HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0741.002 2008-2010Kona
Soil and Water Conservation District
April 7, 2010
81 - 948 Waena'Oihana Loop # 101 - Kealakekua, HI 96750 - 808.322 - 2484 - FAX 808 322.3735
Hawaii County Council Members
RE: Kealakehe Green Waste
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The Kona Soil and Water Conservation District's Board of Directors has authorized me to speak as
their representative. They have requested I provide testimony in _
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The Kona Soil and Water Conservation District wants to express the value the green waste program is
to our local agricultural producers. Many farmers struggle with the quality of their soil. One of the
best things a producer can do to help develop quality soil is to put a 3 -5 inch layer of mulch down.
Ideally this will be repeated 2 -3 times and then, if the producer grows orchard crops, coffee, citrus,
etc they can install conservation cover on the mulch.
Aloha County Council Members,
While mulch is improving soil it is also protecting it from erosion and it helps to stabilize soil
temperature and helps retain soil moisture.
Right now producers can obtain a great deal of mulch simply for the cost of delivery. Since the green
waste facility is centrally located in Kona it is a reasonable fee. Moving the green waste facility to
Pu'uanahulu will increase the costs for our local producers. Many conservation plans call for
hundreds or thousands of cubic yards of mulch to provide the desired results. It takes many deliveries
to provide that quantity. Not all producers benefit from government cost share programs and
therefore carry the burden of this cost on their own.
Considering the hardships and cutbacks to the support services networks for our agricultural
community, a reduction in staffing of agricultural inspectors, a reduction in staffing at the extension
services office, a severe drought that has brought harm to every farm in West Hawaii we feel the
County Council should support our farmers by creating a greenwaste system that is sustainable for
everyone.
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Best regards,
Rick Robinson
Chairperson, Kona Soil and Water Conservation District
Kawika Marquez William "Skip" Cowell
Board of Directors
Greg Hendrickson
Comet No. 7 T I • Z
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Ref. Dote � �lU
Virginia Isbell Rick Robinson