STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1386
Honolulu, Hawaii
, 2004
RE: H.C.R. No. 166
H.D. 1
Honorable Calvin K.Y. Say
Speaker, House of Representatives
Twenty-Second State Legislature
Regular Session of 2004
State of Hawaii
Sir:
Your Committee on Water, Land Use, and Hawaiian Affairs, to which was referred H.C.R. No. 166 entitled:
"HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION URGING THE DEPARTMENT OF LAND AND NATURAL RESOURCES TO DESIGNATE THE STATE WATERS IN THE NORTHWESTERN HAWAIIAN ISLANDS TO PROVIDE THE MOST STRINGENT PROTECTIONS TO THE FRAGILE ECOSYSTEMS IN THAT REGION,"
begs leave to report as follows:
The purpose of this concurrent resolution is to protect Hawaii's fragile environment by urging the Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR) to designate the state waters in the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands as a marine refuge to provide the most stringent protections to the fragile ecosystems in that region.
The Hawaii Audubon Society, Congressman of the Second Congressional District, Ocean Law and Policy Institute of the Pacific of the Pacific Forum CSIS, Greenpeace, Earthtrust, and a concerned individual testified in support of this measure. DLNR supported the intent of this measure.
Your Committee finds that the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands are a pristine, environmentally fragile area that is highly susceptible to irreparable damage from human disturbance. This area is one of the most unique places on Earth, supporting a dynamic reef system that is home to over 7,000 marine species of which approximately half are found nowhere else in the world. This Hawaiian treasure deserves the highest level of protection affordable.
Your Committee has amended this measure by:
(1) Changing the title to read: "URGING THE DEPARTMENT OF LAND AND NATURAL RESOURCES TO DESIGNATE THE STATE WATERS IN THE NORTHWESTERN HAWAIIAN ISLANDS AS A MARINE REFUGE TO PROVIDE LONG-TERM AND LASTING PROTECTIONS TO THE FRAGILE ECOSYSTEMS IN THAT REGION";
(2) Clarifying that DLNR is being urged to designate the state waters in the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands as a marine refuge to provide long-term and lasting protections to the fragile ecosystems in that region;
(3) Recognizing that DLNR is currently in the rulemaking process to designate the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands as a highly protected state marine refuge and asserting legislative support for this process;
(4) Deleting the requirement that DLNR provide suggested legislation to designate state waters as a marine refuge in its report to the Legislature; and
(5) Making technical, nonsubstantive amendments for clarity, consistency, and style.
As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Water, Land Use, and Hawaiian Affairs that is attached to this report, your Committee concurs with the intent and purpose of H.C.R. No. 166, as amended herein, and recommends its adoption in the form attached hereto as H.C.R. No. 166,
H.D. 1.
Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Water, Land Use, and Hawaiian Affairs,
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____________________________ EZRA R. KANOHO, Chair |