Hawaii-2012-SB684-Amended

THE SENATE	S.B. NO.	684
TWENTY-SIXTH LEGISLATURE, 2011		S.D. 1
STATE OF HAWAII

A BILL FOR AN ACT

RELATING TO LAKE WILSON.

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

SECTION 1. The legislature finds that Wahiawa reservoir, commonly known as Lake Wilson, is Hawaii's largest reservoir with a 3,000,000,000 gallon capacity. Given its size, Lake Wilson could provide the water needed for the north shore of Oahu's agricultural expansion, but the condition and quality of the water today limits the crops produced on the north shore. Nearby landowners hold about 20,000 acres of land that can be used for agricultural production but is now limited to tree crops, corn, and other production items that can use R-2 (disinfected secondary treated effluent) water. As a result, the response to the demand for more food production in Hawaii has been limited.

The legislature further finds that stopping the inflow of treated effluence into the lake is particularly critical, because the plan to upgrade city and county of Honolulu water to R-1 (disinfected tertiary treated effluent) has not progressed to the point of a solution.

The north shore is the last haven for agricultural production on the island of Oahu, and the cleanup of the water within the lake will allow the expansion of agricultural production in the area. With land and clean water, farmers will be able to increase their production, add varieties of food crops, and contribute to Hawaii's goal of greater food sustainability. The cleanup of the lake will also lead to greater recreational opportunities, such as fishing, boating, and other water recreation activities.

The purpose of this Act is to establish a task force to assess the current condition and quality of the waters of Lake Wilson and recommend actions to improve the water quality to acceptable levels.

SECTION 2. (a) There is established a Lake Wilson task force under the department of land and natural resources to assess the current condition and quality of the waters of Lake Wilson and recommend actions to improve the water quality to acceptable levels.

The task force shall include representatives from the:

(1) Department of land and natural resources;

(2) Department of health, division of environmental management;

(3) Department of agriculture;

(4) University of Hawaii;

(5) City and county of Honolulu;

(6) United States Army; and

(7) Landowners, lessees, and other private entities associated with Lake Wilson.

The representative from the department of land and natural resources shall serve as the chair of the task force.

Members shall serve without compensation, but shall be reimbursed for expenses, including travel expenses, necessary for the performance of their duties.

In the performance of its duties, the Lake Wilson task force shall consult with appropriate private, nonprofit, community, agricultural, and government stakeholders.

(b) The task force shall:

(1) Assess the current condition and quality of the waters of Lake Wilson and the impacts of various uses of and discharges into the lake;

(2) Determine the appropriate water quality level necessary to support agricultural, recreational, and other uses;

(3) Review the ownership, leases, use agreements, permits, and regulatory oversight of the lake and parcels of land abutting the lake;

(4) Review the current operations and maintenance of the lake by all parties, and the expenditures related to each;

(5) Review any plans for sale or lease of the lake or parcels abutting the lake, and the current status of the plans;

(6) Assess the resources, both fiscal and nonfiscal, and actions necessary to ensure an appropriate water quality level necessary to support agricultural, recreational, and other uses; and

(7) Any other information that may be appropriate to complete the assessment and any related recommendations.

(c) The Lake Wilson task force shall submit a report of its findings and recommendations, including any proposed legislation, to the legislature no later than twenty days prior to the convening of the regular session of 2012.

SECTION 3. There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $300,000 or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2011-2012 for the Lake Wilson task force and its requirements under this Act.

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, 2011.