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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2017-04-26 Environmental Management Commission Minutes ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT COMMISSION MINUTES -April 26, 2017 Hawaii County Building, Puna Conference Room, Hilo, HI COMMISSIONERS PRESENT: STAFF: James Fritz, Chair William Kucharski, Director Richard Bennett, Vice Chair Diane Noda, Deputy Director Jeffry Fear George Hayducsko, Recycling Coordinator Luana Neff Renee Schoen, Assistant Corporation Counsel Susan Osborne Rick Vidgen 1. CALL TO ORDER & ANNOUNCEMENTS: The meeting was called to order at 9:13 a.m. by Chair Fritz. 2. APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF MARCH 22, 2017 MEETING: Vice Chair Bennett noted that he was instructed to contact Brown and Caldwell, Consultants for the Kealakehe Wastewater Treatment Plant R-1 Upgrade Project, via the department. He commented on their statement of the endangered species population. Dr. Bennett would like to amend a bullet point of the Brown & Caldwell presentation. Second to last bullet should state "New disposal system will be designed to significantly reduce nutrients by using polishing wetlands and a soil aquifer treatment system". (Amendment is underlined). He is concerned on how this conclusion was drawn. The minutes were unanimously approved as amended. [Motion by Dr. Bennett; seconded by Ms. Osborne.] 3. APPROVAL OF ADDENDUM AND/OR SUPPLEMENTAL AGENDA: None 4. STATEMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC ON ITEMS LISTED ON AGENDA: • Paul Buklarewicz, Executive Director of Recycle Hawaii introduced himself. Director Kucharski thanked Mr. Buklarewicz for adjusting his prices to the Request For Proposal that was issued for reuse centers, which enabled DEM to keep Pahoa Reuse Center open. • Michael Last questioned the Abandoned Vehicle Disposal Fee balance. He obtained information from Naomi O'Dell at the Vehicle Registration and Licensing Division and Sharon (Sandy) Shore at the department. He calculates there is $1.5 million excess funds in 2016. He wants to know what is being done with the excess funds, as well as last year's excess funds? • Jerome Warren stated the large capacity cesspool documents he received from the department were inadequate, the middle (substantive) pages are missing. The closure of Na`alehu large capacity cesspools has been on the EMC agenda for more than a year, and there is still no decision. Also, the department is not communicating with the public; information could be included in the monthly bills. The department doesn't provide return envelopes along with the bills. 5. OLD BUSINESS a. Kealakehe Wastewater Treatment Plant Dr. Bennett commented that Brown & Caldwell did a good presentation, but it was devoid of data. It's difficult for the commission to do a critical analysis without data. Also, can the soil model be modified, as there are issues with the phosphorous? Director Kucharski responded that this is at the preliminary design stage, and more vigorous testing will be done. b. Proper Disposal of Used Tires This remains a huge problem and eyesore. Tires left on the roadside is litter. Perhaps there should be more citations issued for littering, and an increase in fines. However, the reality is that littering is a low priority for the police. c. County Council Resolution 101-17, Authorizing the payment of funds of a multi-fiscal year agreement for furnishing greenwaste diversion operations in West Hawaii and East Hawaii, has been withdrawn. d. Integrated Solid Waste Management Plan: The updates to the Solid Waste Management Plan is due in July 2019. Ms. Osborne requests this be placed on a future agenda and the Solid Waste Division Chief provide a status update. 6. NEW BUSINESS a. Discussion with Mayor Harry Kim (taken out of order after Item #5a) • Mayor Kim thanked the Commissioners for their voluntary service. • The compost contract issue with Hawaiian Earth Recycling (HER) has been satisfactorily resolved via negotiations. HER will continue with mulching only, and composting will be renegotiated. He is very satisfied with the resulting $500,000 annual savings to the County. • In response to Commissioner Fear's question: Although compost is free now, HER does intend to start charging for compost in the future. HER will profit from the sale of compost, not the County. • Dr. Bennett informed the Mayor that the new Director is very responsive and there is a good flow of information to the Commission. b. Recycling Presentation of FY15-16 Program Accomplishments and Costs by George Hayducsko, Recycling Coordinator • 2-Bin Recycling: new signage needed; need to constantly educate the public • HI-5 Beverage Container Redemption: contractors are doing a good job (Business Services Hawaii; Atlas) • E-Waste Recycling: Mr. K's just signed a new contract; will be done on Saturdays 8:30am —4:30pm; volume for FY15-16 was much higher than prior year. c. Possible Input from Commission on Environmental Impact Statements (EIS) and Draft Environmental Assessments (EAs) • Chair Fritz cautioned that this may involve a lot of paperwork that the commission may not really want. Dr. Bennett is not suggesting that the commission has to review all documents, but the commission should at least receive notice of what is issued. Renee Schoen stated the Office of Environmental Quality Control (OEQC) website publishes a comprehensive list. Dr. Bennett noted there is a list of County departments that receive EAs (e.g., Planning Dept., Fire Dept.) so the commission could write to the departments and request copies of the EA notices. Ms. Noda will check with the other departments about the Commission receiving notices. 7. REPORTS/CORRESPONDENCE: a. Director's Report - see written report • In response to Mr. Fear's inquiry regarding the reinstatement of educational funds for recycling, Director Kucharski stated there are educational funds in the HER composting contract, and he will check whether it's specifically for recycling. • Unfortunately, when budget priorities are required, the department can request the educational funds, but not all requests will be approved. For the upcoming fiscal year, the department has been instructed to keep its budget `flat' (same amount as last year). • DEM needs to fight littering, Mr. Fear shouldn't have to organize beach cleanups. Mr. Fear mentioned that a group of Minnesota kids saw a beach clean-up video, and will use one day of their vacation here to help with a beach clean up on May 19th. b. Commissioners' Reports (by district): • District 6: Dr. Bennett introduced Jim Satoris, who worked with the Department of Interior, Department of Reclamation, and the subsistence flow at Kealakehe in 2001. He's encouraged Mr. Satoris to apply for EMC. Our reclaimed water contains a lot of salt, so we need to manage it better. Director Kucharski should inform Consultants that when they prepare their water budget, they need to look at the water needed for salt management. In deserts, like the area around Kona airport, irrigation & salt management needs to be addressed pro-actively. • District 8: Mr. Fear reported there is staph (Staphylococcus Aureus) in the sand at the Old Airport and Pinetrees, as examples. More water sampling is needed, as the County sewer plant is near there. The staph goes into the sand, and kids get rashes all over their bodies when they don't rinse off well. There are many reasons/sources for bacteria; for example, people defecate in the open when the bathrooms are broken. Director Kucharski will check on test results for the wastewater discharge, because there should not be any raw sewage in the water, as all discharge is first disinfected. • Household Hazardous Waste (HHW): No `sharps' (needles) are allowed; perhaps DEM can work with the local hospitals or Lions Clubs regarding proper disposal; very expensive program to run, but DEM is getting quite a few calls. A goldenrod '14-sheet was distributed with HHW Collection Hours. • Scrap Metals &White Goods: does include air conditioners; the workers here know how to handle these items with Freon. • Used Motor Oil Program: There was a vendor `hiccup,' as Hawaii Petroleum was sending the oil to a Maui sugar mill, but that shut down. Vendor has worked with HELCO, and may end with a better result if HELCO can use the oil locally on- island, but this is not finalized yet. • Tire Education Program: Tire vendors must charge a fee for old tires (incentive for customer to leave their old tires when new ones are purchased); No State recommendation or standard charge, approx. $5-$7/tire; Need to educate vendors, then educate the general public (2-tiers); Vendors are receptive to DEM's input; Firestone Co. is shipping tires to CA, other vendors are shipping to Oahu; Industry norm is to 'chip & coal it,' unsure what vendors are doing here; Vendors must have cover to keep tires dry & no mosquitoes breeding. • Green Waste: Being collected at Transfer Stations and transported to one of our Sanitary Landfills; tonnage received is much higher in West Hawaii (almost double of East Hawaii). West Hawaii has an overabundance of it, so sending green waste to Kealakehe (closer to Kailua-Kona), where the public is more willing to pick up. East Hawaii has limited quantities (enhanced mulch developed 80 cubic yards/day = 5 tons/day). • Reuse Program: very successful; workers take pride & ownership of sites • Future of Recycling Programs: Will update its Integrated Resources Solid Waste Management Plan beginning in FY17-18; Litter is a problem and a Lifter Reduction Program is needed. Mr. Vidgen asked what can be done about litter? He'd observed a dog and owner near Coconut Island, the dog was picking up litter & putting it into trashcan. Mr. Hayducsko: We need a powerful anti-litter community campaign that reaches out to the young. Director Kucharski: There is no County department responsible for litter, nor any County program to control lifter. The Hawaii County Code has only 4 lines addressing litter (citation issued by Police, and a fine). Perhaps in the next fiscal year there can be enabling legislation (amendment to the County Code) and a budget so DEM has some responsibility. Dr. Bennett requested `Litter Control' be added as an agenda item, so the Commission can write to the County Council. Dr. Bennett offered to draft a letter to the County Council in support of a resolution. Mr. Fear wants to propose an increase in the monetary fine for littering. He is interested in finding out the number of litter citations that are issued by the Police. However, it is the lowest priority (for law enforcement), so it is difficult to have more citations issued for littering Director Kucharski stated more than 50,000 of the State's 90,000 cesspools are on this island, many near the coastline. There are private waste treatment systems around Kealakehe. Kailua-Kona is on the County's sewer system. Sometimes there is leakage from the inflow of salt into our County sewer lines (`INI'). The County doesn't have control over some areas, such as the hotels private sewer lines feeding into the County's system. Unless there is a very detailed study, it is difficult to identify the source(s) of contamination. Unfortunately, there is no simple or good answer. To find a diffuse system discharge is difficult. Ocean water quality & beach closures are under the State Department of Health (DOH). The Department of Environmental Management is an operating department, and not a regulatory agency. However, if the County is causing a problem, then the department must address it. Dr. Bennett stated that every discharge needs a NPDES Permit, through the DOH. But the DOH Clean Water Branch/Environmental Division is an abysmal failure. For example, DOH refused to put a sign on the beach where there was contamination. It took a group going to the EPA, then EPA forced the State to put up signs. Tests used by DOH are totally inappropriate, and will not reflect the presence of viruses or staph. DOH rarely ever closes a beach. DOH has to do multiple tests over multiple days & then takes the geometric average. This gives the public a false sense of security. Dr. Bennett wrote a long article, but West Hawaii Today refused to publish it. Perhaps private persons can do private monitoring, such as the Surfrider Foundation. Dr. Bennett offered to do a Powerpoint presentation on this topic, if requested. Mr. Vidgen suggested a County Council resolution requesting the State look into this. • District 1: Ms. Neff reported raw sewage spilled into Hilo Bay in early April, so the Businessmen's canoe race was cancelled. From Puhi Bay through Kaipalaoa (in front of Wainaku), the pollution can be smelled one month later. What's happening to the facility where it came from? Director Kucharski reported that this was not an operational error. There is a 10" pipe under Waianuenue Avenue. Upstream is the high school, the jail, and the hospital, which all discharge into this sewer main. The blockage was caused by clothing (jumpsuits, shirts) caught on a chisel that somehow got into the sewer line. There is an old 4" line, whose existence was unknown, which discharged the overflow into the Wailuku River. Our Wastewater Division responded immediately to resolve the situation. The County posted signs, had 13 monitoring stations, and took a water samplings at the time of the spill and daily thereafter. The samplings were sent to DOH on Day 1. On Day 2 half of the beaches were opened. On Day 3 there was no indication of contamination, so the shoreline was opened on Day 4. The mandated testing involves culture plates in petri dishes. DOH makes the determination whether to keep beaches closed, the County does not have the authority to do so in these situations. On that same date of the spillage, our very thinly staffed Wastewater Division was working to meet the EPA deadline for the Pahala/Na`alehu large capacity cesspool closure work plans. They can't do all of the things all of the time; we are working hard to increase our Wastewater staff, so the many projects can be completed faster. . Mr. Vidgen suggested the Commission start communicating more frequently and regularly with the mayor and the council that the department needs to funding to hire more people. 8. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS: • Wetlands wastewater disposal system — can be stricken • Presentation by Bio Energy Hawaii on Waste to Energy Program - confirmed by Christine Dochin for May 24, 2017 • Bill 13, Draft 2 (Styrofoam Bill) - June agenda 9. MEETING ANNOUNCEMENTS May 24 Kona WHCC Comm. Hale June 28 Hilo Puna Conf. Room, County Bldg. July 26 Kona WHCC Council Room A August 23 Hilo Puna Conf. Room, County Bldg. September 27 Kona WHCC Council Room A October 25 Hilo Puna Conf. Room, County Bldg. November 22 Kona WHCC Council Room A December 27 No meeting 10. ADJOURNMENT: The meeting was adjourned at 11:34 a.m. Minutes Respectfully Submitted by: DIANE NODA, Deputy Director for MARCIE TOGUCHI Environmental Management Secretary ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT COMMISSION MINUTES - April 26, 2017 APPDJWAI Hawaii County Building, Puna Conference Room, Hilo, Hi COMMISSIONERS PRESENT: James Fritz, Chair Richard Bennett, Vice Chair Jeffry Fear Luana Neff Susan Osborne Rick Vidgen STAFF: William Kucharski, Director Diane Nada, Deputy Director George Hayducsko, Recycling Coordinator Renee Schoen, Assistant Corporation Counsel 1. CALL TO ORDER & ANNOUNCEMENTS: The meeting was called to order at 9:13 a.m. by Chair Fritz. 2. APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF MARCH 22, 2017 MEETING: Vice Chair Bennett noted that he was instructed to contact Brown and Caldwell, Consultants for the Kealakehe Wastewater Treatment Plant R-1 Upgrade Project, via the department. He commented on their statement of the endangered species population. Dr. Bennett would like to amend a bullet point of the Brown & Caldwell presentation. Second to last bullet should state "New disposal system will be designed to significantly reduce nutrients by using polishing wetlands and a soil aquifer treatment system". (Amendment is underlined). He is concerned on how this conclusion was drawn. VI The minutes were unanimously approved as amended. [Motion by Dr. Bennett; seconded by Ms. Osborne.] 3. APPROVAL OF ADDENDUM AND/OR SUPPLEMENTAL AGENDA: None 4. STATEMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC ON ITEMS LISTED ON AGENDA: • Paul Buklarewicz, Executive Director of Recycle Hawaii introduced himself. Director Kucharski thanked Mr. Buklarewicz for adjusting his prices to the Request For Proposal that was issued for reuse centers, which enabled DEM to keep Pahoa Reuse Center open. • Michael Last questioned the Abandoned Vehicle Disposal Fee balance obtained information from Naomi O'Dell at the Vehicle Registration and Licensing Division and Sharon (Sandy) Shore at the department. He calculates there is $1.5 million excess funds in 2016. He wants to know what is being done with the excess funds, as well as last year's excess funds? • Jerome Warren stated the Targe capacity cesspool documents he received from the department were inadequate, the middle (substantive) pages are missing. The closure Summary of Comments on 2017-04-26 emc minutes bennett comments.pdf Page: 1 Number: 1 Author: drrhbennett Subject: Sticky Note Date: 5/23/17, 8:14:20 AM 2. Is NOT an accruate depiction of what was said by Bennett After contacting B and C Director Kurcharski request that future request for information be directed through him. The next sentence does not belong in that paragraph. Moreover it is very unclear and therefore meaningless Number: 2Author: drrhbennett Subject: Sticky Note Date: 5/23/17, 8:18:35 AM There is no reference or infomation about a conclusion. It an incomplete depiction of what was said. At issue was the statement by B and C that the SAT ponds would remove 90% of the Phosphorus and do so for 30 years. This conclusion was unsupported by the presentation andfurthere documentation is needed. Therefore Bennett cannosupportot the statements regarding the SAT pond performance Number: 3Author: drrhbennett Subject: Sticky Note Date: 5/23/17, 8:20:45 AM Balance is completely unclear. It would mean little to a person reading the minutes who was not there. of Na`alehu large capacity cesspools has been on the EMC agenda for more than a year, and there is still no decision. Also, the department is not communicating with the public; information could be included in the monthly bills. The department doesn't provide return envelopes along with the bills. 5. OLD BUSINESS a. Kealakehe Wastewater Treatment Plant Dr. Bennett commented that Brown & Caldwell did a good presentation, but it was devoid of data. Its difficult for the commission to do a critical analysis without data. �Q Also, can the soil model be modified, as there are issues with the phosphorous? Director Kucharski responded that this is at the preliminary design stage, and more vigorous testing will be done. b. Proper Disposal of Used Tires This remains a huge problem and eyesore. Tires left on the roadside is litter. Perhaps there should be more citations issued for littering, and an increase in fines. However, the reality is that littering is a low priority for the police. c. County Council Resolution 101-17, Authorizing the payment of funds of a multi -fiscal year agreement for furnishing greenwaste diversion operations in West Hawaii and East Hawail, has been withdrawn, d. Integrated Solid Waste Management Plan: The updates to the Solid Waste Management Plan is due in July 2019. Ms. Osborne requests this be placed on a future agenda and the Solid Waste Division Chief provide a status update. 6. NEW BUSINESS a. Discussion with Mayor Harry Kim (taken out of order after Item #5a) • Mayor Kim thanked the Commissioners for their voluntary service. • The compost contract issue with Hawaiian Earth Recycling (HER) has been satisfactorily resolved via negotiations. HER will continue with mulching only, and composting will be renegotiated. He is very satisfied with the resulting $500,000 annual savings to the County, • In response to Commissioner Fear's question: Although compost is free now, HER does intend to start charging for compost in the future. HER will profit from the sale of compost, not the County. • Dr. Bennett informed the Mayor that the new Director is very responsive and there is a good flow of information to the Commission. b. Recycling Presentation of FY15-16 Program Accomplishments and Costs by George Hayducsko, Recycling Coordinator • 2 -Bin Recycling: new signage needed; need to constantly educate the public • HI -5 Beverage Container Redemption: contractors are doing a good job (Business Services Hawaii; Atlas) • E -Waste Recycling: Mr. K's just signed a new contract; will be done on Saturdays 8:30am — 4:30pm; volume for FY15-16 was much higher than prior year. Page: 2 Number: 1 Author: drrhbennett Subject: Sticky Note Date: 5/23/17, 8:33:54 AM Again this paragraph is unclear., Bennett said it was devoid of data supporting the conclusions B and C provided. The next sentence is unclear. What model and be modified to do what?. What issues without explanation minutes do not mean much The director did say they B and C does intend to test the soils extensively to determine thier capacity to adsorb phosphorus at what rate and for how long c. Possible Input from Commission on Environmental Impact Statements (EIS) and Draft Environmental Assessments (EAs) • Chair Fritz cautioned that this may involve a lot of paperwork that the commission may not really want. Dr. Bennett is not suggesting that the commission has to review all documents, but the commission should at least receive notice of what is issued. Renee Schoen stated the Office of Environmental Quality Control (OEQC) website publishes a comprehensive list. Dr. Bennett noted there is a list of County departments that receive EAs (e.g., Planning Dept., Fire Dept.) so th- mission could write to the departments and request copies of the EA notices©. Noda will check with the other departments about the Commission receiving notices. 7. REPORTS/CORRESPONDENCE: a. Director's Report - see written report • In response to Mr. Fear's inquiry regarding the reinstatement of educational funds for recycling, Director Kucharski stated there are educational funds in the HER composting contract, and he will check whether it's specifically for recycling. • Unfortunately, when budget priorities are required, the department can request the educational funds, but not all requests will be approved. For the upcoming fiscal year, the department has been instructed to keep its budget 'flat' (same amount as last year). • DEM needs to fight littering, Mr. Fear shouldn't have to organize beach cleanups. Mr. Fear mentioned that a group of Minnesota kids saw a beach clean-up video, and will use one day of their vacation here to help with a beach clean up on May 19th b. Commissioners' Reports (by district): • District 6: Dr. Bennett introduced Jim Satoris, who worked with the Department of Interior, Department of Reclamation, and the subsistencat Kealakehe in 2001. He's encouraged Mr. Satoris to apply for EMC. Our reclaimed water contains a lot of salt, so we need to manage it better. Director Kucharski should inform Consultants that when they prepare their water budget, they need to look at the water needed for salt management. In deserts, like the area around Kona airport, irrigation & salt management needs to be addressed pro -actively. • District 8: Mr. Fear reported there is staph (Staphylococcus Aureus) in the sand at the Old Airport and Pinetrees, as examples. More water sampling is needed, as the County sewer plant is near there. The staph goes into the sand, and kids get rashes all over their bodies when they don't rinse off well. There are many reasons/sources for bacteria; for example, people defecate in the open when the bathrooms are broken. Director Kucharski will check on test results for the wastewater discharge, because there should not be any raw sewage in the water, as all discharge is first disinfected. (�1 Page: 3 Number: 1 Author: drrhbennett Subject: Sticky Note Date: 5/23/17, 8:38:33 AM Not correct. Bennett asked how the EMC could get on the EA EIS distribution list Not that we write to departments.. FYI Planning Dept does distribution of EA. Thus the request from DEM to Planning should suffice Number: 2Author: drrhbennett Subject: Sticky Note Date: 5/23/17, 8:41:10 AM Again, NOT correct. Jime worked with the county to design in a Wetlands for the KWWTP Number: 3Author: drrhbennett Subject: Sticky Note Date: 5/23/17, 8:41:40 AM Missing discussion summary....ln regards to the KWWTP sump discharge, The director did not know if the water was disinfected. Bennett said the previous director wrote him several years ago to say the water was not required to be disinfected. • Household Hazardous Waste (HHW): No `sharps' (needles) are allowed; perhaps DEM can work with the local hospitals or Lions Clubs regarding proper disposal; very expensive program to run, but DEM is getting quite a few calls. A goldenrod '/4 -sheet was distributed with HHW Collection Hours. • Scrap Metals & White Goods: does include air conditioners; the workers here know how to handle these items with Freon. • Used Motor Oil Program: There was a vendor `hiccup,' as Hawaii Petroleum was sending the oil to a Maui sugar mill, but that shut down. Vendor has worked with HELCO, and may end with a better result if HELCO can use the oil locally on - island, but this is not finalized yet. • Tire Education Program: Tire vendors must charge a fee for old tires (incentive for customer to leave their old tires when new ones are purchased); No State recommendation or standard charge, approx. $5-$7/tire; Need to educate vendors, then educate the general public (2 -tiers); Vendors are receptive to DEM's input; Firestone Co. is shipping tires to CA, other vendors are shipping to Oahu; Industry norm is to 'chip & coal it,' unsure what vendors are doing here; Vendors must have cover to keep tires dry & no mosquitoes breeding. • Green Waste: Being collected at Transfer Stations and transported to one of our Sanitary Landfills; tonnage received is much higher in West Hawaii (almost double of East Hawai'i). West Hawaii has an overabundance of it, so sending green waste to Kealakehe (closer to Kailua-Kona), where the public is more willing to pick up. East Hawaii has limited quantities (enhanced mulch developed 80 cubic yards/day = 5 tons/day). • Reuse Program: very successful; workers take pride & ownership of sites • Future of Recycling Programs: Will update its Integrated Resources Solid Waste Management Plan beginning in FY17-18; Litter is a problem and a Litter Reduction Program is needed. Mr. Vidgen asked what can be done about litter? He'd observed a dog and owner near Coconut Island, the dog was picking up litter & putting it into trashcan. Mr. Hayducsko: We need a powerful anti -litter community campaign that reaches out to the young. Director Kucharski: There is no County department responsible for litter, nor any County program to control litter. The Hawaii County Code has only 4 lines addressing litter (citation issued by Police, and a fine). Perhaps in the next fiscal year there can be enabling legislation (amendment to the County Code) and a budget so DEM has some responsibility. Dr. Bennett requested `Litter Control' be added as an agenda item, so the Commission can write to the County Counci Bennett offered to draft a letter to the County Council in support of a resoluti. n. Mr. Fear wants to propose an increase in the monetary fine for littering. He is interested in finding out the number of litter citations that are issued by the Police. However, it is the lowest priority (for law enforcement), so it is difficult to have more citations issued for littering Page: 4 Number: 1 Author: drrhbennett Subject: Sticky Note Date: 5/21117, 9:48:21 AM Dr. Bennett commented that the countyneeds to do more to foster an anti littering ethic and to teach people to embrace Aloha Aina . Bennett offered to write a resolution and bring it to the next meeting Director Kucharski stated more than 50,000 of the State's 90,000 cesspools are on this island, many near the coastline. There are private waste treatment systems around Kealakehe. Kailua-Kona is on the County's sewer system Sometimes there is leakage from the inflow of salt into our County sewer lin s OW). The County doesn't have control over some areas, such as the hotels private sewer lines feeding into the County's system. Unless there is a very detailed study, it is difficult to identify the source(s) of contamination. Unfortunately, there is no simple or good answer. To find a diffuse system discharge is difficult. Ocean water quality & beach closures are under the State Department of Health (DOH). The Department of Environmental Management is an operating department, and not a regulatory agency. However, if the County is causing a problem, then the department must address it. Dr. Bennett stated that every discharge needs a NPDES Permit, through the DOH. But the DOH Clean Water Branch/Environmental Division is an abysmal failurel For example, DOH refused to put a sign on the beach where there was contamination. It took a group going to the EPA, then EPA forced the State to put up signs. Tests used by DOH are totally inappropriate, and will not reflect the presence of viruses or staph. DOH rarely ever closes a beach. DOH has to do multiple tests over multiple days & then takes the geometric average. rib_ . gives the public a false sense of security. Dr. Bennett wrote a long ark, -7747 but West Hawaii Today refused to publish it. Perhaps private persons can do private monitoring, such as the Surfrider Foundation. Bennett offered to do a Powerpoint presentation on this topic, if requested.Vidgen suggested a County Council resolution requesting the State look into this. • District 1: Ms. Neff reported raw sewage spilled into Hilo Bay in early April, so the Businessmen's canoe race was cancelled. From Puhi Bay through Kaipalaoa (in front of Wainaku), the pollution can be smelled one month later. What's happening to the facility where it came from? Director Kucharski reported that this was not an operational error. There is a 10" pipe under Waianuenue Avenue. Upstream is the high school, the jail, and the hospital, which all discharge into this sewer main. The blockage was caused by clothing (jumpsuits, shirts) caught on a chisel that somehow got into the sewer line. There is an old 4" line, whose existence was unknown, which discharged the overflow into the Wailuku River. Our Wastewater Division responded immediately to resolve the situation. The County posted signs, had 13 monitoring stations, and took a water samplings at the time of the spill and daily thereafter. The samplings were sent to DOH on Day 1. On Day 2 half of the beaches were opened. On Day 3 there was no indication of contamination, so the shoreline was opened on Day 4. The Page: 5 Number: 1 Author: drrhbennett Subject: Sticky Note Date: 5/23/17, 8:44:43 AM Some of the homes in Kailua Kona are on the county sewer system Number: 2Author: drrhbennett Subject: Sticky Note Date: 5/23/17, 8:45:50 AM by not requiring the permit. Number: 3Author: drrhbennett Subject: Sticky Note Date: 5/21/17, 9:49:16 AM Number: 4Author: drrhbennett Subject: Sticky Note Date: 5/23/17, 8:51:59 AM It was offered and requested to be put on the next meeting agenda. For reasons unknown it was not done. Bennett asked the Commissioners if the wished to see it most nodded in agreement. For future reference all such requests to agendize items will be made formally to assure they are so noted in the minutes Not reported is the discussion between corp. counsel and Bennett regarding the appropriateness of this presentatoin. Bennett reference sewage spill) in Kona and Hilo and the need for the EMC to undersand the states monitoring program and its limitation. mandated testing involves culture plates in petri dishe H makes the determination whether to keep beaches closed, the County does not have the authority to do so in these situations. On that same date of the spillage, our very thinly staffed Wastewater Division was working to meet the EPA deadline for the Pahala/Na`alehu Targe capacity cesspool closure work plans. They can't do all of the things all of the time; we are working hard to increase our Wastewater staff, so the many projects can be completed faster. . Mr. Vidgen suggested the Commission start communicating more frequently and regularly with the mayor and the council that the department needs to funding to hire more people. 8. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS: • Wetlands wastewater disposal system — can be stricken • Presentation by Bio Energy Hawaii on Waste to Energy Program - confirmed by Christine Dochin for May 24, 2017 • Bill 13, Draft 2 (Styrofoam Bill) - June agenda 9. MEETING ANNOUNCEMENTS May 24 June 28 July 26 August 23 September 27 October 25 November 22 December 27 Kona Hilo Kona Hilo Kona Hilo Kona No meeting WHCC Comm. Hale Puna Conf. Room, County Bldg. WHCC Council Room A Puna Conf. Room, County Bldg. WHCC Council Room A Puna Conf. Room, County Bldg. WHCC Council Room A 10. ADJOURNMENT: The meeting was adjourned at 11:34 a.m. Minutes Respectfully Submitted by: DIANE NODA, Deputy Director for MARCIE TOGUCHI Environmental Management Secretary Page: 6 Number: 1 Author: drrhbennett Subject: Sticky Note Date: 5/21/17, 9:52:34 AM This is incorrect. They use the Idexx Enteolert quanty tray MPN method. Culture plates are use to measure C. perfringens it is not known if they did this for the Hilo bay testing Number: 2Author: drrhbennett Subject: Sticky Note Date: 5/23/17, 8:54:30 AM Missing is the Microbe Water Testing presentation by Bennett When the secretary was asked by Bennett about the agenda item she informed that Chairman Fritz had no recollection of the discussion about putting it on the agenda. t. When asked about the tapes she said the machine was not working that day