STAND. COM. REP. NO.771

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2003

RE: S.B. No. 1532

 

 

Honorable Robert Bunda

President of the Senate

Twenty-Second State Legislature

Regular Session of 2003

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Water, Land, and Agriculture, to which was referred S.B. No. 1532 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO SOLID WASTE,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to require counties to allow solid waste disposal above the underground injection control line established by the Safe Drinking Water Branch of the Department of Health, provided that environmental health standards are satisfied.

Testimony in support of this measure was submitted by Central Oahu Recycling & Disposal Facility, the Estate of James Campbell, One Synergy, and a concerned citizen. Testimony in opposition to this measure was submitted by the Department of Health and the Board of Water Supply. Oral testimony in opposition to the measure was presented by the City and County of Honolulu's Department of Environmental Service and the Councilmember from Makaha.

Your Committee finds that this issue is of great concern to everyone. The State is in an emergency situation with current landfills, and the underground injection control (UIC) line would limit the building of solid waste landfills to along our State coastlines, either in very close proximity to our pristine beaches or in nearby resorts and neighborhoods. Design and construction technologies for landfills have greatly improved over the past twenty years, and Oahu's Waimanalo Gulch Landfill is located over an aquifer and a current drinking water source. Flexibility in the UIC line would make planning easier for the counties.

Your Committee also finds that requiring the counties to allow solid waste disposal activities, including landfills, over drinking water aquifers raises concerns. This measure would be in conflict with Section 3-301, Waste Disposal Facilities of the Board of Water Supply Rules and Regulations establishing a No-Pass Zone, which is a groundwater protection zone for domestic water supplies, including the potable aquifer.

Your Committee believes this measure should continue in the legislative process to promote further discussion.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Water, Land, and Agriculture that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 1532 and recommends that it pass Second Reading and be placed on the calendar for Third Reading.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Water, Land, and Agriculture,

____________________________

LORRAINE R. INOUYE, Chair