THE SENATE

S.B. NO.

1178

TWENTY-NINTH LEGISLATURE, 2017

 

STATE OF HAWAII

 

 

 

 

 

 

A BILL FOR AN ACT

 

 

MAKING AN APPROPRIATION FOR HEEIA NATIONAL ESTUARINE RESEARCH RESERVE.

 

 

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

 


     SECTION 1.  The National Estuarine Research Reserve System is a network of twenty-eight protected areas along America's coasts.  According to the National Estuarine Research Reserve System Strategic Plan 2011-2016, the System is founded on the principle that long-term protection of representative estuaries provides stable platforms for research and education and the application of management practices that will benefit the nation's estuaries and coasts.

     The legislature finds that the State has coordinated with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) to nominate Heeia estuary as a National Estuarine Research Reserve.  The site, located on Oahu's windward shore, includes Heeia state park, fishpond, and wetlands as well as marine waters with patch and fringing reefs and Moku o Loe (Coconut Island).  In 2014, Heeia was officially nominated as a Reserve to support NOAA's policy to encourage expansion of the program in unrepresented areas of the country.  NOAA is currently poised to begin implementation of Heeia Reserve's management plan.

     For Heeia Reserve to succeed in its function within the System, funding for initial staffing is essential.  The initial staffing needs are four full-time equivalent (4.0 FTE) positions:  a reserve manager, education coordinator, research coordinator, and cultural resource coordinator.  Although the University of Hawaii has agreed to fund these positions in the first year, further funding is required to sustain them and to keep Heeia Reserve fully functioning.  These positions must be established as well as sustained to develop and manage Heeia reserve and keep it fully functioning.  The legislature notes that as funding or partnership opportunities become available, additional staff will be required within the first five years to meet management plan goals and objectives.

     The purpose of this Act is to support Heeia estuary in its designation as a National Estuarine Research Reserve by appropriating funds to maintain the initial staff necessary to develop and manage Heeia Reserve and its programs.

     SECTION 2.  There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $400,000 or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2018-2019 for the hiring of four full-time equivalent (4.00 FTE) permanent positions in the University of Hawaii to maintain the initial staff necessary to develop and manage Heeia reserve and its programs, as follows:

(1)  $100,000 for one full-time equivalent (1.0 FTE) reserve manager position;

(2)  $100,000 for one full-time equivalent (1.0 FTE) education coordinator position;

(3)  $100,000 for one full-time equivalent (1.0 FTE) research coordinator position; and

(4)  $100,000 for one full-time equivalent (1.0 FTE) cultural resource coordinator position.

     The sum appropriated shall be expended by the University of Hawaii for the purposes of this Act.

     SECTION 3.  This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2017.

 

INTRODUCED BY:

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Report Title:

Heeia National Estuarine Research Reserve; Staff Hiring; University of Hawaii; Appropriation

 

Description:

Appropriates funds for Fiscal Year 2018-2019 for the initial staff necessary to develop and manage the Heeia National Estuarine Research Reserve and its programs.

 

 

 

The summary description of legislation appearing on this page is for informational purposes only and is not legislation or evidence of legislative intent.