The bill is partially in reaction to Diamond v. State, Board of Land and Natural Resources, 112 Haw. 161 (2006). In Diamond, littoral landowners hired a landscaper to plant vegetation, including spider lilies and naupaka, along the "seaward property line" and the public right of way. An irrigation line was also installed to water the newly planted vegetation. The question before the court, inter alia, was how to determine the upper reaches of the wash of the waves for determining the shoreline boundary of a property. In particular, the court addressed the definition of "vegetation growth" that can be evidence of the shoreline. The court concluded that artificial extensions of the vegetation lines shall not be considered in determining a shoreline boundary. Thus, the court held that HRS § 205A-1 clearly defines "shoreline" as:
[T]he upper reaches of the wash of the waves, other than storm and seismic waves, at high tide during the season of the year in which the highest wash of the waves occurs, usually evidenced by the edge of vegetation growth, or the upper limit of debris left by the wash of the waves.HB1808 HD3 SD1 would amend HRS § 205A-1 as follows:
"Shoreline" means the upper reaches of the wash of the waves, other than storm and seismic waves, at high tide during the season of the year in which the highest wash of the waves occurs, usually evidenced by the edge of natural vegetation growth, or the upper limit of debris left by the wash of the waves[.], whichever is further most mauka, but never lower than the upper limit of debris left by the wash of the waves."(Underlined text added, bracketed text deleted.)
The amended shoreline definition picks up on Diamond's prohibition on extensions of the vegetation lines by modifying "vegetation" with the adjective "natural." Unfortunately, this may not clarify the court's holding. What is "natural" vegetation? Is irrigated vegetation not natural?
The legislature is also focusing the evaluation of the shoreline boundary on the debris line. The amendment states that the shoreline shall never be "lower than the upper limit of debris"; however, what if there is no debris line? The law, as it is, gives the DLNR (the agency responsible for certifying shoreline boundaries) two methods for determining the shoreline boundary: the debris line or the vegetation line, whichever is higher. Determining the shoreline boundary is not a science, but an art. It is not always apparent where the shoreline is located. DLNR should have the discretion to use the method that best fits a particular situation. If there is disagreement among interested parties, an administrative appeal process exists.
Given the Diamond decision, the law does not need to be changed. DLNR has the tools it needs to certify a shoreline boundary under current law.
For more on shoreline and littoral landowner issues, see Shoreline.
2 comments:
I'd be interested to know how the State will be able to distinguish between naturally occurring naupaka and cultivated plants. Will sprinkler systems and soil samples showing commercial fertilizer be required to show cultivation. Will the courts say you are guilty until you can prove your innocence. I ask this because I have naturally occurring naupaka long the sand in from of my house. I didn’t plant it and I consider it a pest. Will I now be fined for something that is an act of God? The state should offer grants to pay for naupaka eradication.
I can foresee interminable litigation for contentious sites, where one side will argue "there was no visible debris line" and the other side will cling to a few twigs or other minor castings as being sufficient evidence of a debris line. The circuit court will take over the job of the DLNR shoreline specialist, who does an incredibly masterful job of not only making defensible "calls," but also of explaining the criteria and rankings of criteria better than any proponent OR opponent could ever ask for. I agree that the downside of the pending bill is greater than any benefit of restating narrow elements of the Diamond decision.
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