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Page 1 of 2 <br /> Caseria, Susan <br /> _ <br /> From: Witcher Engineering LLP [bewitch@ilhawaii.net] <br /> Sent: Tuesday, May 15, 2007 2:31 PM <br /> To: counciltestimony@co.hawaii.hi.us <br /> Cc: McClure, Bruce; Kuba, Galen; Nancy Burns <br /> Subject: Flooding Ordinance Chapter 27 <br /> Council Members: <br /> My name is Bruce E. Witcher. I am a licensed professional engineer in the State of Hawaii, residing in Holualoa, HI. I <br /> am owner/partner in a consulting civil engineering company, Witcher Engineering LLP. I have a great deal of <br /> experience in designing for flood-impacted areas. I am a past president of the Hawaii Society of Professional <br /> Engineers, a member of the American Society of Civil Engineers, a member of the Water Environment Federation and <br /> a past board member of the Kona Soil and Water Conservation District. <br /> It appears to me as a professional engineer with some 40 years of professional experience that the Council needs more <br /> guidance in resolving the problems associated with Chapter 27. <br /> In the first place, there seems to be confusion that Chapter 27 should cover grading issues. Grading is contained in <br /> Chapter 10. There are some problems with Chapter 10 which need to be addressed. These are primarily in the field of <br /> enforcement. <br /> Reading the West Hawaii Today this morning, I came across an article concerning the changes the Council wishes to <br /> make to Chapter 27. In this article, it was stated that Bruce McClure would like to see a 90-day stand down on the part <br /> of the Council in order to review the situation. He suggested that an Ad Hoc committee or two be formed to review the <br /> impact of these proposed amendments and to provide guidance to the Council. I wholeheartedly agree with this <br /> approach. <br /> My observation is that the Council members are making recommendations for change without the benefit of any kind <br /> of study, or studies, to support their positions or without the aid of professional opinions. <br /> The above being said, I make the following suggestions if the Council feels it should act at this time: <br /> 1. Make only those changes requested by the Department of Public Works to bring Chapter 27 into compliance <br /> <br /> with the requirements of the NFIP. <br /> 2. Put some real teeth into the Grading Ordinance, Chapter 10. Put sufficient penalties in the ordinance that <br /> somebody would think twice before willfully violating the ordinance. <br /> 3. Put together the Ad Hoc committees as Bruce McClure suggests and give them 90 days to provide a draft of <br /> a revised Chapter 10. <br /> <br /> Anytime drastic changes are made to codes and regulations, unanticipated consequences can occur. With this in mind, <br /> a financial impact study should be performed for these changes. Such questions as "How does this affect affordable <br /> <br /> housing?", or "How does this affect agriculture?" should be addressed. <br /> Thank you for the opportunity to express my opinion. Please give these suggestions some thought. ~ <br /> o~xf.~c~. VVo. ~ ~ ~ . 7 <br /> a 7o W G <br /> 5/15/2007 ~ ~s _-Il?--1 1 ~i <<1~~ <br /> - <br /> <br />