2017-01-25 Environmental Management Commission Minutes

Home

in regards to labor issues. Now learning about all the other challenges the Department faces. She thanked everyone for all their time and commitment. • Discussion relating to Cost and Use of Potable Water for Dust Control at West Hawaii Sanitary Landfill o Director Kucharski stated the issue we have there is that the well we have has a lot of salt intrusion. High salt content affects seals and a lot of the operational equipment we use. Water is needed for vehicle maintenance such as washing them down and servicing. The Department has a 4,000 gallon water truck which hauls water from a hydrant in Kawaihae. We are currently averaging four to five loads a day. Water is also used for dust control on internal roads. However, some hid salt content water is used for this as it is not an issue. The department is looking into a better solution. Director Kucharski will find out if we are paying for the water we get from Kawaihae. • Discussion and Recommendation of Bill 245, Draft 2, an ordinance amending the HCC 1983 (2005 edition, as amended) by adding a new article to decrease public exposure to toxic herbicides (attached to original minutes) o Commission Chair Fritz stated this bill is more informational for us and nothing we are being asked to do other than be aware these bills are out there. This is not the first time we are seeing this bill. o Commissioner Fear asked why they aren't using vinegar instead of all these chemicals. Commission Chair Fritz stated this is a step in the right direction if we forbid them now from using Roundup. However if we forbid them now from using say Roundup they may not look at other sources. o Commissioner Bennett stated he can no longer say that glyphosate is completely safe and acceptable to use in our food production systems. In roadway weed control it becomes less of an issue because we don't eat the weeds. But it becomes a part of the aquatic ecology. The question about its long term chronic effects on human health is an open question. o Commission Chari Friz stated we'll have to see where this goes, not sure if it's been to Council yet. It's definitely a step in the right direction. • Discussion and Recommendation of Bill 248, Draft 2, amending Chapter 20 of HCC 1983 (2005 edition, as amended), by adding a new article relating to disposable food packaging and food service ware by County entities, County food vendors, and county facility users (attached to original minutes) o Commission Chair Fritz stated he believes the former Director of the department talked about this. It deals with cardboard and Styrofoam and other recyclables. Again no action on our, part just here for our discussion. Not sure where this is at on the Council's Agenda. We're on record for supporting efforts to limit Styrofoam utilization. • Presentation by Dennis Poma and Erin Petrosian on The Waipono Waste Treatment System o Essentially a mini municipal wastewater treatment facility to secondary treatment. o Small compact system, 7 foot diameter by 8-1/2 foot tall tank with seven chambers. o Able to recycle within own system. Therefore produce clean, odorless wastewater suitable for irrigation. o Individual tank system is $15,000.00; installation $12,000.00 - $18,000.00. o Finishing tank has a pump so not limited to leach field having to be downhill from the system. o Product only a little over a year old. 7. CORRESPONDENCE/REPORTS/DISCUSSION: • Director's Report (attached to original minutes): o Director Kucharski stated his top priorities are the Kealakehe WWTP R-1 facility, cesspool replacements and the closure of the South Hilo Sanitary Landfill. County of Hawaii is an Equal Opportunity Provider and Employer.