Lawmakers prep new regulations for dams
The state Legislature is readying a new series of regulations for the owners and operators of dams in Hawaii.
The action comes in the wake of the anniversary of the Ka Loko Dam breach on Kauai that killed seven. The Senate Water, Land, Agriculture and Hawaiian Affairs Committee heard testimony yesterday on House Bill 1905 and HB 652, which would increase the state regulation of dams and increase the responsibility of dam owners.
Both bills enjoy the support of the state government and private property owners with dams on their land.
"The bill calls for a number of items which are reasonable for the safe operation of dams including emergency action plans, operations and maintenance plans, and allowing access for inspections," Sandra Kunimoto, chairwoman of the state Board of Agriculture, said in testimony prepared for the hearing.
Alexander & Baldwin, which owns 18 reservoirs on Kauai and 55 on Maui, supported the bills but cautioned that changes would cost the company money.
Paul Oshiro, former state legislator and now the A&B government relations manager, said the "costs and fees and liability imposed by the Legislature should be equitable and reasonable."
"Many of our reservoirs have been in existence for a hundred years and have withstood the test of time and rainfall thanks to an ongoing program of operation and maintenance," Oshiro said.
A&B is concerned, Oshiro said in prepared testimony, that the state would not allow a reservoir or dam or operate until it had received a new state license.
Speaking for Dole Food Co., Dan Nellis, operations director, said that at one time in Hawaii's history, "it was economically feasible for large plantations to maintain entire water systems because of the higher return yielded by this level of farming."
Now, Nellis said, many farmers are struggling, but they still need to use the water captured by dams and reservoirs and are worried about the increased costs that would be included with increased state monitoring.
The Hawaii Farm Bureau added that if the entire cost of new dam regulation is passed along to the farmers, it would hurt the agriculture industry.
"We are concerned about pass-through of these costs to our farmers and ranchers, many of whom cannot pass on the costs to their customers," Alan Takemoto, farm bureau spokesman, said.
He added that on Kauai some farmers have already been told that "the liability and costs of maintaining some dams either have to be passed on the farmers, or if the liability is excessive, that the reservoirs will be drained."
The Senate committee is expected to make a decision on the bills later this week.