2017-10-25 Environmental Management Commission Minutes

Home

Director Kucharski he had completed going through the questions from the last meeting and moved on to a few other items from his report. They are approaching a final agreement for purchasing the property in Nāālehuʻ. When the time comes for them to have public meetings on a planned facility, they need to know what they will be proposing before talking to the public. They will need a preliminary plan as to what the treatment system will be like and how it will be laid out. He pointed out that in the consent agreement with the EPA, all of the deadlines are enumerated very specifically. It is available online. Every deadline and every deliverable is indicated and defined within that consent agreement, for both Nāālehu and Pāhala. ʻ Question from a member of the public: Jerome Warren asked what the first date is that they can be fined. Director Kucharski said they need to have meetings and provide updates every quarter. Anything they miss can be subject to a fine. Very specific dates and deliverables are in the agreement. Commissioner Olson asked whether, if changes were made to the County Code soon so that people in Nāālehu could take advantage of extending out the costs of connecting, there is ʻ anything in the agreement with the EPA to prevent that from happening. Director Kucharski said he was not aware of anything, but it would have to be done early in the budget cycle because money would have to be provided to make the initial funding. It would be a multi-year type of activity where there would be a continuing fund that would be drawn down and then refilled. He would like to see that. However, the funds would have to come from somewhere. Commissioner Olson said his County Council member was previously the recycling coordinator, and she also has a doctorate in accounting. He will talk to her about finding the money. Director Kucharski reported on the Kealakehe R-1. Focus group meetings are starting next week. The groups are made up of specifically identified people, and there will be 10 to 15 within a group. There will be cultural, recreational, business, environmental, and interagency groups. There are five meetings planned to review and discuss the R-1 EIS. Question from a member of the public: A woman asked if the focus group meetings are open to the public. Director Kucharski said they are focus group meetings, not public meetings. The public may be able to observe them but not participate. The woman asked how she could find out when the meetings are, and Director Kucharski said to email him and he’ll provide the meeting list. Director Kucharski said the Commission’s planned November site visit to the Kealakehe Wastewater Treatment Plant needs to be postponed, as a contractor is fixing one of the ponds and it may be dangerous to bring civilians into the construction area. The Department intends to move forward on an anti-litter program, and he hopes to go to the Council before Christmas with a proposal. He will be briefing them on the elements and 12