GOVERNOR LINGLE ISSUES PROCLAMATION OF STATEWIDE DROUGHT
For Immediate Release: August 29, 2003
HONOLULU – Governor Linda Lingle has issued a proclamation declaring that serious drought conditions presently exist throughout the state of Hawai`i. The Governor made this determination as part of a request to the United States Secretary of the Interior for drought relief assistance to mitigate losses and damages being caused by drought conditions.
“Close coordination between the state and counties is essential to overcoming this extended drought situation,” said Governor Lingle. “A statewide drought proclamation appropriately elevates everyone’s awareness of drought conditions and will facilitate our state’s ability to attain federal drought assistance.”
The State will be seeking financial and technical assistance through the Reclamation States Emergency Drought Relief Act of 1991, as amended, 43 USC Sections 2201 et seq., which authorizes the United States Secretary of the Interior to undertake activities to minimize losses and damages resulting from drought conditions in certain states, including Hawai`i.
Current forecasts indicate that drought conditions are likely to persist through the remainder of the summer. The Hawai`i Department of Water Supply, the Maui Department of Water Supply, and the Honolulu Board of Water Supply have issued water conservation notices. The Governor’s proclamation is being issued in consultation with the respective mayors, the Hawai`i Drought Council, and the county water departments. In July, Mayor Harry Kim also issued a drought proclamation for the Island of Hawai`i.
For more than a year, the entire state has been stricken by serious drought conditions. Rainfall, stream flow, and ground-water levels have been significantly below normal levels. In addition to increased wildland fire potential, the agriculture industry has reported loss of pasture forage impacting livestock and reduced crop yields resulting in significant economic losses due to persistent drought conditions.
“Effective mitigation and response to drought will involve government, affected stakeholders, and citizens working together to prepare and plan for drought’s consequences,” said Governor Lingle.
Additional information about drought conditions in Hawai`i can be found at the State Department of Land and Natural Resources, Commission on Water Resource Management’s Drought Monitor website: www.hawaiidrought.com.
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For more information, contact:
Ernest Y.W. Lau
Deputy Director, Commission on Water Resource Management
Phone: 587-0214
Lenny Klompus
Senior Advisor – Communications
Phone: 586-7705
Russell Pang
Chief of Media Relations
Phone: 586-0043
