Report Title:

Soil Renutrification of Agricultural Lands; Appropriation

Description:

Appropriates funds for soil renutrification of agricultural lands in West Maui. (SB3153 HD2)

THE SENATE

S.B. NO.

3153

TWENTY-SECOND LEGISLATURE, 2004

S.D. 2

STATE OF HAWAII

H.D. 2


 

A BILL FOR AN ACT

 

MAKING AN APPROPRIATION FOR BIOREMEDIATION RESEARCH.

 

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

SECTION 1. The legislature finds that Hawaii encompasses tremendous biological, physical, and social diversity within its small island ecosystems. Historic patterns of land use emphasized large-scale agricultural plantations, extensive rangelands, and forested conservation land. Today, plantation agriculture is declining, and new diversified agriculture, forestry, and urbanization are increasing.

The legislature further finds that sound scientific tools and environmentally sustainable technologies are required for predicting and mitigating any detrimental effects of land use change. Improving the quality of ground and surface water, increasing food safety, and renutrification of soils to accommodate diversified agriculture are some of the priorities in promoting sustainable agriculture. Farmers must be equipped with new and best management practices that are environmentally sound, profitable, and acceptable to the community.

Maui Land & Pineapple Company, Inc., in conjunction with Maui community college and Earth University of Costa Rica, is in the initial stages of creating an educational and agricultural-entrepreneur training program, called Maui Ag Partners. This pilot program will focus on determining the best management practices for soil renutrification on former pineapple lands in West Maui. This project complements the soil renutrification work of the Pacific cooperative studies unit of the college of natural sciences at the University of Hawaii. A joint effort can leverage additional non-state funds and resources to support sustainable agriculture through soil renutrification.

The purpose of this Act is to appropriate funds to support the cooperative efforts for soil renutrification research on former pineapple lands in West Maui.

SECTION 2. There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $           or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2004-2005 for a pilot project on soil renutrification research by Maui Ag Partners, coordinated by the Pacific cooperative studies unit of the college of natural sciences and the college of tropical agriculture and human resources at the University of Hawaii; provided that no funds shall be made available under this Act unless matched by non-state funds through Maui Ag Partners for the purpose for which this sum is appropriated.

For the purposes of this Act, bioremediation includes soil renutrification.

The sum appropriated shall be expended by the research corporation of the University of Hawaii for the purposes of this Act.

SECTION 3. This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2010.