HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES	H.B. NO.	2042
TWENTY-NINTH LEGISLATURE, 2018
STATE OF HAWAII

A BILL FOR AN ACT

 

 

relating to water quality.

 

 

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

 

     SECTION 1.  The legislature finds that the clean water branch of the department of health has inadequate staff capacity to meet its obligations to perform timely monitoring to assure that west Hawaii island's stream and coastal waters are safe for public swimming, fishing, and other recreational activities.  In particular, contaminants of emerging concern from waste water treatment plant outfalls, injection wells, and any cesspools need to be addressed because of their role in harming coral reefs.

     The purpose of this Act is to appropriate moneys to the department of health to establish one full-time position to conduct water quality assessments in west Hawaii island.

     SECTION 2.  There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $50,722 or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2018-2019 for the clean water branch of the department of health to hire one full-time equivalent (1.0 FTE) environmental health specialist IV employee to monitor and enforce the quality and safety of west Hawaii island's stream and coastal waters by:

     (1)  Acquiring water samples in west Hawaii island streams, coastal waters, and seeps;

     (2)  Conducting watershed assessments and various surface water tests;

     (3)  Investigating complaints; and

     (4)  Enforcing surface water regulations.

     The sum appropriated shall be expended by the department of health for the purposes of this Act.

     SECTION 3.  This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2018.

 

INTRODUCED BY:	_____________________________

 

 

Report Title:

Department of Health; Water Quality; West Hawaii

 

Description:

Appropriates funds to the Department of Health to establish one full-time position to conduct water quality assessments in West Hawaii island.

 

 

 

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