THE SENATE

S.C.R. NO.

161

TWENTY-FOURTH LEGISLATURE, 2008

 

STATE OF HAWAII

 

 

 

 

 

SENATE CONCURRENT

RESOLUTION

 

 

REQUESTING THE DEPArtment of Health to implement a statewide rainwater detention and retention pond safety program.

 

 


     WHEREAS, Hawaii has the highest rate of drowning in the country at an annual average of 2.4 victims for every one hundred thousand residents who drown in the State's ocean waters, lakes, dams and reservoirs, rainwater retention and detention ponds, flood waters, swimming pools, spas, and private homes; and

 

WHEREAS the rate more than doubles when including visitor statistics, making it the nation's riskiest destination in terms of water safety; and

 

     WHEREAS, Hawaii's keiki are the most vulnerable to drowning, which in this State and nine others, is the leading cause of death among children aged fourteen and younger; and

 

     WHEREAS, among children under age five, drowning accidents in swimming pools are the leading cause of injury and death, while Hawaii's older keiki are more vulnerable to drowning in the ocean, lakes, ponds, dams and reservoirs, rainwater catchments, as well as detention and retention ponds; and

 

     WHEREAS, detention and retention ponds are meant to hold storm water and rainwater catchments are similarly used to harvest runoff rainwater; and

 

     WHEREAS, unregulated and poorly maintained rainwater detention and retention ponds pose a serious health and safety risk, particularly to Hawaii's children because these ponds are often mistaken for recreational bodies of water; and

 

     WHEREAS, rainwater detention and retention ponds should be clearly marked with hazard and warning signs that prohibit swimming and water sports; and

 

     WHEREAS, the Department of Health has recommended action to reduce Hawaii's drowning rate and set a goal more than a year ago to reduce that rate by more than half, to less than one resident per one hundred thousand by 2010; and

 

     WHEREAS, a high drowning rate detracts from the State's image as a safe as well as pleasurable visitor destination; and

 

     WHEREAS, the American Academy of Pediatrics and the Consumer Product Safety Commission have recommended fencing to protect children from circumventing adult supervision, and the State's injury prevention panel has recommended four-sided isolation fencing for residential pools to isolate them from the house or yard; and

 

     WHEREAS, just like pools, rainwater detention and retention ponds should be similarly enclosed with chain-link or see-through fencing that is at least four feet high and accessed by a single locked gate; now, therefore,

 

     BE IT RESOLVED by the Senate of the Twenty-fourth Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2008, the House of Representatives concurring, that the Department of Health is requested to implement a statewide rainwater detention and retention pond safety program; and

 

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Department of Health is requested to carry out the following as part of the safety program:

 

(1)  Encourage and assist developers or persons responsible for constructing or maintaining a retention pond, detention pond, or catchment area pond to adopt a maintenance and inspection plan to ensure adequate safety; and

 

(2)  Encourage installation of chain link or see-through fencing and signage to deter children from playing and congregating around or near these ponds or drainage areas; and

 

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Department of Health is also requested to develop retention pond, detention pond, and catchment area pond safety into the Department's water safety curriculum; and

 

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Department of Health is urged to request the Governor to provide funding to implement the statewide rainwater detention and retention pond safety program to the fullest extent required; and

 

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that certified copies of this Concurrent Resolution be transmitted to the Governor and the Director of Health.

 

 

 

 

OFFERED BY:

_____________________________

 

 

Report Title: 

Rainwater Detention and Retention Pond Safety Program; DOH