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HomeMy WebLinkAboutREP AWEEMC 005 2019/04/09 2018-2020 REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON AGRICULTURE,WATER, ENERGY,AND ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT DATE: April 9, 2019 Re: Comm. No. 193 PLACE: Council Chambers Hilo, Hawai`i TIME: 10:12 a.m. Council Chair and Members Hawai`i County Council Hilo, Hawai`i 96720 Your Committee on Agriculture, Water, Energy, and Environmental Management,to which was referred Communication 193, reports as follows: Communication 193,transmitted by Mayor Harry Kim, dated March 20, 2019,nominates Dr. John Burns of Council District 1 to the County of Hawaii Environmental Management Commission(EMC). Motion to approve nomination of Dr. John Burns was made by Council Member Poindexter; seconded by Council Member Eoff. As introduced by Ms. Rose Bautista, Executive Assistant for Mayor Harry Kim, Dr. John Burns is an Assistant Professor in Marine Science and Data Science at the University of Hawai`i at Hilo and has been a resident of Hawai`i for the past 10 years. Originally from South Africa, he was raised and educated in the United States, and earned his BS in Biology with a concentration on Marine Biology and Fisheries, and a minor in Philosophy from California Polytechnic State University SLO. In addition, Dr. Burns also earned a Ph.D. in Biology, Specialization in Marine Biology and a MS in Tropical Conservation in Environmental Science from the University of Hawai`i at Hilo. Dr. Burns volunteers his time in the community with outreach education to local private and public schools. Ms.,Bautista further added that Dr. Burns was not affiliated with any political party. If confirmed,he will fill a term ending on 12/31/2023. Nominee Burns was asked to address the committee and he stated that he has been working here as a Biologist for the past 10 years, and felt itimportant to offer his services to the County's EMC wherein he could provide a level of expertise and understanding needed to help guide any questions or concerns associated with any environmental issues. Council Members voiced their appreciation for his ability to serve and were impressed with his level of education and knowledge that will be beneficial to the EMC and the County. Council Member Kierkiewcz thanked Ms. Bautista for yet another qualified applicant to serve our County Boards and Commissions. Addressing Nominee Burns, Council Member Kierkiewcz inquired as to what creative thinking he could bring to the EMC in dealing with our AWEEMC Report No.: 5 AWEEMC-5 Page 2 April 9,2019 island waste, and the liability posed to our County, as well as the effects on our environment and our future generation. Nominee Burns replied that issues like this are relatively complex and dynamic wherein it poses a rather large problem. Being that his work includes the study of diseases of corals and other organisms specifically on our coastline, he sees how it has been fundamentally exasperated by waste and the development of our coastal communities. He noted that there tends to not only be one solution to problems like this as one needs to weigh out additional factors like costs, community opinion; determining what is reasonable and feasible. He added that it is often evaluating the options and seeing what works, i.e. budget, manpower, facilities, etc. He also stated that he hoped to bring his expertise to the table to help guide those decisions to hopefully come to some effective solutions. Council Member Kierkiewcz further asked Nominee Burns his position on what the County should be doing in planning ahead in relation to the cesspool closures that are upcoming. Nominee Burns shared that evaluating the numbers in a larger island wide perspective is important. He cited the watershed management process and the understanding that it could be quantified; same with cesspool closure. If the number of homes and amount of waste produced are known, one can be able to determine which options would be best, for example, septic solution or a full on waste water treatment process. One must first start by determining what the absolute need is and what is the best financial process would be, and in doing so making certain to our valuable resources going forward. Council Member Kierkiewcz thanked Nominee Burns for his expertise and his willingness to serve. Council Member Poindexter thanked Nominee Burns for committing his time. She further stated that with his skill set,he will be a great addition to the EMC especially with his watershed and coastal management knowledge; a knowledge that can understand the concerns affecting the Hamakua Coast. Council Member Poindexter expressed her support for his nomination. Council Member David also noted her appreciation to Nominee Burns stating that his background is exceptionally appropriate to the EMC. Council Member David inquired of Nominee Burns as to the controversy of cesspool vs. septic and what his thoughts were on the topic. Nominee Burns replied that in his experience at the once-beautiful Wai Opae in Kapoho, where he studied corals and organisms, it is important to note that in determining what is best would be taking into consideration the specific location and its characteristics. Environmental issues like these are always location specific. At Wai Opae, it was detrimental as it took simply minutes for the waste to be evident in the marine system, and there are many areas on the island just like that. However,the goal is to do all that we can now to protect our resources. Nominee Burns shared information heof from a specialist who was at Wai Opae, who said this: In g P P looking at a scale between 1 and 10; cesspools rank between 0-1; septic tank is maybe at 3-4; with full waste water treatment moving the scale to a 10. He believes this information is important to know in prioritizing the areas that need to see effective change immediately. He reiterated that work must begin now. Council Member David noted her support for Nominee Burns,thanked him for recognizing the complexity of the concerns, and looks forward to his expertise in the EMC. AWEEMC Report No.: 5 AWEEMC-5 Page 3 April 9,2019 Committee Vice Chair Kaneali`i-Kleinfelder asked Nominee Burns to share his top three environmental concerns. Nominee Burns replied that the only way to answer would be that being focused on our benthic marine habitat is his number one focus, as that it is a huge resource, a food source, and an economic source. Although he aims to remain an optimist, he has seen a lot of problems arise; some very difficult to manage, for example, global issues, change in climate and wind patterns which are producing visible changes in the marine environments daily. On the other hand,there are areas where change can be implemented, for example,how we manage our waste,how we manage our coastal development, and how we contain our energy in a manner wherein no further harm is being done to these important habitats. Actionable changes are necessary, and the time is now. Nominee Burns share that this was evident is his experience working at Papahanaumokuakea Marine National Monument wherein many impacts are evident; once a habitat is gone, it will take a very long time to revitalize, if at all. Nominee Burns again reiterated that the time to be proactive and look for solutions is now. Council Member Eoff shared her appreciation to Nominee Burn for his willingness to serve on the Commission and commended him for his outstanding educational background and his community service. She also noted that he would be a great asset and addition to the other environmentally sound commissioners. Council Member Eoff also thanked Mayor Kim for such a great recommendation and noted her support for this nomination. Council Member Villegas commended Nominee Burns for his list of accomplishments and education. She was excited to see the collaborative work with the University of Hawai`i at Hilo as they have exceptional scientists and professors on staff who genuinely care about our island's needs. She noted that she receives many emails from various professors there asking for access to perform water tests in her district. Lastly she shared her appreciation for his position to remain an optimist in the world of science where facts sometimes dim the optimistic focus. Council Chair Chung commented on how impressed he was in hearing Nominee Burns speak; obviously very knowledgeable in his field of expertise, however by his answers provided indicated that he is a sensible, open and an engaging individual. He further noted that having good communication skills like he observed in Nominee Burns is very important while serving on our County's Boards and Commissions. Council Chair Chung thanked Nominee Burns for stepping up to the task and acknowledged his support to the nomination today. Committee Chair Richards, echoing Council Chair Chung's comments,noted the thoughtfulness in Nominee Burns' answers, and his optimistic outlook. He stated that he was further impressed by the answer involving `critical thinking' as the County of Hawaii is at a decision making time and critical thinking is exactly what it will take to move our County forward on some serious topics involving this Committee on Agriculture, Water, Energy, and Environmental Management. Committee Chair Richards noted that his and Vice Chair Kaneali`i-Kleinfelder's intention with this committee is to seek the expertise of the EMC and that they look forward to working with Nominee Burns going forward. Committee Chair Richards thanked Nominee Burns for his willingness to serve and provided his support in his nomination. Committee Chair Richards advised that due to Nominee Burns' appearance and approval today, it was not required for him to attend the upcoming confirmation Council meeting. AWEEMC Report No.: 5 AWEEMC-5 Page 4 April 9,2019 A motion to adjourn was made by Council Member Kierkiewcz and seconded by Council Member LeeLoy. Meeting was adjourned at 10:37 a.m. Your Committee on Agriculture, Water, Energy, and Environmental Management is in accord with the purpose and intent of Communication 193, and recommends confirmation of the appointment of Dr. John Burns to the County of Hawaii Environmental Management Commission. db AYES NOES ABS EX Respectfully submitted, CHUNG X DAVID X COMMITTEE ON AGRICULTURE,WATER, EOFF X ENERGY,AND ENVIRONMENTAL KANEALI`I-KLEINFELDER X MANAGEMENT KIERKIEWICZ X LEE LOY X1410P1.‘ . 03 POINDEXTER X HERBER �M. `" IM"RIC • P S,III, CHAIR RICHARDS X AWEEMC REPORT NO.: 5 VILLEGAS x ADOPTED: APR 2 4 2019 I r