STAND. COM. REP. NO. 2035-22

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2022

RE: S.C.R. No. 201

Honorable Scott K. Saiki

Speaker, House of Representatives

Thirty-First State Legislature

Regular Session of 2022

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Water & Land, to which was referred S.C.R. No. 201 entitled:

"SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION STRONGLY URGING THE UNITED STATES ARMY CORPS OF ENGINEERS TO WORK WITH THE DEPARTMENT OF LAND AND NATURAL RESOURCES TO MITIGATE NEGATIVE IMPACTS TO CORALS AND OTHER IMPORTANT CORAL REEF RESOURCES WHILE DREDGING IN STATE WATERS,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to strongly urge the United States Army Corps of Engineers to work with the Department of Land and Natural Resources to mitigate negative impacts to corals and other important coral reef resources while dredging in state waters.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Land and Natural Resources, Friends of Hanauma Bay, and two individuals.

Your Committee finds that coral reefs are vital to the health of Hawaii's fragile coastal ecosystem. In order to protect precious marine resources such as coral reefs, the Department of Land and Natural Resources has established a framework for prevention and mitigation, including administrative, criminal, and civil penalties for the destruction of corals and live rock. This measure seeks the cooperation of the United States Army Corps of Engineers in mitigating any adverse effects on corals and other important coral reef resources while dredging in state waters.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Water & Land that is attached to this report, your Committee concurs with the intent and purpose of S.C.R. No. 201 and recommends that it be referred to your Committee on Judiciary & Hawaiian Affairs.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Water & Land,

____________________________

DAVID A. TARNAS, Chair