Bill Text: HI HB1750 | 2018 | Regular Session | Introduced

---

Bill Title: Relating To Coastal Zone Management.

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 6-0)

Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2018-01-22 - Referred to OMH/WAL, JUD, referral sheet 4 [HB1750 Detail]

Download: Hawaii-2018-HB1750-Introduced.html

---

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES	H.B. NO.	1750
TWENTY-NINTH LEGISLATURE, 2018
STATE OF HAWAII

A BILL FOR AN ACT

 

 

relating to coastal zone management.

 

 

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:

 

     SECTION 1.  Section 205A-43.5, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by amending subsection (a) to read as follows:

     "(a)  Prior to action on a variance application, the authority shall hold a public hearing under chapter 91.  By adoption of rules under chapter 91, the authority may delegate responsibility to the department.  Public and private notice, including reasonable notice to abutting property owners and persons who have requested this notice, shall be provided, but a public hearing may be waived prior to action on a variance application for:

     (1)  Stabilization of shoreline erosion by the moving of sand entirely on public lands;

     (2)  Protection of a legal structure costing more than $20,000; provided the structure is at risk of immediate damage from shoreline erosion;

     (3)  Other structures or activities; provided that no person or agency has requested a public hearing within twenty-five calendar days after public notice of the application; or

     (4)  Maintenance, repair, reconstruction, and minor additions or alterations of legal boating, maritime, or watersports recreational facilities, which result in little or no interference with natural shoreline processes[.];

provided that a public hearing shall not be waived for action on a variance application for a shoreline hardening structure that will artificially fix the shoreline, including a seawall, revetment, or groin, subject to section 205A-46(d)."  

     SECTION 2.  Section 205A-44, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by amending subsection (b) to read as follows:

     "(b)  Except as provided in this section, structures are prohibited in the shoreline area without a variance pursuant to this part.  [Structures] Except as provided in section 205A-46(d), structures in the shoreline area shall not need a variance if:

     (1)  They were completed prior to June 22, 1970;

     (2)  They received either a building permit, board approval, or shoreline setback variance prior to June 16, 1989;

     (3)  They are outside the shoreline area when they receive either a building permit or board approval;

     (4)  They are necessary for or ancillary to continuation of existing agriculture or aquaculture in the shoreline area on June 16, 1989;

     (5)  They are minor structures permitted under rules adopted by the department which do not affect beach processes or artificially fix the shoreline and do not interfere with public access or public views to and along the shoreline; or

     (6)  Work being done consists of maintenance, repair, reconstruction, and minor additions or alterations of legal boating, maritime, or watersports recreational facilities, which are publicly owned, and which result in little or no interference with natural shoreline processes;

provided that permitted structures may be repaired, but shall not be enlarged within the shoreline area without a variance."

     SECTION 3.  Section 205A-46, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended to read as follows:

     "§205A-46  Variances.  (a)  [A] Except as provided in subsection (d), a variance may be granted for a structure or activity otherwise prohibited in this part if the authority finds in writing, based on the record presented, that the proposed structure or activity is necessary for or ancillary to:

     (1)  Cultivation of crops;

     (2)  Aquaculture;

     (3)  Landscaping; provided that the authority finds that the proposed structure or activity will not adversely affect beach processes and will not artificially fix the shoreline;

     (4)  Drainage;

     (5)  Boating, maritime, or watersports recreational facilities;

     (6)  Facilities or improvements by public agencies or public utilities regulated under chapter 269;

     (7)  Private facilities or improvements that are clearly in the public interest;

     (8)  Private facilities or improvements which will neither adversely affect beach processes nor artificially fix the shoreline; provided that the authority also finds that hardship will result to the applicant if the facilities or improvements are not allowed within the shoreline area;

     (9)  Private facilities or improvements that may artificially fix the shoreline; provided that the authority also finds that shoreline erosion is likely to cause hardship to the applicant if the facilities or improvements are not allowed within the shoreline area, and the authority imposes conditions to prohibit any structure seaward of the existing shoreline unless it is clearly in the public interest; or

    (10)  Moving of sand from one location seaward of the shoreline to another location seaward of the shoreline; provided that the authority also finds that moving of sand will not adversely affect beach processes, will not diminish the size of a public beach, and will be necessary to stabilize an eroding shoreline.

     (b)  Hardship shall be defined in rules adopted by the authority under chapter 91.  Hardship shall not be determined as a result of county zoning changes, planned development permits, cluster permits, or subdivision approvals after June 16, 1989, or as a result of any other permit or approval listed in rules adopted by the authority.

     (c)  No variance shall be granted unless appropriate conditions are imposed:

     (1)  To maintain safe lateral access to and along the shoreline or adequately compensate for its loss;

     (2)  To minimize risk of adverse impacts on beach processes;

     (3)  To minimize risk of structures failing and becoming loose rocks or rubble on public property; and

     (4)  To minimize adverse impacts on public views to, from, and along the shoreline.

     (d)  No variance shall be granted to allow for the construction of a shoreline hardening structure that will artificially fix the shoreline, including a seawall, revetment, or groin, unless the applicant demonstrates that the shoreline hardening structure is necessary to protect an existing legal object, structure, or activity from damage due to seawater inundation or shoreline erosion and the object, structure, or activity cannot reasonably be protected by relocating it outside of the shoreline area.  In determining whether a variance for a shoreline hardening structure may be approved, the authority shall consider the following:

     (1)  The feasibility and cost of relocating the relevant structure, object, or activity outside of the shoreline area;

     (2)  The likelihood and severity of damage that will occur if the shoreline hardening structure is not constructed;

     (3)  The availability of alternative means to protect the relevant object, structure, or activity;

     (4)  Whether the shoreline hardening structure is the only reasonable alternative to protect a relevant structure, object, or activity from damage due to shoreline erosion;

     (5)  The nature and scope of valued cultural and historical resources in the seaward areas that may be impacted by shoreline erosion resulting from the installation of a shoreline hardening structure, impact to any associated native Hawaiian traditional and customary practices, and the feasibility of action that may be taken to protect the resources and practices; and

     (6)  The potential diminution of safe lateral public access and enjoyment of shoreline area resulting from the shoreline hardening structure, and conditions, including but not limited to public access easements, that may be required to mitigate any such diminution."

     SECTION 4.  This Act does not affect rights and duties that matured, penalties that were incurred, and proceedings that were begun before its effective date.

     SECTION 5.  Statutory material to be repealed is bracketed and stricken.  New statutory material is underscored.

     SECTION 6.  This Act shall take effect upon its approval.

 

INTRODUCED BY:	_____________________________

 

 

Report Title:

Shoreline Area; Coastal Zone Management; Seawall; Shoreline Hardening Structure

 

Description:

Prohibits variances for installation of shoreline hardening structures in shoreline areas without a public hearing and a showing that the shoreline hardening structure is necessary to protect an existing legal object, structure, or activity from damage due to seawater inundation or shoreline erosion. 

 

 

 

The summary description of legislation appearing on this page is for informational purposes only and is not legislation or evidence of legislative intent.