HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES	H.C.R. NO.	211
TWENTY-FIFTH LEGISLATURE, 2009
STATE OF HAWAII

HOUSE CONCURRENT

RESOLUTION

urging commercial tour operators to stop releasing raw sewage within the hawaiian islands humpback whale national marine sanctuary, and requesting the department of land and natural resources to adopt rules prohibiting the dumping of raw sewage within the sanctuary and ensure the harbors are equipped with proper pump out facilities.

     WHEREAS, Hawaii's marine waters are vitally important not only as a resource for the people of Hawaii but also for the health of the tourism industry and the state economy in general; and

     WHEREAS, the welfare of both the state's unique marine resources and its tourism industry is a priority for both the State as well as the tour boat industry; and

     WHEREAS, it is common practice for commercial tour boat operators to release raw sewage and other waste matter three miles or more offshore, as allowed by federal maritime laws; and

     WHEREAS, this sewage and waste matter contains toxins such as formaldehyde, ammonium chloride, and zinc sulfate, in a highly concentrated form, and can cause illnesses, such as hepatitis, typhoid, cholera, dysentery, gastroenteritis, and staphylococcus; and

     WHEREAS, recognizing the importance of the role the Hawaiian islands play in the preservation and long-term vitality of the endangered humpback whale, the Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary (Sanctuary) was established in 1992 for the protection of the ecological habitat necessary for the recovery of this protected species; and

     WHEREAS, a portion of the Sanctuary is located within the permitted dumping area; and

     WHEREAS, some socially and environmentally conscious tour boat operators have taken the initiative to hire the service of a private pump company to pump out their wastewater systems onshore; and

     WHEREAS, all tour boat operators should follow their lead and cease releasing raw sewage within or near the Sanctuary; and

     WHEREAS, state harbors must be properly equipped with pumping facilities that are necessary for the tour boat operators to pump out their wastewater systems; now, therefore,

     BE IT RESOLVED by the House of Representatives of the Twenty-fifth Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2009, the Senate concurring, that all commercial tour boat operators are urged to cease releasing raw sewage within the Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR) is requested to adopt rules prohibiting the dumping of raw sewage within or near the Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary, including enforcement provisions; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that DLNR is also requested to ensure the construction and installation of adequate pump out facilities at all state harbors for compliance with sewage dumping prohibitions; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that certified copies of this Concurrent Resolution be transmitted to the Chairperson of the Board of Land and Natural Resources.

OFFERED BY:

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Report Title: 

Tour Boats; Sewage Discharge; Prohibition; Whale Sanctuary