Makes appropriation for a grant writer/public information officer in the division of conservation and resources enforcement to seek external grants for additional enforcement and educate the community.

A BILL FOR AN ACT

SECTION 1. The legislature finds that increased commercial and recreational fishing and other ocean uses by residents and tourists have led to the decline of Hawaii’s marine resources and fishery habitat and to the rise of user conflicts. The State of Hawaii department of land and natural resources depends upon the division of conservation and resources enforcement to enforce rules adopted by the division of aquatic resources and the division of boating and ocean recreation as well as by the divisions of land management, forestry and wildlife, state parks, historic preservation, and water resource management. Currently, the division of conservation and resources enforcement’s budget is so limited that less than one hundred full-time officers are available to enforce conservation and resources regulations on land and within state waters throughout the Hawaiian archipelago, stretching about two thousand nautical miles. With its limited enforcement capabilities, the department cannot efficiently respond to reported violations of fishing, boating, and other marine resource regulations. Besides the need to better enforce existing regulations, it is widely believed that education and involvement of communities are essential to ensure the health of Hawaii’s natural resources for the benefit of various users.

The purpose of this Act is to provide for the establishment and support of a grant writer/public information officer position in the division of conservation and resources enforcement to seek external grants for additional enforcement funding, and to provide communities with information and education about conservation and resources regulations and issues.

SECTION 2. There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $100,000, or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2001-2002, and the same sum, or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2002-2003, to provide for the establishment and support of a grant writer/public information officer position in the division of conservation and resources enforcement. The position shall seek external grants for additional enforcement funding and provide communities with information and education about conservation and resources regulations and issues. At least one-half of the external funding generated and public information activities undertaken by this position will be dedicated to marine resources and boating related enforcement.

SECTION 3. 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, 2001.