2009-01-AU Follow-up Review of the 2006 Audit of the Department of Environmental Management's Recycling and Diversion Grants Program

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RECOMMENDATIONS - GENERAL FINDINGS of how this goal should be accomplished. The purpose of this recommendation is to provide DEM with clear expectations including specific timelines, reporting requirements, and performance measures, and to provide residents with a mechanism for input and assessment of the County's performance in addressing solid waste issues and protecting public resources, both environmental and monetary. General Findings Recommendation #2 We recommend a detailed "working plan" be developed to drive and guide implementation of the Updated ISWMP and should include, but not be limited to: DEM Response Please see the response provided above (Recommendation No. 1). The scope of work for the consultants, CH2M Hill, was based on the requirements for the ISWMP as called out in the Hawaii Revised Statues (HRS) Part 111. Integrated Solid Waste Management Planning §342G. We anticipate an 18 month process to finalize a draft Update which will be submitted to the County Council and the Mayor for their approval. The County- adopted Update will be submitted to the State Department of Health for their review and approval. Some of the audit recommendations may be addressed in the ISWMP if it was required and described in the HRS §342G. However, other audit recommendations may not be included as they were not specifically identified in the consultant's original scope of work. As the Update is well underway, the Department is not currently pursuing a revision to the original scope of work as it may jeopardize our ability to complete the Update with available funds, manpower, and timeframes. LAO Follow -Up The audit recommendations were available to DEM prior to establishing the scope of work for the Update to the ISWMP. The Auditor agrees that some of the items listed as part of this recommendation are "managerial procedures" and may be more appropriately addressed by DEM outside of the ISWMP. However, whether part of or external to the ISWMP, it is important that an overall "working plan" delineate specific tasks, responsible parties, and specific timelines to guide implementation of the ISWMP. • An outline and schedule of specific tasks and benchmarks required to attain Updated ISWMP goals. DEM Response The ISWMP will include a 5 -year implementation plan for the plan recommendations that includes funding levels for each recommendation. Any actions to be completed later than 5 years will be summarized into actions to be taken during years 6 -20. • An assignment of stakeholder responsibility for completion of specific tasks and benchmarks. DEM Response As described above, the ISWMP consultant original scope of work did not require that the Update include a provision for assignment of stakeholder responsibility for completion of specific tasks and benchmarks as it is not a requirement of HRS §342G.