Hawaii Water Resources Act of 2005
Latest Action
Became Public Law No: 109-70.
Official Summary
(This measure has not been amended since it was passed by the Senate on July 26, 2005. The summary of that version is repeated here.) Hawaii Water Resources Act of 2005 - Amends the Reclamation Wastewater and Groundwater Study and Facilities Act to authorize the Secretary of the Interior to participate in the design, planning, and construction of: (1) a project in Kalaeloa, Hawaii, to desalinate and distribute seawater for direct potable use within the service area of the Board of Water Supply, City and County of Honolulu, Hawaii; (2) facilities in Kealakehe, Hawaii, for the treatment and distribution of recycled water and for environmental purposes within the County of Hawaii; and (3) facilities in Lahaina, Hawaii, for the distribution of recycled water from the Lahaina Wastewater Reclamation Facility for non-potable uses within the County of Maui (authorizes the Secretary to acquire land for such facilities). Limits the federal share to 25 percent of the total cost of any such project. Prohibits the use of funds provided by the Secretary for project operation and maintenance. Authorizes appropriations.
GovScope Watchdog™
AI Government Intelligence™The Hawaii Water Resources Act of 2005 authorizes the Secretary of the Interior to participate in the design, planning, and construction of water projects in Hawaii, including seawater desalination for potable use in Kalaeloa, recycled water treatment and distribution in Kealakehe, and recycled water distribution for non-potable uses in Lahaina. The federal government’s financial contribution is capped at 25% of the total project costs, and federal funds cannot be used for operation and maintenance. The Act also authorizes the Secretary to acquire land necessary for these facilities and provides for appropriations to support these activities.
This law enables federal involvement and funding support for specific water resource projects in Hawaii, focusing on desalination and recycled water infrastructure, with cost-sharing and operational funding limitations.
- Authorizes the Secretary of the Interior to engage in water infrastructure projects in Kalaeloa, Kealakehe, and Lahaina, Hawaii.
- Limits federal funding to 25% of total project costs and prohibits federal funds for operation and maintenance.
- Allows the Secretary to acquire land needed for project facilities and authorizes appropriations for project implementation.
['Board of Water Supply, City and County of Honolulu', 'County of Hawaii government', 'County of Maui government', 'Residents and water users in Kalaeloa, Kealakehe, and Lahaina', 'U.S. Department of the Interior']
['Federal funding is limited to 25%, which may require significant local or other funding sources.', 'Prohibition on federal funds for operation and maintenance could impact long-term sustainability and local budgets.', 'The scope of federal authority to acquire land may raise implementation and oversight considerations.']
This bill was passed by the Senate on July 26, 2005, and became Public Law No: 109-70 on September 21, 2005. It amends an existing federal act related to reclamation wastewater and groundwater study and facilities, reflecting a legislative focus on improving water resource infrastructure in Hawaii through federal-state collaboration.
High concern review — 3 hidden impact flags detected
GovScope reviewed 3 policy-risk categories. Hover for a quick definition. Click detected flags for bill-specific details.
['Increased use of desalinated seawater and recycled water could reduce reliance on traditional freshwater sources in Hawaii.', 'Local governments may need to allocate additional funds for operation and maintenance due to federal funding restrictions.', 'Federal involvement may encourage further infrastructure development and environmental management in Hawaiian water resources.']
The bill’s funding limitations and prohibition on federal operation and maintenance funds highlight the importance of local financial planning and oversight. The authority granted to the Secretary to acquire land should be monitored to ensure transparency and respect for property rights. Since the full bill text is not provided, detailed provisions and enforcement mechanisms cannot be fully assessed.
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