Bill Text: HI SR69 | 2020 | Regular Session | Amended
Bill Title: Urging The Department Of Hawaiian Home Lands To Convene A Task Force With The Department Of Land And Natural Resources, Department Of Agriculture, Invasive Species Council, And Other Interested Parties To Develop A Comprehensive Mitigation Plan With Short And Long Term Solutions To Address The Spread Of And Eradicate Gorse On Hawaii Island.
Spectrum: Moderate Partisan Bill (Democrat 7-1)
Status: (Passed) 2020-07-02 - Report and Resolution Adopted, as amended (SD 1). [SR69 Detail]
Download: Hawaii-2020-SR69-Amended.html
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THE SENATE |
S.R. NO. |
69 |
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THIRTIETH LEGISLATURE, 2020 |
S.D. 1 |
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STATE OF HAWAII |
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SENATE RESOLUTION
URGING THE DEPARTMENT OF HAWAIIAN HOME LANDS TO CONVENE A TASK FORCE WITH THE DEPARTMENT OF LAND AND NATURAL RESOURCES, DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE, INVASIVE SPECIES COUNCIL, AND OTHER INTERESTED PARTIES TO DEVELOP A COMPREHENSIVE MITIGATION PLAN WITH SHORT AND LONG TERM SOLUTIONS TO ADDRESS THE SPREAD OF AND ERADICATE GORSE ON HAWAII ISLAND.
WHEREAS, the ‘Āina Mauna lands on Hawaii island include over fifty thousand acres of the State's most pristine environments, representing the natural beauty of the islands and holding significant value for native and endemic species, as well as for Hawaiian culture; and
WHEREAS, an invasive plant species, gorse, is a rapidly spreading blight affecting over twenty percent of the ‘Āina Mauna lands, rendering the affected land nearly useless, and causing what could be irreversible harm to the environment, which could potentially create a devastating ecological disaster if not immediately addressed; and
WHEREAS, gorse seeds remain viable in the soil for up to seventy years, while unmanaged ungulate populations and limited removal efforts continue to spread the invasive plant species, creating an ecological crisis that must be addressed with comprehensive short and long term solutions; and
WHEREAS, there may be commercial applications in harvesting gorse, including use as feedstock, oils, and biofuel that could be used by energy facilities, as well as the potential for sustainable native forestry operations on the island; and
WHEREAS, due to lack of resources and long term strategy, the response by the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands thus far has been limited, and gorse is continuing to spread and ravage the ‘Āina Manua lands; now, therefore,
BE IT RESOLVED by the Senate of the Thirtieth Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2020, that the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands is urged to convene a task force with the Department of Land and Natural Resources, Department of Agriculture, Invasive Species Council, and other interested parties to develop a comprehensive mitigation plan with short and long term solutions to address the spread and eradication of gorse on Hawaii island; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the task force will leverage all county, state, and federal agencies to address the problem and explore potential commercial opportunities, such as the use in biofuel, feedstock, and oils that would help address the issue; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the task force is requested to submit a report of its findings and recommendations, including any proposed legislation, to the Legislature no later than twenty days prior to the convening of the Regular Session of 2021; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that certified copies of this Resolution be transmitted to the Chairperson of the Hawaiian Homes Commission, Chairperson of the Board of Land and Natural Resources, Chairperson of the Board of Agriculture, Hawaii Invasive Species Council Program Supervisor, and Mayors of each county.
Department of Hawaiian Home Lands; Gorse; Invasive Species; Task Force
