2002-03-27 Enviromental Management Commission Minutes

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Minutes for Wednesday, March 27, 2002Page 3 of 5 Larry discussed about the proposed regional transfer station. It will be a solid waste facility or complex that will accept and process all solid waste products generated in East Hawai‘i except hazardous waste. Several modules in this complex would have a green waste processing area, a scale house, an office baseyard facility, C & D landfill, regional transfer station, recycling product drop off sites, and an equipment repair and maintenance facility. The preliminary projected area of the complex is approximately 15 acres and the C & D landfill is about 5 acres. There are some sites in the vicinity of our transfer station and at the present landfill in Hilo for the regional transfer station. Electricity, water and sewer have to be brought in. Need access roads. The estimated time schedule is between 27 and 36 months. The landfill will probably close in 26 months. Our existing program on metal recycling is funded by a fee and car registration and that is to handle all products related to vehicles such as used motor oil, batteries and tires. A grant is received from the State that subsidizes the oil program. These items will come under review and will be addressed. We are having continued smoke emission and odor from the closed Waimea rubbish dump. There are two major sinkholes. Cracks have been covered up with wet soil, rolled and compacted. It is currently smoking and very hazardous. We have a reporting system and a monitoring system in place. In regards to the solid waste/real property tax fee, this would be for single-family residential units. We’re trying to center on those who use the transfer stations for free and they will be in a position of a user fee based on the real property tax. Industrial waste, commercial waste, and multi-family waste are all handled by commercial units and they are charged at the landfill. Riley suggested a written report from Larry. Larry will also prepare a timeline schedule for the landfill closure, the consultant’s scope of work for the design and facility. Need to get a bar chart from Waste Management as to what rate is paid for what tonnage and what the rate changes to up to the next breakpoint. Riley requested some graphic illustration of what it is so that the commission can understand what solid waste division is faced with when a bill is received for 250 tons a day versus 240 or 260. Wastewater Division Chief’s Report  No written report. Riley requested that a written report be provided at each meeting. This will help to keep the absent Commissioners informed. Peter contacted the Clean Water Branch with the Department of Health regarding the toxicity tests and Department of Health confirmed that public notice for disclosure of this particular test result is not required. He clarified his earlier statements by stating that the Wastewater Division was not in violation of any of it’s permits, but had exceeded the threshold value for whole effluent toxicity from the previous NPDES Permit. Although no additional testing is required, Brown and Caldwell are performing a Toxicity Reduction Evaluation. Peter will get a status report from Brown and Caldwell, which would include when they intend to complete their work. Riley also suggested that after Brown and Caldwell concludes their work that they should give us a summary of what they found out. David Frankel wanted to know whether the amount of testing being performed is the same amount or whether it increased. Peter was requested to prepare a written report for the commission. 6.OLD BUSINESS None. 7.NEW BUSINESS Approval of Memorandum of Agreement between Hawai‘i County and Hawai‘i Island  Economic Development Board for Keaau Transfer Station Pilot Project Hugh Ono moved for the commission to concur on this agreement. Carolyn Witcher seconded. It’s a file://C:\Test1\minutes032702.htm6/22/2011