2017-11-28 Environmental Management Commission Minutes

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Review draft memo from the Commission to Director Kucharski regarding “Sewer and Wastewater Alternatives to be Considered in the Keauhou Regional Study.” At Vice Chair Bennett’s request, Director Kucharski provided some background on the study. In summary, the Heʻeia Wastewater Treatment Plant is owned by Kamehameha Schools and exists as a private wastewater treatment system. If Aliʻi Drive were to be sewered by the County, it is not known whether the Code would allow its public system to be added to the Heʻeia private system. The County would need a firm plan before talking to Kamehameha Schools, to include upgrading of the sewer lines, which are currently designed for a reasonably small input. The Heʻeia system is running at a very low usage percentage, and the water is being used for the golf course there. They cannot produce enough R-1 water because there is not enough inflow to the system. The commissioners discussed Vice Chair’s Bennett’s draft memo to the director, and Vice Chair Bennett said it is really a policy question at this point. The area appears to be a hodgepodge of individual systems and cesspits. Director Kucharski added that there is no mandate to connect to a private system—the only mandate now is to connect to a public system. They are looking at coming up with a format to be able to address a public-private partnership, to connect private investment with public ownership and oversight. This would help pay for improvements and help the County move forward without getting a massive tax burden. The Keauhou issue has been building for many years and will not be resolved in a couple of days. However, whatever solution they come to is not going to be reached if they don’t start addressing it. They’ve got to start somewhere. Vice Chair Bennett said they need to think outside the box. Alternatives need to be identified. Commissioner Osborne asked whether there is a study underway or one was being proposed. Director Kucharski said yes, there is a 604(c) Clean Water Act grant proposal the County submitted to DOH last year for funding to look at two things: alternatives available for cesspool closures and money to develop a process to prioritize closing the cesspools. The grant has been accepted, and the State will push forward with it. What Vice Chair Bennett has drafted is consistent with the grant application. Vice Chair Bennett ran through the points in his draft, and they were discussed by the commissioners. Commissioner Osborne said the draft was excellent. Director Kucharski said the scope and general outline of the study is in the proposal, but determining exactly what steps to take will be part of the RFP that will go out for the consultant. He said it would be fine to refer the memo to him. Motion and vote: Commissioner Olson moved to forward the memo to Director Kucharski for further consideration. Commissioner Osborne seconded the motion, and all members present voted aye. 2