HomeMy WebLinkAboutRES 728 Draft 01 2016-2018 COUNTY OF HAWAII -�• �` !=t�= STATE OF HAWAII
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RESOLUTION NO. 728 18
A RESOLUTION URGING THE HAWAII CONGRESSIONAL DELEGATION AND
THE UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE FARM SERVICE
AGENCY TO WORK COLLECTIVELY TO LIFT THE CAP ON THE NONINSURED
CROP DISASTER ASSISTANCE PROGRAM DUE TO THE CATASTROPHIC
CIRCUMSTANCES FACED BY THE HAWAII ISLAND AGRICULTURE INDUSTRY.
WHEREAS, the Noninsured Crop Disaster Assistance Program (NAP), reauthorized by
the 2014 Farm Bill and administered by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Farm
Service Agency (FSA) provides financial assistance to producers of noninsurable crops to protect
against natural disasters that result in lower yields or crop losses, or prevents crop planting; and
WHEREAS, according to U.S. Geological Survey, the lava event that started on May 3,
2018, destroyed over 700 homes and structures, and covered 13.7 square miles of land including
parcels that housed local farm operations; and
WHEREAS, in addition to the loss of local farm operations due to lava inundation,
agriculture in the region and across Hawai`i Island has been affected due to earthquakes, toxic
gases, volcanic ash, Pele's hair,thick volcanic smog (vog) and laze, water contamination and
wildfires, all challenging agriculture production on Hawai`i Island; and
WHEREAS, different types of agriculture have been affected by the many facets of the
lava event, including cattle ranches wherein some 2,000 head of cattle needed to be relocated due
to the then eminent lava hazards, as well as the deterioration of our island's prized papaya fields
by sulfuric oxide gases; losing nearly 90% of the State's papaya's production; and
WHEREAS,NAP provides assistance for crop losses when commercial crop insurance
is not available, however a cap is in place limiting relief funds that can be released to farmers;
and
WHEREAS, the set cap amount of$125,000 per crop year,per individual or entity is not
sufficient to cover the necessary expenditures relating to clearing, replanting, fencing, loss of
inventory, infrastructure, and labor that will be required to recover from this lava disaster; and
WHEREAS, this cap has been lifted in the past under similar catastrophic circumstances
and it is time to do it again to help rebuild Hawai`i Island agriculture; and
WHEREAS, the Hawai`i County Council is encouraged by and appreciates the level of
assistance that has already been provided by the County, State, and Federal Government, as well
as our State legislators and Congressional delegations, to work collaboratively to assist Hawai`i
Island, and stands ready as a partnerto work collectively to lift the cap on the Noninsured Crop
Disaster Assistance Program to rebuild our island's agricultural industry; now, therefore,
BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE COUNTY OF HAWAII that it
urges the Hawai`i Congressional Delegation and the United States Department of Agriculture
Farm Service Agency to work collectively to lift the cap on the Noninsured Crop Disaster
Assistance Program for Hawai`i Island agriculture.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Hawai`i Congressional Delegation pursue and
lobby the United States Department of Agriculture Farm Service Agency to help rebuild Hawai`i
Island agriculture.
BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED that the County Clerk shall transmit a copy of this
resolution to the Honorable Michael R. Pompeo, United States Secretary of State; the Honorable
Sonny Perdue, United States Secretary of Agriculture; the Honorable Brian Schatz, United
States Senator; the Honorable Mazie Hirono, United States Senator; the Honorable Tulsi
Gabbard, United States Representative;the Honorable Colleen Hanabusa, United States
Representative;the Honorable David Y. Ige, Governor;the State of Hawaii Board of
Agriculture Chairperson Scott Enright; and the Honorable Harry Kim, Mayor.
Dated at , Hawai`i,this _day of , 20 .
INTRODUCED BY:
AR,A—Ukk
COUNCIL MEMBE', COUNTY OF WAI`I
COUNTY COUNCIL ROLL CALL VOTE
County of Hawai`i AYES NOES ABS EX
Hilo, Hawai`i CHUNG
DAVID
Ihereby certify that the foregoing RESOLUTION was.by EOFF
the vote indicated to the right hereof adopted by the COUNCIL of the
KANUHA
County of Hawai`i on
—
LEE LOY
O'IIARA
ATTEST: POINDEXTER
RICHARDS
RUGGLES
Reference: C-1127/Waived GREDC
COUNTY CLERK CHAIRPERSON&PRESIDING OFFICER RESOLUTION NO. 72S 18
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