HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0266.001 2002-2004 ~~1~'~~~~~~~ ~~~~~~~I~,LA~L~u~ ? P~ iz s~
,~~F ~ , ~ Uri ~ r r~l_i ,
CGUiV I t i1= HAWAfI
:rr~ ,
~i
COMMITTEE ON PARKS AND
ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT
Chairman Gary Safarik
Committee Members
The problem of illegal dumping is not restricted to any one azea in particulaz, but covers
the whole island. The materials being dumped consist of green waste, old cars, batteries,
tires, and old appliances.
My prompt for suggesting an increase in the dumping penalty was triggered by a wild fire
in very close proximity of homes. The fire was feeding on natural dried up vegetation and
on dried green waste dumped over a property line or in unoccupied azeas. Thanks to the
valiant efforts by our County Fire Dept. and the help of volunteers and some of the PTA
firefighters we were able to avert a disaster.
In the azea azound Waikoloa Village, refuse is dumped by residents and commercial
operators, for instance landscapers or gazdeners, alike. I believe that an increase in the
penalty, if sustained by the judiciary, will decrease the amount of illegal dumping simply
by making it economically unprofitable. Since the County Council is looking at
increasing the dumping fees for commercial operators, an increase in the penalty
becomes even more critical, since the amount of money saved by the operator by
dumping somewhere other than an authorized site is increased from the current savings.
I have been advised that the amount of the penalty is not as significant as the waiving of a
goodly portion of the penalty by the judiciary. This item could be addressed by rewording
of the ordinance to include a minimum penalty. I would envision it to read somewhat
like: "The penalty for conviction of illegal dumpingrs $5,000, with a minimum of $1,000
or more, to be assessed to the violator, plus at least 20 hours of community service."
With the potential of increasing the available monies in the general fund by enforcing the
ordinance, the County would also assist the Fire Dept. in their job by minimizing the
availability of fuel for fires and eliminating other environmental hazazds like oils, paints,
unwanted or left over chemicals and gasoline in abandoned vehicles. Additional funds
could be freed by not having to spend for pick up and clean up of open azeas and County
property. i5`
Thank you for your consideration, John Schick, GM, WVA Comm. No.
Ref. Tos~
Ref. Date