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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 1210.017 2006-2008'r '1 BOB JACOBSON Councilmember Chair, Environmental Ma~tagement Committee vice-Cfiair, Finance Committee 333 K;lauea Avenue, Second Floor Ben Franklin Building, Elilo, Hawaii 96720 Mailing Address: 25 Aupuni Street, Suite 200 Phone: (808)961-8263 Fax: (808)961-8912 E-Mail: bjacobson@co.hawaii.hi.us HAWAII COUNTY COUNCIL County of Hawai `i MEMORANDUM TO: Peter Hoffman, Chair Hawaii County Council FROM: Bob Jacobson, Member, District Hawaii County Council ~v n ~~ `-~'""? c r r _ . N DATE: July 2, 2008 .~ RE: RESOLUTION NO. 639-08 A RESOLUTION URGING THE UNITED STATES MILITARY TO ADDRESS THE HAZARDS OF DEPLETED URANIUM AT THE POHAKULOA TRAINING AREA. Attached is a proposed amendment to the above subject Resolution. As amendment to read as follows: F---- 6-..a ~ _, rx~ ,..,~.~, x. _. WHEREAS, the United States Military is hereby requested, with urgency, to address the potential hazards of depleted uranium at the Pohakuloa Training Area with the following [five] six point plan: 1. Ordering a complete halt to B-2 bombing missions and to all live firing exercises and other activities at the Pohakuloa Training Area that create dust until there is an assessment and clean up of the depleted uranium already present; 2. Establishing a permanent, high-tech monitoring system with procedures to ensure air quality control; 3. Establishing a citizen monitoring system to work closely with Military experts to assure transparency and community confidence; 4. Hosting quarterly meetings to update and inform the public; and 5. Ensuring permanent funds are available for the monitoring program; [now, therefore,] and 6. The U S Military shall conduct a search of classified records for firing of Depleted Uranium at the Pohakuloa Training Area and other Hawaii State sites; now, therefore, A version of the resolution that incorporates the proposed amendments is attached. Mahalo ~ Z~ 0~' 1 ~~~~ District 6 ~ Upper Puna, Ka `iJ, and South Kona f. Hawai`f County Is An Equal Opportu-tity 1'rovider.~nd Employtr RQ#. T~ Ref. Date JUL 2 COUNTY OF HAWAII RESOLUTION NO. STATE OF HAWAII A RESOLUTION URGING THE UNITED STATES MILITARY TO ADDRESS THE HAZARDS OF DEPLETED URANIUM AT THE PbHAKULOA TRAINING AREA. WHEREAS, in the early 1960's the United States Military used the Pohakuloa Training Area for firing a formerly classified weapon, the Davy Crockett recoilless gun, which has created the presence of depleted uranium (DU) in the impact area at the U.S. Army Garrison, Pohakuloa; and WHEREAS, the World Health Organization has released several reports and scientific studies concerning the health risks from exposure to depleted uranium; and WHEREAS, depleted uranium is a chemically toxic and radioactive heavy metal with a half-life of 4.6 billion years; and WHEREAS, depleted uranium emits radioactive alpha particles that can cause cancer when inhaled or ingested and also cause kidney and lung damage; and WHEREAS, there is a public health need to ensure the safe storage, disposal, and clean- up of munitions and other products or materials containing depleted uranium at the Pohakuloa Training Area to protect all residents of Hawaii Island; and WHEREAS, the United States Military is hereby requested, with urgency, to address the potential hazards of depleted uranium at the Pohakuloa Training Area with the following [five] six point plan: 1. Ordering a complete halt to B-2 bombing missions and to all live firing exercises and other activities at the Pohakuloa Training Area that create dust until there is an assessment and clean up of the depleted uranium already present; 2. Establishing a permanent, high-tech monitoring system with procedures to ensure air quality control; 3. Establishing a citizen monitoring system to work closely with Military experts to assure transparency and community confidence; 4. Hosting quarterly meetings to update and inform the public; and 5. Ensuring permanent funds are available for the monitoring program; [now, therefore,] and 6. The U.S. Military shall conduct a search of classified records for firin og f Depleted Uranium at the Pohakuloa Training Area and other Hawaii State sites; now, therefore, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE COUNTY OF HAWAII that the U.S. Military will incorporate the [five] six-point plan to address the potential hazards of depleted uranium at the Pohakuloa Training Area. BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED that the County Clerk shall forward a copy of this resolution to Colonel Howard Killian, Deputy Region Director, Army Installation Management Command-Pacific; all members of the Hawaii State Legislature; Senator Daniel K. Inouye; Senator Daniel K. Akaka; Congressman Neil Abercrombie, and Congresswoman Mazie K. Hirono. Dated at , Hawaii, this day of 2008. INTRODUCED BY: COUNTY COUNCIL County of Hawaii Hilo, Hawaii I hereby certify that the foregoing RESOLUTION was by the vote indicated to the right hereof adopted by the COUNCIL of the County of Hawaii on ATTEST: COUNTY CLERK CHAIRMAN & PRESIDING OFFICER COUNCIL MEMBER, COUNTY OF HAWAII ROLL CALL VOTE AYES NOES ABS EX FORD HIGA HOFFMANN IKEDA JACOBSON NAEOLE PILAGO YAGONG YOSHIMOTO Reference: RESOLUTION NO. 2