HomeMy WebLinkAbout2018-05-23 EMC Agenda and Director's Informational Report
ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT COMMISSION
COUNTY OF HAWAIʻI
MEETING AGENDA
DATE: May 23, 2018
TIME: 9:00 a.m.
PLACE: West Hawaiʻi Civic Center, Building G
74-5044 Ane Keohokalole Highway
Kailua-Kona, Hawaiʻi
1. CALL TO ORDER
2. APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF APRIL 25, 2018
3. STATEMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC ON AGENDA ITEMS
4. UNFINISHED BUSINESS
a. Continued discussion regarding the composting of old lumber and whether borate
degrades the compost quality.
b. Continued discussion on recommending that the Department of Environmental
Management include educational components in its contracts.
c. Subcommittee’s report pursuant to its investigation on how to address
implementing the Commission’s resolution approved and adopted on March 28,
2018, to adopt a proactive pollution elimination program consistent with the goals
of the Clean Water Act.
5. NEW BUSINESS
None.
6. REPORTS/CORRESPONDENCE
a. Director’s Informational Report. (Note: The report is available on the County’s
website at http://records.co.hawaii.hi.us/weblink/Browse.aspx?startid=8405&dbid=1
or go to County of Hawaiʻi.gov / Boards & Commissions / Environmental
Management Commission / Agendas / 2018.)
The Director will provide informational updates on the following:
(1) Status of Kealakehe Wastewater Treatment Plant Maintenance.
(2) Discussion of R-1 water management.
7. COMMISSIONERS’ DISTRICT UPDATE REPORTS AND ISSUES
Chair Bennett will provide information on educational resources for the commissioners
and the public.
8. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS
Commissioners can suggest items they would like placed on the next agenda.
9. ANNOUNCEMENTS
a. The next meeting is scheduled for June 27, 2018, in Hilo at the Aupuni Center
Conference Room at 101 Pauahi Street, Suite 1.
10. ADJOURNMENT
The regular meeting place is accessible to persons with disabilities. To request an auxiliary aid or
language translation, please call 961-8083 five days prior to the meeting date. Comments may be
sent to the Department of Environmental Management, 345 Kekūanāoʻa Street, Suite 41, Hilo,
Hawaiʻi 96720, or emailed to cohdem@hawaiicounty.gov.
Notice to lobbyists: If you are a lobbyist, you must register with the Hawaiʻi County Clerk within
five days of becoming a lobbyist. \[Article 15, Section 2-91.3(b), Hawaiʻi County Code.\] A lobbyist
means “any individual engaged for pay or other consideration who spends more than five hours in
any month or $275 in any six-month period for the purpose of attempting to influence legislative or
administrative action by communicating or urging others to communicate with public officials.”
\[Article 15, Section 2-91.3(a)(6), Hawaiʻi County Code.\] Registration forms and expenditure report
documents are available at the Office of the County Clerk-Council, 25 Aupuni Street, Hilo, Hawaiʻi
96720.
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DIRECTOR’S INFORMATIONAL REPORT
TO THE ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT COMMISSION
MAY 23, 2018
CURRENT LEGISLATION
ITEM: n/a
DESCRIPTION: Department of Environmental Management's Departmental Budget and Program Reviews before the County Council.
CURRENT STATUS: County Council will meet May 21-22, 2018, on the budgets.
DIRECTOR’S INFORMATIONAL UPDATES
1. Update on the Asset Management Plan for the Wastewater Division.
2. Report on May 4, 2018, meeting with septage haulers (see handout).
3. Information requested at previous meeting:
• Find out whether the State of Hawaiʻi accepted or exceeded the federal standards for
nutrient discharge requirements for NPDES permits.
• Research the composting of old lumber and whether borate degrades its quality.
• Report on the status of the education component of the Hawaiian Earth Recycling
contract, and inform the parties that the EMC wants the educational component
maintained in the contract.
• Find out what the EPA deems the hazardous level of arsenic in landfills.
◦ If soil contains arsenic above naturally occurring levels (24 milligrams per
kilogram \[mg/kg\]), the DOH recommends additional testing for bioaccessible
arsenic. Bioaccessibility testing on iron-rich, volcanic Hawaiian soils has shown
that only 5% to 20% of the total arsenic in soil is potentially available for
absorption in the body. This means that 80% to 95% of the arsenic is too tightly
bound to the soil to pose a potential risk.
◦ DOH makes its final health risk determinations based on bioaccessible arsenic
levels, not total arsenic levels. In soil, levels of up to 23 mg/kg of bioaccessible
arsenic are suitable for unrestricted land use—including homes, schools, and
daycare centers. Properties with higher arsenic levels may require exposure
prevention strategies for residential or school uses. DOH provides additional
guidance in interpreting arsenic data for properties and in determining what steps, if
any, should be taken to reduce exposure.
◦ See handouts.
• Contact the State about sampling the water off Aliʻi Drive that former Commissioner
Fear was concerned about.
The DOH has been contacted and we are waiting a response.
• Is there anywhere else where a WWTP is located near a school?
SOLID WASTE DIVISION PROJECTS AND UPDATES
1. OPERATIONS
A. COMMERCIAL DRIVERS LICENSING (CDL) TRAINING:
• Two employees are participating in the CDL training program which will
allow them to be temporarily assigned to Equipment Operator III work.
B. WEST HAWAI‘I SANITARY LANDFILL:
• No updates.
C. EQUIPMENT
• SWD was able to get several pieces of equipment back up and running. They
also met with the Department of Public Works (DPW) and Finance
Department to explore utilizing DPW funding to perform repair work on one
of the landfill compactors at WHSL.
2. ADMINISTRATION
SWD conducted interviews for Equipment Operator III, Solid Waste Facility Attendant,
and Clerk III positions.
3. SOLID WASTE CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS
• SWD has continued working on the restated contract with Hawaiian Earth Recycling,
and it will likely be finalized in early May. This will reestablish the contract for
greenwaste and composting services. Meetings were held in Oahu to attempt to
finalize changes to the restated contract.
• The consultant continued the work for the environmental assessment that is needed for
the East Hawai’i Compost Facility. Pre-consultation letters were sent out in early
April.
4. COMPLIANCE
• The Solid Waste Advisory Committee met on May 9, 2018. On June 13, 2018, it is
scheduled to have a limited meeting for the purpose of a site visit of the SWD’s East
Hawaiʻi facilities.
• The State DOH conducted facility inspections of the SWD transfer stations in Miloli’i,
Wai‘ōhinu, and Pāhoa.
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5. RECYCLING SECTION
A. ORGANICS DIVERSION PROGRAM:
• The SWD is in the process of revising the contract for the provision of
greenwaste and composting services.
B. TRANSFER STATION RECYCLABLES (“TWO-BIN”) COLLECTION AND
RECYCLING:
• The current contract will end on September 30, 2018. The SWD is now
enforcing the ban on illegal commercial usage of self-haul resident-only
recycling bins at recycling and transfer stations. Commercial generators/
collectors should work directly with recycling companies to manage
recyclables. Redesign of the Hilo site is proposed to better handle traffic and
customers. The Hilo Sort Station recyclables diversion has tentatively resumed
for commercial-only usage. SWD is working with the vendor to update and
replace signage and repair ramps. The Hilo and Puakō ramps were fixed and
painted.
C. DO-IT-YOURSELF (DIY) USED MOTOR OIL RECYCLING:
• IFB 3625 resulted in contract award to HFN and Cameron Corporation. The
Notice to Proceed issued on October 16, 2017.
• A list of island-wide year-round collection locations (seven) is on our website
at http://www.Hawaiizerowaste.org/recycle/motor-oil. Residents can also
recycle DIY used motor oil at all County Household Hazardous Waste
Collection Events. Used motor oil (UMO) is not accepted at the recycling and
transfer stations. The DOH ended funding of the program in FY2015. DEM
has funded the continuation of the UMO program in the FY2018 Budget.
D. REUSE CENTERS:
• RFP 3693 resulted in contract award to Transfer Station Thrift Store LLC for
all seven locations.
• The County operates seven Reuse Centers at Recycling and Transfer Stations
located in Hilo (opened June 5, 2017), Kea‘au, Pāhoa, Kealakehe, Keauhou,
Waimea, and Wai‘ōhinu (opened August 14, 2017).
E. ELECTRONICS RECYCLING:
• The IFB 3514 contract awarded to Mr. K’s R&R expired April 17, 2018. A
supplemental contract to extend services for a one- year period is awaiting
Notice to Proceed.
• Residents are allowed no-charge household electronics recycling on Saturdays
at Mr. K’s R&R. Businesses, non-profits, schools, and others are offered
discounted fees on Saturdays. An acceptable list and more information is at
http://hawaiizerowaste.org/recycle/e-waste. Mr. K’s is open and accepting
electronics daily.
• The County provides free monthly electronic recycling collections in Hilo,
Kona, Waimea and Wai‘ōhinu for residential electronics only. Details of the
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County collections and any changes to private collections will be posted on our
website at http://hawaiizerowaste.org/recycle/e-waste.
• Currently, no manufacturer offers convenient on-island take-back of
electronics; manufacturers only offer convenience on O‘ahu to comply with
the Electronic Waste and Television Recycling & Recovery Act mandatory
take-back provisions. The DOH issued an MOA to the County to resume grant
funding in FY2018 Q4, partially reimbursing SWD electronics recycling
expenditures.
F. HOUSEHOLD HAZARDOUS WASTE (HHW):
• March’s Waimea and Pāhoa HHW turnouts and quantities collected were
similar to last year.
• The next HHW Collection Events are scheduled for June 2, 2018, in Kealakehe
and June 16, 2018, in Hilo. More information is available at
http://www.hazardouswaste.org/recycle/household-hazardous-waste/.
G. GREEN WASTE DIVERSION:
• The State Department of Agriculture finalized a permanent rule (HAR § 4-72-
13) prohibiting the interisland transport of ‘ōhi‘a plant material to prevent the
spread of Rapid Ōhiʽʽa Death caused by Ceratocystis lukuohia or Ceratocystis
huliohia. They also recommend not transporting ‘ōhi‘a plant material from an
infected area to a non-infected area. DEM has recommended that people not
bring any ‘ōhi‘a plant material to our greenwaste collection sites and
recommends composting on-site. The County’s new contract with Hawaiian
Earth Recycling continues greenwaste recycling. Enhanced mulch is available
at the East Hawai‘i Organics Facility. The mulch is treated for invasive
species at EHOF since the modified State Department of Health permit was
issued. The SWD relocated the greenwaste recycling at the Waimea Recycling
and Transfer Station to make it more convenient for residents.
H. SCHOOL RECYCLING AND TOURS:
• Requests for school and HCC/UHH tours of SWD facilities continue. Many
were scheduled in April to coincide with Earth Day. These tours are helpful in
educating the next generation on recycling and sustainability. Several tours
have already taken place for various schools island wide.
I. SPECIAL EVENT RECYCLING:
• The Recycling Section continues to offer free rental HI-5 Event Recycling Bins
for fundraisers at community, sports or family events. Bins can be requested via
an online application form at http://www.hawaiizerowaste.org/event-planning.
Please submit applications for reservations well in advance of events to make
sure bins are available and to schedule pick-up/drop-off. The
hawaiizerowaste.org website also provides helpful resources for planning zero-
waste events.
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J. HI-5 CERTIFIED REDEMPTION CENTERS (CRCs)
• The following Certified Redemption Centers are currently out to bid for IFB
3552, to “Provide Certified Redemption Center Services at County Recycling
& Transfer Stations 2018-2019” at Kealakehe, Kea‘au, Keauhou, Ocean View,
Volcano and Waimea. Business Services Hawaiʻi will continue to operate at
Hāwī, Hilo, Honoka‘a, and Puakō; and Atlas Recycling at the Wai‘ōhinu
certified redemption center. Sherri Izuno, Deposit Beverage Container
Program-Kona, started February 1, 2018. DBC staff submitted the County of
Hawaiʻi’s DBC Program budget request to the State DOH for 2018-2019.
K. RECYCLING EDUCATION AND OUTREACH:
• The Recycling Section’s website, www.hawaiizerowaste.org, completed its
transition to a mobile-ready format with enhanced location features. The
Recycling Section is researching upgrades to the website to improve
functionality and visitor experience.
• Information is continually updated on the site.
• The staff continues to give presentations to community organizations. The
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biggest event was the 30 Earth Day Fair at UH-Hilo on April 20, 2018, where
hundreds of students attended.
L. TIRE RECOVERY/RECYCLING EDUCTION AND OUTREACH:
• The contractor has completed the second round six-month follow-up of tire
retailer/wholesaler education and site inspections, educating tire retailers/
wholesalers of their responsibility to charge a disposal fee for tires sold and to
accept used tires from customers when tires are being replaced. One-year
follow-up site visits started in April.
• The contractor completed an initial and second round of consumer education
(media release, radio, newspaper, social media, posters/flyers, etc.) during the
September through December 2017 period, encouraging consumers to leave
used tires at the retailer when purchasing new ones, as customers already paid
the mandatory fee for disposal. Ads can be seen at
https://www.facebook.com/Return-Your-Tires-853709718126074.
• More information is at: http://www.hawaiizerowaste.org/recycle/tires/
6. DERELICT AND ABANDONED VEHICLE (DAV) PROGRAM
• Bids were opened for the vehicle disposal contracts. Hilo Impound Lot was awarded
to HMP, Inc., dba Business Services Hawaiʻi; the Notice to Proceed issued on
February 22, 2018. Kona and Puʻuanahulu Impound Lots were awarded to Big Island
Scrap Metal; the Notice to Proceed issued on March 19, 2018.
• DAV coordinators continue to meet with the Hawaiʻi Police Department, Traffic
Services Section, to explore ways of improving the tagging and removal of abandoned
vehicles.
• Notice to Proceed was issued for Zone 1, option one, for Ken’s Towing Service.
• Monthly towing numbers:
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AV Towing 2017-18
July: 46 in Hilo; 37 in Kona
August: 35 in Hilo, 64 in Kona
September: 47 in Hilo, 51 in Kona
October: 34 in Hilo, 55 in Kona
November: 37 in Hilo, 51 in Kona
December: 29 in Hilo, 52 in Kona
January: 45 in Hilo, 59 in Kona
February: 33 in Hilo, 40 in Kona
March: 40 in Hilo, 45 in Kona
April: 17 in Hilo, 48 in Kona
The total tow requests sent for the month of April 2018 was 71; however, 6 were not on
location at the time of arrival.
7. SORT STATION UPDATE (FY 17-18)
(Month and year; total tons taken to sort station; and total tons diverted)
Jul 2017: 1,091.43; 0.00
Aug 2017: 1,261.89; 0.00
Sept 2017: 1,128.11; 0.00
Oct 2017: 1,534.62; 0.00
Nov 2017: 1,484.47; 0.00
Dec 2017: 1,353.19; 0.00
Jan 2018: 1,456.82; 0.00
Feb 2018: 1,239.54; 0.00
Mar 2018: 1,964.27; 0.00
Apr 2018: 2,182.72; 0.00
Totals: 14,697.06; 0.00
Per the Solid Waste Division, Total Tons Diverted has been zero for some time because
they have not been conducting active sorting. Much of this is due to the storage of tires
in the Sort Station collected during the dengue outbreak. Waste is received at the Sort
Station early in the day, then the remainder is sent to the landfill. Just recently is the
SWD at the point where they have enough space in the sort station to receive waste.
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8. MONTHLY LANDFILL TONNAGES (FY 17-18)
(By Month/Year; SHSL; and WHSL)
Jul 2017: 6,285.01; 11,599.78
Aug 2017: 6,363.62; 11,580.58
Sept 2017: 6,037.19; 10,132.09
Oct 2017: 6,404.06; 11,406.20
Nov 2017: 5,956.18; 11,773.83
Dec 2017: 6,906.55; 10,988.65
Jan 2018: 6,510.36; 10,134.36
Feb 2018: 5,730.29; 9,517.57
Mar 2018: 6,702.33; 11,387.65
Apr 2018: 5,933.86; 15,030.98
Totals: 62,829.45; 113,551.69
WASTEWATER DIVISION PROJECTS AND UPDATES
1. COMPLIANCE
• TREATMENT AND DISPOSAL: No report.
• COLLECTION SYSTEM: No report.
2. OPERATIONS
A. TREATMENT/COLLECTION SYSTEMS AND PUMPING STATIONS/
FORCE MAINS:
• Unscheduled repairs/upgrades/replacement of failing equipment due to age and
prolonged wear and tear continue where necessary throughout the wastewater
facilities.
B. SAFETY PRACTICES/TRAINING:
• WWD Administration continues to review and update the Emergency
Response Procedures and the Standard Safety Procedures. Job Hazard
Assessment sheets have been updated.
3. ADMINISTRATION
A. VACANT POSITIONS IN OPERATIONS:
• Sewer Maintenance Working Supervisor (Hilo): recruitment in progress
• Trades Helper (temporary, Hilo – 2 positions): recruitment in progress
• Operator II (Hilo): recruitment in progress
• Wastewater Treatment Plant Supervisor IV (Hilo): recruitment in progress
• Assistant Operator (Hilo – 3 positions): recruitment in progress
• Assistant Operator (Kona – 1 position): recruitment in progress
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• Sewer Maintenance Repairer (Kona): interviews scheduled
• Wastewater Treatment Plant Supervisor III (Kona): recruitment in progress
B. VACANT POSITIONS AT RAILROAD OFFICE:
Engineering Support Tech IV: interviews scheduled
Civil Engineer IV: interviews completed
Engineering Student: requesting reallocation to Env. Eng. III
Student Helper I: requesting reallocation to Env. Eng. III
4. WASTEWATER CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS
A. NĀ‘ĀLEHU LARGE CAPACITY CESSPOOL REPLACEMENT:
• Based on feedback from the community, alternative potential sites are being
investigated.
• The State Environmental Assessment process is to be completed prior to the
acquisition of land for the treatment/disposal facility.
• Closure of the large capacity cesspools as mandated by the EPA will occur
once the treatment and disposal system has been constructed and properties
have been connected to the new collection system.
• The project is funded by Clean Water State Revolving Funds (CWSRF)
monies.
B. PĀHALA LARGE CAPACITY CESSPOOL REPLACEMENT:
• Public outreach meetings following the talk story sessions are tentatively
planned to take place sometime in May 2018.
• As a result of EPA funding for this project, the NEPA process in addition to the
State EA process are required. Both processes are to be completed prior to the
acquisition of land for the treatment/disposal facility.
• The WWD has been teleconferencing with the EPA and their consultants on a
bi-weekly basis to ensure all items in the NEPA process are completed.
• Closure of the large capacity cesspools as mandated by the EPA will occur
once the treatment and disposal system has been constructed and properties
have been connected to the new collection system.
• The project is funded by Clean Water State Revolving Funds (CWSRF)
monies and partially by a federal EPA grant.
C. NORTH KONA SEWER AND EFFLUENT REUSE UPGRADE:
• The fully executed MOU has been received by DEM. The project itself is
about 90% complete. The only remaining wastewater project item in progress
is the manhole rim adjustments to final grade.
• The State DOT began the overall project construction in September 2015.
Currently, the anticipated completion date is August 2018.
• The project is funded by Clean Water State Revolving Fund (CWSRF) monies.
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D. LONO KONA SEWER IMPROVEMENT DISTRICT:
• Project re-bid opening took place on 3/29/18. The County is securing USDA
concurrence on the contract awardee in accordance with the terms of their
Letter of Conditions associated with the USDA funding.
• Loan closing is in progress. Construction NTP is estimated to be issued early
June 2018.
• The USDA Rural Development has obligated loan and grant funds of
$2,437,000 and $4,024,800 respectively to this project.
E. KEALAKEHE AERATION UPGRADE AND SLUDGE REMOVAL:
• Final approval of the project will be issued pending the submittal of all close-
out documents.
• With respect to the Endangered Species Act for Hawaiian Stilts and Coots, the
County has executed a contract with Hoʻomaluo LLC to continue the predator
control and bird monitoring of endangered bird species.
• The project is funded by CWSRF monies which is being increased from $18
million to $23 million.
F. KEALAKEHE WWTP EFFLUENT R-1 UPGRADE:
• R-1 design continues to progress.
• The environmental process for the R-1 system is ongoing. A draft EIS is
anticipated to be published in mid-2018 followed by a 45-day comment period.
• The long range plans for R-1 quality effluent began in 2007 as a phased
approach. Phase I, which installs a reuse line between the Kohanaiki area and
Kealakehe Parkway, is planned under the State DOT’s Phase II Queen
Ka‘ahumanu Highway Project (see item C above).
• The DOH has earmarked SRF monies in the amount of $54 million to fund
both design and construction of the R-1 upgrade at the Kealakehe WWTP.
G. NORTH KONA SEWER PUMP STATION
• This new sewer pump station will be located on the mauka side of Queen
Kaʻahamanu Highway. It is to receive wastewater from a portion of the area
below Ane Keohokalole Highway between Hina Lani Street and Kealakehe
Parkway. The wastewater will be pumped to the Kealakehe WWTP via new
forcemains tentatively scheduled to be installed by mid-2020.
• The pre-design phase, including the archaeological and permitting
assessments, has begun. The Preliminary Engineering Report (PER) is in
process, and once the design concept is determined, a follow-up meeting will
be scheduled with Hawaiian cultural groups and archaeologists to discuss
impacts to the Māmalahoa Trail.
H. WASTEWATER EQUIPMENT REPLACEMENT PROJECTS:
• Pua Sewage Pump Station (SPS) Upgrade: Design of the upgrade to the Pua
SPS is in progress. It includes a complete renovation to include the structural,
electrical, and mechanical upgrades to the pump station. Cause for renovation
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is due to deterioration of the wet well from H2S; electrical component damage
due to H2S corrosion, and the overall age of the facility; and mechanical
damage due to faulty discharge line valves due to hydraulic surging. Work is
to include upgrading the HVAC; replacing/upgrading components of the
electrical system; replacing corroded duct work; upgrading the wet well level
control system; and improving on safety issues by eliminating fire and
electrical hazards to achieve compliance with NFPA 820 and 70E. The project
is funded by CWSRF monies.
• Hilo WWTP Administration Building Reroofing: Work on mold remediation
is complete. The work in progress is sheetrock installation, painting, and
HVAC work, and should be complete the end of June.
• ZOM Dilution and Assimilative Capacity Study: Field work for the Dilution
and Assimilative Capacity Study for the Pāpa‘ikou and Kula‘imano WWTPs
has been completed and a report is forthcoming.
I. ULU WINI WASTEWATER TREATMENT PLANT:
• The WWD continues to maintain stability of the treatment plant with the goal
of achieving consistent process data and meeting the regulatory as well as
expected effluent limits. The treatment system currently meets DOH
regulatory requirements, and nutrient removal is taking place. The longer term
goal is to cut down on operation and maintenance.
• Progress on the design plans and specifications (for the installation of the
immediately planned treatment plant upgrades aimed at maintaining treatment
plant stability and reliability plus lowered operations and maintenance cost for
the next several years) is on hold due to the Office of Housing and Community
Development’s notification to the Department that they are working with a
consultant to assess the condition of the treatment plant.
• The State DOH is being kept apprised of the progress.
J. SEWER RATE STUDY UPDATE:
• Work on the Sewer Rate Study continues. DEM is currently working with the
consultant on finalizing the rate study.
K. UPDATE ON WATER SHUT-OFF FOR NON PAYMENT OF SEWER BILLS:
• DEM is currently drafting administrative rules for the implementation of water
shut-off for non-payment of sewer fees. The Department of Water Supply
(DWS) is also drafting amendments to its rules to allow for water shut-off due
to non-payment of sewer fees. Both DEM and DWS rules need to be amended
for the water shut-off to be implemented. In the meantime, we continue to
work with delinquent customers to bring their accounts current and refer
accounts to the Office of the Corporation Counsel to pursue judgments when
necessary.
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