Hawaii Aquarium Fish Permit Triggering Environmental Review - Oral Argument

The Hawaii Supreme Court conducted oral arguments last week in the case of Umberger v. Department of Land and Natural Resources.  This is the case asking whether an online commercial fishing permit application triggers environmental review under Hawaii's Environmental Policy Act, Ch. 343.

Several individuals and environmental groups brought suit against the State of Hawaii's Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR) seeking a declaration that Hawaii's environmental policy act, Ch. 343, (HEPA) required the preparation of an environmental assessment prior to issuing permits to take aquarium fish.  DLNR is the state agency responsible for managing the State of Hawaii ocean resources, like fish.  My earlier post is here.

The oral argument is available in mp3 format here.  

Or if you'd like to here it here, click on the player below.

SCOA_033017_SCWC-13-2125

 If I was a betting man, I'm thinking DLNR will either need to categorically exclude a lot of permits or Hawaii will need a few more environmental consulting companies. Stay tuned.