HomeMy WebLinkAbout2017-03-15 Letter to Clarence Nishihara & Mike Gabbard re HB 606 HD 2 Relating to County Access to Private Property - invasive species & pests jar or <
I� '•3?'i;•, Wil Okabe
Managing Director
Harry Kim
Mayor
' ._-
't.o'..•- Barbara J.Kossow
Deputy Managing Director
County ofPntnzi`i
(Office of file Aar
25 Aupuni Street,Suite 2603 • Hilo,Hawaii 96720 • (808)961-8211 • Fax(808)961-6553
KONA 74-5044 Ane Keohokalole Hwy.,Bldg C • Kailua-Kona,Hawaii 96740
(808)323-4444 • Fax(808)323-4440
March 15, 2017
Senator Clarence K. Nishihara, Chari
Committee on Public Safety,
Intergovernmental and Military Affairs
Hawai'i State Capitol
Honolulu, HI 96813
Senator Mike Gabbard, Chair
Committee on Agriculture and Environment
Hawai'i State Capitol
Honolulu, HI 96813
Dear Chairs Nishihara, Gabbard, and Committee Members,
RE: HB 606 HD 2
Relating to County Access to Private Property (control or
eradicate invasive species and pests)
Thank you for this opportunity to testify in support of HB 606, HD2.
The Council of Mayors has identified invasive species as a top-priority issue that deserves
your attention. Even our best efforts are often inadequate to protect our islands from harmful pests,
and limited resources make it imperative that we work together in pursuing solutions to what often
seem intractable problems.
HB 606, HD2 would put the counties in a better position to fight against invasives and pests.
As the Mayor of Maui said in a prior hearing, it would give us a much-needed tool to supplement the
ongoing efforts of State agencies and private organizations.
We ask that HB 606, HD2 be approved, with an early effective date.
Res• :ctfully s •mitted, .
'arry Kim
Mayor
County of Hawaii is an Equal Opportunity Provider and Employer