Report Title:

Bioremediation of Contaminated Waterways Research; Appropriation

Description:

Appropriates $400,000 for biotreatability evaluation, additional research, and small-scale testing of bioremediating contaminated sediments in statewide waterways by the University of Hawaii, college of tropical agriculture and human resources (CTAHR). Requires the CTAHR to submit interim and final reports to the legislature.

THE SENATE

S.B. NO.

919

TWENTY-SECOND LEGISLATURE, 2003

 

STATE OF HAWAII

 


 

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 natural, non-invasive and less costly clean up methods are needed to effectively and efficiently clean waterways of contaminants. Research is significant in exploring methods such as utilizing native plant species, uptake processes, natural microbial processes, or other natural remediation processes.

The legislature finds that the University of Hawaii, college of tropical agriculture and human resources (CTAHR) has submitted a proposal to conduct research and small-scale testing for the treatment of contaminated sediment from local waterways. The research work includes a biotreatability evaluation and additional research on the bioremediation of contaminated sediments for $50,000 and $250,000, respectively. The small-scale testing includes a twelve-month screening program for plant species to remediate polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, halogenated hydrocarbons, and heavy metals and small scale field-testing. The small-scale testing costs approximately $100,000. Total cost for the biotreatability evaluation, research, and small-scale testing is $400,000.

The legislature further finds that the successful completion of the above research and small-scale testing is essential for the development of full-scale commercial application of bioremediation technologies for the treatment of contaminated sediments in statewide waterways. Performance, operation, and maintenance factors and cost of various biological treatment processes will be identified in the research and small-scale testing phase. The United States Army Corps of Engineers will provide technical assistance in the testing and evaluation effort.

The purpose of this Act is to appropriate funds for biotreatability evaluation, additional research, and small-scale testing of bioremediating contaminated sediments in statewide waterways.

SECTION 2. There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $400,000, or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2003-2004, to conduct the following research and testing on sediments from the Ala Wai canal and other waterways statewide:

(1) A biotreatability evaluation;

(2) Research on contaminated sediments; and

(3) Small-scale testing, including a twelve-month screening program for plant species to remediate polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, halogenated hydrocarbons and heavy metals, and small scale field-testing.

SECTION 3. The University of Hawaii, college of tropical agriculture and human resources shall submit an interim report of the findings from the research and an evaluation of the feasibility of scaling up the technology to the legislature not later than twenty days prior to the convening of the 2004 regular session and a final report upon the completion of the project or not later than twenty days prior to the convening of the 2005 regular session, whichever occurs first.

SECTION 4. The sum appropriated shall be expended by the University of Hawaii for the purposes of this Act.

SECTION 5. This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2003.

INTRODUCED BY:

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