2019-02-27 Meeting Minutes (EMC)

Home

4. UNFINISHED BUSINESS a. Chair’s update on water sustainability and water quality white paper and plans. Chair Bennett apologized that a draft is not yet ready for the subcommittee’s review, but he has been making progress. b. Status of subcommittee’s draft recommendations to the legislature on water reuse policy. Chair Bennett said that at the previous meeting, Commissioner Gaffney had proposed to reorganize the subcommittee based upon geography, east and west, rather than issues. Once it is reorganized, they can work on the reuse policy, which will affect West Hawaiʻi more than East Hawaiʻi because of the rain. Vice Chair Olson pointed out that it is very different in his district, because catchment is the immediate source of water rather than the Department of Water Supply. However, reuse is something to keep in mind, as there are some smaller lots that eventually will cross the bar on the amount that can be discharged into a cesspool. c. Commissioner Gaffney report on the interconnection of bills in the legislature on cesspit closure, individual home waste management, and reuse. Chair Bennett said this item would be continued to the March agenda, since Commissioner Gaffney was unable to be present today. d. Review of Commission’s table of Motions, Policy Recommendations, and Various Requests and discuss follow-up. Chair Bennett pointed out that an updated table had been provided, and if there were any items they wanted attention brought to, to bring it up at the March meeting. Commissioner Gaffney is handling this particular effort. 5. NEW BUSINESS a. Introduction of Councilmember Tim Richards, Chair of the County Council’s Committee on Agriculture, Water, Energy, and Environmental Management. Chair Bennett introduced Councilmember Tim Richards, who had been invited to speak to the commission. He is now the new chair of the Council’s Agriculture, Water, Energy, and Environmental Management Committee (AWEEMC).