Creates Kailua/Waimanalo Bay task force, administratively attached to office of planning, to develop a comprehensive Kailua/Waimanalo Bay master plan. Sets membership. Appropriates $     for FY 2001-2002 to office of planning.

A BILL FOR AN ACT

SECTION 1. The legislature finds that Kailua/Waimanalo Bay is a unique and treasured natural resource that must be preserved and protected for the continued enjoyment of the general public. The bay is an extensive ecosystem that contains a unique estuary system surrounded by barrier reefs that are unequaled in the world. Currently, the bay is heavily used by the general public, ocean and marine research programs, and commercial ocean recreation operations, creating conflicting use situations. Use of Kailua/Waimanalo Bay by commercial operators is a privilege and not an exclusive right. Therefore, in order to resolve the conflicting use problem, the legislature finds that a master plan should be developed which shall be used as the recommended guideline in the adoption and implementation of rules with regard to the regulation of all activities in Kailua/Waimanalo Bay.

The purpose of this Act is to establish a Kailua/Waimanalo Bay task force to study and develop recommendations for a Kailua/Waimanalo Bay master plan.

SECTION 2. The office of planning shall create a Kailua/Waimanalo Bay task force whose purpose and function shall be to develop a comprehensive Kailua/Waimanalo Bay master plan, in consultation with members of the community. Upon approval by the director of the office of planning, the master plan shall be presented to all appropriate state agencies that have jurisdiction in Kailua/Waimanalo Bay.

The task force shall be composed of eleven members who shall be appointed by October 1, 2002, as follows:

The members of the task force shall elect a chairperson. Any vacancy on the task force shall be filled in the same manner in which the original position was filled.

The task force shall be placed within the office of planning for administrative purposes and shall have the authority to seek the services of technical advisors to provide data and research for the development of a master plan.

SECTION 3. The task force shall complete the master plan by October 1, 2002, and submit it to the director of planning for approval.

SECTION 4. The master plan, as approved by the office of planning, shall include an assessment of the environmental and ecological impacts of all activities on the bay. The master plan shall be used by all appropriate state agencies as the recommended guideline in the adoption and implementation of all policies and rules relating to Kailua/Waimanalo Bay.

SECTION 5. Notwithstanding any law to the contrary, no new commercial permits for Kailua/Waimanalo Bay shall be issued after the effective date of this Act and no expansion beyond existing levels of commercial activities shall be permitted.

SECTION 6. The Kailua/Waimanalo Bay task force shall terminate thirty days after the approval of the Kailua/Waimanalo Bay master plan by the director of the office of planning.

SECTION 7. 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 2001-2002, for the purposes of this Act.

SECTION 8. The sum appropriated shall be expended by the office of planning.

SECTION 9. This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2001, and shall be repealed thirty days after the approval of the Kailua/Waimanalo Bay master plan by the director of the office of planning.