Honorable Robert Bunda

President of the Senate

Twenty-First State Legislature

Regular Session of 2001

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Water, Land, Energy and Environment, to which was referred S.B. No. 1167 entitled:

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to extend the sunset date of Act 380, Session Laws of Hawaii 1997, from July 1, 2002, to July 1, 2007.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR), Land Use Research Foundation of Hawaii, Hawaii Leeward Planning Conference, The Estate of James Campbell, Hawaii Audubon Society, and Hawaii's Thousand Friends.

Your Committee finds that in 1997, the Legislature approved expanded recovery options for preparation and implementation of habitat conservation plans and safe harbor agreements, and provided additional incentives to private landowners to conserve endangered species. To date, no plans or agreements have been issued, but DLNR is processing four applications, two safe harbor agreements for birds on Molokai and Hawaii, and two habitat conservation plans for a plant on Oahu and a bird on Hawaii. Inquiries have been received for nine more projects.

Your Committee finds that the extension of this Act will allow these important efforts to protect Hawaii's natural resources to continue through implementation.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Water, Land, Energy and Environment that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 1167 and recommends that it pass Second Reading and be placed on the calendar for Third Reading.