STAND. COM. REP. NO. 335

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE:    S.B. No. 1088

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Twenty-Ninth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2017

State of Hawaii

Sir:

     Your Committees on Water and Land and Agriculture and Environment, to which was referred S.B. No. 1088 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO CARBON FORESTRY CERTIFICATION,"

beg leave to report as follows:

     The purpose and intent of this measure is to appropriate funds for the certification of a carbon reforestation project at Haleakala, Maui, operated by the Department of Land and Natural Resources under an established forest carbon standard certification system.

     Your Committees received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Land and Natural Resources; Office of Environmental Quality Control; Nature Conservancy Hawai‘i; Hawaii Farmers Union United; We Are One, Inc.; and thirteen individuals.

     Your Committees find that certified carbon projects directly contribute to multiple sustainability goals for the State of Hawaii, including the Aloha+ Challenge Declaration.  The Department of Land and Natural Resources proposes to certify a reforestation project on state lands and has secured funding for the restoration project activities through federal and state resources, and needs an initial investment of $120,000 for the certification of the carbon project under an established forest carbon standard.  Your Committees find that this one-time appropriation to support the restoration project serves the public interest through efforts to mitigate the impacts of climate change and environmental degradation.  Success of this project will result in converting degraded pastureland back to native forest to sequester carbon, reduce erosion, increase water supply recharge, re-establish endangered species habitat, mitigate wildfire threats, and support numerous other natural and cultural benefits important to the people of Hawaii.

     As affirmed by the records of votes of the members of your Committees on Water and Land and Agriculture and Environment that are attached to this report, your Committees are in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 1088 and recommend that it pass Second Reading and be referred to your Committee on Ways and Means.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committees on Water and Land and Agriculture and Environment,

________________________________ MIKE GABBARD, Chair

________________________________ KARL RHOADS, Chair