HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES	H.B. NO.	2591
THIRTIETH LEGISLATURE, 2020
STATE OF HAWAII

A BILL FOR AN ACT

RELATING TO MARINE RESOURCES.

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

SECTION 1. The legislature finds that the State's nearshore marine resources are being increasingly impacted by local and global stressors and that existing State management measures may be inadequate to ensure long-term sustainability.

On September 1, 2016, at the International Union for Conservation of Nature World Conservation Congress in Hawaii, and as part of the sustainable Hawaii initiative, Governor David Ige announced the State's commitment to effectively manage thirty per cent of Hawaii's nearshore waters by 2030. Referred to as the marine 30x30 initiative, this effort aims to balance sustainable use with restoration and conservation to benefit local communities now and in the future. The department of land and natural resources is capitalizing on this initiative to establish new strategic directions in the way it manages the State's nearshore marine resources.

Led by the division of aquatic resources, the marine 30x30 initiative includes strategies to reevaluate and update statewide fishing regulations and establish a statewide network of marine managed areas encompassing thirty per cent of the State's nearshore waters. Successful development and implementation of these strategies hinge on effective public outreach and a fair and transparent stakeholder input process, including statewide public hearings and concentrated scoping workshops in communities where marine managed areas are proposed. Management plans will be developed to establish clear management goals, measure effectiveness, and inform ongoing adaptive management.

The purpose of this Act is to provide the department of land and natural resources with the resources it needs to successfully undertake the comprehensive stakeholder engagement process and adaptive management strategies associated with the marine 30x30 initiative.

SECTION 2. There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $250,620 or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2020-2021 for the marine 30x30 initiative; provided that the sum appropriated shall be expended as follows:

(1) $6,500 for professional facilitation for the stakeholder engagement process associated with the marine 30x30 initiative;

(2) $42,120 for travel expenses for the department of land and natural resources' marine 30x30 initiative team and staff to attend twenty-six planned stakeholder engagement meetings throughout the State;

(3) $52,000 for the department of land and natural resources' strategic communication and outreach associated with the marine 30x30 initiative; and

(4) $150,000 for management plan development associated with the marine 30x30 initiative.

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

SECTION 3. This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2020.

INTRODUCED BY:

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Report Title:

Marine Resources; DLNR; Marine 30x30 Initiative; Appropriation

Description:

Appropriates funds to provide DLNR with necessary resources associated with the marine 30x30 initiative, including funds for team and staff travel, strategic communication and outreach, professional facilitation, and management plan development.

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