HomeMy WebLinkAbout2021-04-22 DEM Director's Report
TO THE ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT COMMISSION
April 28, 2021
Agenda item 7
1. LEGISLATIVE UPDATE
a. County Council (Since last report posted on 3/18/21)
ITEM DESCRIPTION CURRENT STATUS
Completed items
Bill 25 Amends capital budget to appropriate Approved by Mayor as Ordinance
funding for federally funded wastewater No. 21-30, effective 3/31/21.
projects: Phoa and Puak.
Res. 67-21 Authorizes payment of a five-year lease for Approved by Council 4/7/21.
two multifunction copy machines for
Admin/Business Services and Solid Waste
Comm. 167 Appoints Elyse Robinson of Council District 2 Approved by Council 4/7/21.
to the EMC for a term to end 12/31/25.
Res. 73-21 Authorizes acceptance of the 2019 Integrated Positive recommendation by
Solid Waste Management Plan. RAWEEMC on 4/6/21. Approved
by Council 4/21/21.
Comm. 182 Appoints Carrie Hoopii of Council District 3 to Positive recommendation by
the EMC for a term to end 12/31/25. RAWEEMC on 4/6/21. Approved
by Council 4/21/21.
DEM budget Completed on 4/15/21.
its annual budget and program review for
DEM.
Comm. 207 Requests discussion with DEM regarding rule Discussion completed in
prohibiting trailers at transfer stations. RAWEEMC on 4/19/21.
Active items
Bill 29 Appropriates revenues in the Federal Block Positive recommendation by
Grant account ($2,699,374) and the Block Finance Committee on 4/6/21.
Grant Program Income account ($100,000); Approved by Council on first
and appropriates the same to the following reading on 4/21/21. Anticipated
accounts: Ulu Wini Low Income Housing vote by Council on second reading
Wastewater Treatment Plant Repairs on 5/5/21.
($1,420,889); Ulu Wini Low Income Housing
Certified Kitchen Conversion ($495,500);
Hale Ohana Domestic Abuse Shelter - Interior
& Exterior Renovations ($225,760); West
r Interior &
Exterior Renovations ($157,225); and
Administration, Planning & Fair Housing
($500,000).
Upcoming item
Budget Draft 2 Updated budget numbers using certified RPT. Mayor to release draft on 5/5/21.
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b. Active bills in the Legislature as of 4/22/21
HB 1298 HD1 SD1
Transfers to the general fund $5 million from the beverage container deposit
CD1
special fund and $1 million from the electronic device recycling fund.
HB 1299 HD1 SD1
Section 20 redirects funds generated from the advance disposal fee from the
CD1
environmental management special fund into the general fund. Makes funding of
glass recovery programs subject to legislative approval.
Status: Senators and representatives have met and have reconciled their differences regarding final amendments
to the above bills. Upon
Senate, the bills are to be transmitted to the Governor for his review and possible approval.
2. REQUESTS FOR UPDATES
a. Transfer station closures, including Wai
Commissioner McIntosh)
b. N
McIntosh) See Section 4, Wastewater Division updates
c. Implementing the goals and priorities of the ISWMP (Requested by Chair
Adams)
d. Administrative rule banning trailers at solid waste transfer stations
(Requested by Chair Adams)
3. SOLID WASTE DIVISION
1. OPERATIONS
The Department instated Rule No. 9-17 on April 17, 2021. The Department was
requested by Council to answer questions regarding this rule. Additional discussions
with Council members are to take place in the coming weeks to discuss any possible
alternatives to this rule.
2. ADMINISTRATION
The SWD will hold safety training for all operations personnel on April 28, 2021. In order to
facilitate participation by all employees the Division will close the Hilo, Kea
this training. This training and subsequent closure are to occur on a quarterly basis.
3. SOLID WASTE CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS
(No report.)
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4. RECYCLING SECTION
Out of the Sea Media Arts is continuing to develop education information focused
on reducing food waste, Master Recycler Program, and update various
promotional materials.
Currently, no manufacturer offers convenient on-island take-back of
electronics.
the Electronic Waste and Television Recycling & Recovery Act (HRS 339D)
mandatory take-back provisions. Solid Waste requests the Commission to
advocate for a stronger state Extended Producer Responsibility law requiring
convenient on-island manufacturer sponsored take-back.
5. DERELICT AND ABANDONED VEHICLE (DAV) PROGRAM
Monthly towing numbers:
AV Towing 2020-21
E.
The total tow requests for March 2021
was 203; however, 21 vehicles were
July 2020 115 89
not on location at the time of arrival.
Aug 2020 87 76
Sept 2020 80 54
Oct 2020 82 43
Nov 2020 64 55
Dec 2020 76 45
Jan 2021 90 54
Feb 2021 107 57
Mar 2021 147 35
Apr 2021
May 2021
June 2021
6. RELOAD FACILITY UPDATE (FY 20-21)
Total Tons Taken
Month/Year to Sort Station
Jul 2020 4,529.58
Aug 2020 4,333.78
Sept 2020 4,052.55
Oct 2020 4,210.63
Nov 2020 4,406.67
Dec 2020 4,684.32
Jan 2021 4,645.69
Feb 2021 4,092.99
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Mar 20214,622.19
Apr 2021
May 2021
Jun 2021
Totals 39,578.40
When time permits, SWD staff removes the corrugated cardboard from the trash and places it in
a roll-off for recycling.
7. MONTHLY LANDFILL TONNAGES (FY 20-21)
Month/Year WHSL
Jul 2020 17,409.38
Aug 2020 16,027.05
Sept 2020 14,526.61
Oct 2020 16,605.86
Nov 2020 15,521.35
Dec 2020 16,326.19
Jan 2021 15,740.65
Feb 2021 14,956.72
Mar 2021 17,914.90
Apr 2021
May 2021
Jun 2021
Totals 145,028.71
8. MONTHLY TRANSFER STATION TONNAGES (FY 20-21)
Month/Year EHRSS WHSL
Jul 2020 3,800.06 8,778.34
Aug 2020 3,673.55 8,386.36
Sept 2020 3,421.87 8,089.05
Oct 2020 3,543.85 8,280.06
Nov 2020 3,719.65 7,936.21
Dec 2020 3,911.84 9,058.94
Jan 2021 3,942.90 8,791.50
Feb 2021 3,430.00 7,748.00
Mar 2021 3,827.42 8,581.64
Apr 2021
May 2021
Jun 2021
Totals 33,271.14 75,650.10
The above table is to include data on the waste disposed in the landfill (not the
greenwaste or recycling data).
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4. WASTEWATER DIVISION
As
the Wastewater Division faces numerous fiscal, regulatory, and political challenges and seeks the
advice, assistance and expertise on ways to overcome these challenges. Efforts are
being made among multiple fronts to address these concerns. Wastewater Division reports the
following activities and invites comment on the following:
1.
communication with the EPA, consultants from Brown and Caldwell, the Office of
the Mayor, the Finance Department, and Corporation Counsel regarding the status of
the closures of these large capacity cesspools. Knowing the challenges in meeting
deadlines due to recent geological discoveries and issues with land acquisition in
administration for the design of the two wastewater treatment plants, we are
supportive of different designs that will meet the secondary treatment requirement of
the administrative order on consent without severely burdening the County with
capital obligations. These meetings with EPA Region 9 are ongoing and we do not
have a result to report at this t
has been paused while these issues are being worked out.
2. Hilo Wastewater Treatment Plant: The condition of the treatment plant has received
renewed attention recently and has received site visits from federal, state, and county
lawmakers. Wastewater Division has presented to Rep. Kahele a list of shovel-ready
projects for island-wide that are in dire need of funding, should it become available.
Wastewater has placed as its highest priority the design of a replacement for the
biosolids digester and the headworks components at the Hilo Wastewater Treatment
Plant. The new asset management program and the new positions will get us back on
track to catch up on deferred maintenance.
3. County Budget: The County Council beginning on May 5 will receive an updated
budget picture with certified real property tax values and will make amendments as
they deem necessary. The preliminary budget released on March 1 included a request
for 14 positions in wastewater division. These positions are necessary for the new
Environmental Quality Control section that includes compliance, and the re-organized
maintenance section to serve facilities island-wide. Besides the improvement of the
Hilo WWTP, other proposals include upgrades to wastewater treatment plants and
facilities island-wide, pump station upgrades and extensions of the sewer collection
systems in east and west Hawaii.
4. Currently, working with a grant-seeking consultant who has identified possible
loan/grant agencies to follow up with for possible funding. Actively applying for
grant funds from USDA.
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1. WASTEWATER CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS
A.
Project Design is under re-evaluation with total project cost approaching $45
million. Discussions with EPA regarding estimated WWTP construction costs
increasing from $14.6 million to $20.6 million because WWTP site has steeper
slopes than predicted. Also, geotechnical borings confirmed the WWTP site has
underground voids due to lava tubes. Unknown lava tubes will add additional
construction costs should they be encountered during construction. EPA is trying
to determine what effects these changes have on the NEPA Environmental
Assessment (EA) that was completed last March 2020. County also needs to
request for an extension of the current AOC milestone deadlines approved by
EPA on May 24, 2021 (using the June 24, 2021 backstop deadline for Phase 1
Collection System Design).
Current Schedule
11/04/20: Final AMP approved by SHPD (letter received 11/09/2020).
05/01/21: Awaiting EPA review of NEPA EA if COH changes WWTP.
06/28/21: WWTP Land Acquisition via Condemnation (Re-doing Land appraisal).
08/06/21: Submit Special Permit Application (County acquires Land to submit).
09/23/21: Complete Design-Build RFP for WWTP and Phase 1 Collection System.
10/01/21: Advertise Design-Build RFP WWTP and Phase 1 Collection System.
01/15/22: Issue NTP for Design-Build Contract
04/18 LCCs closure.
o Final EA/FONSI was published with OEQC on 03/08/20. Also, the Draft
Final AIS was submitted to SHPD on 02/26/20 and SHPD approved as
Final AIS on 04/20/20.
o , an Archaeological
Monitoring Plan (AMP) was required. AMP was logged in queue by
SHPD on 05/05/20 for review/approval. SHPD approval dated
11/04/2020 was received 11/09/2020.
o The project is planned for funding with Clean Water State Revolving
Funds (CWSRF) loan, County Bonds (CIP), and partially by a federal
EPA grant.
B.
The state-level OEQC EA completion is required prior to land purchase for the
WWTP/disposal facility.
because no federal funds are being used on this LCC project (note: if CWSRF
funds are utilized federal cross-cutters are still required).
Initial archaeological, flora and fauna field work completed (11/2020). Section
106 and Section 7 consultation by DOH pending final area of potential effect for
all three CWSRF projects. AOC compliance completion of the final EA was
originally 10/05/2019 which was extended to 07/23/21 at COH request on
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09/26/2019. COH requested and EPA granted on 06/01/2020 another extension
of the EA completion date of 08/27/23.
Project Design is under re-evaluation because total project cost was approaching
$80 million, assuming UV disinfection and concrete lined lagoons.
The project is planned for funding with Clean Water State Revolving Funds
(CWSRF) monies and County Bonds (CIP).
Current Schedule:
11/2020: Complete Archaeology and Biology Field Studies.
10/2020: Field Study/Literature Review (FSLR) and AIS Plan logged by SHPD for
Review.
12/2020: SHPD requests an AIS in the project area and indicates current
proposed AIS testing strategy appears sufficient.
09/2021: Observation of geotechnical survey to provide further information
about project area geology and stratigraphy for Draft AIS anticipated
10/2021: Draft EA and Anticipated FONSI scheduled for OEQC publication.
03/2022: Draft AIS to SHPD anticipated.
06/2023: Section 6E and 106 concurrence anticipated from SHPD/SHPO.
05/2023: Final EA publication.
02/2024: AMP approval from SHPD.
09/2025: WWTP and Phase 1 Collection System Design complete.
09/2025: Anticipated advertisement for bids-Phase 1 Construction.
06/2027: LCCs closure Phase 1 construction complete.
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