HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

H.B. NO.

425

THIRTIETH LEGISLATURE, 2019

H.D. 1

STATE OF HAWAII

S.D. 1

 

 

 

 

 

A BILL FOR AN ACT

 

 

RELATING TO WATER QUALITY MONITORING.

 

 

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

 


     SECTION 1.  The legislature finds that the clean water branch of the department of health has inadequate staff capacity to meet its obligations to perform the timely monitoring that ensures the island of Hawaii's stream and coastal water safety for public swimming, fishing, and other recreation.  In particular, contaminants from waste water treatment plant outfalls, injection wells, and cesspools need to be addressed because of their role in harming coral reefs.

     The purpose of this Act is to appropriate funds to the department of health to establish one full-time equivalent position (1.0 FTE) to conduct water quality assessments on all streams and coastal waters on the island of Hawaii, investigate complaints, and enforce surface water regulations.

     SECTION 2.  There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $50,772 or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2019-2020 and the same sum or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2020-2021 for the clean water branch of the department of health to hire one full-time equivalent (1.0 FTE) environmental health specialist IV employee to monitor and enforce the water quality and safety of all of Hawaii island's streams and coastal waters by:

     (1)  Acquiring water samples in Hawaii island streams, coastal waters, and seeps;

     (2)  Conducting watershed assessments and various surface water tests;

     (3)  Investigating complaints; and

     (4)  Enforcing surface water regulations.

     The sums appropriated shall be expended by the department of health for the purposes of this Act.

     SECTION 3.  This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2019.



 

Report Title:

Clean Water Branch; Environmental Health Specialist; Hawaii Island Streams and Coastal Waters; Appropriation

 

Description:

Appropriates funds for an additional full-time Environmental Health Specialist IV position within the Department of Health to monitor water quality on the island of Hawaii.  (SD1)

 

 

 

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