Bill Text: HI HCR130 | 2018 | Regular Session | Amended
Bill Title: Urging State Agencies To Evaluate, Collaborate, And Implement Best Management Practices, Technologies, And Regulations To Address Vessel Biofouling In Hawaii Harbors.
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 16-0)
Status: (Passed) 2018-05-01 - Resolution adopted in final form. [HCR130 Detail]
Download: Hawaii-2018-HCR130-Amended.html
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HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES |
H.C.R. NO. |
130 |
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TWENTY-NINTH LEGISLATURE, 2018 |
S.D. 1 |
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STATE OF HAWAII |
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HOUSE CONCURRENT
RESOLUTION
URGING STATE AGENCIES TO EVALUATE, COLLABORATE, AND IMPLEMENT BEST MANAGEMENT PRACTICES, TECHNOLOGIES, AND REGULATIONS TO ADDRESS VESSEL BIOFOULING IN HAWAII HARBORS.
WHEREAS, biofouling, or biological fouling, is the accumulation of microorganisms, plants, algae, or animals on a wetted surface, such as the hull of a shipping vessel; and
WHEREAS, biofouling begins to accumulate on submerged portions of vessels within a few weeks, and this layer of microfouling facilitates the growth of larger fouling organisms that can decrease the efficiency and safe operation of a vessel; and
WHEREAS, studies have shown that biofouling on shipping vessels is an important vector of aquatic invasive species transfer, which, if established in new ecosystems, may pose threats to the environment, human health, property, and resources; and
WHEREAS, the Hawaii Interagency Biosecurity Plan 2017-2027 recognizes that up to seventy-eight percent of Hawaii's non-native marine algae and invertebrate species can be attributed to vessel biofouling; and
WHEREAS, the Hawaii Interagency Biosecurity Plan 2017-2027 calls on the Department of Land and Natural Resources, Department of Agriculture, Department of Health, and Department of Transportation to develop hull husbandry practices and proactive hull cleaning standards for nonmilitary vessels to minimize movement of non-native aquatic organisms into Hawaii's ports, harbors, and marinas; and
WHEREAS, section 187A-32, Hawaii Revised Statutes, designates the Department of Land and Natural Resources as the lead state agency for preventing the introduction of non-native aquatic organisms through the regulation of hull fouling organisms; and
WHEREAS, chapter 342D, Hawaii Revised Statutes, tasks the Department of Health with administering water pollution control regulations and enforcing water quality standards; and
WHEREAS, section 266-1, Hawaii Revised Statutes, provides that all vessels and shipping within the State's commercial harbors and roadsteads are under the care and control of the Department of Transportation; and
WHEREAS, the maritime industry is an important component of the State's economy; and
WHEREAS, a high level of coordination between various state agencies will be required to develop and implement safe and effective measures for management of biofouling in Hawaii's harbors; and
WHEREAS, commercial shipping companies have made great efforts to adopt voluntary best management practices to reduce vessel biofouling, including the use of less toxic protective hull coatings and by cleaning and reapplying coatings within recommended timeframes; and
WHEREAS, the Alliance for Coastal Technologies and the Maritime Environmental Resource Center have developed a program for testing full-capture biofouling removal technologies and have formally invited participation from Hawaii's agencies in its testing programs; and
WHEREAS, the State has been requested to represent isolated tropical island climates for this program; and
WHEREAS, chapter 194, Hawaii Revised Statutes, authorizes the Hawaii Invasive Species Council to advise and coordinate invasive species-related efforts with and between state, federal, international, and private programs, and to coordinate the State's position with regard to invasive species; and
WHEREAS, the Hawaii Invasive Species Council Resolution 18‑1 supports the State's involvement in the Alliance for Coastal Technologies and Maritime Environmental Resource Center's program for the assessment and evaluation of biofouling management technologies; and
WHEREAS, the Hawaii Invasive Species Council Resolution 18‑1 further urges state agencies to cooperate in the development and implementation of an in-water cleaning program in Hawaii's harbors; now, therefore,
BE IT RESOLVED by the House of Representatives of the Twenty-ninth Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2018, the Senate concurring, that state agencies are urged to work together and with interested stakeholders, including the Hawaii Harbor Users Group, in planning for Hawaii's involvement in the Alliance for Coastal Technologies and Maritime Environmental Resource Center's program for the assessment and evaluation of biofouling management technologies; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that state agencies are urged to review the risks of the non-abrasive cleaning of ship hull microfouling and create processes and conditions, such as best management practices, to allow certain vessels with low-risk hull coatings or paint to apply for an in-water cleaning permit; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that state agencies are urged to develop and implement a measurable and enforceable program to address biofouling, to launch with a voluntary compliance phase-in period by December 31, 2019, in accordance with the Hawaii Interagency Biosecurity Plan 2017-2027; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that certified copies of this Concurrent Resolution be transmitted to the Governor, administrative head of each member of the Hawaii Invasive Species Council, and the Executive Director of the Hawaii Harbors User Group.
Harbors; Biofouling; Best Management Practices and Technologies
