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February 10, 2003 Councilwoman Bobby Jean Leithead-Todd - ~ . Hawaii County Council «4~=.- 25 Aupuni Street ` F ~ , ~ ~ _ Hilo, HI 96720 ~f,~ «.„F ~.f, RE: OPPOSITION TO THE PROPOSED CHANGE TO THE COUNTY GENERAL PLAN RELATING TO ADDED HEAVY INDUSTRY AT THE HCPC SITE AT PEPEEKEO Aloha Councilwoman Leithead-Todd, Members of the Council, I am submitting testimony in opposition to the proposed change of adding heavy industry zoning at the HCPC Pepeekeo site to the Hawaii County General Plan. The Pepeekeo Community Association and the Rural South Hilo Community Association sponsored several meetings over the past 2 years to discuss the building of a proposed Waste- to-Energy Plant in Pepeekeo At ALL of these meetings, attendees overwhelmingly expressed their opposition to such a project noting health /noise /environmental concerns and the lack of adequate communication and information by Brewer Environmental Industries and / to the communities that will be impacted. Citizens Roy Skogstrom, Ed Johnston and numerous other concerned residents and land owners have already submitted testimony in opposition of this zone change. On behalf of the Pepeekeo Community Association and the Rural South Hilo Community Association, 1 am echoing this opposition. The proposal to change to heavy industrial zoning would help pave the way for this project and by-pass any community input, concerns and opposition on such a proposed incineration project. The Hilo-Hamakua Strategic Plan of 2000, clearly states as one of its goals: Ongoing public involvement in research, planning and development efforts. Wdh this plan, the HHCDC (Hilo- Hamakua Community Development Corp) has the data it needs to initiate economic and community development projects and involve residents in long-term public and private research and development partnerships with key stakeholders in the region. The environment is one of the topic areas identified as a key strategy It further states as one of 6 assumptions: Page 7/ #4) Enhance efficiency -Any economic activity that maximize productivity, resource use, and culturally appropriate land use, while minimizing economic leaks, environmental problems and urban dependency enables a rural region to be more self- reliant. Rural South Hilo has further identified Environment as one of its priority issues in the survey conducted to formulate this Strategic Plan (page 8). In due respect and consideration for the residents and land owners of the area, follow-up to these concerns have still not been provided to the communities. Comm. Na F51e N~oy.~.~ ltet. 11i:"-""- ~ x.r. ns~ FE8 10 2W3 -