Honorable Robert Bunda

President of the Senate

Twenty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2006

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Water, Land, and Agriculture, to which was referred S.R. No. 78, S.D. 1, entitled:

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to request the Department of Land and Natural Resources to recommend solutions to abate and prevent the accumulation of sediment at Wailoa Small Boat Harbor and along Hilo Bayfront.

Testimony in support of this measure was submitted by eleven individuals. Comments were also submitted by the Department of Land and Natural Resources.

Your Committee finds that the Wailoa River discharges into Hilo Bay and is one of the major sources of sediment in the bay. The movement of water from the river is generally insufficient to flush out silt and mud. Thus, Wailoa River and Hilo Bay are both subject to chronic nonpoint source pollution with high bacterial counts. This measure requests the Department of Land and Natural Resources to recommend solutions to abate and prevent the accumulation of sediment at Wailoa Small Boat Harbor and along Hilo Bayfront.

Your Committee notes that the Department of Land and Natural Resources has requested an emergency appropriation of $1,200,000 to dredge the Wailoa Small Boat Harbor channel, and your Committee further finds that long-term abatement of the sediment in this area should be addressed by the Department of Health and the County of Hawaii.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Water, Land, and Agriculture that is attached to this report, your Committee concurs with the intent and purpose of S.R. No. 78, S.D. 1, and recommends its adoption.