of retention basins for Manoa and Palolo streams.

Design $1,000

Construction $249,000

Total funding $250,000

2. Installment of vegetative cover

Construction of vegetative cover to reduce erosion within the Ala Wai watershed.

Construction $150,000

Total funding $150,000

SECTION 3. The appropriations made for capital improvement projects authorized in this Act shall not lapse at the end of the fiscal biennium for which the appropriation is made; provided that all appropriations which are unencumbered as of June 30, 2007, shall lapse as of that date.

SECTION 4. The sum appropriated shall be expended by the department of land and natural resources for the purposes of this Act; provided that the department of land and natural resources shall work with the Ala Wai Watershed Association and other groups interested in protecting the Ala Wai canal to achieve the purposes of this Act.

SECTION 4. This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2004.

INTRODUCED BY:

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