Hawaii Senate Bill SCR177

Hawaii 2022 Regular Session

• Introduced: 3/11/22
• Refer: 3/16/22

Caption

Requesting The Department Of Land And Natural Resources To Conduct A Needs Assessment For The Feasibility And Effectiveness Of A Division Of Ocean And Coastal Management Within The Department Of Land And Natural Resources.

Impact

If enacted, SCR177 would facilitate a comprehensive evaluation of Hawaii's coastal management framework, aiming to streamline governance and improve regulatory mechanisms through the proposed new division. The initiative highlights the need for targeted strategies to balance conservation with the demands of tourism, commercial fishing, and development. By underscoring the risks associated with climate change, including sea-level rise and coastal erosion, the bill seeks to ensure that Hawaii's coastal ecosystems—vital for biodiversity and public safety—are effectively managed.

Summary

SCR177 is a Senate Concurrent Resolution that requests the Department of Land and Natural Resources to conduct a needs assessment concerning the feasibility and effectiveness of establishing a dedicated Division of Ocean and Coastal Management. This comes in response to the significant environmental challenges Hawaii faces due to coastal erosion, climate change, and increasing demands on coastal resources. The bill emphasizes the importance of assessing how a dedicated division could enhance the management of ocean and coastal resources, which are crucial to both ecological health and the economic wellbeing of the state.

Contention

Notably, discussions surrounding SCR177 may involve contention regarding the effectiveness of additional regulatory bodies and the balance between environmental protection and economic development. Stakeholders may express concerns about whether creating a new division would truly address the complexities of coastal management or simply add another layer of bureaucracy. Furthermore, there may be differing opinions on the appropriateness of government intervention versus local stakeholder involvement in managing coastal resources, reflecting broader debates on federal versus state authority in environmental policy.