Honorable Robert Bunda

President of the Senate

Twenty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2005

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Water, Land, and Agriculture, to which was referred S.B. No. 1451 entitled:

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to develop and demonstrate comprehensive watershed management measures to improve the water quality of Lake Wilson and to reduce contaminated sediments in statewide waterways.

Testimony in support of this measure was submitted by the International Longshore and Warehouse Union Local 142, University of Hawaii Environmental Center, University of Hawaii Center for Conservation, Research, and Training, and one individual. The Department of Health submitted testimony in opposition to this measure.

Your Committee finds that with growing concerns over the preservation of Hawaii's environment, ecosystems, and water quality, it is increasingly in the State's best interest to address these problems through innovative, comprehensive watershed management measures that are cost-effective and sustainable. Thus, this measure appropriates funds to:

Your Committee also noted that similar research as outlined in this measure may have already been completed by the University of Hawaii Environmental Center on other areas in Hawaii using EPA grant funds. Thus, your Committee finds that further discussion is necessary to explore funding from other sources used for conducting such research. Accordingly, your Committee has amended this measure by inserting an effective date of July 1, 2050 to ensure further discussion on this issue.

Your Committee has also amended this measure by deleting the dollar amount of the appropriations and has left them blank for the Committee on Ways and Means to determine at a later date.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Water, Land, and Agriculture that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 1451, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 1451, S.D. 1, and be referred to the Committee on Ways and Means.