HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES	H.B. NO.	1325
THIRTIETH LEGISLATURE, 2019		H.D. 2
STATE OF HAWAII		S.D. 1

A BILL FOR AN ACT

RELATING TO THE DEPARTMENT OF LAND AND NATURAL RESOURCES.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:

SECTION 1. Chapter 183, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by adding a new section to part III to be appropriately designated and to read as follows:

"§183-   Sustainable game management in areas of watershed protection; collaboration with game management advisory commission. The department shall work collaboratively with the game management advisory commission established by section 183D‑4.5 to develop and implement sustainable game management practices and plans in areas assigned and associated with watershed protection in accordance with powers and duties of the department under section 183D-2."

SECTION 2. Section 171-58, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by amending subsections (e) and (f) to read as follows:

"(e) Any new lease of water rights shall contain a covenant that requires the lessee and the department of land and natural resources to jointly develop and implement a watershed management plan. The board shall not approve any new lease of water rights without the foregoing covenant or a watershed management plan. The board shall prescribe the minimum content of a watershed management plan; provided that the watershed management plan shall [require]:

(1) Require the prevention of the degradation of surface water and ground water quality to the extent that degradation can be avoided using reasonable management practices[.]; and

(2) Be provided to the game management advisory commission established by section 183D-4.5 prior to the board's approval of the lease.

(f) Upon renewal, any lease of water rights shall contain a covenant that requires the lessee and the department of land and natural resources to jointly develop and implement a watershed management plan. The board shall not renew any lease of water rights without the foregoing covenant or a watershed management plan. The board shall prescribe the minimum content of a watershed management plan; provided that the watershed management plan shall [require]:

(1) Require the prevention of the degradation of surface water and ground water quality to the extent that degradation can be avoided using reasonable management practices[.]; and

(2) Be provided to the game management advisory commission established by section 183D-4.5 prior to the board's renewal of the lease."

SECTION 3. Section 183-31, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended to read as follows:

"§183-31 Watershed areas. The department of land and natural resources shall determine, after public hearing held in the same manner as provided in section 91-3, areas which are watersheds[.]; provided that the determination shall require prior notice to the game management advisory commission established pursuant to section 183D-4.5.

The term "watershed" as used in this part means (1) an area from which the domestic water supply of any city, town or community is or may be obtained, or (2) an area where water infiltrates into artesian or other ground-water areas from which the domestic water supply of any city, town or community is or may be obtained."

SECTION 4. This Act does not affect rights and duties that matured, penalties that were incurred, and proceedings that were begun before its effective date.

SECTION 5. Statutory material to be repealed is bracketed and stricken. New statutory material is underscored.

SECTION 6. This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2050.

Report Title:

DLNR; Game Management Advisory Commission; Watershed Management; Sustainable Game Management

Description:

Requires DLNR to work collaboratively with the Game Management Advisory Commission to develop and implement sustainable game management practices in areas of watershed protection. Requires BLNR to give prior notice to the Game Management Advisory Commission prior to issuing or renewing a water rights lease. Takes effect on 7/1/2050. (SD1)

The summary description of legislation appearing on this page is for informational purposes only and is not legislation or evidence of legislative intent.