HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

H.B. NO.

1984

TWENTY-NINTH LEGISLATURE, 2018

H.D. 1

STATE OF HAWAII

S.D. 1

 

 

 

 

 

A BILL FOR AN ACT

 

 

RELATING TO WATER SECURITY.

 

 

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

 


     SECTION 1.  The legislature finds that the State is especially vulnerable to the impact of climate change.  According to a 2014 report by the University of Hawaii sea grant college program, entitled "Climate Change Impacts in Hawaii:  A summary of climate change and its impacts to Hawaii's ecosystems and communities", rainfall in the State has declined over the last thirty years while global sea levels have risen over the last century.

     The legislature further finds that climate change poses two primary threats to the State's freshwater supply:  the intrusion of saltwater and the change in rainfall frequency and intensity.  According to the 2014 report, it is projected that sea levels will continue to rise at an accelerated rate, "resulting in a 1‑3 foot (approximately 0.3-1 meter) rise, or more, by the end of the century."  These rising sea levels, coupled with the resulting coastal erosion, can inundate the land with saltwater, leading to contaminated freshwater that is unable to recharge.  Further, according to the United States Environmental Protection Agency, "a trend for decreasing precipitation has been observed" in the State while "projections suggest a small decrease in precipitation during the wet season and a small increase during the dry season."  When precipitation decreases on islands, freshwater becomes less available as ground and surface water supplies are less likely to be recharged.

     Lastly, the legislature finds that the state water code under chapter 174C, Hawaii Revised Statutes, requires that the commission on water resource management implement and utilize comprehensive water resources planning in its protection and management of the State's water resources.  The water code sets forth the requirement for initial development and updating of the Hawaii water plan to guide the commission on water resource management in executing its general powers, duties, and responsibilities in assuring economic development, good municipal services, agricultural stability, and environmental protection.  The Hawaii water plan is intended to serve as a continuing long-range guide for water resource protection and management.  The Hawaii water plan consists of five major components (plans), identified as follows:

     (1)  The water resource protection plan that is prepared by the commission on water resource management;

     (2)  The water quality plan that is prepared by the department of health;

     (3)  The state water projects plan that is prepared by the engineering division of the department of land and natural resources;

     (4)  The agricultural water use and development plan that is prepared by the department of agriculture; and

     (5)  The county water use and development plans that are prepared by each of the four counties.

     The purpose of this Act is to direct the commission on water resource management to provide additional guidance for future Hawaii water plan updates to address emerging issues, such as climate change, and include any other useful or necessary elements to ensure the long-term protection and wise management of water resources.

     SECTION 2.  (a)  The commission on water resource management shall conduct an update of the statewide framework for updating the Hawaii water plan to provide additional guidance for updating the Hawaii water plan.

     (b)  The tasks and elements of the statewide framework update shall include but not be limited to:

     (1)  Facilitated interagency meetings with all agencies responsible for updating a component plan to identify information gaps that need to be filled to better integrate the components and coordinate water source developments between state, county, and private entities;

     (2)  Consultation with federal, state, and county agencies having an interest in water resource science, protection, management, development, or use;

     (3)  Inclusion of emerging issues in the county water use development plans, such as climate change, watershed protection, protection of public trust uses, and drought planning;

     (4)  Comprehensive review and revision, as needed, of existing planning elements for each component plan;

     (5)  Extension of the planning horizon from twenty years to a longer time period; and

     (6)  Any other useful or necessary elements that are identified through the interagency meetings and consultation processes.

     (c)  The commission on water resource management shall submit its findings, recommendations, and progress reports on actions taken to the legislature no later than December 31, 2019.

     SECTION 3.  There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $350,000 or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2018-2019 to carry out the purposes of this Act.

     The sum appropriated shall be expended by the department of land and natural resources for the purposes of this Act.

     SECTION 4.  This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2018.


 


 

Report Title:

Hawaii Water Plan Statewide Framework Update; Commission on Water Resource Management; Climate Change; Appropriation

 

Description:

Requires the commission on water resource management to conduct an update of the statewide framework for updating the Hawaii water plan to provide additional guidance for updating the Hawaii water plan.  Makes an appropriation.  (SD1)

 

 

 

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