STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1397

 

Honolulu, Hawaii

                  

 

RE:    S.R. No. 27

       S.D. 1

 

 

 

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2025

State of Hawaii

 

Sir:

 

     Your Committee on Water and Land, to which was referred S.R. No. 27 entitled:

 

"SENATE RESOLUTION URGING THE DEPARTMENT OF LAND AND NATURAL RESOURCES DIVISION OF FORESTRY AND WILDLIFE TO PRIORITIZE THE RESTORATION AND PROTECTION OF ADDITIONAL WETLANDS AND ANCHIALINE POOLS,"

 

begs leave to report as follows:

 

     The purpose and intent of this measure is to urge the Division of Forestry and Wildlife to prioritize the restoration and protection of additional wetlands and anchialine pools.

 

     Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Land and Natural Resources, Hawaiʻi Reef and Ocean Coalition, Maui Ocean Center, and one individual.

 

     Your Committee finds that the protection and restoration of wetlands helps enhance wildfire and drought resistance; reduces the magnitude of floods; and provides valuable habitats for flora, fauna, and endangered species.  Your Committee further finds that without protection, the State's wetlands and anchialine pools are at risk of degradation, threatening rare ecosystems and species.  This measure urges the Division of Forestry and Wildlife of the Department of Land and Natural Resources to expand protections for wetlands and anchialine pools to ensure that the State and its residents will continue to benefit from them.

 

     Your Committee has amended this measure by making technical, nonsubstantive amendments for the purposes of clarity and consistency.

 

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Water and Land that is attached to this report, your Committee concurs with the intent and purpose of S.R. No. 27, as amended herein, and recommends its adoption in the form attached hereto as S.R. No. 27, S.D. 1.

 

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

 

 

 

________________________________

LORRAINE R. INOUYE, Chair