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Home My WebLink AboutCOM 1241.002 2006-2008 r Q~Nt+,00 kqk Harry Kim Dixie Kaetsu Mayor Managing Director qr ;0 Barbara Kossow \9TE, P~'1~ Deputy Managing Director Couutp of ~abia l 891 Ululani Street • Hilo, Hawaii 96720 • (808) 961-8211 • Fax (808) 961-6553 KONA: 75-5706 Kuakini Highway, Suite 103 • Kailua-Kona, Hawaii 96740 (808) 329-5226 • Fax (808) 326-5663 May 20, 2008 The Honorable Pete Hoffmann, Chairperson and Members County Council County of Hawaii 333 Kilauea Avenue Hilo, Hawaii 96720 Aloha, Members of the County Council, Thank you for this opportunity to present an update on issues related to the solid waste program for the island of Hawaii. The request to present a status report on the solid waste issue was due to inquiries received from residents on where the county will be headed on this issue. It is important to bring forth where we are and to ensure that it is known and understood what must be addressed by the next administration and council due to a limited time frame. Hilo Sanitary Landfill The Department of Environmental Management has done an admirable and tremendous job in working with the Department of Health to extend the life of the Hilo Landfill. The issue of the closure of the landfill was an important factor in pursuing alternatives for disposal of East Hawaii solid waste as the Hilo Landfill was expected to be full by the summer of 2004. Because of this situation, the primary focus of the addendum to the Integrated Solid Waste Management Plan completed in 2002 was the establishment of a solid waste management system for East Hawaii to replace the Hilo Landfill. The plan has been the roadmap for this administration's actions over the past several years. This plan, which was accepted by the County Council and the Department of Health, established several guiding principles. This plan called for: • Establishment of a county recycling program, including a Sort Station; • No new landfill in East Hawaii; and • Procurement of a waste reduction facility for East Hawaii using waste-to-energy, thermal gasification, or anaerobic digestion. The Council will find that the administration's plans and actions since 2003 have been based on the provisions established in this plan. Goinn,, N(X 13 %W Ref. 7oo a Ref. Date t -MAY 9..x.2008.,_ Hawaii County is an equal opportunity provider and employer. • May 20, 2008 The Honorable Pete Hoffmann, Chairperson, and Members Page 2 Recycling The establishment of a county recycling program is well under way because of a very motivated and qualified staff but especially because of the people of Hawaii. Details of what has been accomplished in the past few years as well as major goals for the future can be made available to anyone. As a highlight, the Sort Station has been funded by the County Council and is under construction at this time. This Sort Station will facilitate the removal of recyclable materials and hazardous waste now going into the landfill, especially from the transfer stations. Major components of upcoming programs that we are very proud of are: • The West Hawaii Materials Recovery Facility is almost complete (and will provide a site for receipt of green waste and production of compost and biodiesel); • RFP for expanded green waste collection and mulching; • Upcoming RFP for compost/biodiesel; and • Upgrade of transfer stations to accommodate increased recycling/diversion. Hopefully, these programs in part reflect this administration's commitment from 2001 to the goal of maximizing recycling and minimizing what goes into landfills. It was established that the goal is to achieve 50% recycling of our solid waste. It is pointed out that in the evaluation and decision-making for a comprehensive recycling program, global issues of fossil fuel, climate change, and net benefits of recycling must be considered. This is especially important in Hawaii, where we are isolated from the end markets for recyclables and much of what is recycled must be shipped long distances for processing. Where do we go from here? Needless to say, there is tremendous sadness that this administration could not get the support of the Council on what was felt to be a proven, environmentally sound, financially responsible, and sustainably long term solution for East Hawai`i's waste. I remain convinced that in measuring the whole cycle cost, this waste-to-energy project would be the most cost effective. I remain convinced that on the issues of environmental impacts, this project is best for Hawaii. I remain convinced that on global issues of climate change and fossil fuel use, this project would serve us best. However, the Council's decision was made and is accepted, and it is now the responsibility of this administration to go forward. Hilo Landfill life: The Department of Environmental Management has successfully worked with the Department of Health to take measures that expand the capacity of the Hilo Sanitary Landfill. It was expected that the landfill would reach capacity in 2004, but now due to the work of county staff and the Department of Health, it is projected that the life of the Hilo Landfill will extend to 2011-2012. The next administration and county council must be fully aware of the importance of this date, and the amount of time it takes to pursue any alternatives. May 20, 2008 The Honorable Pete Hoffmann, Chairperson, and Members Page 3 A new landfill: A new landfill in East Hawaii has not been pursued by this administration because the Integrated Solid Waste Management Plan clearly eliminated that option. In addition, the Environmental Impact Statement prepared for the Sort Station several years ago identified major issues that would have to be addressed before a new landfill could be constructed, and we feel that these would make a new landfill undesirable. This included EPA requirements for dealing with the large amounts of leachate that would result from a new landfill, and the estimated cost as well as technical challenges this would present due to the large amount of rainfall received in Hilo. Alternatives to landfill: The identified alternatives to landfilling at this point are limited to: • Continued pursuit of bale and barge; • Transport to Pu`uanahulu; and • Maximize recycling. The program of maximizing recycling is well accepted and is being pursured. It must be realized at this time that regardless of recycling efforts, a substantial percentage of solid waste will still need to be disposed of in some manner. Update to the ISWMP: State law requires that the Integrated Solid Waste Management Plan be updated every five years. The County has executed a contract with consultant CH2MHi11 to prepare the next update to the plan. As required, I have appointed a Solid Waste Advisory Committee (SWAC) to work on this effort. Over the next eighteen months, community meetings will be conducted around the island, as well as research and preparation of a draft of a proposed update for transmittal to the Council for consideration. It is pointed out that the completion of this update to the Plan will be completed in approximately 18 months. This leaves a very short period of about two years or so to pursue alternatives before the Hilo Landfill may have to close. It is strongly suggested that the investigation of and planning for alternatives not wait until completion of the Plan, but be pursued as soon as possible. Summary I thank the council for this opportunity to present the administration's position and concerns related to the solid waste issue that remain and need to be addressed. Over the next six months, we commit to working with the Council as best we can to address short term issues, and to get things ready for the new administration. Harry Ki MAYOR