STAND. COM. REP. NO.  2056

 

Honolulu, Hawaii

                , 2007

 

RE:   H.C.R. No. 200

      H.D. 1

 

 

 

 

Honorable Calvin K.Y. Say

Speaker, House of Representatives

Twenty-Fourth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2007

State of Hawaii

 

Sir:

 

     Your Committee on Energy & Environmental Protection, to which was referred H.C.R. No. 200 entitled:

 

"HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION URGING THE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION TO IMMEDIATELY CONVENE AN AIRCRAFT NOISE ABATEMENT ADVISORY COMMITTEE TO WORK WITH THE FEDERAL AVIATION ADMINISTRATION TO ESTABLISH EFFECTIVE NOISE ABATEMENT PROCEDURES AND TO ADOPT RULES AND REGULATIONS IN ORDER TO MITIGATE AIRCRAFT NOISE IMPACTS ON NOISE SENSITIVE AREAS,"

 

begs leave to report as follows:

 

     The purpose of this concurrent resolution is to alleviate the negative impacts on the health, welfare, and quality of life of Hawaii residents caused by aircraft noise generated by tour helicopters and commercial jet aircraft over residential communities and recreation areas by, among other things, urging the Department of Transportation (DOT) to:

 

(1)  Immediately convene an aircraft noise abatement advisory committee for Honolulu and Hilo International Airports;

 

(2)  Submit to the 2008 Legislature and immediately implement an aircraft noise abatement community master plan and program for the close and distant vicinities of Honolulu and Hilo International Airports, with the participation of the aircraft noise abatement advisory committee;

 

(3)  Develop comprehensive aircraft noise abatement rules, standards, and procedures to protect the public health, welfare, and quality of life in the close and distant vicinities of state-owned and operated airports;

 

(4)  Consider establishing a nominal airport passenger ticket fee solely for furthering aircraft noise abatement;

 

(5)  Work with aircraft owners and operators, the military, the Federal Aviation Administration, and the Air Traffic Control Center work shift to decrease aircraft noise levels and minimize noise impacts; and

 

(6)  Establish an aircraft noise abatement website to provide for new levels of community awareness relative to airport and aircraft noise abatement operations.

 

     Citizens against Noise of Hawaii and several concerned individuals supported this concurrent resolution.  DOT supported the intent of this measure.  The Hanalei-Haena Community Association and a concerned individual commented on this concurrent resolution.

 

     A substantial number of private, commercial, and military aircraft occupy the airspace over Hawaii, and these aircraft exact significant harmful effects not only on the health of Hawaii residents, but also on our environment and our tourist-based economy. This situation will only be exacerbated by increasing air travel. Therefore, your Committee finds that immediate remedial action, in collaboration with the Federal Aviation Administration, is in order.

 

     Your Committee has amended this concurrent resolution by adding the members of Hawaii's Congressional Delegation as transmittees of this measure.

 

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Energy & Environmental Protection that is attached to this report, your Committee concurs with the intent and purpose of H.C.R. No. 200, as amended herein, and recommends its adoption in the form attached hereto as H.C.R. No. 200, H.D. 1.

 

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Energy & Environmental Protection,

 

 

 

 

____________________________

HERMINA MORITA, Chair