2019-11-27 Meeting Minutes (EMC)

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6. REPORTS/CORRESPONDENCE a. Chair’s informational updates on (a) the Citizen Science Sucralose Study and (b) Florida’s economic disaster (wastewater nutrient management failure). Chair Bennett said the waterways in Florida have great nutrient excesses which are causing the death of marine mammals and a decline in property values. It is also happening in Long Island and Maine. The issue of nutrient management of wastewater is global and starting to exact a huge price. The preliminary results of the sucralose study are in. Sucralose is the chemical name for Splenda, which is a chlorinated carbohydrate that does not break down. Thirteen areas were sampled, from Honaunau to Kua Bay. Half of the samples were below the detection limit. The other sites had slightly above, and several had two and three times the detection limit, with the highest level in Honokōhau Harbor. Interestingly, Kailua Bay, where people have complained about sewage spills, was below the detection limit in three distinct sites. Banyan’s surf spot had a level slightly above the detection level. Three sites in Kahaluʻu Bay were sampled which suggested discrete conveyances of groundwater occurring there. They will be writing a report and submitting it to the Journal of Coastal Research as a pilot study, and they will be going after significant grant funds to do a full study. The overall test results were good news. b. Director’s Informational Report. The Pāhala project is being held up between the EPA and State Historic Preservation Division, so the design of the sewer collection system is not able yet to be laid out. They will be requesting an EA extension on the Nāālehu project, and the EA has to be done befoʻre the property can be purchased. Modifications to the AOC will be requested for both locations. They are moving as best they can given that they cannot do any borings or lay out the collection system design. The Kealakehe R-1 system design is 90% completed. However, a significant problem has arisen. The disposal system, which it is hoped will never be used, will cost in the area of $60 million, which the county does not have. They are continuing with the R-1 design and are at almost 90% on the wetlands, but they have to hold off on the SAT because the wetlands and SAT will cost in excess of $60 million. This figure exceeds the value of the R-1 facility itself. They will be informing the National Park Service. In addition, at the SAT location there is a potential cultural resource which will cause a full redesign. In summary, they are going to hold on the location and stop the SAT design work. This is the first public statement he has made on this. Another reason to hold up is because the Supreme Court’s decision on the injection well case is expected in April 2020. If DEM has to modify their system because of the court decision, they may need an alternative to the SAT. There is too much money at stake and an indefinite discharge level requirement at this time. They will continue with R-1 production and will propose continuing to utilize the sump. 9