HomeMy WebLinkAboutRES 443 Draft 01 2022-2024A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE MAYOR TO ENTER INTO AN AGREEMENT WITH THE UNITED STATES GEOLOGICAL SURVEY FOR A WATER QUALITY STUDY OF THE LOWER PUNA REGION.
WHEREAS, the Planning Department wishes to enter into an agreement with the United States Geological Survey (“USGS”); and
WHEREAS, the agreement is to provide $428,000 to the USGS for the purpose of conducting a study of groundwater samples from the Lower Puna region; and
WHEREAS, the Geothermal Public Health Assessment, issued in September 2013, recommended robust, scientific study of the effects of geothermal energy production on drinking water and
the near-ocean environment, and further recommended that the USGS undertake such work; and
WHEREAS, subsequent testing by the USGS in 2015 and 2020 of samples from deep geothermal wells, public-supply wells, and coastal springs did not provide sufficient evidence to unequivocally
indicate adverse effects from geothermal energy production and related activities; and
WHEREAS, further and continuous monitoring and sampling of groundwater is necessary to facilitate fact-based and proactive stewardship of Hawai‘i Island’s precious water resources, to
address ongoing environmental and health concerns or uncertainties related to geothermal energy production, to enable meaningful comparisons of relevant data across various timespans
and locations, and to build upon the existing record of publicly accessible scientific information on this topic; and
WHEREAS, the proposed study involves two field collections from six to eight sites in Lower Puna, with a six-month interval between collections, laboratory testing of water samples,
and subsequent analysis of results; and
WHEREAS, as part of the study, community members will be invited to accompany USGS field teams for the sample collection to foster observational learning, build local capacity in scientific
processes, and ensure transparency, credibility, and community trust in the study’s methodologies; and
WHEREAS, the results of this study will be published online and compared to historical data from previous sampling efforts in an interpretive report to be presented in a stakeholder
and community meeting; and
WHEREAS, this study will help inform plans for regular water quality monitoring in future years; and
WHEREAS, under chapter 2, article 36, section 2-181(5), allowable expenditures of the Geothermal Relocation and Community Benefits Fund for public purposes include, but are not limited
to, road improvements, water infrastructure, land acquisition, parks and recreational facility needs, civil defense, and mass transit improvements in Lower Puna; and
WHEREAS, Hawai‘i Revised Statutes, section 46-7, requires the consent of the Council for County departments to enter into agreements with the federal government or any other public body
or bodies respecting action to be taken pursuant to any of the powers granted to it by law and furnish, expend, and receive any funds or other assistance in connection with projects
being or to be undertaken pursuant to the powers; now, therefore,
BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE COUNTY OF HAWAI‘I that, in accordance with Hawai‘i Revised Statutes, section 46-7, this body does hereby consent to and duly authorize the Mayor
of the County of Hawai‘i to execute, on behalf of the County, an agreement and related documents with the United States Geological Survey for services as described hereinabove.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that monies from the Geothermal Relocation and Community Benefits Fund are authorized to be expended by the Planning Department for the purposes described hereinabove.
BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED that the County Clerk shall forward a copy of this resolution to the Honorable Mitchell D. Roth, Mayor of the County of Hawai‘i; Diane Nakagawa, Director of Finance;
Zendo Kern, Planning Director; and Stephen J. Zahniser, Deputy Director of the Pacific Islands Water Science Center, United States Geological Survey.
Dated at _____________, Hawai‘i, this ______ day of ___________________, 20___.
INTRODUCED BY:
_______________________________________
COUNCIL MEMBER, COUNTY OF HAWAI‘I
COUNTY COUNCIL
County of Hawai‘i
Hilo, Hawai‘i
ROLL CALL VOTE
AYES
NOES
ABS
EX
EVANS
GALIMBA
I hereby certify that the foregoing RESOLUTION was by
the vote indicated to the right hereof adopted by the COUNCIL of the
County of Hawai‘i on _____________________________________.
INABA
KAGIWADA
KĀNEALI‘I-KLEINFELDER
KIERKIEWICZ
ATTEST:
KIMBALL
LEE LOY
VILLEGAS
Reference:
COUNTY CLERK CHAIRPERSON & PRESIDING OFFICER
RESOLUTION NO.