STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1688

 

Honolulu, Hawaii

                  

 

RE:    GOV. MSG. NO. 668

 

 

 

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Twenty-Ninth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2017

State of Hawaii

 

Sir:

 

     Your Committee on Water and Land, to which was referred Governor's Message No. 668, submitting for study and consideration the nomination of: 

 

Legacy Land Conservation Commission

 

G.M. No. 668

WENDY WILTSE,

for a term to expire 06-30-2021,

 

begs leave to report as follows:

 

     Your Committee has reviewed the personal history, resume, and statement submitted by the nominee and finds Wendy Wiltse to possess the requisite qualifications to be nominated to the Legacy Land Conservation Commission.

 

     Your Committee received testimony in support of the nomination for Wendy Wiltse from the Department of Land and Natural Resources, Maui Nui Marine Resource Council, and two individuals.

 

     Wendy Wiltse received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Biology from Denison University, Master of Science degree in Marine Science from the University of New Hampshire, and Ph.D. in Zoology from the University of Massachusetts, Amherst.  Dr. Wiltse recently retired from her position as a Senior Environmental Scientist after thirty-two years of employment with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).  Prior to her long tenure at the EPA, Dr. Wiltse was an Assistant Professor at William College – Mystic Seaport Maritime Studies Program and a Postdoctoral Researcher at Woods Hole Oceanographic Institute.  The nominee has also been a member of various working groups, committees, and organizations, including the Hawaii Coral Reef Working Group; United States Coral Reef Task Force Steering Committee, Watershed Working Group, Climate Change and Ocean Acidification Working Group, and Injury and Mitigation Working Group; Hawaii Chapter of the Sierra Club; and The Nature Conservancy. 

 

     Your Committee finds that Dr. Wiltse has the education, experience, and commitment to land conservation to serve on the Legacy Land Conservation Commission as a member possessing scientific qualifications as evidenced by an academic degree, as specified in section 173A-2.4, Hawaii Revised Statutes.  Testifiers commented on Dr. Wiltse's strong professional background at the EPA, where she assisted government agencies and nonprofit organizations with all aspects of resource management and protection, and her keen understanding of the laws, rules, criteria, and priorities that govern the Commission's work as evidenced during her prior years on the Commission.  The nominee indicated in her personal statement that her recent service on the Commission as an interim member has been a fulfilling experience, and she believes in the Commission's mission to acquire, protect, and manage private lands for public trust purposes.  Additionally, Dr. Wiltse expresses a desire to continue to serve her community in Hawaii after her lengthy career in federal government, and to put her years of knowledge and experience to constructive use.  Your Committee finds that with her extensive experience, knowledge, and commitment to public service, Dr. Wiltse is and will continue to be an asset to the Commission.

 

     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, after full consideration of the background, experience, and qualifications of the nominee, has found the nominee to be qualified for the position to which nominated and recommends that the Senate advise and consent to the nomination.

 

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

 

 

 

____________________________

KARL RHOADS, Chair