Bill > SCR177

This Concurrent Resolution requests the Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR) to conduct a study, known as a needs assessment, to determine if it is practical and effective to create a new division within the DLNR specifically for managing ocean and coastal areas. This proposed division would act as the state's primary agency for managing Hawaii's coastal zone, which encompasses all of the state's land and waters. Its responsibilities would include directly regulating coastal resources like beaches and coral reefs, considering ecological, cultural, and economic needs, and addressing issues such as sea level rise and coastal erosion. The DLNR is asked to report its findings and any proposed legislation to the Legislature by early 2023.