Bill Text: HI SCR80 | 2015 | Regular Session | Amended

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Bill Title: Nutrient Recycling Centers; Agriculture; Farming; Pilot Project

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 3-0)

Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2015-04-01 - Report adopted, as amended (SD 1) and referred to WAM. [SCR80 Detail]

Download: Hawaii-2015-SCR80-Amended.html

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THE SENATE	S.C.R. NO.	80
TWENTY-EIGHTH LEGISLATURE, 2015		S.D. 1
STATE OF HAWAII

SENATE CONCURRENT

RESOLUTION

 

 

REQUESTING THE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE, UNIVERSITY OF HAWAII COLLEGE OF TROPICAL AGRICULTURE AND HUMAN RESOURCES, AND HAWAII FARMERS UNION UNITED TO COLLABORATE TO ESTABLISH A NUTRIENT RECYCLING CENTER PILOT PROJECT.

 

 

     WHEREAS, the State supports efforts that strengthen Hawaii's self-sustainability; and

 

     WHEREAS, self-sustainability is furthered by efforts that develop Hawaii's own secure production of food, fiber, and fuel; and

 

     WHEREAS, nutrient recycling fosters agricultural production by building soil health and fertility; and

 

WHEREAS, without nutrient recycling, nutrients flow from farmland into aquifers and shorelines, which depletes nutrients in the soil and forces farmers to use commercial fertilizers that consume fossil fuels during fertilizer production; and

 

     WHEREAS, the use of commercial fertilizers decreases soil health and species diversity, creates increased pesticide use, and reduces the nutrient density of food; and

 

     WHEREAS, nutrient recycling puts end products back into the land-based food chain instead of generating waste or causing pollution as with food waste; and

 

WHEREAS, nutrient recycling benefits local agriculture by lowering production costs, increasing yields, and leaving the soil in revitalized condition; and

 

     WHEREAS, nutrient recycling also reduces waste streams; and

 

     WHEREAS, research conducted at nutrient recycling centers focuses on a whole system of agriculture, identifying the optimum overall solution instead of one that just produces the highest crop yield; and

 

     WHEREAS, a nutrient recycling center in Hawaii would promote environmental, economic, and social benefits for the State along with food and energy security for Hawaii residents; now, therefore,

 

     BE IT RESOLVED by the Senate of the Twenty-eighth Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2015, the House of Representatives concurring, that the Chairperson of the Board of Agriculture is requested to collaborate with the Hawaii Farmers Union United and the University of Hawaii College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources to establish a nutrient recycling center pilot project on Maui; and

 

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the nutrient recycling center be located near prime agriculture land on Maui; and

 

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the nutrient recycling center pilot project:

 

     (1)  Create an inventory of available resources for farming inputs;

 

     (2)  Identify key stakeholders in the State and throughout the counties;

 

     (3)  Segregate materials to stockpile and process, including segregation of organic and non-organic inputs and beneficial microbial inoculants for remediation of potential contaminants;

 

     (4)  Develop methodology for complete composting process and distribution;

 

     (5)  Collaborate with local restaurants to establish farm-to-table recycling of nutrients;

 

     (6)  Develop best use practices for compost and local nutrient production;

 

     (7)  Quantify the economic impacts of nutrient recycling; and

 

     (8)  Consider the issues of regulatory barriers, landfill solid waste diversion, and "buy local" marketing and outreach; and

 

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the nutrient recycling center pilot project location be used as an information center for local farmers to disseminate information to Maui farmers as well as collect and utilize the expertise of local farmers and professionals in the agricultural industry; and

 

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the nutrient recycling center pilot project offer hands-on workshops for local farmers; and

 

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Department of Agriculture and Hawaii Farmers Union United are requested to submit a report of findings and recommendations related to the nutrient recycling center pilot project, including any proposed legislation, to the Legislature no later than twenty days prior to the convening of the Regular Session of 2016; and

 

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that certified copies of this Concurrent Resolution be transmitted to the Chairperson of the Board of Agriculture, Dean of the University of Hawaii College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources, and President of the Hawaii Farmers Union United Board of Directors.

Report Title: 

Nutrient Recycling Centers; Agriculture; Farming; Pilot Project