SB 1318 SD1 A bad bill

REQUEST FOR ASSISTANCE: SB 1318 SD1

Aloha All,

Some of you may not yet know of the existence of this measure, as it seems to have been flying 'under the radar' this session, but I would like to draw your attention to it now.

SB1318_SD1 proposes to eliminate the State Office of Planning by repealing HRS 225M and repealing outright HRS 205A, the State Coastal Zone Management (CZM) statutes.

The testimony of the Office of Planning spells out more fully the consequences of the measure, but in summary those consequences are:
The elimination of the Office of Planning
The elimination of the statewide coordination of geographical information systems (GIS)
The elimination of the governing 'umbrella' statutes -- all objectives and policies of the CZM program -- for the protection and management all lands in the state and the ocean to the limits of the state's police powers. In many cases these statutes are the basis for other state and county agencies' powers to manage the coastal zone, in terms of:
Recreational resources,
Historic and cultural resources,
Scenic and open space resources,
Coastal ecosystems,
Economic uses,
Coastal hazards,
Managing development,
Public participation,
Beach protection, and
Marine resources
The elimination of Special Management Area (SMA) permits
The elimination of Shoreline Setback Variances
The elimination of all Federal Consistency protections (the state's ability to oversee the federal government's use of Hawaii's coastal resources)
The elimination of the Marine and Coastal Zone Advocacy Council (MACZAC)

While the committee reports cite this as a "belt-tightening" measure, we feel this will cost the state far more than it will save: both in terms of the loss of federal funding for coastal programs; and in the long-term through the loss of our state's most precious land and ocean resources. These resources form the basis of not only our way of life, but also of Hawaii's continued economic viability through its ocean-based industries and its ability to continue to attract tourists to pristine and safe island settings.


As this bill passed out of the Senate today (3/10/2009, by a vote of 19-6) to the House, I humbly ask you all, individually and on behalf of your respective organizations, to examine the measure. If you deem it appropriate, please provide testimony if and when the bill is heard by the House (referral is expected to the Water, Lands and Ocean Resources Committee). Of course, you can also directly contact your Legislative representatives to share your thoughts and concerns.