HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES	H.R. NO.	68
TWENTY-NINTH LEGISLATURE, 2018
STATE OF HAWAII

HOUSE RESOLUTION

 

 

URGING EVALUATION AND IMPLEMENTATION OF BEST MANAGEMENT PRACTICES AND TECHNOLOGIES FOR VESSEL BIOFOULING MANAGEMENT AND COLLABORATION BY STATE AGENCIES IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF BIOFOULING MANAGEMENT REGULATIONS FOR HAWAII HARBORS.

 

 

 

     WHEREAS, the maritime industry is an important component of Hawaii's economy and commercial shipping companies make great efforts to follow voluntary best management practices to reduce vessel biofouling, including the use of less toxic protective hull coatings and by cleaning and reapplication of coatings within recommended timeframes; and

 

     WHEREAS, biofouling begins to accumulate on submerged portions of vessels within a few weeks, and this microfouling layer facilitates the growth of larger fouling organisms that can decrease the efficiency and safe operation of a vessel; and

 

     WHEREAS, studies have shown biofouling on vessels to be 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 (Biosecurity Plan) recognizes that vessel biofouling has contributed to up to 78 percent of Hawaii's non-native marine algae and invertebrate species; and

 

     WHEREAS, the Biosecurity Plan calls on the Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR), Department of Agriculture (DOA), Department of Health (DOH), and Department of Transportation (DOT) 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 DLNR as the lead state agency for preventing the introduction of non-native aquatic organisms through the regulation of hull-fouling organisms; and

 

     WHEREAS, DOH is tasked with administering water pollution control regulations and enforcing water quality standards under Chapter 342D, Hawaii Revised Statutes; and

 

     WHEREAS, section 266-1, Hawaii Revised Statutes, requires that all vessels and shipping within the commercial harbors and roadsteads of Hawaii shall be under the care and control of DOT; and

 

     WHEREAS, a high level of coordination between various state agencies will be required to develop and implement safe and effective measures for biofouling management in Hawaii's harbors; and

 

     WHEREAS, the Alliance for Coastal Technologies (ACT) and Maritime Environmental Resource Center (MERC) have developed a program for testing full-capture biofouling removal technologies and have formally invited participation from Hawaii agencies in its testing programs, and Hawaii 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 (HISC) 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, HISC Resolution 18-1 supports Hawaii's involvement in the ACT/MERC program for the assessment and evaluation of biofouling management technologies and 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, that state agencies are urged to work together in planning for Hawaii's involvement in the ACT/MERC 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 non-abrasive cleaning of ship hull microfouling and create a process 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 Biosecurity Plan; and

 

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that certified copies of this Resolution be transmitted to the Governor and to the directors or chairpersons of each HISC agency.

 

 

 

	OFFERED BY:	_____________________________

Report Title: 

Biofouling Management Technologies