Bill Text: HI HB2768 | 2016 | Regular Session | Introduced
Bill Title: Waianae Baseline Environmental Study
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 6-0)
Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2016-02-01 - Referred to WAL/OMH, FIN, referral sheet 5 [HB2768 Detail]
Download: Hawaii-2016-HB2768-Introduced.html
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HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES |
H.B. NO. |
2768 |
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TWENTY-EIGHTH LEGISLATURE, 2016 |
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STATE OF HAWAII |
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A BILL FOR AN ACT
relating to the waianae coast.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:
SECTION 1. The legislature finds that one of the purposes of Act 6, Special Session Laws of Hawaii 2005, was to authorize a baseline environmental study of the Waianae coast ocean area. In February 2009, the Waianae baseline environmental study was prepared for the department of land and natural resources division of boating and ocean recreation.
The study noted that the division of boating and ocean recreation was unable to regulate commercial tour operators launching from private harbors. To address this issue, the legislature authorized the department of land and natural resources to regulate commercial enterprises that operate out of private marinas and use state waters or marine resources in Act 289, Session Laws of Hawaii 2012.
Trying to replicate such success, the purpose of this Act is to authorize an update of the Waianae baseline environmental study and to complete the additional studies and monitoring recommended in the 2009 study.
SECTION 2. The department of land and natural resources shall prepare an update to the 2009 Waianae baseline environmental study. The update shall include the following:
(1) Any and all updates but at a minimum an update on the ocean uses off the Waianae coast;
(2) A review, assessment, and evaluation of the Hawaiian islands dolphin SMART program;
(3) The results of research studies and monitoring of the impacts of ocean use activities on marine mammals, especially spinner dolphins and the endangered Hawaiian monk seal, along the Waianae coast to estimate disturbance levels and the number of commercial tour operators that would minimize disturbance to the spinner dolphin, endangered Hawaiian monk seal, and other marine mammals;
(4) Rigorous analyses of long-term catch data to better characterize akule and ‘opelu fisheries, specifically using smaller reporting grids to decipher changes in the fisheries and fishery-independent studies to evaluate the status of the fisheries;
(5) A review of commercial ocean recreational activities conducted from county beach parks;
(6) A review of land-based commercial ocean recreational activities, such as surf schools, kayaking tours, snorkeling, and kayaking or stand up paddle board equipment rental conducted along the Waianae coast and the impact on public recreational use;
(7) An assessment of thrill craft use along the Waianae coast; and
(8) A discussion of the incorporation of place-based, culture-based, and community-based strategies and activities as an integral part of the Waianae sustainable communities initiative.
The division of aquatic resources shall provide the department of land and natural resources with the technical assistance and information necessary to help prepare the update.
SECTION 3. For purposes of this Act, "ocean use activities" means commercial operation of thrill craft, high-speed boating, parasailing, water sledding, sailing and snorkeling tours, glassbottom boat tours, dolphin tours, or any other similar commercial activity as defined in section 200-4(a)(9), Hawaii Revised Statutes.
SECTION 4. The department of land and natural resources shall submit the update to the Waianae baseline environmental study to the legislature not later than twenty days prior to the convening of the regular session of 2018.
SECTION 5. This Act shall take effect upon its approval.
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INTRODUCED BY: |
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Report Title:
Waianae Baseline Environmental Study
Description:
Authorizes an update of the Waianae baseline environmental study.
The summary description of legislation appearing on this page is for informational purposes only and is not legislation or evidence of legislative intent.
