Making an appropriation for consultant services to generate a long-term lowland waste management plan.

A BILL FOR AN ACT

SECTION 1. The legislature finds that existing sewage systems in many lowland areas in Hawaii fail because shallow soil and other environmental constraints limit their function. Poor drainage during rainy periods also creates the risk of septic system runoff and contamination for surface and coastal water. These health and safety concerns must be addressed comprehensively to avoid any potential future danger at lowland sites, including Haleiwa and Waialua elementary schools. The State must formulate a long-term plan to relocate public facilities away from lowland, flood-prone, and difficult waste management areas throughout Hawaii. There is a crucial need for additional engineering and planning services to devise and install immediate school campus pollution protection, identify land parcels for one relocated upland campus, and establish a pilot program to assess lowland campuses statewide. The services of a consultant will be necessary for the design and implementation of a long-term plan incorporating these engineering and planning needs.

The purpose of this Act is to appropriate moneys for consultant services for long-term planning to relocate public school facilities away from lowland, flood-prone areas throughout Hawaii.

SECTION 2. There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $50,000, or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2006-2007, to carry out the purposes of this Act. The sum appropriated shall be expended by the department of education.

SECTION 3. This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2006.