THE SENATE	S.B. NO.	499
TWENTY-EIGHTH LEGISLATURE, 2015
STATE OF HAWAII

A BILL FOR AN ACT

 

 

RELATING TO ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTs.

 

 

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

 

     SECTION 1.  The legislature finds that because state construction projects in coastal areas are environmentally precarious, it is essential to take the impacts of projected sea level change into account during the planning stage in order to protect current infrastructure investments over time.

     The purpose of this Act is to make the impact of sea level change a consideration in any environmental assessment or environmental impact statement for a major capital improvement project of the State or counties that is proposed in any coastal lands.

     SECTION 2.  (a)  Whenever any major infrastructure improvement project or major construction project of the State or a county, including new or major modification, is proposed in any coastal lands, as defined in section 171-151, Hawaii Revised Statutes, any environmental assessment or environmental impact statement required pursuant to chapter 343, Hawaii Revised Statutes, shall include an analysis of the environmental impact of projected sea level rise or fall over the anticipated lifespan of the project.  The detailed analysis shall include a detailed scientifically-based methodology for evaluation of the project based on the best available information.

     (b)  For purposes of this section, the office of environmental quality control shall keep current its guidance documents concerning ecological and environmental problems of coastal lands.

     (c)  As used in this section, "major" means any project having an anticipated estimated value equal to or exceeding $          .

     SECTION 3.  This Act does not affect rights and duties that matured, penalties that were incurred, and proceedings that were begun before its effective date.

     SECTION 4.  This Act shall take effect upon its approval.

 

INTRODUCED BY:	_____________________________

 

 

Report Title:

Coastal Lands; Environmental Assessment; Environmental Impact Statements

 

Description:

Requires major capital improvement projects of the State or a county involving an infrastructure improvement project or construction project to include in the environmental assessments and environmental impact statements an analysis of the environmental impact of projected sea level rise or fall over the anticipated lifespan of the project.

 

 

 

 

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