THE SENATE

S.R. NO.

43

TWENTY-FIRST LEGISLATURE, 2002

  

STATE OF HAWAII

  
   

SENATE RESOLUTION

 

requesting the senate committee on economic development and technology to investigate the small boat harbors management practices of the department of land and natural resources, division of boating and ocean recreation.

 

WHEREAS, proper small boat harbors maintenance and operation allow people to benefit from the State's natural resources by engaging in recreational boating, commercial and personal fishing, and maritime related business operations; and

WHEREAS, residents and visitors alike use boating facilities to participate in ocean-based activities like yacht races, canoe regattas, ocean swimming, and surfing and board sailing contests; and

WHEREAS, inadequate management of state boating facilities has been a recurring problem; and

WHEREAS, there are complaints of insufficient temporary moorage accommodations for commercial fishing vessels in each small boat harbor; and

WHEREAS, the core problem is the overall management of small boat harbors that previous State audits have attested to; and

WHEREAS, there have been four previous state audits of the small boat harbors program:

(1) Study of the Financing of the Small Boat Harbors and Boat Ramps Program of the Department of Land and Natural Resources, Report NO. 93-24;

(2) Study of the Financing of the Small Boat Harbors and Boat Ramps Program of the Department of Land and Natural Resources, Report No. 95-11;

(3) Audit of the Management of Small Boat Harbors and Boat Ramps, Report No. 98-11; and

(4) Audit of the Management of State Boating Facilities by the Department of Land and Natural Resources, Report NO. 01-09;

now, therefore,

BE IT RESOLVED by the Senate of the Twenty-First Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2002, that the Senate Committee on Economic Development and Technology is requested to conduct an investigation of the small boat harbors management practices of the department of land and natural resources, division of boating and ocean recreation; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the investigation shall involve the following:

(1) Establish a working relationship between the Senate Economic Development and Technology Committee and the Board of Land and Natural Resources;

(2) Review of the administrative management of the department of land and natural resources on productivity and efficiency;

(3) Public hearings to facilitate the investigation;

(4) Review of the pending and resolved lawsuits against the division of boating and ocean recreation; and

(5) Review of the revenue resources for small boat harbors;

and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Board Of Land and Natural Resources shall not increase fees unless the Board conducts statewide public hearings in accordance with Chapters 91 and 92, Hawaii Revised Statutes; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Senate Committee on Economic Development and Technology shall report its findings to the Legislature no later than twenty days prior to the Regular Session of 2003; and

 

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that certified copies of this Resolution be transmitted to the Department of Land and Natural Resources, the President of the Senate, and Chairperson of the Senate Committee on Economic Development and Technology.

 

 
 

OFFERED BY:

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Report Title:

Small Boat Harbors Investigation by EDT