HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

H.C.R. NO.

160

TWENTY-THIRD LEGISLATURE, 2006

 

STATE OF HAWAII

 
   


HOUSE CONCURRENT

RESOLUTION

 

URGING THE PRESIDENT AND CONGRESS OF THE UNITED STATES TO SUPPORT H.R. No. 3468 TO CONTROL THE INTRODUCTION AND SPREAD OF INVASIVE SPECIES AND DISEASES IN HAWAII.

 

 

WHEREAS, H.R. No. 3468, recently introduced in the United States Congress on July 27, 2005, and cited as the "Hawaii Invasive Species Prevention Act", recognizes the unique ecosystems of Hawaii and the threat posed by invasive non-native plant and animal species and diseases; and

WHEREAS, the uniqueness of Hawaii is due, in part, to its isolation from continental land masses and its topographic and climatic diversity; and

WHEREAS, over time, this isolation has led to the generation of species entirely unique to Hawaii that are no match for invasive species transported to Hawaii by the advancement of human activities and global commerce; and

WHEREAS, more than five thousand species of non-native plants and animals have become established in the Hawaiian islands in the past two hundred years, which represents the successful colonization of a new species in Hawaii every eighteen days; and

WHEREAS, the introduction of invasive species to Hawaii has resulted in the extinction of native species, the destruction of native forests, and crop losses estimated in the millions of dollars; and

WHEREAS, the current federal statutory and regulatory regime is insufficient to minimize the introduction of invasive species into Hawaii and the environmental, economic, and social harm that would result from the introduction of additional invasive species; and

WHEREAS, H.R. No. 3468, to the extent practicable:

(1) Prevents any federal agency from authorizing, funding, or carrying out any action that would likely cause or promote the introduction or spread of invasive species and diseases in Hawaii; and

(2) Requires federal agencies to consider invasive species and disease issues when planning any activity that may cause the accidental introduction of invasive species and diseases in Hawaii; and

WHEREAS, H.R. No. 3468 also:

(1) Establishes a system of quarantine protocols;

(2) Allows federal officials to assist and cooperate with local and state efforts to eradicate or control invasive species;

(3) Establishes an expedited process for the consideration of state and local policy proposals with respect to the eradication and control of invasive species;

(4) Authorizes the State to implement, during an emergency, general or specific prohibitions or restrictions upon the introduction or movement of invasive species into the State; and

(5) Authorizes an appropriation to carry out the purposes of the legislation; now, therefore,

BE IT RESOLVED by the House of Representatives of the Twenty-third Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2006, the Senate concurring, that the President of the United States and the United States Congress are urged to support H.R. No. 3468 to control the introduction and spread of invasive species and diseases in Hawaii; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that certified copies of this Concurrent Resolution be transmitted to the President of the United States, the President, pro tempore, of the United States Senate, the Speaker of the United States House of Representatives, and Hawaii's congressional delegation.

 

 

 

OFFERED BY:

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Report Title:

Invasive Species; Congress