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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0339.000 2014-2016 geometrician ASSOCIATES , LLC integrating geographic science and planning phone: (808) 969-7090 fax: (866) 3I6-6988 PO Box 396 Hilo Hawaii 96721 rterry@hawaii.rr.com �r May 30, 2015 D= Dear Neighbor or Agency/Organization Official: N _ Subject: Early Consultation for Hawaii County Radio System Upgrade Project New Sites,TMKs 9-2-031:019 (Ocean View Fire Station Site); 1-2-009:039 (Lanipuna Water Tank Site); and 1-3-045:039 (Keauohana Well Site), Puna and Ka`u Districts, Island of Hawaii Our firm is in the process of preparing a Draft Environmental Assessment for a proposed County of Hawai`i activity, in compliance with Chapter 343, HRS, and Title 11, Chapter 200, HAR. The County of Hawaii, Department of Public Works (DPW) is proposing a project to upgrade the County of Hawai`i's radio system, which is used by various County agencies for emergency and other communications. Some components of the current radio system are outmoded, in need of repair, and do not conform to the new requirements of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC). Most importantly, they do not allow communication in certain critical areas of the Puna and Ka`u Districts, meaning the Fire, Police and Civil Defense personnel are sometimes cut off from communication with headquarters and other personnel. The only way to rectify this situation is to develop a series of new radio tower sites. After investigation of feasible locations, three County properties belonging to the Department of Water Supply and the Fire Department in the Puna and Ka`u Districts were selected (see attached maps for locations). Tests have demonstrated that they will be safe and effective sites that offer line of sight to other facilities, which will enable coverage of gap areas in Puna and Ka`u, and also improve overall radio coverage throughout the east half of the island. The FCC required as of January 1, 2013, that all public safety and business industrial land mobile radio systems operating in the 150-512 MHz radio bands must cease operating using 25 kHz efficiency technology, and begin operating using at least 12.5 kHz efficiency technology. This"narrowbanding" initiative, which began almost two decades ago, ensures more efficient use of the spectrum and greater spectrum access for public safety and non-public safety users. The County currently operates radio in the VHF 150-174 MHz frequency, and the current plan is to reuse this frequency spectrum. This project is being designed by Motorola, Inc., under the supervision of the Hawai`i County Civil Agency. The towers are still in design but are expected to be 100 feet tall at the Lanipuna and Keauohana sites in Puna, and 140 feet tall at the Ocean View Fire Station. The self-supporting, three legged towers will be steel towers with a lattice structure. The Lanipuna site will have two 6-foot diameter microwave dishes; the Keauohana and Ocean View sites will have one six-foot diameter microwave dish, and two 2-way radio antennae. Each site will also have a 10-foot by 20-foot Comm ja. 3 3 9 Ref. To: Ref. Date JUN 01 2015 communications shelter and a generator with a fuel tank for emergency power. All the new facilities will be enclosed within a fenced compound. Because County funds and lands are involved, the EA will be required to comply with Chapter 343, Hawai`i Revised Statues. The Hawai`i County DPW is acting as the proposing/approving agency for the EA. The areas of investigation in the Environmental Assessment will include but not be limited to the following: water quality assurance; wastewater treatment; flora, fauna, and ecosystems; traffic impacts; geology, soils, and hazards; flooding and drainage impacts; electromagnetic radiation; social, cultural and community impacts; cultural impacts; historic sites; and economic impacts. I would appreciate your comments on any special environmental conditions or impacts related to the development. Please contact me at 969-7090 if you have any questions or require clarification. Kindly indicate whether you wish to receive a copy of the EA when it has been completed. Sincerely, PM Ron Terry, Principal Geometrician Associates M.,okim I kuu." r 2 1.tnektmei.I AIT 11.1.• .. _or ...s�ad l ‘s. 0.Ne LaPtbkt S H P a Q p ;k IJ1p.a 4.4 Aos., PY U' PUUKOHOLA HFIAU h 11 S•• t. .4".4',,,,'„, . 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