Bill Text: HI SCR109 | 2020 | Regular Session | Introduced

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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: (Introduced - Dead) 2020-03-06 - Referred to HWN/AEN. [SCR109 Detail]

Download: Hawaii-2020-SCR109-Introduced.html

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THE SENATE	S.C.R. NO.	109
THIRTIETH LEGISLATURE, 2020
STATE OF HAWAII

SENATE CONCURRENT

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 blight affecting over twenty percent of the ‘Āina Mauna lands and rapidly spreading, 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 careless removal efforts continue to spread the invasive plant species, creating an ecological crisis that must be addressed with comprehensive 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 inadequate, 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, the House of Representatives concurring, 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 solution to address the spread of and eradicate 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 Concurrent 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.

 

 

 

	OFFERED BY:	_____________________________

Report Title: 

Department of Hawaiian Home Lands; Gorse; Invasive Species; Task Force