Appropriates moneys to conduct a pilot project for the Kaiaka Bay, Oahu watershed and action plan. (SD1)

A BILL FOR AN ACT

SECTION 1. Mauka to makai Hawaiian watershed units, ahupua'a, exemplify efficient and effective natural management and sustainable economic, social, and cultural systems in the State of Hawaii. The legislature finds that management of resources is in the best interest of the State to conserve natural resources and address human needs including regulatory compliance.

Section 6217 of the federal Coastal Zone Act Reauthorization, as amended, requires the State to implement programs to protect coastal waters from polluted runoff. Thus, because Hawaii has an abundance of coastal waters, it is important for the State to prevent the pollution of these waters through effective watershed management.

For example, nonpoint source pollution involves transportation and deposition of soil, chemicals, microorganisms, and other contaminates into state reservoirs, lakes, streams, near coastal waters, and the Pacific Ocean. These contaminants ultimately threaten property and the public's health, safety, and well-being.

The legislature further finds that unless water quantity and quality are managed holistically, contaminant sources like flooding and nonpoint source pollution will threaten economic, social and cultural resources, and resident health and safety.

The legislature believes that the community as a whole would benefit from efficient watershed management. As an example, agricultural lands and rural communities would benefit by reduced flooding of fields, roadways, and areas with state schools, parks, and other amenities. Communities and lands adjacent to impaired water bodies, such as Kaiaka bay on Oahu's north shore, homeland security, irrigation, hydro-power, fire protection, recreational tourist industry, and other economic development that depend on clean, healthy, safe, and productive resource management would also benefit.

In 2003, the college of tropical agriculture and human resources (UHCTAHR) at the University of Hawaii received federal funds to implement the Hawaii Local Action Strategy (HLAS). Specifically, HLAS addressed land based pollution threats to coral reefs in three ahupua'a (Honolua, Maui; Hanalei, Kauai; and Kawela to Kapualei, Molokai).

The legislature further finds that in addition to HLAS's pollution prevention activities, research, extension, and education assistance are necessary to facilitate the integration of natural and human resources within and among watersheds, and that these goals should be accomplished through a pilot watershed assessment and action plan ultimately resulting in a state-wide resource management model.

The legislature has identified Kaiaka Bay, Oahu, as an area recently experiencing burgeoning residential, commercial, agricultural, and homeland security growth and development pressures as a prime candidate for watershed assessment and action, including the use of UHCTAHR expertise in tropical plant and soil science, geographical information systems technology and tools, community education, and participatory outreach assistance.

The purpose of this Act is to appropriate funds to conduct a pilot project for the Kaiaka Bay, Oahu watershed and action plan, as a model for statewide use.

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, to conduct a pilot project for the Kaiaka Bay, Oahu watershed and action plan, as a model for statewide use.

SECTION 3. The pilot project under section 2 shall include:

SECTION 4. The sums appropriated shall be expended by the University of Hawaii through the college of tropical agriculture

and human resources for the purposes of this Act.

SECTION 5. This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2005.