Bill Text: HI HB1487 | 2019 | Regular Session | Introduced
Bill Title: Relating To Climate Change.
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 2-0)
Status: (Engrossed - Dead) 2019-04-22 - Received notice of Senate conferees (Sen. Com. No. 948). [HB1487 Detail]
Download: Hawaii-2019-HB1487-Introduced.html
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HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES |
H.B. NO. |
1487 |
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THIRTIETH LEGISLATURE, 2019 |
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STATE OF HAWAII |
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A BILL FOR AN ACT
relating to climate change.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:
SECTION 1. The legislature finds that due to climate change, Hawaii has seen over half a foot of sea level rise in recent decades, and the rate of sea level rise is quickly accelerating. Data show that Honolulu is expected to begin seeing regular flooding of the urban core in as little as fifteen years. Climate change and warming seas are also causing Hawaii to see more hurricanes of increasing intensity than ever before. A direct hit on Honolulu is expected to mean a loss of $40,000,000,000 to Hawaii's infrastructure and economy. The loss of coastal property and infrastructure, increased cost for storm damage and insurance, and loss of life are inevitable if nothing is done, which will add significant burden to local taxpayers, the State's economy, and way of life.
In 2012, storm surge flooding during Hurricane Sandy led to $19,000,000,000 in losses to New York City, which has prompted New York City to begin planning for a comprehensive shoreline protection pilot project to prevent future flooding. The plan will allow shoreline neighborhoods to expand park space, redevelop the urban landscape, and add amenities to enrich their communities. Most of all, it will provide critical sea level rise and flood protection from storm events which will reduce disaster cost to taxpayers, reduce risk to the city, and save lives in the event of disaster.
The legislature further finds that many coastal communities in Hawaii are equally exposed. It is only a matter of time before significant disaster impacts Hawaii's shoreline communities, and as sea level rise continues accelerating, its potential impact grows more severe. As a result, it is prudent and urgent to begin planning for change.
The most challenging shoreline to protect will be urban Honolulu, and a comprehensive plan to protect urban shorelines will likely take over a decade to develop and implement with input and support from shoreline communities. Therefore, the time to begin is now.
The legislature further finds that in addition to coastal flooding, as sea level rise raises groundwater levels it will cause inevitable inland inundation. Raising street levels in many inland areas will still be required in the future. However, beginning with a comprehensive shoreline protection pilot project will first create a shoreline buffer and reduce the risk of coastal disaster events, behind which other projects to address inland inundation can follow in the future.
A comprehensive shoreline protection pilot project can serve as a model for new ways to engage neighborhoods and allow residents opportunities to expand park space, redevelop the urban landscape, and add amenities to enrich their communities. Most importantly, it will reduce risk and cost to taxpayers and property owners, and in the inevitable event of disaster, save lives.
Accordingly, the purpose of this Act is to establish a Honolulu shoreline climate protection pilot project to develop a plan to protect urban Honolulu from the impacts of climate change and be used as a model for the entire State.
SECTION 2. (a) There is established the Honolulu shoreline climate protection pilot project within the Hawaii climate change mitigation and adaption commission.
(b) The Hawaii climate change mitigation and adaptation commission shall plan a system of coastal protection for the low-lying topography of urban Honolulu between the Daniel K. Inouye Honolulu International Airport and Diamond Head State Monument. The design shall designate in the low-lying topography of urban Honolulu different protection compartments. Each protection compartment shall:
(1) Provide a physically separate flood-protection zone, isolated from flooding in the other compartments;
(2) Provide opportunities for integrated social and community planning processes;
(3) Be connected by a continuous shoreline pathway which may be used for emergency access along the length of the shoreline;
(4) Be built into shoreline parks and the urban landscape;
(5) Be tailored to respond to individual neighborhood topography; and
(6) Be capable of self-reliance in the event that the compartment becomes isolated from another due to climate change.
(c) The Hawaii climate change mitigation and adaptation commission may partner with the city and county of Honolulu office of climate change and resiliency in development of the design.
(d) The Hawaii climate change mitigation and adaption commission shall submit a report to the legislature on the status of the development of the Honolulu shoreline climate protection pilot project, including any findings and recommendations, no later than twenty days prior to the convening of the regular sessions of 2020 and 2021. The Hawaii climate change mitigation and adaptation commission shall submit a final report to the legislature on the Honolulu shoreline climate protection pilot project, including its findings, recommendations, and proposed legislation, no later than twenty days prior to the convening of the regular session of 2022.
SECTION 3. There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $2,000,000 or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2019-2020 and the same sum or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2020-2021 for the development of the Honolulu shoreline climate protection pilot project; provided that no funds shall be released unless half the sum appropriated is matched by the city and county of Honolulu.
The sums 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, 2019, and shall be repealed on June 30, 2022.
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INTRODUCED BY: |
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Report Title:
Climate Change; Climate Protection Pilot Project; Appropriation
Description:
Establishes the Honolulu shoreline climate protection pilot project to develop a plan to protect urban Honolulu from the acute impacts of sea level rise, floodwater, storms, and other impacts of a rapidly changing climate. Appropriates funds.
The summary description
of legislation appearing on this page is for informational purposes only and is
not legislation or evidence of legislative intent.
