| 47 | | - | SECTION 1. The legislature finds that dams and reservoirs are a critical part of Hawaii's infrastructure, providing numerous benefits that the State's communities depend upon. In addition to storing and delivering a reliable source of water for agriculture during dry periods, assisting with flood control during large storms, and helping mitigate erosion and reduce sediment runoff to nearshore ocean reefs, dams and reservoirs also play an important role in providing drinking water for Hawaii residents. The legislature further finds that the continued availability and operation of dams and reservoirs are extremely important in sustaining the State's water resources and enhancing public safety. By capturing storm water that would otherwise rush to the ocean, reservoirs help recharge the State's groundwater aquifers, which are a primary source for much of Hawaii's drinking water. Providing renewable energy through the use of hydropower is also another significant community benefit derived from dams and reservoirs. The purpose of this Act is to establish a dam and reservoir working group to ensure and enhance the continued availability and operation of dams and reservoirs in the State. SECTION 2. (a) There is established a dam and reservoir working group, to be placed within the department of land and natural resources for administrative purposes only. (b) The dam and reservoir working group shall consist of the following members: (1) The chairperson of the board of land and natural resources or the chairperson's designee, who shall serve as the co-chairperson of the working group; (2) The chairperson of the board of agriculture or the chairperson's designee, who shall serve as the co-chairperson of the working group; (3) The deputy director for water resource management of the department of land and natural resources or the deputy director's designee; (4) Two persons appointed by the governor, without regard to section 26-34, Hawaii Revised Statutes, one of whom shall represent the counties; (5) One representative from the Hawaii Cattlemen's Council, who shall be invited by the co-chairpersons; (6) One representative from the Land Use Research Foundation, who shall be invited by the co-chairpersons; (7) One representative from the Hawaii Farm Bureau, who shall be invited by the co-chairpersons; and (8) Three owners of dams and reservoirs regulated by the department of land and natural resources, to be selected and invited by the co-chairpersons. Any vacancies in the working group shall be filled in the manner provided for in the initial appointments or invitations. (c) The dam and reservoir working group shall: (1) Review applicable state laws, administrative rules, and operational policies and recommend amendments, modifications, or actions to be taken to ensure and enhance the continued availability and operation of dams and reservoirs in the State; and (2) Examine the role dams and reservoirs can play in drought mitigation and the maintenance of a dependable water supply. (d) The dam and reservoir working group shall submit a report of its findings and recommendations, including any proposed legislation, amendments to rules, policy modifications, or other actions, to the legislature no later than twenty days prior to the convening of the regular session of 2024. (e) The members of the working group shall serve without compensation but shall be reimbursed for expenses, including travel expenses, necessary for the performance of their duties. (f) The dam and reservoir working group shall cease to exist on June 30, 2024. 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 2023-2024 to support the work of the dam and reservoir working group. 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 June 30, 3000. |
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| 47 | + | SECTION 1. The legislature finds that dams and reservoirs are a critical part of Hawaii's infrastructure, providing numerous benefits that the State's communities depend upon. In addition to storing and delivering a reliable source of water for agriculture during dry periods, assisting with flood control during large storms, and helping mitigate erosion and reduce sediment runoff to near shore ocean reefs, dams and reservoirs also play an important role in providing drinking water for Hawaii residents. The legislature further finds that the continued availability and operation of dams and reservoirs is extremely important in sustaining the State's water resources and enhancing public safety. By capturing storm water that would otherwise rush to the ocean, reservoirs help recharge the State's groundwater aquifers, which are a primary source for much of Hawaii's drinking water. Providing renewable energy through the use of hydropower is also another significant community benefit derived from dams and reservoirs. The purpose of this Act is to establish a dam and reservoir working group to ensure and enhance the continued availability and operation of dams and reservoirs in the State. SECTION 2. (a) There is established a dam and reservoir working group, to be placed within the department of land and natural resources for administrative purposes only. (b) Without regard to section 26-34, Hawaii Revised Statutes, the dam and reservoir working group shall consist of the following members: (1) The chairperson of the board of land and natural resources or the chairperson's designee, who shall serve as the co-chairperson of the working group; (2) The chairperson of the board of agriculture or the chairperson's designee, who shall serve as the co-chairperson of the working group; (3) The deputy director for water resource management of the department of land and natural resources or the deputy director's designee; (4) Two persons appointed by the governor, one of whom shall represent the counties; (5) One representative from the Hawaii Cattlemen's Council, who shall be invited by the co-chairpersons; (6) One representative from the Land Use Research Foundation, who shall be invited by the co-chairpersons; (7) One representative from the Hawaii Farm Bureau, who shall be invited by the co-chairpersons; and (8) Three owners of dams and reservoirs regulated by the department of land and natural resources, to be selected and invited by the co-chairpersons. Any vacancies in the working group shall be filled in the manner provided for in the initial appointments. (c) The dam and reservoir working group shall: (1) Review applicable state laws, administrative rules, and operational policies and recommend amendments, modifications, or actions to be taken to ensure and enhance the continued availability and operation of dams and reservoirs in the State; and (2) Examine the role dams and reservoirs can play in drought mitigation and the maintenance of a dependable water supply. (d) The dam and reservoir working group shall submit a report of its findings and recommendations, including any proposed legislation, amendments to rules, policy modifications, or other actions, to the legislature no later than twenty days prior to the convening of the regular session of 2024. (e) The members of the working group shall serve without compensation but shall be reimbursed for expenses, including travel expenses, necessary for the performance of their duties. (f) The dam and reservoir working group shall cease to exist on June 30, 2024. 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 2023-2024 to support the work of the dam and reservoir working group. 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, 2023. INTRODUCED BY: _____________________________ |
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