2017-05-24 Environmental Management Commission Minutes

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o Ms. Schoen stated if the Commission wants to support this Resolution, she will work with the Department and someone from the Commission to formulate this in resolution form and present to the County Council. Suggested to agendize for next month so within the month can work on it with the Department, and figure out the best way to present the Resolution. Mr. Vidgen volunteered to be the contact person from the Commission to work on the Resolution. Chair Fritz also asked if Dr. Bennett can also be included in the communication. o Mr. Vidgen moved to take this Resolution and draft it in such a way we can present it to the County Council. Chair Fritz seconded, and it carried unanimously. b. How to get the Environmental Management Commission on the list of organizations that respond to County wide Environmental Impact Statements (EIS), Draft Environmental Assessments (EA), etc. o Ms. Noda checked with the Department of Public Works and Planning Department and both recommended that we sign up on the State of Hawai`i Department of Health Office of Environmental Quality Control (OEQC) to obtain their Environmental Notice (website: http://health.hawaii.gov/oegc) that lists by County the different EIS and Draft EA's available for public comment. o Director Kucharski commented that most comment periods are for 30 days and since the EMC only meets once a month, we could miss that window. Ms. Schoen stated the notice goes out MI the 8th and 23rd of every month, and since our meeting is at the end of the month the timing may be tough. o Director Kucharski stated the Department will send the OEQC notice to all Commissioners when it comes out. 6. NEW BUSINESS: a. Presentation by Bio Energy Hawaii on Waste to Energy Project o Presentation done prior to start of meeting while waiting for quorum. 7. REPORTS/CORRESPONDENCE: a. Director's Report (attached to original minutes): o We have a $20,000,000 dollar State Revolving Fund (SRF) Loan to deal with the closure of the South Hilo Sanitary Landfill (SHSL). This SRF Loan will be used for the design and construction of the ultimate closure. Will be meeting with the Department of Health on June 1, 2017 to discuss the closure options. Looking at two to three years before we stop taking any more waste. Department will have a Contractor come in to determine the appropriate design for our Landfill closure. o There is an error on page 1 of the Director's Report. The 8.5 acres in Pahala should say in Na` alehu. o We are making progress on the Hilo Outfall Project. We did have some issues with the Contractor, however they have been resolved and should be able to meet the deadline of our Compliance Order which is June 1, 2017. o Kealakehe Aeration Upgrade and Sludge Removal project also had problems with the Contractor who defaulted on their contract. The Surety Company has stepped in to complete the repairs and maintenance of the facility. In the process one of the elevations in the lagoons have been lowered. Therefore we now have more Hawaiian Stilts and Coots that are nesting. Chair Fritz asked if all pumps are working at Kealakehe Wastewater Treatment Plant. Director Kucharski responded yes, we are working on maintenance issues that are part of the repairs we are dealing with. o Mr. Olson asked what the annual cost for groundwater monitoring at SHSL is. Director Kucharski responded about $300,000 a year but will double check. Part of the closure contract will be ongoing monitoring of groundwater for twenty to thirty years. Mr. Olson also 3