STAND. COM. REP. NO. 201

 

Honolulu, Hawaii

                  

 

RE:    S.B. No. 934

 

 

 

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirtieth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2019

State of Hawaii

 

Sir:

 

     Your Committee on Water and Land, to which was referred S.B. No. 934 entitled:

 

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO CONSERVATION DISTRICTS,"

 

begs leave to report as follows:

 

     The purpose and intent of this measure is to prohibit any waste or disposal facility from being located in a conservation district.

 

     Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Land and Natural Resources, Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Department of Environmental Services of the City and County of Honolulu, Oahu County Committee on Legislative Priorities of the Democratic Party of Hawaii, and two individuals.  Your Committee received comments on this measure from one individual.

 

     Your Committee finds that state conservation districts are intended to conserve, protect, and preserve naturally and culturally significant lands and resources, with land uses accordingly subject to high standards of review and regulation.  Additionally, cultural sites and resources essential to the perpetuation of constitutionally protected Native Hawaiian traditional and customary rights are located in conservation districts.  Waste and disposal facilities can significantly compromise the environmental and cultural integrity of conservation district lands and resources; therefore, your Committee finds that use of such facilities is inappropriate for lands subject to the highest standards of protection and preservation.

 

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Water and Land that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 934 and recommends that it pass Second Reading and be referred to your Committee on Ways and Means.

 

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Water and Land,

 

 

 

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KAIALI'I KAHELE, Chair