Report Title:

Local Flood Warning System

Description:

Appropriates funds for local flood warning system for Lake Wilson; requires matching federal funds.

THE SENATE

S.B. NO.

2280

TWENTY-SECOND LEGISLATURE, 2004

 

STATE OF HAWAII

 


 

A BILL FOR AN ACT

 

MAKING AN APPROPRIATION FOR A LOCAL FLOOD WARNING SYSTEM FOR LAKE WILSON.

 

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

SECTION 1. Flooding is a natural hazard that can occur at any time. The frequency and magnitude of flooding can vary from minor flooding causing only inconvenience, to major flooding resulting in loss of life and extensive damage to agriculture, industry, transportation, and commercial and residential segments of society.

A local flood warning system is a community or locally based system consisting of: volunteers; rainfall, river, and other hydrologic gauges; a communications network; and a local flood coordinator responsible for issuing flood warnings. The purpose of a flood warning system is to provide officials with advance information that can be translated into response actions to save lives. An additional benefit of a flood warning system is the increased public awareness of the threat of floods and the improved public response to flood warnings.

The United States Geological Survey Service will install a flood warning system at Lake Wilson to provide advance information on an impending flood, work with the National Weather Service to issue flood warnings, and work with the Oahu Civil Defense Agency and Honolulu Police Department to provide timely evacuation of residents living downstream from Lake Wilson, provided the State appropriates matching funds for the purchase of stream gauges and operation and maintenance of the flood warning system.

The total purchase and installation cost of the stream gauges for the system is $100,000, of which the State would be responsible for half. The annual operation and maintenance cost for the flood warning system is $50,000, with the State providing half. It is anticipated that the annual operation and maintenance cost for the flood warning system will be an ongoing expense because such systems require regular care.

SECTION 2. There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $75,000, or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2004-2005, for the purchase of stream gauges and operation and maintenance of a flood warning system for Lake Wilson, provided that no funds shall be made available under this Act unless dollar-for-dollar federal matching funds for this purpose are first made available.

SECTION 3. The sum appropriated shall be expended by the department of land and natural resources for the purposes of this Act.

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

INTRODUCED BY:

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