Report Title:
Natural Area Reserve System; Ahihi-Kinau; Appropriation
Description:
Directs BLNR to review and adopt the Ahihi-Kinau Natural area Reserve Management Plan; makes an appropriation for the implementation of the plan.
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HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES |
H.B. NO. |
2635 |
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TWENTY-THIRD LEGISLATURE, 2006 |
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STATE OF HAWAII |
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A BILL FOR AN ACT
relating to the ahihi-kinau natural area reserve management plan.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:
SECTION 1. The Ahihi-Kinau natural area reserve was the first designated natural area reserve in the State, designated in June 1973. The reserve contains many ancient Hawaiian archaeological and cultural sites and also contains the best remaining intact anchialine ponds in the State. Anchialine ponds are small bodies of water, salt and brackish, that are not connected to the ocean on the surface of the land, but are influenced by the ocean tides, and contain many species of endangered endemic aquatic flora and fauna. There are numerous small coves and bays in the reserve that contain many aquatic species of fish, crustaceans, and other forms of aquatic flora and fauna. However, over the years very little effort has been undertaken to maintain the reserve and protect the natural resources of the reserve.
Today, due to recent publicity in travel books and journals describing the natural aesthetic beauty of the reserve and its many resources, hundreds of visitors are attracted to the reserve daily. These daily visitors are trampling through the reserve, defacing ancient Hawaiian archaeological and cultural sites, and negatively impacting the anchialine ponds and the many natural resources contained in the reserve.
After much hard work and deliberation, the Ahihi-Kinau/Keoneoio advisory group has prepared the Ahihi-Kinau natural area reserve management plan, dated September 2005, which has been endorsed by the natural area reserves system commission.
The purpose of this Act is to direct the board of land and natural resources to implement the Ahihi-Kinau natural area reserve management plan.
SECTION 2. Chapter 195, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by adding a new section to be appropriately designated and to read as follows:
"§195- Ahihi-Kinau natural area reserve management plan. (a) Pursuant to section 195-5, the department is directed to implement the Ahihi-Kinau natural area reserve management plan prepared by the Ahihi-Kinau/Keoneoio advisory group and endorsed by the commission, governing the use, control, and protection of the Ahihi-Kinau natural area reserve and its natural resources.
(b) The limited public access and management plan shall include but not be limited to the following:
(1) Restrictions on the total number of visitors to the reserve that are permitted in the reserve at any one time, based upon a determination of the total carrying capacity of the reserve;
(2) Prohibitions on the public entry into certain areas in the reserve, including but not limited to the anchialine ponds and known archaeological and cultural sites;
(3) Restrictions on the public access into certain areas in the reserve, including but not limited to the areas commonly referred to as the "aquarium" and the "fish bowl", which restrictions shall limit access to guided education tours only;
(4) Restrictions on any commercial activities in the reserve;
(5) Prohibitions on the taking of, and restrictions on the disturbing of, any natural resources in the reserve;
(6) Restrictions on the use and parking of all vehicles, as defined in section 291E-1, in the reserve;
(7) Establishment of a fee schedule for entry into the reserve, which fees shall be deposited into the natural area reserve fund;
(8) Creation of a visitor information and briefing center;
(9) Temporal restrictions on the public entry into the reserve;
(10) Provisions for the enforcement of the limited public access and management plan;
(11) Provisions for the entry and traversing of the reserve for fishers in areas outside the reserve;
(12) Provisions for encouraging scientific study for the preservation, protection, and proper management of the preserve and its resources; and
(13) Other provisions that the department determines are appropriate."
SECTION 3. There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $ , or so much as may be necessary for fiscal year 2006-2007, for the development and implementation of the Ahihi-Kinau natural area reserve limited public access and management plan.
SECTION 4. The sum appropriated shall be expended by the department of land and natural resources for the purposes of this Act.
SECTION 5. New statutory material is underscored.
SECTION 6. This Act shall take effect upon its approval; provided that sections 3 and 4 shall take effect on July 1, 2006.
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INTRODUCED BY: |
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