HomeMy WebLinkAboutRES 639 Draft 02 2006-2008COUNTY OF HAWAII
STATE OF HAWAII
RESOLUTION NO. 639 08
(Dxp,Fr 2 )
A RESOLUTION URGING THE UNITED STATES MILITARY TO ADDRESS THE
HAZARDS OF DEPLETED URANIUM AT THE PbHAKULOA TRAINING AREA.
WHEREAS, in the eazly 1960's the United States Militazy 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 hazazds of depleted uranium at the Pohakuloa Training Area with the following eight-
point plan:
1. Order 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 cleanup of the depleted uranium already present;
2. Establish a permanent, high-tech monitoring system with procedures to ensure air
quality control;
3. Establish a citizen monitoring system to work closely with Military experts to
assure transpazency and community confidence;
4. Host quarterly meetings to update and inform the public;
5. Ensure permanent funds are available for the monitoring program;
6. Provide a liaison to the County of Hawaii to facilitate communication between the
United States Military and the County of Hawaii;
7. Provide semi-annual reports to the Hawaii County Council summarizing depleted
uranium monitoring, detection, and mitigation efforts; and
8. The U.S. Military shall conduct a seazch of all records for firing of Depleted
Uranium at the Pohakuloa Training Area and all other Hawaii State military sites
and release pertinent information to the public; now, therefore,
BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE COUNTY OF HAWAII that the
U.S. Military will incorporate the eight-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 the 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 Hilo , Hawaii, this 2nd day of July 2008.
INTRODUCED BY:
COUNCIL ER, COUNTY OF HAWAII
COUNTY COUNCIL
County of Hawaii
Hilo, Hawaii
I hereby certify that the foregoing RESOLUTION was by
the vote indicated to the right hereof adopted b the COUNCIL of the
County of Hawaii on July 2 , 2 ~0 8
ATTEST:
f,. __._._..
C TY CLERK C S G OFFICER
ROLL CALL VOTE
AYES NOES ABS EX
FORD }{
HIGA }{
HOFFMANN X
IKEDA
JACOBSON
NAEOLE
PILAGO }{
YAGONG X
YOSHIMOTO }~
8 1 0 0
Reference: C-1210.29/Waived, II~IC
RESOLUTION NO. s 3 9 ~ S
2