Hawaii House Bill HR127

Hawaii 2023 Regular Session

• Introduced: 3/10/23
• Refer: 3/15/23
• Refer: 3/23/23
• Report Pass: 3/30/23
• Passed: 3/30/23

Caption

Urging The United States Department Of Agriculture Natural Resources Conservation Service To Take Certain Actions Regarding Fugitive Dust.

Impact

The resolution aims to address significant environmental concerns by encouraging proactive measures for landowners with vacant, undeveloped lands. By urging the establishment of a fugitive dust mitigation plan, HR127 seeks to ensure that landowners are held accountable for their land’s environmental impact, particularly concerning air quality and soil preservation. This could potentially lead to new guidelines and practices for managing vacant agricultural lands to minimize dust emissions and protect both human health and marine environments.

Summary

House Resolution 127 urges the United States Department of Agriculture's Natural Resources Conservation Service to take specific actions regarding the management of fugitive dust emissions from vacant agricultural lands in Hawaii. It recognizes the environmental impact of dust storms that arise from these former agricultural lands, which can damage marine ecosystems and affect the health of local communities. The resolution outlines recommendations including creating a list of best practices for landowners, urging them to implement fugitive dust mitigation plans, and reviewing dust impact calculations during crop fallow periods.

Sentiment

The general sentiment surrounding HR127 appears to be supportive of environmental protection initiatives. Advocates for the resolution emphasize the importance of preserving Hawaii’s unique ecosystems and protecting public health from adverse environmental impacts caused by fugitive dust. Some stakeholders may argue, however, that additional regulations on landowners should be balanced with consideration of property rights and economic impacts on land management.

Contention

Notable points of contention might arise around the effectiveness and feasibility of implementing a standardized dust mitigation plan across various types of vacant agricultural lands. The resolution calls upon landowners to take action, which some may view as an additional regulatory burden. There may also be debate over the adequacy of existing enforcement mechanisms for environmental regulations and whether these proposed measures would effectively reduce dust emissions, thus fostering discussions about land use policies and environmental responsibility.