2018-07-26 Meeting Minutes (EMC)

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bringing attention to it? Mr. Yoshimoto said the EMC has the ability to advise the Council on any matters under the authority of DEM. They could submit a report to the Council and director, and that could generate it being brought before the Council as an agenda item. They could also ask their councilmember to bring it up. Chair Bennett said that for the commercial center on NELHA land, a generic septic system is being proposed. There is solid evidence showing septic systems are not appropriate for this state. It seems to him this provides an opportunity to offer some leadership in the community and to NELHA by pointing out there are alternatives that should be explored, especially since NELHA is about research and development. He is hearing that it is not outside the EMC’s authority to offer a communication to the director as well as the Council and hope that it gets communicated to NELHA. The EMC could ask the director to forward their communication to the CEO of NELHA, asking them to look into it. Commissioner Gaffney said he agrees with the concept but questioned whether the state needed to reach out to the county with regard to the proposed septic system, since the project was on state land. He wondered whether or not a County building permit was required. Director Kucharski said DEM does receive EAs and is given opportunity to comment. DEM could suggest that project proponents go above the minimum standards and requirements of the state, but that is the only thing they can do, as they are restricted by the County Code to wastewater treatment, solid waste operations, and anything ancillary to that. They can submit comments but do not have standing to enforce. Chair Bennett said he agrees and understands. He pointed out an example of something that should have been commented on—the dairy farm in ōkalaŌʻʻ—which has become a nightmare. The EMC can and should have the ability to comment on something like the dairy, even if it is outside DEM’s scope. If the EMC can draft an advisory letter, provide it to the director, and have him forward it to project proponents, it will be an opportunity for the EMC to offer leadership and expand, rather than narrow, their scope. Motion: Commissioner Gaffney moved that the EMC draft a letter to the director with regard to the proposed septic field system at the proposed gas station on NELHA property. Vice Chair Olson seconded the motion. Commissioner Gaffney said one thing that is outside of the director’s scope but not the EMC’s is to remind NELHA that the purity of the water at NELHA is more important than anywhere else on the coast, if that facility is to reach its maximum operational level and generate the kind of economic return it is assigned to do. It can’t do that if it is polluting its own water. As citizens, they can make a statement to that effect. Vote: The motion carried unanimously. Chair Bennett said Corporation Counsel sent him a communication on this and offered a couple of options. One was to have the director, who receives requests for