Bill Text: HI HR147 | 2012 | Regular Session | Amended
Bill Title: Hawaiian Sandalwood; Conservation and Regulation of Harvesting; Task Force
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 2-0)
Status: (Passed) 2012-04-13 - (H) Resolution adopted in final form. [HR147 Detail]
Download: Hawaii-2012-HR147-Amended.html
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HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES |
H.R. NO. |
147 |
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TWENTY-SIXTH LEGISLATURE, 2012 |
H.D. 1 |
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STATE OF HAWAII |
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HOUSE RESOLUTION
REQUESTING THE ESTABLISHMENT OF A TASK FORCE TO EXAMINE STATE REGULATION OF THE HARVESTING OF HAWAIIAN SANDALWOOD.
WHEREAS, an unsubstantiated concern has been raised regarding a steady decline of all native sandalwood species in Hawaii; and
WHEREAS, any decline has historically been caused by non-native mammals, insects, fire, and diseases that limit regeneration and growth of existing trees; and
WHEREAS, while protection of native sandalwood species is afforded on state lands and within the state conservation district, there is no regulation or oversight on the harvest, sale, or destruction of native sandalwood species on privately owned or managed lands, including conservation districts; and
WHEREAS, the commercial harvesting of native sandalwood is a promising new industry in the State that will provide many new jobs and increase exports; and
WHEREAS, in October 2012, the International Sandalwood Symposium 2012 will be held at the University of Hawaii at Manoa where stakeholders, experts, students, and members of the public with interests in the international sandalwood industry will discuss scientific research, conservation, ethnobotany, commercialization, and other aspects of sandalwood species and resources; and
WHEREAS, state regulation of the harvesting of Hawaiian sandalwood has been suggested as a means to promote native sandalwood species; and
WHEREAS, any system of regulating the harvesting of Hawaiian sandalwood should consider the findings and recommendations of the International Sandalwood Symposium 2012, as well as input from experts in relevant scientific fields, foresters, government agencies, landowners, and stakeholders; now, therefore,
BE IT RESOLVED by the House of Representatives of the Twenty-sixth Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2012, that the Chairperson of the Board of Land and Natural Resources is requested to convene a task force, after the October 2012 International Sandalwood Symposium, to examine state regulation of the harvesting of Hawaiian sandalwood and to serve as chair of the task force; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Chairperson of the Board of Land and Natural Resources is requested to include on the task force the following members or their designees:
(1) The Administrator of the Division of Forestry and Wildlife of the Department of Land and Natural Resources;
(2) The Executive Director of the Agribusiness Development Corporation;
(3) The Chairperson of the Board of Agriculture;
(4) A representative of the United States Fish and Wildlife Service;
(5) A representative of county research and development;
(6) A representative of the planning department of each county;
(7) A representative of the Hawaii Forest Industry Association;
(8) A representative of the Hawaii Cattlemen's Council;
(9) A representative of the United Chinese Society of Hawaii;
(10) A representative of the International Sandalwood Foundation;
(11) A representative of Jawmin, LLC;
(12) A representative of commercial foresters in the State;
(13) A representative of land owners who own less than one hundred acres of land and who are in the business of the sustainable forestry of sandalwood; and
(14) Dr. Randall S. Senock, Associate Professor for Geological and Environmental Sciences, California State University at Chico; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the task force is requested to examine and make recommendations on the following issues; provided that agribusinesses, as defined under section 321-10.5, Hawaii Revised Statutes, should be exempt from any recommendation of the task force:
(1) Conservation of Hawaiian sandalwood, including but not limited to:
(A) Supporting the sustainable management and use of Hawaiian sandalwood resources throughout the State, including reforestation efforts;
(B) Providing incentives to local entrepreneurs to cultivate Hawaiian sandalwood species for reforestation programs or sustainable commercial operations; and
(C) Providing support for programs that ensure the sustainability of commercial operations for Hawaiian sandalwood resources in the State; and
(2) Establishment of requirements for a permitting process for the commercial and noncommercial harvesting of Hawaiian sandalwood, including a sustainable forest management plan; and
(3) Prohibition of the export of native Hawaiian seed banks; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the task force is requested to report to the Legislature on its findings and recommendations, including any proposed legislation, no later than twenty days prior to the convening of the Regular Session of 2014; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that certified copies of this Resolution be transmitted to the Director of the United States Fish and Wildlife Service; Chairperson of the Board of Land and Natural Resources; Administrator of the Division of Forestry and Wildlife of the Department of Land and Natural Resources; Chairperson of the Board of Agriculture; Executive Director of the Agribusiness Development Corporation; Mayor of each county; Executive Director of the Hawaii Forest Industry Association; President of the Hawaii Cattlemen's Council; Chairperson of the Board of Trustees of the United Chinese Society of Hawaii; Executive Director of the International Sandalwood Foundation; President of Jawmin, LLC; and Dr. Randall S. Senock, California State University at Chico.
Hawaiian Sandalwood; Conservation and Regulation of Harvesting; Task Force
