COM 0521.031 2002-2004 - Laserfiche WebLink

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...vv, ,v inii i~ _-r .r? r~~~..i i ~~i M~ lp~q UI164E ~ 40VEANOA ~.7 N/WNN ) I sue, STATE OF HAWAII DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH a. o. pox Ure hIONpLUIV, INWAII YBW1•~9?8 May 10, 2004 S0508L0 The Honorable Michael C. Tulang, Vice-Chair Committee on Parks and Environmental Management Hawaii County Councfl 25 Aupuni Street Hilo, Hawaii 96720 Dear Councillor Tulang: I am writing in regards to the East Hawaii Sort Station that is being proposed by the Department of Environmental Management (DEM). We understand that the Parks and Environments! Management Committee ie reviewing this proposal and that you have concerns over the costs of building and operating the facility. The development and operation of the sort station is closely linked with the coming closure of the South Hilo Landfill. While the Department of Health has allowed the County to operate the South Hilo Landfill, its closure is imminent due to the lack of available space. This fact was central to the planning process that resulted in the updated Integrated Solid Waste Management Plan for Mawaii County (ISWM). Hawaii Revised Statute Ch. 342G requires that County ISWM plans be adopted by the respective counties. This was done by the Mawaii County Council in December 2002. The planning process took into conaideratiori a range of options in addressing the impact of the South Hilo Landfill closure on the waste management needs of the county. The Department of Health concurred with the conclusions drawn in the updated ISWM plan by approving it in Apri12003. The updated plan concluded that the sort station is critical to maintaining an efficient solid waste management system, it represents the best balance of short-term needs (waste diversion, long haul capabilities) and longer-term options for implementing enhanced waste reduction technologies. The Committee on Parks and Environmental Management has raised some valid questions regarding the East Hawaii Sort Station. However, we believe that these issues were identified and adequately addressed in developing the updated ISWM Plan for Hawaii Caunty. Requiring a re-examination of these issues would require the