GOVERNOR LINGLE SIGNS BILL TO CREATE HAWAI`I INVASIVE SPECIES COUNCIL
Unified, unprecedented effort necessary to protect environment, economy
For Immediate Release: May 23, 2003
HONOLULU — Governor Linda Lingle today signed into law two bills designed to protect Hawai`i from harmful invasive species. The Governor signed the bills during a reception held at Washington Place to thank workers who carried out the successful removal of the invasive weed Salvinia molesta from Lake Wilson in Wahiawa.
“The Lake Wilson example teaches us that we must apply serious, rapid and effective approaches to prevent and control the establishment and spread of alien invasive species in Hawai`i,” said Governor Lingle. “These new laws will allow us to coordinate our environmental efforts, and help ensure this never happens again.”
SB1505 establishes the Hawai`i Invasive Species Council, which will provide policy-level direction, coordination and planning among state departments, federal agencies, and international and local initiatives. The Council will work with the agencies to plan strategies to control and eradicate harmful infestation of invasive species throughout the state. The Council will also focus on finding solutions to prevent the introduction of new invasive species that could threaten the islands’ environment.
The new law requires the Hawai`i Invasive Species Council to create and implement a plan that includes the prevention, early detection, rapid response, control, enforcement and public education with respect to invasive species and protecting native species. The Council will coordinate with the federal government on these issues, as well as identify and record all invasive species in the state.
The law specifically prohibits the import or sale of any Salvinia molesta, Salvinia minima, and Pistia stratiotes plants within the state.
The Governor also signed SB552, which limits liability for private landowners who allow access to their properties for the control or eradication of invasive plant or animal species.
The negative impact of invasive species was dramatically underscored in recent months by the explosive infestation of the alien aquatic weed Salvinia molesta at Lake Wilson. At one point, the weed covered 95 percent of the lake’s surface. “When I first saw pictures of Lake Wilson, it looked like a meadow,” said Governor Lingle.
In February, the Department of Land and Natural Resources led a multi-agency effort to remove the salvinia molesta from Lake Wilson. The coordinated effort was carried out by 29 agencies, including the Departments of Agriculture, Health, Transportation and Defense, the City and County of Honolulu, the U.S. Army and the Marine Corps.
“While some experts said it was a ‘dead lake,’ through the diligent and committed efforts of state, city, federal and private sector partners, we were able to clean Lake Wilson in less time than projected,” said Governor Lingle.
The Governor also announced that the Wahiawa Freshwater State Recreation Area will re-open to the public on Saturday, May 24, in time for the Memorial Day weekend. The lake is expected to re-open in June. “The community, especially the Wahiawa community, has been extremely cooperative, and we are delighted that the park and lake will soon be re-opened to the public for everyone to enjoy,” the Governor added.
“Rising to meet this challenge has taught us some extremely important lessons,” said DLNR Chairperson Peter Young. “An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. Our quality of life and our economy depend upon a healthy environment. We must be prepared to bear the cost of this important task.”
“Because of this multi-agency partnership, we are better prepared to face difficult battles on other fronts. We have learned we must take the threat of invasive species seriously, we must act to prevent their introduction and spread, and when something gains a foothold, we must act rapidly in a coordinated way. We cannot act in piecemeal fashion or delay our response,” said Young.
Various organizations supported the passage of the two bills signed today, including the invasive species committees on Kaua`i, O`ahu, Maui, Moloka`i and Hawai`i; the Coordinating Group on Alien Plant Species; The Nature Conservancy of Hawai`i; the Sierra Club Hawai`i Chapter; and DLNR.
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Contact:
Peter Young
Director, DLNR
Phone: (808) 587-0400
Lenny Klompus
Senior Advisor – Communications
Phone: 586-0034
Russell Pang
Chief of Media Relations
Phone: 586-0034
