STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1024

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE:    H.B. No. 822

       H.D. 2

Honorable Donna Mercado Kim

President of the Senate

Twenty-Eighth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2015

State of Hawaii

Madam:

     Your Committee on Water and Land, to which was referred H.B. No. 822, H.D. 2, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT MAKING AN APPROPRIATION TO THE HAWAII ASSOCIATION OF CONSERVATION DISTRICTS,"

begs leave to report as follows:

     The purpose and intent of this measure is to make an appropriation for the operational expenses and staffing costs of the Hawaii Association of Conservation Districts.

     Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Land and Natural Resources; Department of Agriculture; Mayor of the County of Maui; Chamber of Commerce Hawaii; Hawaii Cattlemen's Council; Hawaii Crop Improvement Association; Ka‘u Soil and Water Conservation District; Hawaii Farm Bureau Federation; Central Maui Soil and Water Conservation District; East Kauai Soil and Water District; Maui County Farm Bureau; Hawaii Association of Conservation Districts; South Oahu Soil and Water Conservation District; Larry Jefts Farms LLC; Land Use Research Foundation of Hawaii; Ponoholo Ranch, Ltd.; and fourteen individuals.

     Your Committee finds that soil and water conservation districts have worked to improve Hawaii's environment and economy through major projects over the past sixty years, such as improving farm practices, reducing erosion, augmenting ocean water quality, improving drinking water quality, and fighting invasive species.  In addition, the districts assist with reviewing each county's grading permits and conservation plans that are critical to proper county grading permit reviews, preserving the environment, stimulating the economy, and maintaining individual livelihoods.  Soil and water conservation districts also provide educational and community support for conservation awareness, including introducing elementary school students to conservation principles and participating in high school resource conservation and development projects.

     Your Committee further finds that the demand and accompanying workload of the conservation districts have increased dramatically with population growth and land use changes.  The districts receive hundreds of requests for conservation plans and county grading permit reviews each year.  As a result, districts are currently struggling to keep pace with the demand, and adequate funding for the work of the Hawaii Association of Conservation Districts is in serious jeopardy at a time of critical demand for its services.

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Water and Land that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 822, H.D. 2, and recommends that it pass Second Reading and be referred to the Committee on Ways and Means.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Water and Land,

________________________________

LAURA H. THIELEN, Chair