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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0414.002 2016-2018 • �ao rrpprWnm .i..i A. Ar"AsG � 14 `a. �s 49 t DEPARTMENT OF WATER SUPPLY • COUNTY OF HAWAII �•�f°` 345 KEKANAO`A STREET, SUITE 20 • HILO, HAWAII 96720 HAWrP.:; IJ / r 1, 1 oV TELEPHONE (808) 961-8050 • FAX (808) 961-8657 '.� C} m= September 27, 2017 CO o-4: C) >rn Agriculture, Water, and Energy Sustainability Chair Tim Richards tv Hawai`i County Council 25 Aupuni Street Hilo, Hawaii 96720 Aloha Chair Richards: Subject: Withdrawal of Draft Bill No. 65: Bill for an Ordinance Amending Hawai`i County Water Use and Development Plan to Include Provisions for the Keauhou Aquifer System,Pursuant to Section 29-3 of the Hawai`i County Code 1983 (2016 Edition, as amended) By Communication 414.1 dated August 16,2017, we transmitted draft Bill No. 65 as referenced above, for Council's approval. This Communication was time-stamped as received by the County Clerk on the same date. The Bill was heard by Council's Committee on Agriculture, Water, and Energy Sustainability("AWESC") on September 19,2017. It has come to our attention that it may not have been made clear to AWESC that per Hawaii County Code ("HCC") Section 29-3, if Council fails to act within ninety days of receipt of a proposed amendment to the Water Use and Development("WUDP"),the amendment is deemed approved by default. Our assigned Deputy Corporation Counsel has informed us that"act" means an actual vote by Council for the approval or disapproval of the proposed amendments. The Department of Water Supply("DWS")prefers that the WUDP update be formally approved by affirmative action of the Council rather than by default. Due to the concerns raised by AWESC at its September 19, 2017, meeting, we respectfully request withdrawal of draft Bill No. 65 as we would not be able to gather all the supplementary information requested by AWESC and receive additional review by the Commission on Water Resource Management("CWRM") for pre-approval, should it be necessary, in sufficient time for Council to vote on the matter before expiration of the ninety-day default period. We would like to introduce a new Bill for the WUDP update at a later date,to ensure that the information requested by AWESC can be compiled and so that Council has the opportunity to review the information within the established timeframe. We further request that withdrawal of Bill No. 65 be placed on the Committee's agenda, so that the DWS can answer further inquiries before it begins gathering the supplemental information requested by AWESC. Thankou verymuch for your time and attention in this matter. If there are any questions, please do not Y hesitate to contact me. Sincerely yours, Comm. No. IV oZ Keith K. Okamoto P. . AMP- Manager-Chief Engineerg Ref. To: Mana gRef. Dote ' 0 2017 KKO/JY:dmj . . . Water, Our Most Precious Resource . . . ?Ka Wai A Rdne. . . The Department of Water Supply is an Equal Opportunity provider and employer.