HB2518

SECTION 1. The legislature finds that an average of over 8,700,000 gallons of treated water is disposed of every day using injection wells on the island of Maui. This method of disposal causes groundwater contamination, algae blooms, and coral reef damage in nearshore waters. To prevent and mitigate these damages and prevent further environmental harm, the legislature believes that additional infrastructure is needed for treatment, distribution, and storage of reclaimed water for subsequent use. The legislature further finds that the most desirable use for reclaimed water is for the irrigation of agricultural lands and landscaping, and emergency firefighting.

The legislature notes that brush fires in West Maui burned an estimated four thousand one hundred acres of land in October 2019. Providing firefighters with access to stored reclaimed water with which to fight fires will increase public safety and protect affected lands. Further, due to its levels of salinity, use of saltwater to fight fires alters the chemical composition of the affected soil. For example, the introduction of saline from seawater to topsoil creates barren landscapes that are unable to support native plant life and intensifies erosion, which helps to carry salinized soil to other areas.

The legislature recognizes that water is a valued commodity and should not be disposed of without careful consideration. The legislature believes that without increasing use of reclaimed water in the State, residents will encounter potable drinking water shortages caused by the overuse of potable drinking water for agricultural, landscaping, or firefighting purposes. The legislature also finds that using former plantation reservoirs to store reclaimed water will allow for easier access for agriculture and landscaping use for West Maui and will provide firefighters with efficient access to fresh water.

Accordingly, the purpose of this Act is to authorize the director of finance to issue general obligation bonds to:

(1) The county of Maui for the upgrade of that county's R‑1 water delivery systems; and

(2) The Department of Land and Natural Resources for the upgrade of water reservoirs located in the forest watershed areas on Maui.

SECTION 2. The director of finance is authorized to issue general obligation bonds in the sum of $ or so much thereof as may be necessary and the same sum or so much thereof as may be necessary is appropriated for fiscal year 2020-2021 for the purpose of capital improvement projects for the county of Maui, as follows:

1. Upgrade of R-1 water delivery system, Maui.

Plans, design, land acquisition, construction, and equipment for the upgrade of R-1 water delivery system on the island of Maui.

Plans $

Design $

Land acquisition $

Construction $

Equipment $

Total Funding $

The sum appropriated shall be expended by the county of Maui for the purposes of this Act.

SECTION 3. The director of finance is authorized to issue general obligation bonds in the sum of $ or so much thereof as may be necessary and the same sum or so much thereof as may be necessary is appropriated for fiscal year 2020-2021 for the purpose of capital improvement projects for the following water reservoirs located on the island of Maui:

1. Upgrade of the Field 140 reservoir, Maui.

Plans, design, land acquisition, construction, and equipment for the upgrade of the Field 140 reservoir on the island of Maui.

Plans $

Design $

Land acquisition $

Construction $

Equipment $

Total Funding $

2. Upgrade of the Mahinahina reservoir, Maui.

Plans, design, land acquisition, construction, and equipment for the upgrade of the Mahinahina reservoir on the island of Maui.

Plans $

Design $

Land acquisition $

Construction $

Equipment $

Total Funding $

3. Upgrade of the Crater reservoir, Maui.

Plans, design, construction, and equipment for the upgrade of the Crater reservoir on the island of Maui.

Plans $

Design $

Construction $

Equipment $

Total Funding $

4. Upgrade of the Kahoma reservoir, Maui.

Plans, design, land acquisition, construction, and equipment for the upgrade of the Kahoma reservoir on the island of Maui.

Plans $

Design $

Land acquisition $

Construction $

Equipment $

Total Funding $

5. Upgrade of the E-2 reservoir, Maui.

Plans, design, land acquisition, construction, and equipment for the upgrade of the E-2 reservoir on the island of Maui.

Plans $

Design $

Land acquisition $

Construction $

Equipment $

Total Funding $

6. Upgrade of the Makila reservoir, Maui.

Plans, design, land acquisition, construction, and equipment for the upgrade of the Makila reservoir on the island of Maui.

Plans $

Design $

Land acquisition $

Construction $

Equipment $

Total Funding $

7. Upgrade of the Kauaula reservoir, Maui.

Plans, design, land acquisition, construction, and equipment for the upgrade of the Kauaula reservoir on the island of Maui.

Plans $

Design $

Land acquisition $

Construction $

Equipment $

Total Funding $

8. Upgrade of the Olowalu reservoir, Maui.

Plans, design, land acquisition, construction, and equipment for the upgrade of the Olowalu reservoir on the island of Maui.

Plans $

Design $

Land acquisition $

Construction $

Equipment $

Total Funding $

9. Upgrade of the Ukumehame reservoir, Maui.

Plans, design, land acquisition, construction, and equipment for the upgrade of the Ukumehame reservoir on the island of Maui.

Plans $

Design $

Land acquisition $

Construction $

Equipment $

Total Funding $

The sums appropriated shall be expended by the department of land and natural resources for the purpose of this Act.

SECTION 4. The appropriations made for the capital improvement projects authorized by this Act shall not lapse at the end of the fiscal biennium for which the appropriation is made; provided that all moneys from the appropriations unencumbered as of June 30, 2022, shall lapse as of that date.

SECTION 5. This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2020.

INTRODUCED BY:	_____________________________

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES	H.B. NO.	2518
THIRTIETH LEGISLATURE, 2020
STATE OF HAWAII