RES 770 Draft 01 2006-2008 - Laserfiche WebLink

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COUNTY OF HAWAII STATE OF HAWAII RESOLUTION NO. ~~® 08 A RESOLUTION REQUESTING A STATUS UPDATE AND PROTECTIVE RECOMMENDATIONS FROM THE STATE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH, THE HAWAII COUNTY FARM SERVICE AGENCY, AND THE HAWAII COUNTY CIVIL DEFENSE AGENCY RELATING TO THE POTENTIAL HEALTH RISKS AND ECONOMIC IMPACTS RESULTING FROM INCREASED VOG EMISSIONS. WHEREAS, since March 12, 2008, when a new vent opened at Halema`uma`u crater, Hawaii County has experienced a dramatic increase in vog - a mixture of sulfur dioxide (SOz), dust, and sunlight; and WHEREAS, this event has intensified vog conditions that originated in 1983; and WHEREAS, a request for a Secretarial Disaster Designation for Hawaii County submitted by Governor Lingle was approved by the U.S. Secretary of Agriculture, Edward Schafer on July 30, 2008, which allows eligible farm operators to apply for low-interest loans from the Farm Service Agency to recover losses due to vog emissions; and WHEREAS, through aCounty-funded collaborative partnership project, portable SOz monitors were installed at various schools in Hawaii County to aid personnel when determining if outdoor activities should be limited and when persons sensitive to vog should be relocated to "clean" or "safe" rooms; and WHEREAS, in addition to monitoring SOZ levels, it is critical that an objective analysis of potential health risks and recommendations for protective measures be provided to the citizens of Hawaii County; and WHEREAS, asthmatics and others with commensurate health issues are experiencing a marked increase in symptoms, and those with underlying allergies who normally experience little or no symptoms have become symptomatic and sick more often; and WHEREAS, this increase in adverse health issues and its impact particularly upon the young, the elderly, and the general workforce population justifies the need for additional public awareness regarding overall health and economic effects from increased and continuous vog exposure; and WHEREAS, as the legislative and policy-making body of the County, it is critical that the council receive information regarding potential long-term health risks, analysis of methods to mitigate the adverse effects of increased vog conditions, and recommendations for the protection of our citizens, visitors, and agricultural industry so it may determine whether protective legislation or public policy is necessary; now, therefore,