STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1947_______

                                 Honolulu, Hawaii
                                                   , 1999

                                 RE: H.R. No. 45
                                     H.D. 1




Honorable Calvin K.Y. Say
Speaker, House of Representatives
Twentieth State Legislature
Regular Session of 1999
State of Hawaii

Sir:

     Your Committees on Public Safety and Military Affairs and
Energy and Environmental Protection, to which was referred H.R.
No. 45 entitled: 

     "HOUSE RESOLUTION REQUESTING THE UNITED STATES ARMY TO
     PREPARE AN ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STATEMENT FOR MILITARY
     TRAINING AND RELATED ACTIVITIES AT THE MAKUA MILITARY
     RESERVATION ON O'AHU,"

beg leave to report as follows:

     The purpose of this resolution as received by your
Committees is to urge the Army to take steps to file an
environmental impact statement (EIS) for all future training and
related activities at the Makua Military Reservation. 

     Your Committees, being aware that the thrust of this
resolution as received is the subject of litigation, believes
that it would be prudent to await the outcome of the court's
decision.

     Your Committees find that while the Army prepared a draft
EIS in 1979, held public hearings, and filed a final document
with the EPA, this document requires updating with environmental
assessments prior to each new live-fire training exercise, or
change in the general mission at Makua.

     Your Committees further find that the Army as well as other
branches of the military who conduct exercises at Makua must be
made aware of the historic, environmental, and community concerns

 
 
                                 STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1947_______
                                 Page 2

 
that apply and also recommends that the Army improve its
coordination with Waianae community organizations and the U.S.
Fish and Wildlife Service, prior to the initiation of new
exercises.

     Earthjustice, Life of the Land, the Hawaiian Political
Action Council of Hawaii, American Friends, Hawaii's Thousand
Friends, and a number of individuals submitted testimony in
support of this resolution.  The Military Affairs Council of the
Chamber of Commerce testified in opposition to the resolution.   

     Upon further consideration, your Committees have amended
this measure by:

     (1)  Changing the title to omit reference to an EIS and
          inserting a request for greater public involvement and
          improved information exchange with regard to all new
          military exercises;

     (2)  Deleting "whereas" clauses that make reference to
          preparation of an EIS; and

     (3)  Adding "be it resolved" clauses that:

          (a)  Request that an environmental assessment be
               prepared for public review for each new exercise
               and any change in mission at the Makua Military
               Reservation;

          (b)  Request that all branches of the Armed Forces,
               prior to use of the Makua Valley Training
               Facility, be fully informed of the historical and
               environmental sensitivities at Makua and consult
               with the surrounding communities prior to any
               exercise at Makua;

          (c)  Request that the Army actively consult with the
               surrounding communities regarding the findings and
               recommendations of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife
               Service prior to the commencement of all live fire
               exercises;

          (d)  Request that the Army conduct water and sediment
               testing for chemical contamination in streams and
               streambeds, and the mouths of those streams that
               flow to the ocean or muliwai;

          (e)  Request that the Department of Land and Natural
               Resources revisit the State's lease of Makua

 
                                 STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1947_______
                                 Page 3

 
               Valley Land to the Army, particularly the terms
               which relate to the  condition of the land prior
               to turnover to the State at the end of the lease.

          (f)  Expand the list of organizations to receive
               certified copies of this concurrent resolution to
               include: Earth Justice, Ukanipo Heiau Advisory
               Council, the Waianae Military & Civilian Advisory
               Council, and the Commander in Chief, Pacific.


     As affirmed by the records of votes of the members of your
Committees on Public Safety and Military Affairs and Energy and
Environmental Protection that are attached to this report, your
Committees concur with the intent and purpose of H.R. No. 45, as
amended herein, and recommend its adoption in the form attached
hereto as H.R. No. 45, H.D. 1.

                                   Respectfully submitted on
                                   behalf of the members of the
                                   Committees on Public Safety
                                   and Military Affairs and
                                   Energy and Environmental
                                   Protection,

                                   
                                   
                                   
______________________________     _____________________________
HERMINA M. MORITA, Chair           NESTOR GARCIA, Chair