2018-06-27 Meeting Minutes (EMC)

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justification EIS, something that will justify their site selection, justify these plants. We’re not getting a hard look up front. That’s what we’re complaining about. And what Jerry has been talking about is that the people in Nāālehu have since whatʻ—2010?—been paying for the sewer system because it was transferred over to the County from C. Brewer. So now they’re faced with going to jail if they don’t pay their fees and don’t—well in his case, he didn’t provide information the court wanted for his bank account so that they could seize his bank account—so that’s why he was facing jail. But other people in the town—we’re such a tiny little town. We have no money. I do not understand why anyone would want to put a $20 million facility there. That’s what’s really got me puzzled. And that’s what we want to hear. We have had nobody come down to town to talk to us. According to the law—and that’s why I filed the lawsuit, because I happen to have some expertise in environmental law—and we have had none of the, none of the triggers have triggered an EIS. Commissioner Fritz: When did they plan to put this out to bid? Has it gone that far, Mr. Director? Director Kucharski: No. Commissioner Fritz: No. So it’s just really kind of a rumor— Ms. Demoruelle: There are contracts out on it, though, for development of it. You haven’t done anything—you’re still moving forward. As far as what I can understand from the EPA and from what your letters say, you’re moving forward with two wastewater treatment plants and then the one conversion. That’s what was in your—I can get it, I have your— Director Kucharski: That’s correct. Commissioner Osborne: So is the school off the table, then, is the school site off the table or it still being considered? Director Kucharski: When you do an EIS or an EA, you need to provide alternative sites for the process, whatever it is you’re looking to do. So until the EA, the EIS, has started for this final location, completed, and a draft is put out, nothing is off the table. I’m not going to say this would not happen. Alternatives are being looked at still, and so until we have alternative sites that are sufficient to do an EA, we’re not doing it. The first part of the EA is the opening of getting comments and soliciting comments from the community. That has taken place. Ms. Demoruelle: No sir, it has not. You have to file notice. Commissioner Osborne: So I’d just like to make a comment to that, that being with the consideration next to the school in Nāālehu. ʻI did speak to Superintendent Chad