Relating To Special Management Areas.
The proposed amendments to the definition of 'development' include several exclusions intended to reduce the need for special management area permits for certain activities. Some of the notable exemptions include the installation and maintenance of public pedestrian and bicycle facilities, trash and invasive vegetation removal, and safety or security improvements to public facilities. By implementing these changes, HB 116 aims to streamline processes, facilitating quicker improvements while maintaining environmental quality.
House Bill 116, introduced in the Thirty-Second Legislature of Hawaii in 2023, aims to amend the definition of 'development' specifically related to special management areas. The bill seeks to promote environmental controls by refining the criteria under which a special management area use permit is required. The legislators are concerned that the current broad definition leads to unnecessary scrutiny and delays for improvements that do not warrant extensive permitting processes, particularly given rising labor and material costs.
While the bill is designed to alleviate the permitting burden, it raises questions regarding the potential impact on environmental controls. Critics may argue that loosening the definition of development and reducing the scrutiny could lead to unchecked changes that might harm local ecosystems. The balancing act of fostering development while preserving environmental integrity is likely to be a central point of contention as the bill progresses through the legislative process.