Bill Text: HI SB1549 | 2024 | Regular Session | Amended
Bill Title: Relating To The Department Of Land And Natural Resources.
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 1-0)
Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2023-12-11 - Carried over to 2024 Regular Session. [SB1549 Detail]
Download: Hawaii-2024-SB1549-Amended.html
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THE SENATE |
S.B. NO. |
1549 |
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THIRTY-SECOND LEGISLATURE, 2023 |
S.D. 1 |
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STATE OF HAWAII |
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A BILL FOR AN ACT
RELATING TO THE DEPARTMENT OF LAND AND NATURAL RESOURCES.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:
SECTION 1. The legislature finds that visitors are attracted to Hawaii because of the State's natural beauty, natural resources, cultural resources, and historical sites. However, many of these sites are overwhelmed by the sheer number of visitors and residents who flock to these sites during their stay in Hawaii.
The legislature acknowledges the work of the Hawaii tourism authority and their subcontractors who have developed destination management plans for each county. Each destination management plan has identified hot spots that attract visitors due to their popularity, which may result in overcrowding, congestion, degradation of resources, safety hazards, and a negative experience for residents and visitors.
The
legislature further finds that many of the hotspots in each county are
trailheads leading to hiking trails of Na
Ala Hele, the State's trail and access program, which is maintained by the
department of land and natural resources' division of forestry and
wildlife. While progress is being made
to address action items in the destination management plans, very little
progress is being made to address the hotspots.
The legislature recognizes that it is the
role of the division of forestry and wildlife, not the Hawaii tourism
authority, to address hotspots relating to trailheads. With the dramatic increase in trail use,
intensified by residents who escaped to the outdoors during the COVID-19
pandemic and visitors exposed to the trails via social media influences,
additional resources are needed to manage the destination. The lack of staffing to address these
hotspots leads to residents complaining about blocked driveways, illegal
parking on state and county roadways, lack of restroom facilities, constant
noise, lack of on-street parking for residential use, use of residential water
hoses to clean up, and use of residential yards to gather and unwind from the
day's activities.
The legislature also finds that the
division of forestry and wildlife needs additional personnel and resources to
prioritize hotspots relating to trails and access, work with affected
residents, identify alternative solutions, coordinate with state and county
agencies, work with community organizations, raise funds, and implement
solutions. The legislature additionally
finds that, based on the successful Haena state park model, solutions may take
several years to implement.
The legislature notes that although
revenues from the transient accommodations tax generated $738,000,000 in fiscal
year 2022, only about $2,600,000 was used in general funds, special funds, and
Hawaii tourism authority funds for personnel and operating costs to cover the
one hundred thirty-eight Na Ala Hele maintained trails throughout Hawaii.
The purpose of this Act is to appropriate funds for the operations and personnel of the department of land and natural resources' division of forestry and wildlife to manage hotspots at trailheads as part of the Na Ala Hele trail and access program.
SECTION 2. There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $ or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2023-2024 and the same sum or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2024-2025 to be used as follows:
(1) $ for office, safety, and field supplies;
(2) $ for four four-wheel drive vehicles;
(3) $ for planning consultant contracts;
(4) $ for the establishment of one full-time equivalent (1.0 FTE) permanent planner V position on Oahu;
(5) $ for the establishment of three full-time equivalent (3.0 FTE) permanent specialist IV positions; provided that one position shall be assigned each to Maui, Oahu, and Kauai;
(6) $ for the establishment of one full-time equivalent (1.0 FTE) permanent technician position on Kauai; and
(7) $ for the establishment of one full-time equivalent (1.0 FTE) permanent abstractor position on Oahu.
The sums appropriated shall be expended by the department of land and natural resources for the purposes of this Act.
SECTION 3. This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2050.
Report Title:
Department of Land and Natural Resources; Na Ala Hele Program; Trails; Operating Costs; Positions; Appropriation
Description:
Appropriates funds to the Department of Land and Natural Resources for operating costs and personnel to manage certain trailheads as part of the Na Ala Hele Trail and Access Program. Takes effect 07/01/2050. (SD1)
The summary description
of legislation appearing on this page is for informational purposes only and is
not legislation or evidence of legislative intent.
