HomeMy WebLinkAboutRES 443 Draft 01 2022-2024 COUNTY OF HAWAI`I STATE OF IIAWAI`I
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RESOLUTION NO. 443 24
A 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 Geotheiinal Relocation and
Community Benefits Fund are authorized to be expended by the Planning Department for the
purposes described hereinabove.
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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 Kona , Hawai`i, this 20th day of March , 2024 .
INTRODUCED Y:
COUNCIL MEMBER, COUNTY OF HAWAI`I
COUNTY COUNCIL ROLL CALL VOTE
County of Hawai`i AYES NOES ABS EX
Hilo, Hawai`i EVANS X
GALIMBA X
I hereby certify that the foregoing RESOLUTION was by INABA X
the vote indicated to the right hereof adopted by the COUNCIL of the KAGIWADA X
County of Hawai`i on March 20, 2024
KANEALI`I-KLEINFELDER X
KIERKIEWICZ X
ATTEST: KIMBALL X
LEE LOY X
VILLEGAS X
8 0 1 0
Reference: C-744/FC-147
LINTY CLERK CI-IAIRPERSON &PRESIDING OFFICER RESOLUTION NO. 443 24
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