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.R. No. 154 entitled:

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this resolution is to enhance environmental and natural resource protection by requesting the Legislative Reference Bureau (LRB) to conduct a study of the State Conservation District Program to best determine its future direction and responsibilities.

An individual testified in support of this measure. The Department of Land and Natural Resources supported the intent of this measure. The Hawaii Association of Conservation Districts, West Maui Soil and Water Conservation Districts, Central Maui Soil and Water Conservation District, Windward Oahu Soil and Water Conservation District, Hawaii Farm Bureau Federation, and Maui County Farm Bureau opposed this measure.

Your Committee finds that problems with landowners engaging in unmanaged clearing of agricultural lands have resulted in debris filling gulches and streams, which often poses a threat to properties along these gulches and streams as the potential for flooding is exponentially increased, especially during heavy rains. Further, your Committee notes that although Hawaii's Soil and Water Conservation Districts (SWCD) were established as a means of addressing the protection of soil and water resources, lack of adequate resources and enforcement authority appear to hinder the work of the SWCD.

Your Committee has amended this measure by:

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.R. No. 154, as amended herein, and recommends that it be referred to the Committee on Finance in the form attached hereto as H.R. No. 154, H.D. 1.