SB2154

SECTION 1. The legislature finds that within the division of conservation and resource enforcement of the department of land and natural resources, there is a growing need to create meaningful and sustainable partnerships with communities in order to better manage and protect Hawaii's unique and treasured natural and cultural resources.

The legislature finds that this need may be fulfilled through a community conservation program to educate ocean resource users on resource protection laws. By doing so, it is anticipated that the number of resource violations may be reduced through outreach, increased enforcement presence, and community empowerment. The legislature believes that by implementing a new operations model, the division will better serve the cultural and environmental needs of the people of Hawaii, while protecting the natural resources of our island state.

The purpose of this Act is to create a pilot community conservation program, utilizing community partnerships, on the island of Maui.

SECTION 2. (a) There is established in the division of conservation and resource enforcement, Maui district office, a five-year pilot community conservation program to educate ocean resource users on resource protection laws.

(b) As used in this Act, unless the context requires otherwise:

"Department" means the department of land and natural resources.

"Makai watch" means a community-based marine management program that empowers local communities to sustainably manage coastal resources.

(c) The pilot community conservation program shall engage in the following activities in the near-shore environment in the moku of Lahaina and Kaanapali:

(1) Training volunteers in resource laws and enforcement;

(2) Conducting education and outreach to natural resource users on resource enforcement regulations;

(3) Coordinating with makai watch communities interested in sustainably managing natural and cultural resources in their ahupuaa;

(4) Enforcing all natural resource laws; and

(5) Identifying new rules necessary to ensure the long term sustainability of near-shore marine resources.

(d) To carry out the purposes of this Act, the department is authorized to fill up to ten full-time equivalent positions in the Maui district office of the division of conservation and resource enforcement subject to chapter 76 as follows:

(1) One conservation resource enforcement officer (IV) position that shall manage and supervise the community conservation program, supervise conservation resource enforcement officers assigned to the program, and develop the conservation resource enforcement officer program;

(2) Two conservation resource enforcement officer (III) positions that shall be assigned, respectively, to the moku of Lahaina and the moku of Kaanapali. These positions shall utilize traditional, native Hawaiian boundaries to identify each "moku" in which they will be serving;

(3) One conservation resource enforcement officer (IV) position that shall assist the branch chief in managing and maintaining operational oversight on all programs under the Maui district office of the division of conservation and resource enforcement;

(4) One education specialist position that shall increase public awareness and participation in environmental management efforts through the development and dissemination of educational materials, conduct public surveys, and solicit information through focus groups and public meetings;

(5) One accountant (III) position that shall manage fiscal operations for the Maui district office of the division of conservation and resource enforcement;

(6) One research statistician position that shall collect and analyze data on operations and programs of the Maui district office of the division of conservation and resource enforcement and shall use the data to improve operational efficiency and create a proposal for use in the formulation of a five year strategic plan;

(7) One clerk typist (II) position that shall be assigned to the secretary to improve administrative operational efficiency;

(8) One clerk typist (II) position that shall be assigned to the field supervisors; and

(9) One mechanic that shall reduce or eliminate outsourcing of repairs of vehicles and other motorized equipment.

SECTION 3. There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $650,000 or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2008-2009, for purposes of the pilot community conservation program established by this Act.

The sum appropriated shall be expended by the department of land and natural resources for the purposes of this Act.

SECTION 4. The department of land and natural resources shall report to the legislature not later than twenty days prior to the convening of each of the regular sessions of 2010 to 2013 on the progress of the pilot community conservation program project, including the number and type of enforcement actions conducted under this program, number of communities served, number of volunteers trained, recommendations for changes to the program, recommendations regarding legislation, and amounts and means of funding.

SECTION 5. This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2008, and shall be repealed on June 30, 2013.

INTRODUCED BY:	_____________________________

THE SENATE	S.B. NO.	2154
TWENTY-FOURTH LEGISLATURE, 2008
STATE OF HAWAII