HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0521.031 2002-2004 J~T~'~~ ~'!W
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Harry Kim _ Barbara Bell
Mayor
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DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT
25 Aupuni Street, Boom 210 • Hilo, Hawaii 96720-4252
(808) 961-8083 • Fax (808) 961-8086 n-,
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May 17, 2004 Ord ~
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The Honorable James Y. Arakaki, Council Chair
And Council Members
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Hawaii County Council -
25 Aupuni Street - -.c
Hilo, HI 96720 =
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SUBJECT: BILL 237
I am forwarding a copy of a letter that was faxed to the Department of Environmental Management from
Mr. Laurence Lau, Deputy Director, Environmental Health Division of the State Department of Health
relating to the East Hawaii Sort Station.
This is for informational purposes as it relates to Bill 237.
Barbara Bell
DIRECTOR
cc: Mayor Harry Kim
SWD
enclosure
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STATE OF HAWAII
DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH
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May 10, 2004 S0508L0
The Honorable Michael C. Tulang, Vice-Chair
Committee on Parks and Environmental Management
Hawaii County Councfl
25 Aupuni Street
Hilo, Hawaii 96720
Dear Councillor Tulang:
I am writing in regards to the East Hawaii Sort Station that is being proposed by the
Department of Environmental Management (DEM). We understand that the Parks and
Environments! Management Committee ie reviewing this proposal and that you have
concerns over the costs of building and operating the facility.
The development and operation of the sort station is closely linked with the coming
closure of the South Hilo Landfill. While the Department of Health has allowed the
County to operate the South Hilo Landfill, its closure is imminent due to the lack of
available space. This fact was central to the planning process that resulted in the
updated Integrated Solid Waste Management Plan for Mawaii County (ISWM). Hawaii
Revised Statute Ch. 342G requires that County ISWM plans be adopted by the
respective counties. This was done by the Mawaii County Council in December 2002.
The planning process took into conaideratiori a range of options in addressing the
impact of the South Hilo Landfill closure on the waste management needs of the
county. The Department of Health concurred with the conclusions drawn in the
updated ISWM plan by approving it in Apri12003. The updated plan concluded that the
sort station is critical to maintaining an efficient solid waste management system, it
represents the best balance of short-term needs (waste diversion, long haul
capabilities) and longer-term options for implementing enhanced waste reduction
technologies.
The Committee on Parks and Environmental Management has raised some valid
questions regarding the East Hawaii Sort Station. However, we believe that these
issues were identified and adequately addressed in developing the updated ISWM
Plan for Hawaii Caunty. Requiring a re-examination of these issues would require the
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The Honorable Michael C. Tulang
May 10, 2004
Page 2
DEM to replicate its intensive planning process. The delayed construction of tPie sort
station would then have a large negative impact on county's ability to maintain efficient
solid waste management capabilities.
Sincerely,
~URENCE K.
Deputy Director for Environmental health