THE SENATE	S.B. NO.	2303
THIRTIETH LEGISLATURE, 2020
STATE OF HAWAII

A BILL FOR AN ACT

 

 

relating to the wahiawa dam and RESERVOIR.

 

 

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

 

SECTION 1.  The legislature recognizes that climate change is occurring, and it is a priority issue for the State.  Climate change poses immediate and long-term threats to Hawaii's economy, sustainability, security, and way of life.

The legislature also recognizes that climate change creates increased risks of both drought and sea level rise, making it critical to maintain the State's water storage capabilities and to protect downstream communities from flooding.  To address these risks, the Wahiawa dam and reservoir, which serves as a major water supply for central and North Shore Oahu, must be carefully monitored for safety and must be the subject of an emergency intervention plan.

Accordingly, the purpose of this Act is to direct the department of land and natural resources engineering division dam safety program to develop and implement an emergency intervention plan for the Wahiawa dam and reservoir.

SECTION 2.  (a)  The department of land and natural resources engineering division shall develop and implement an emergency intervention plan for the Wahiawa dam and reservoir.

(b)  The Wahiawa dam and reservoir emergency intervention plan shall identify:

     (1)  Communities that may need to evacuate in a dam emergency, using inundation maps that highlight flood areas and estimated travel times for floodwaters;

     (2)  The dam owner's responsibilities to ensure timely and effective action in the event of an emergency;

     (3)  The respective responsibilities of the State and the city and county and their areas of jurisdiction in the event of a dam emergency;

     (4)  Potential defects in the dam and reservoir;

     (5)  Any aspects of the dam and reservoir that are not in compliance with dam safety standards;

     (6)  Financing opportunities to bring the dam into safety compliance if necessary; and

     (7)  Opportunities for public outreach in the adjacent and downstream communities, for both the State and the dam owner.

     (c)  The department of land and natural resources engineering division shall submit the Wahiawa dam and reservoir emergency intervention plan to the legislature no later than twenty days prior to the convening of the regular session of 2022.

     SECTION 3.  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 2020-2021 for the Wahiawa dam and reservoir emergency intervention plan.  The moneys shall be allocated as follows:

     (1)  $1,000,000 to develop the Wahiawa dam and reservoir emergency intervention plan;

     (2)  $          to create one permanent full-time equivalent position (1.0 FTE) in the department of land and natural resources engineering division dam safety program for a planner V to implement the Wahiawa dam and reservoir emergency intervention plan and to carry out dam inspection, repair, and maintenance pursuant to chapter 179D, Hawaii Revised Statutes; and

     (3)  $3,000,000 to purchase necessary dam safety emergency intervention equipment, including a dozer, excavator, tractor and flat-bed trailer, and emergency dam supplies for erosion control measures.

     The sum appropriated shall be expended by the department of land and natural resources for the purposes of this Act.

     SECTION 4.  This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2020.

 

INTRODUCED BY:	_____________________________

 

 

Report Title:

DLNR; Wahiawa Dam and Reservoir; Emergency Intervention Plan; Dam Safety; Appropriation

 

Description:

Directs the Department of Land and Natural Resources to develop and implement an emergency intervention plan for the Wahiawa dam and reservoir.  Appropriates funds.

 

 

 

The summary description of legislation appearing on this page is for informational purposes only and is not legislation or evidence of legislative intent.