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Landfill being privatized (Waste Management). County attorneys have misinterpreted this as blocking all <br />private public partnerships, but I believe they are wrong based on numerous public private partnerships <br />we successfully entered into with no lawsuits by the unions. By having open discussions with the unions <br />and avoiding privatization and lost jobs, I believe it can be done on the Big Island. <br /> <br />The Kealakehe WWTP has a serious legal problem because dumping into the sump has no NPDES permit <br />under the Clean Water Act. This issue came up recently before the U.S. Supreme Court regarding <br />injection wells at the Lahaina WWTP. Maui County lost and is now moving ahead with water recycling. In <br />essence, Hawaii County is in daily violation and subject to large fines because it has no permit and the <br />receiving waters are already federally listed as impaired. Worse, the receiving waters impacted are part <br />of Kaloko-Honokohau National Historic Park and have special protective status. Actually getting a permit <br />is highly unlikely as you would be seeking a permit to add pollutants to an already impaired water body. <br />Really, water recycling is the only way out and the clock is ticking. <br /> <br />Again, thanks for your service on the EMC and for your vote in support of the motion. <br /> <br />Steve Holmes <br />Kailua-Kona <br /> <br />