HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

H.B. NO.

2419

TWENTY-NINTH LEGISLATURE, 2018

H.D. 1

STATE OF HAWAII

 

 

 

 

 

 

A BILL FOR AN ACT

 

 

RELATING TO PORT INFRASTRUCTURE.

 

 

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

 


SECTION 1.  The legislature finds that maintenance dredging of Hawaii's small boat harbors is critical to the maintenance of the infrastructure of the important small boat harbors, channels, ramps, and other port infrastructure in the State.  Furthermore, the legislature finds that the current system of waiting until dredging is imminent to appropriate funds and only then initiating the permitting process creates a haphazard system for both the allocation of money and the issuance of permits.  This disorganized process sometimes contributes to worsened conditions at these facilities when increased amounts of marine sediment and foreign debris accumulate, sometimes up to such a height that, if not cleared immediately, it can damage the hulls of ships.  These conditions can potentially cause a shutdown of the affected sites, which are important for recreation and subsistence fishing and use by the general public, for safety reasons.

     The legislature further finds that federal agencies have encouraged the states to adopt programmatic schedules of maintenance dredging as a way to expedite federal review and even draw down federal dollars that are available to assist the states in these endeavors.  Creating a strategic plan for maintenance dredging for small boat harbors, channels, ramps, and other port infrastructure in the State will evenly spread resources based on actual need and allow ample time for permitting and public input before port infrastructure reaches a critical stage.

     The purpose of this Act is to require the department of land and natural resources to create a strategic plan for maintenance dredging for small boat harbors, channels, ramps, and other important port infrastructure in the State.

     SECTION 2.  The department of land and natural resources shall create a strategic plan for maintenance dredging for small boat harbors, channels, ramps, and other port infrastructure.  The strategic plan shall include:

     (1)  A list of potential projects in locations where the department has identified a need for maintenance dredging;

     (2)  The detailed estimated costs of each project; and

     (3)  A detailed timeline of each project until completion which prevents or minimizes closures or interruption of services at each project site.

The department shall submit a report, including the strategic plan and any proposed legislation, to the legislature no later than twenty days prior to the convening of the regular session of 2019.

     SECTION 3.  There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $         or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2018-2019 for the purpose of creating a strategic plan for maintenance dredging of harbor and port locations, as identified by the department of land and natural resources.

     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, 2050.


 


 

Report Title:

Department of Land and Natural Resources; Maintenance Dredging; Port Infrastructure; Strategic Plan; Appropriation

 

Description:

Requires the Department of Land and Natural Resources to create a strategic plan for maintenance dredging of important port and harbor locations and report the plan to the Legislature.  Appropriates funds.  (HB2419 HD1)

 

 

 

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