THE SENATE

S.B. NO.

499

TWENTY-EIGHTH LEGISLATURE, 2015

S.D. 1

STATE OF HAWAII

 

 

 

 

 

 

A BILL FOR AN ACT

 

 

RELATING TO ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS.

 

 

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:

 


     SECTION 1.  The legislature finds that because construction projects in coastal areas are environmentally precarious, it is essential to take impacts related to projected sea level rise into account during the planning stage in order to protect current infrastructure investments over time.

     The purpose of this Act is to make the impact of sea level rise a consideration in any environmental assessment or environmental impact statement for a major capital improvement project of the State or counties that is proposed on any special management lands.

     SECTION 2.  (a)  Beginning July, 1, 2016, whenever any major infrastructure improvement project or major construction project of the State or a county, including new or major modification, is proposed on any special management lands, as defined in section 205A-22, Hawaii Revised Statutes, any environmental assessment or environmental impact statement required pursuant to chapter 343, Hawaii Revised Statutes, may include an analysis of the environmental impact of projected sea level rise over the anticipated lifespan of the project.  The detailed analysis shall include a detailed scientifically-based methodology for evaluation of the project based on the best available information.

     (b)  For purposes of this section, the office of environmental quality control shall work with the Hawaii coastal zone management program and relevant state agencies to provide guidance documents concerning ecological and environmental problems related to the development of the coastal zone management area, as defined in section 205A-1, Hawaii Revised Statutes.

     (c)  As used in this section, "major" means any project having an anticipated estimated value equal to or exceeding $3,000,000.

     SECTION 3.  This Act does not affect rights and duties that matured, penalties that were incurred, and proceedings that were begun before its effective date.

     SECTION 4.  This Act shall take effect upon its approval.

 


 


 

Report Title:

Special Management Lands; Environmental Assessment; Environmental Impact Statements

 

Description:

Provides that major capital improvement projects of the State or a county involving an infrastructure improvement project or construction project may include in the environmental assessments and environmental impact statements an analysis of the environmental impact of projected sea level rise over the anticipated lifespan of the project.  (SD1)

 

 

 

 

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