Report Title:
Environment; Schools
Description:
Creates a pilot program of school-community based environmental planning, monitoring, education, and outreach network to be led by Waialua High and Intermediate School; makes appropriation.
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THE SENATE |
S.B. NO. |
3058 |
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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 EDUCATION.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:
SECTION 1. The legislature finds that sustainable resource management depends on community education and participation, and that funding is inadequate to meet locally-determined environmental needs. There is a need for a program to monitor the impacts of upper watershed operations on Oahu, and to recommend locally-appropriate best management practices for the State, county, and military. The geographical areas of concern are urban, agricultural, and conservation.
Lower watershed residents have scant data and poorly formulated models on which to rely to assess and evaluate the environmental impact of upper watershed operations. For example, residents lack access to experts in soil science and wildlife conservation, particularly in lower watershed residential neighborhoods. Upper watershed operations have dramatically impacted human and natural resources. Substantial watershed-wide and site-specific non-point source pollution exists, as evidenced by polluted and chemically polluted bodies of water on Oahu such as Lake Wilson, Kaukonahua Stream, Kaiaka Bay. Yet, "findings of no significant impact" are made routinely, which cause alarm and concern for the lack of adequate scientific assessment and of concern for the health, safety, and quality of life of the area residents.
The purpose of this Act is to create a two-year pilot, school-community-based environmental planning, monitoring, education, and outreach project under the department of education to address the environmental impact concerns.
SECTION 2. (a) There is created a pilot project, to be under the department of education, to develop a program of school-community-based environmental planning, monitoring, education, and outreach. The pilot project shall be known as the school and community-based environmental planning, monitoring, education, and outreach network. The project shall be led by Waialua High and Intermediate School, and shall include all Oahu high schools. The University of Hawaii shall assist in the pilot project.
(b) The pilot project shall include:
(1) Community-relevant school and community-based science programs with curricula and activities to monitor the local environment and make recommendations about soil, water, and plant conservation;
(2) Technical assistance to review, augment, and improve environmental documents to accurately reflect all watershed-wide and site-specific impacts; and
(3) A plan to determine and seek funding for island-wide soil, plant, and water information needs by convening engineers, planners, scientists, policy-makers, and others at an Oahu soils symposium.
SECTION 3. Sections 1 and 2 of this Act shall be repealed on June 30, 2008.
SECTION 4. 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 2006-2007, for a pilot project to develop the school and community-based environmental planning, monitoring, education, and outreach network.
SECTION 5. The sum appropriated shall be expended by the department of education for the purposes of this Act.
SECTION 6. This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2006.
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INTRODUCED BY: |
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