STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1761

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: GOV. MSG. NO. 687

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirty-First State Legislature

Regular Session of 2021

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Agriculture and Environment, to which was referred Governor's Message No. 687, submitting for study and consideration the nomination of:

Endangered Species Recovery Committee

G.M. No. 687

LISA SPAIN, for a term to expire 06-30-2025,

begs leave to report as follows:

Your Committee reviewed the personal history, resume, and statement submitted by Lisa Spain for service on the Endangered Species Recovery Committee.

Your Committee received testimony in support of the nomination for the reappointment of Lisa Spain from the Department of Land and Natural Resources and seven individuals.

Upon review of the testimony, your Committee finds that Ms. Spain's background, experience, and dedication to public service qualify her for reappointment to the Endangered Species Recovery Committee. Ms. Spain has served on the Endangered Species Recovery Committee since 2018, where she has been tasked with reviewing safe harbor agreements, habitat conservation plans, and incidental take licenses under chapter 195, Hawaii Revised Statutes.

Your Committee notes that Ms. Spain has spent the last twenty-four years committed to conservation in Hawaii. She holds a Bachelor's degree and Master's degree in Zoology with a focus on Ecology, Evolution, and Conservation Biology and an Executive Master of Business Administration degree, providing a combination of natural resource experience with administrative knowledge. She currently serves as the Deputy Director of the Imiloa Astronomy Center at the University of Hawaii at Hilo. As the former administrator of the Department of Land and Natural Resources' Division of Forestry and Wildlife, Ms. Spain has a significant working knowledge of the State's regulatory and permitting processes, especially with respect to endangered species issues, watershed protection, and environmental assessments. In that role, she participated in the Federal-State Joint Task Force on National Endangered Species Act Policy.

Your Committee finds that Ms. Spain is active in her community and has previously served on a number of boards and commissions, including the University of Hawaii Mauna Kea Management Board, Bishop Museum Business Plan Task Force, National Endangered Species Joint Task Force, and Friends of Hakalau Forest National Wildlife Refuge Endowment Committee. Your Committee finds that Ms. Spain's administrative background, motivation to protect and conserve the natural resources of Hawaii, knowledge, experience, and commitment to public service will continue to be an asset to the Endangered Species Recovery Committee. Your Committee therefore recommends that Ms. Spain be reappointed to the Endangered Species Recovery Committee based on her knowledge, leadership, integrity, and dedication.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Agriculture and Environment 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 Agriculture and Environment,

____________________________

MIKE GABBARD, Chair