Urging Every State Agency That Monitors Environmental Toxins And Pollutants To Follow Certain Procedural And Substantive Requirements For The Establishment And Modifications Of Environmental Action Levels.
The resolution calls for state agencies to establish EALs based on the latest scientific research consistent with best practices regarding human health and environmental safety. Furthermore, it stipulates that any modifications to these levels should only occur after providing the public with advance notice and relevant scientific justifications. By holding agencies accountable to these requirements, SR115 aims to enhance transparency and public trust in environmental regulations, which is crucial for safeguarding both the environment and community health.
Senate Resolution 115 urges all state agencies in Hawaii that monitor environmental toxins and pollutants to implement certain procedural and substantive requirements for establishing and modifying environmental action levels (EALs). The resolution highlights concerns that current practices do not provide adequate procedural safeguards, which can potentially result in harmful relaxations of enforcement standards for environmental pollutants that impact public health and safety. It specifically references a recent incident in April 2023 where EALs for certain per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) were raised without proper public notification or scientific rationale, which has led to fears of increased environmental risks.
There may be contention surrounding the implementation of the procedural requirements proposed in the resolution. While proponents argue that these safeguards will ensure that public health is prioritized and that community members are kept informed about environmental risks, critics may contend that adding these requirements could slow down necessary regulatory adjustments in response to emerging scientific data. This balance between maintaining regulatory flexibility and ensuring public involvement and scientific rigor is likely to be a focal point of debate as state agencies begin to consider the implications of this resolution.