Dirty Dozen 2015
Imagine what would happen to Hawaii’s finite natural and cultural resources if DLNR’s funding is cut….
Well – that has happened.
While all eyes were on the Senate,
The House passed the budget HB 500 HD1
WITHOUT funding for DLNR 2016 programs.
The Senate Ways and Means Committee (WAM) will hold a hearing on HB 500 HD1 on Wed. April 1.
Hearing notice:
<http://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/session2015/hearingnotices/HEARING_WAM_04-01-15_.HTM
Ask Senators to restore and increase funding to DLNR programs which are essential for protecting Hawaii’s natural resources, land, water and cultural sites that are held in trust for present and future generations.
Submit testimony:
http://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/login/login.aspx
If this is your first time submitting testimony, you need to register. Use this link: http://www.capitol.
Click on Register in the top right hand corner of the page, and follow instructions.
Ways and Means Committee members: WAM
Find your Senator: Senators
Contact all Senators: sens@hawaii.capitol.gov
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For your late-night reading pleasure, the State budget HB 500 HD1
http://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/
Cut from DLNR’s budget:
Natural Area Reserve Fund (NAR) – Governor’s FY2016 request of $13m spending authority;
House reduced to $0 (FY2015 spending authority for NAR Fund had been $8m)
Legacy Land Conservation Fund – Governor’s FY2016 request of $6.8m spending authority;
House reduced to $0 (FY2015 spending authority had been $5.1m)
Forest Stewardship Fund – Governor’s FY2016 request of $6.3m spending authority;
House reduced to $5m (same level as the FY2015)
Hawai?i Invasive Species Council programs – Governor’s FY2016 request of $4m general funds;
House reduced to $0 (FY2015 Legislature provided $5.75m to HISC programs)
Native Resources & Fire Protection – Governor’s request for $750,000 in general funds for wildfire and emergency response equipment was cut from the budget.
DOCARE (Department of Conservation and Resource Enforcement) – NO funding was included in the House budget for:
- Community Fisheries Enforcement Unitson Kaua`i, O`ahu,
- Makai Watch Coordinator on Maui, Hawai`i island
Division of Aquatic Resources – NO funding was included in the House budget for:
- Humpback Whale Sanctuary State Co-Manager
- Community-based Subsistence Fisheries Area Planner and Marine Regulation and Policy Specialist to support community-based marine management like H?`ena, Pupukea, Mo`omomi, Ka`upulehu, etc.
The NAR Fund and Forest Stewardship Fund use conveyance tax revenue to manage forest and watershed resources through the State Natural Area Reserves (mostly ceded lands), Forest Reserves, Watershed Partnerships, Natural Area and Forest Stewardship partnerships with private landowners, and the Hawai`i Youth Conservation Corps.
The Legacy Land Fund provides State-matching funds to purchase and protect cultural, natural, agricultural, historical, and recreational resource lands.
The Hawai’i Invasive Species Council provides funding for critical invasive species prevention, eradication, control, research, and education programs.