2018-04-25 Meeting Minutes (EMC)

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They are looking at some other sites, including some mauka. The process is to come in and evaluate the alternative sites and then pick a preferred site. Commissioner Osborne asked whether the impacts of condemning a property whose owner is adverse to it and the fact that a school is nearby were considered, as DEM was looking at it from an engineering perspective. Director Kucharski said yes, an EA is designed to do that, to come in and evaluate those factors to see if the property is an acceptable location for the facility. They are not pre-determining the site. They are coming in and saying they need to look at it. The talk story sessions were also to find out the community’s concerns, so when the EA is structured and completed, those concerns can be addressed. The sessions were to get input from the community as to their feelings on what is being planned but not completed. It was to give them education and say talk to us. It was not “this is what we are going to do.” Commissioner Osborne that that was not what they heard from today’s testifiers and asked how the community could provide testimony now if they want an opportunity for their voices to be heard, and what mechanism they have now to provide input for the EA. Director Kucharski explained more on the EA process. They had pre-consultation meetings to talk about alternatives and what the EA should look at. There is a contractor who will go in and do the EA. In the EA process, there are ways to give public input. The EA process is designed for situations where the local community can provide input to the people who have to make decisions. As DEM director, he is required by a consent agreement with the EPA to construct a wastewater treatment plant such that open large-capacity cesspools, which continue to seep unabated into the environment, can be closed. It is now 13 years since they were to have been closed. This issue must be approached, and they must come up with a solution for what is, right now, a bad and inappropriate disposal of human waste product. Commissioner Osborne asked how people could provide input before the EA is drafted, if they did not have an opportunity to provide input at the public meetings. Director Kucharski said the public meetings were a preliminary first step before the EA starts. The only thing people can do now is say what they think. It is the start of the EA process, not the end. Commissioner Osborne said she understands that and asked where they could send their testimony. Director Kucharski said the next step after comments is public meetings. Commissioner Osborne said she would like this as a future agenda item—the steps on how the EA process is going and the community’s concerns. She would like to know if there is anywhere else that has such a facility located by a school. Director Kucharski said if the location is deemed in any way be a health or environmental hazard, it would not be built there. Vice Chair Olson said the testimony also raised the concern about how the scope of the facility exceeded the potential demand and asked if the plant was consistent with the CDP and potential growth. Director Kucharski said his understanding is the facility may be too little, as only about a third of Nāālehu will be sewered. It will allow for growth, but not a large growth.ʻ 14