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HomeMy WebLinkAboutREP EDC 028 10/14/1987 1984-1988 • 411 REPORT OF THE Ilk • COMMITTEE ON ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT DATE: October 14 , 1987 PLACE : Councilroom TIME: 10 :00 a .m. Chairman and Members Hawaii County Council Hilo , Hawaii 96720 Your Committee on Economic Development, to which was referred Resolution No . 351-87 , relating to an evaluation of the potential for space-related activities in the State of Hawaii , reports as follows: The purpose of Resolution 351-87 is to support the conclusions made by Arthur D. Little , Inc . in their evaluation of the potential for space-related activities in the State of Hawaii , and urges the Governor , the Legislature and Congressional delegation to commit to the priority of Hawaii 's space development strategy. The study identifies Hawaii as being in a competitive position for space-related developments and concludes that Hawaii should 1 ) pursue the non-launch space-related activities as soon as possible, such as earth-based communication systems and advanced user related activities; earth and planetary remote sensing research , development and support activities; earth-based navigational support and control systems; astronomical astrophysics defense and other federal agency and other space science research; g p space activities; and visitor industry developments related to space; and 2 ) take steps to become better prepared to accommodate small to mid-size launch facilities , so that if the market materializes , Hawaii will be well positioned to respond effectively . At its meeting of September 22 , 1987 , your Committee heard testimony from residents of Ka 'u and the business community supporting Resolution 351-87 , and also from residents and other members of the community supporting only non-launch activities . Concerns were raised with respect to the impact of launch activities on the surrounding environment . In light of the potential impacts of space development on Hawaii 's social , cultural , environmental , and economic structures , particularly the fishing, tourism and astronomy industries , your Committee amended page 2 , first paragraph , of Resolution 351-87 by adding the phrase "bearing in mind the impacts of such development on social , cultural , and environmental systems , as well as its impact on our existing economy, including the fishing, tourism and astronomy industries. " Your Committee also amended this paragraph by adding the word "basic" before conclusions on line 2 . EDC REPORT No , 28 ADOPTED: OCT 2 1 1987 0. 411 111 • EDC- 28 Page 2 October 14 , 1987 Due to the fact that the complete Arthur D. Little study had not yet been available for review by all committee members , your Committee deferred action on Resolution 351-87 , as amended at the September 22 , 1987 meeting . Having reviewed the full study relating to space development, your Committee finds the need to clarify the position it wishes to set forth and has further amended Resolution 351-87 by adding the following as the sixth paragraph: WHEREAS, in order for Hawaii to enter or increase its presence in the market of non-launch space related activities it should: ( 1 ) participate in the development of space telescope systems in order to position itself to provide ground-based support; ( 2 ) take initiatives to cultivate communications , satellite tracking, remote sensing, navigation and positioning systems , and information management activities; and ( 3 ) assess the feasibility of establishing a space theme park and education center; and In addition , the first "be it resolved" paragraph was deleted and replaced with the following: NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE COUNTY OF HAWAII that it wholeheartedly supports immediate action in pursuing non-launch space-related activities and desires the location of these activities on the island of Hawaii . BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that in taking steps to become better prepared and positioned to respond to the market for launch facilities , if indeed a market develops , the Council recognizes the need to assess , at the onset , the impacts of launch activities on our social , cultural , environmental and regulatory systems as well as its impact on our existing economy including the fishing, tourism and astronomy industries , and thus stresses the need for the State to commence with the assessment of these factors as its initial focus of action . Your Committee again heard testimony from members of the community supporting non-launch space-related activities . Testimony was also presented by Clinton Taylor , Executive Director of the Hawaii Island Economic Development Board , in which he relayed concerns expressed V ., , r S EDC- 28 Page 3 October 14 , 1987 by Mr . Gil Keyes , President of Boeing Commercial Space Development Company , that private industry would have to be assured that all environmental concerns had been addressed before they would consider investment . Mr . Taylor stated that indeed the EIS process should proceed . Your Committee received copies of a briefing paper prepared by the Department of Business and Economic Development regarding questions , issues , and answers about space-related activities for Hawaii . Councilman Kokubun questioned Mr . George Mead , representing the Department of Business and Economic Development, as to who would bear the cost of a launch facility . Mr . Mead stated that the direct costs for a launch site would be borne by a private developer and other indirect infrastructure needs may be borne by government . In response to Councilman Kokubun 's questions regarding who would take the lead in the EIS process , Mr . Mead stated that his department would most likely become the lead agency and the cost of the assessment could range from a few thousand dollars to four million dollars . He likened his department 's role in this process to that which occurred with the development of the Hawaii Ocean Science Technology (HOST) Park , in which the State took the lead in preparing the ground work necessary for the Park to be developed . Mr . Mead expressed his general support for Resolution 351-87 , amendment 2 , and acknowledged the need for an assessment of impacts due to launch activities . Your Committee concurs with the recommended amendments and has amended Resolution 351-87 , as previously amended . Your Committee supports the intent and purpose of Resolution 351-87 , amendment no. 2 , and recommends its passage 1410 t LORRA R. m ,KU-INOUYE , CHAIR MAN RUSSELL S. KOKUBU , VICE CHAIRMAN JA) L. K. DAHLBERG, MEM: Aik NOIL A (I DO NOT 111140 MA.AwdL. CONCUR) Eki/AIWA - • "` FRANK DE LUZ, III , MEMBER MER E K. LAI , MEMBER LA/CRB