2025-01-11 Rebecca Melendez Testimony

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Big Island `Acute Problems'Plaguing Big Island's Wastewater Treatment Systems Prompt EPA Crackdown httns://www.civiibmt-org/2024/04/acute-pmhlems-pfagninv-hiv-islands-wastewater- tmatm mt-systmm s-prom pt-ena-crackdown/ Why doesn't the county start considering the Cinderella Incinerator toilet or other inventions to help with the wastewater treatment issues?h�so//cinderellaecn om/en-us 27.i Streamline the sewer connection loan program. What is this loan program?Is the island going into more debt because of it? 27.j Develop wastewater cost valuation in service fees(similar to the water model fee structure). 271 Develop a criteria-based infrastructure prioritization tool to develop new or expand existing municipal wastewater systems.Base these priority areas on designated urban growth boundaries,urban zoning and density,population trends and anticipated growth,health/safety,and environmental factors 27.1 Implement innovative wastewater systems at a cost-effective scale for small communities. If the county starts considering new inventions and types of waste treatment toilets,like the Cinderella Incinerator Toilet,wastewater treatment costs would be considerably lowered. Page 139 27.p In collaboration with the Department of Agriculture,develop a water resource strategy for efficient agricultural water use and reuse. Why doesn't the county start to consider using grey water inventions?httns://www.envirn ental-ex-nertcom/articles/the-power-of-grgywater-recycling-a-susminahle-solution-for-the- future-1138822 Page 142 28.11 The County shall ensure that golf course developments develop and implement grading and site preparation plans to: Why is the county still considering more golf courses when the island has water issues,power issues,landfill issues...? Page 143 28.b Conduct a feasibility study to create a County Stomrwater Utility before the County reaches MST requirements. 28.c Update the DPW Storm Drainage Standards to reflect=cut data and to incorporate strategies and standards of green infrastructure and low-impact development. 28.d Develop drainage master plans from a watershed perspective that considers non-structural alternatives,minimizes channelization,protects wetlands that serve drainage functions,coordinates the regulation of construction and agricultural operation,and encourages the establishment of floodplains as public groommys. Why doesn't the county start looking at new,innovative drainage solutions for the island?https,//www.randrmagonlinecom/articles/90645-innovative-solutions-for-effective-storm-water- management-in-urhan—Jrotunents Page 149 30.4 Continuously improve the use of broadband communications and digital technology to educate and provide public services with a focus on digital access. 30.5 Siting of new communications facilities shall comply with performance standards and site colocation as stated in the Code. 30.6 Support projects that address service gaps in Hawai`i's broadband infrastructure. 30.9 Alleviate barriers and assist broadband projects with navigating through the regulatory permitting process. Does this mean an increase in cell towers?Have they researched health issues because of cell towers? Cell towers point straight to roads,homes,and commercial areas...Because the island is mountainous,the tops of cell towers can be only a few feet from these areas. On Palani Rd.and Queen KHWY,there are two cell towers whose tops are only a few feet from the HWY. On Hualalai Rd.,there is a cell tower facing a retirement home and it's less than 100 It away. In Hawi town,there is a cell tower at a gas station.The top of the tower is directly across from residential homes. Has the county checked these places to do any research on whether people are being affected by cell tower radiation before they keep allowing and agreeing to more cell towers? https,//mdsafetech.org/cell-tower-health-effects/ "Overall results of this review show three types of effects by base station antennas on the health of people:radiofrequency sickness(RS),cancer(C)and changes in biochemical parameters (CBP).Considering all the studies reviewed globally(n=38),73.6%(28/38)showed effects:73.9%(17/23)for radiofrequency sickness,76.9%(10113)for cancer and 75.0%(6/8)for changes in biochemical parameters...Of special importance are the studies performed on animals or trees near base station antennas that cannot be aware of their proximity and to which psychosomatic effects can never be attributed." 30.12 Plan for broadband infrastructure to support smart grid development What is a Smart Grid?How is it good for the community? Page 150 30.b Develop standards for the siting and construction of wireless telecommunication facilities. Will there be any health and safety research and studies on what a safe distance and a safe number of cell towers should be for human bodies,trees,and animals? 30.i Pursue partnerships and funding for broadband initiatives and deployments 30.j Support the coordination of infrastructure projects between the public and private sectors to create areas for the deployment of broadband zones 301 Seek federal and other opportunities for the funding of broadband infrastructure. What is the broadband initiative? What are broadband zones?Have they researched health and safety before seeking federal funding and wanting to support this? 30.1 Support the State to develop a broadband dashboard to track progress and gaps that will inform decision-making in economic development on Hawaii Island. 30.m Foster public-private partnerships to support the development and expansion of broadband infrastructure,including community networks. Does this mean that they want to know where the gaps are to keep adding more cell towers? Does this mean they want the public to support the development of cell tower expansion? Where is the health and safety research for cell towers? Page 155