STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1317-04

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2004

RE: H.R. No. 126

 

 

 

Honorable Calvin K.Y. Say

Speaker, House of Representatives

Twenty-Second State Legislature

Regular Session of 2004

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Water, Land Use, and Hawaiian Affairs, to which was referred H.R. No. 126 entitled:

"HOUSE RESOLUTION REQUESTING THE MARINE AND COASTAL ZONE MANAGEMENT ADVISORY GROUP TO CONVENE A WORKING GROUP TO DEVELOP GUIDELINES FOR A WATER QUALITY MONITORING PROGRAM,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this resolution is to improve natural resource management of coastal ecosystems by requesting the Marine and Coastal Zone Management Advisory Group (MACZMAG) to:

(1) Convene a working group to review the West Hawaii Coastal Monitoring Task Force Monitoring Protocol Guidelines (West Hawaii Guidelines) which include recommendations for environmental monitoring of coastal development projects and environmental conditions following development; and

(2) Make recommendations for a statewide coastal zone water quality monitoring program, modeled after the West Hawaii Guidelines, that will help develop a consistent regional database of water quality, marine life, and coastal zone use.

 

The Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR) supported the intent of this measure. The Marine and Coastal Zone Advocacy Council Ke Kahu O Na Kumu Wai supported the intent of this measure with amendments. The Land Use Research Foundation of Hawaii offered comments.

Your Committee notes that DLNR will be glad to participate in the working group upon the adoption of this resolution.

Your Committee finds that it is appropriate for MACZMAG to consider whether specific statutory language can be created to translate the monitoring protocol guidelines into a workable coastal regulatory framework.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Water, Land Use, and Hawaiian Affairs that is attached to this report, your Committee concurs with the intent and purpose of H.R. No. 126 and recommends that it be referred to the Committee on Finance.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Water, Land Use, and Hawaiian Affairs,

 

____________________________

EZRA R. KANOHO, Chair