HomeMy WebLinkAboutRES 568 Draft 01 2012-2014COUNTY OF HAWAII
STATE OF HAWAII
RESOLUTION NO. SGS 14
A RESOLUTION URGING THE HAWAII STATE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH TO
PROCEED WITH A NEGATIVE RECOMMENDATION FOR REVISIONS TO THE
HAWAII ADMINISTRATIVE RULES 11-62, WHICH WOULD REQUIRE SEWER
CONNECTIONS OR UPGRADES OF EXISTING CESSPOOLS TO A SEPTIC SYSTEM
WITHIN 180 DAYS AFTER SALE OF PROPERTY.
WHEREAS, the Department of Health has statutory authority to adopt rules that it
deems necessary in the interest of public health and safety; and
WHEREAS, the Department of Health is considering amendments to the Hawaii
Administrative Rules (HAR), Chapter 11-62, Wastewater Systems, to prohibit the installation of
new cesspools and require that existing cesspools connect to a septic system within 180 days
after sale of property; and
WHEREAS, the Department of Health, Wastewater Branch has proposed and lobbied in
heavy favor of the considered amendments; and
WHEREAS, according to RealEstate.com, the average home in East Hawaii costs
between $265,000 to $300,000; and
WHEREAS, this rule change would cause added hardship to our Hawaii Island
residents who are already faced with the highest cost of living in the nation. Installation of a
septic system can range in cost from $10,000 to $15,000. Even without the added financial
burden of converting to a septic system, acquiring a mortgage can be a daunting task for many
prospective homeowners; and
WHEREAS, at a recent public hearing, numerous residents from Hawaii Island
expressed concern that this rule -amendment process was not transparent; and
WHEREAS, the timeline for converting a cesspool to a septic system is unrealistic when
costs are included as a factor; and
WHEREAS, the proposed amendments requiring sewer connections or upgrades of
existing cesspools to a septic system should be implemented in critical shoreline areas only; and
WHEREAS, during the October 14, 2014, Governmental Relations and Economic
Development Committee hearing, Hawaii Island Delegation of State Legislators expressed
strong concerns on these proposed amendments; now, therefore,
BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE COUNTY OF HAWAII that it
urges the Department of Health to proceed with a negative recommendation on proposed
amendments to Title 11, Chapter 62, Wastewater Systems, of the Hawaii Administrative Rules.
BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED that the County Clerk shall forward copies of this
resolution to the Honorable Governor Neil Abercrombie- the Hawaii Island Delegation of State
Legislators; the Director of the Department of Health.
Dated at Hilo , Hawai`i, this,th day of November , 2014,
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 — _1�1.Qyemhe�-7-, —2-01-4
INTRODUCED BY:
COiTNCIL, MEMBER, COUNTY OF HAWAII
ROLL CALL. VOTE
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Reference: C-1111/Waived EMC
COUNTY CLERK CHAIRPERSON & PRESIDING OFFICER RESOLUTION NO. 568 11-11