Appropriates funds to increase efforts to eradicate the Miconia Calvescens plant.

A BILL FOR AN ACT

SECTION 1. The legislature finds that Miconia Calvescens is a noxious alien weed that threatens cultivated agricultural lands, commercial tree farms, watersheds, and native forests. Its invasive nature is well documented, as is the damage it causes by establishing a monoculture in place of desired plant species. The plant's giant canopy smothers local vegetation and quickly establishes itself as the single dominant plant form. Miconia shades out native vegetation in forests, which in turn creates erosion problems and reduces the ability of the underlying aquifer to store fresh water.

The Miconia Calvescens plant has no natural enemies to hamper or halt its spread and it flowers at least three times a year. Although it can spread rapidly, Miconia can be controlled. Government and private eradication efforts to date have been encouraging but more must be done. Unless Miconia eradication efforts continue, this invasive weed will recover, reestablish itself, and continue to create serious problems for the ecosystem.

The purpose of this Act is to increase state funding to eradicate the Miconia Calvescens plant.

SECTION 2. There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $          , or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2005-2006, and the same sum, or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2006-2007, for the purpose of increasing state funding to eradicate the Miconia Calvescens plant.

SECTION 3. The sums appropriated shall be expended by the department of agriculture for the purposes of this Act.

SECTION 4. This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2005.