STAND. COM. REP. 2722

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2004

RE: S.B. No. 3129

S.D. 1

 

 

Honorable Robert Bunda

President of the Senate

Twenty-Second State Legislature

Regular Session of 2004

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Ways and Means, to which was referred S.B. No. 3129, S.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT MAKING AN APPROPRIATION TO DETERMINE AND IMPLEMENT THE BEST MITIGATION MEASURE TO CONTROL FLOODING OF LAKE WILSON,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to address problems caused by the flooding of Lake Wilson on the Island of Oahu.

Specifically, this measure:

(1) Directs the Department of Land and Natural Resources to conduct a study of the flooding problems caused by peak flows from storms into Lake Wilson, as well as an examination of appropriate drainage alternatives, and the costs of implementing the best mitigation measure to lessen the impact of urbanization of downstream waterways and related flood problems;

(2) Appropriates funds to the Department of Land and Natural Resources to carry out the study; and

(3) Authorizes the Director of Finance to issue general obligation bonds for the planning, design, and construction of the improvements required to implement the best mitigation measure as determined by the Department of Land and Natural Resources.

Your Committee finds that during heavy rains, the water in Lake Wilson flows over the top of the 183-foot wide spillway into Kaukonahua Stream. The crest of the spillway is at an elevation approximately eighty feet above the bottom of the lake. The rise in the water level of the lake can be quite sudden, leaving little time for state crews to react. This measure provides the study to develop flood damage mitigation measures, and appropriates funds to implement measures to mitigate the flooding caused by the current faulty system.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Ways and Means that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 3129, S.D. 1, and recommends that it pass Third Reading.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Ways and Means,

____________________________

BRIAN T. TANIGUCHI, Chair