S.R. No. 139 Summary

• Requests the United States Marine Corps and Department of Land and Natural Resources not to use shoreline hardening (seawalls, jetties, and similar structures) in current or future coastline management projects in Hawaii

• Notes that a University of Hawaii study found shoreline hardening on Oahu coasts could cause beach narrowing, beach loss, and amplified erosion on adjacent beaches, reducing access for recreation and cultural practices

• Cites a Smithsonian Environmental Research Center study showing shoreline hardening significantly reduces populations of fish, crabs, and other aquatic life

• References a 2013 shoreline hardening project at Iroquois Point, Oahu that killed nearly 90 percent of shoreline vegetation and caused amplified erosion along the adjacent coast

• Urges consideration of less environmentally harmful methods for preventing and mitigating coastal erosion and directs certified copies be sent to the Navy Secretary, Marine Corps Commandant, Hawaii's congressional delegation, and the Board of Land and Natural Resources Chairperson