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<br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> IN SUPPORT OF RESOLUTION 432-06--EIS FOR SUPERFERRY <br /> Committee on Human Services and Economic Development <br /> Tuesday, October 17, 2006, 1:45 PM, Ben Franklin Building - •r 1 1 <br /> Cory Harden, Box 10265, Hilo, Hawai'i 96721 mhOinteroac.net'' <br /> Superferry is risking the people's money, but not really answering the people's, questions. <br /> <br /> About 177 million taxpayer dollars may go to Superferry--about 137million Federal dollars to <br /> back up a loan, about 40 million State dollars for landing barges. But what about our questions? <br /> Questions like-- <br /> <br /> Why is there a report of more whale strandings with signs of collision in the Canary Islands <br /> after fast ferries started? <br /> • Will Superferry go belly up like two similar ferries in Canada, leaving taxpayers holding the <br /> bag for that $137 million loan? <br /> <br /> • Is the one minute allowed for inspections enough to check a car for bombs, weapons, drugs, <br /> stolen goods, coqui frogs, and more? <br /> • Will depleted uranium be transported? With what safety measures? <br /> <br /> • What will happen to freight operations? <br /> • If a trip is cancelled, where will 866 stranded passengers and 282 cars go? <br /> <br /> • Will visitors over-burden beaches and fisheries? <br /> <br /> • How high will fares go? <br /> The people have tried to get answers. This Council, Maui, and Kauai already called for an <br /> Environmental Impact Statement (EIS.) Three groups filed a lawsuit calling for an EIS. <br /> Pete Hoffman knocked on 2000 doors and found nothing but people against Superferry because <br /> their questions were not answered. Kauai organizers got 6000 people to sign a petition <br /> demanding an EIS. They said they hand-carried it to Governor Lingle, but she refused to meet <br /> with them. <br /> Superferry says they're answering all the questions. But do they have the expertise, and the <br /> incentive, to fully address our concerns? And who will see that all promises are kept? <br /> <br /> Serious questions have come to light only because citizens have stepped up to the plate. <br /> But do lay people have the resources and expertise to unearth all possible problems and develop <br /> the best solutions? <br /> Superferry says the delay of an EIS will make investors drop out. Will a delay turn Superferry <br /> into a bad investment? Especially if that delay produces an EIS proving Superferry will not harm <br /> the environment? <br /> In short, are we putting $177 million into better transportation--or an environmental and financial <br /> disaster? <br /> <br /> The people are asking a question that only an EIS can answer. <br /> Comm. No. OZ~G• <br /> Ref. To:PresMt <br /> Ref. Date, OCT 17 2006 <br />