REP AWESC 006 2016/10/18 (2014-2016)

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REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON AGRICULTURE, WATER AND ENERGY SUSTAINABILITY DATE: October 18, 2016 Re: Comm. No. 1062/Bill No. 242 PLACE: Council Chambers Kailua-Kona, Hawaii TIME: 3:03 p.m. Council Chair and Members Hawaii Countv Council Hilo, Hawaii 96720 Your Committee on Agriculture, Water and Energy Sustainability, to which was referred Bill No. 242, reports as follows: Bill No. 242, transmitted by Council Member Margaret Wille, via Communication No. 1062 dated September 15, 2016, Amends Chapter 16 of the Hawaii County Code 1983 (2005 Edition, as amended), by adding a new article relating to Implementing Sustainability and Resilience Principles for the Long - Term Wellbeing of the County and its Inhabitants. Bill No. 242 was first heard at the Agriculture, Water and Energy Sustainability Committee on October 4, 2016. At that meeting, Committee Chair Wille relinquished the chair to Vice Chair Poindexter. Council Member Wille explained the importance of implementing "Stewardship" into the County's decision making process as a matter of routine. She discussed that "Cultural, Environmental, and Economic" effects all need to be reviewed and analyzed during the process and before a decision is made. She went on to explain that the reporting section of this bill would make the County more accountable for its progress and gaps in progress. Council Members stated support for the sustainability concept but has concerns over the implementation, especially the requirements of (l) the required sustainability determination, which states "the County shall not approve any application applicable to this article, without an affirmative finding of consistency with the goals of long-term environmental, cultural, and economic wellbeing"; and (2) the required impact strategy action plan, which states "Prior to issuance of any approval, determination, or advisory recommendation applicable to this article, the planning department shall issue an action plan for each such approval, determination, or advisory recommendation which shall identify any impacted cultural and environmental resources, identify the extent to which those resources are likely to be adversely impacted in the short-term and in the Tong -term, and specify reasonable strategies to avoid, minimize, and mitigate the identified adverse impacts." Others commented that the general principles were vague and it was unclear how these principles would be implemented. AWESC Rept. No.: 6