THE SENATE

S.C.R. NO.

179

TWENTY-SECOND LEGISLATURE, 2003

 

STATE OF HAWAII

 
   


SENATE CONCURRENT

RESOLUTION

 

ESTABLISHING A TASK FORCE TO ADDRESS SOLID WASTE MANAGEMENT CONCERNS AND TO ASSIST WITH THE REVISION AND IMPLEMENTATION OF INTEGRATED SOLID WASTE MANAGEMENT PLANS FOR THE STATE AND EACH COUNTY.

 

WHEREAS, the solid waste landfills in Hawaii are near capacity in all counties, thus posing an anticipated health and environmental emergency crisis; and

WHEREAS, the State maintains and supports various waste management initiatives, including recycling as an important element of an integrated solid waste management system, although currently only thirty percent of the solid waste generated in the State is being recycled; and

WHEREAS, at this time, recycling and other proposed initiatives do not divert a sufficient amount of solid waste to meaningfully extend the life of existing landfills; and

WHEREAS, pursuant to chapter 342G, Hawaii Revised Statutes, the State and each county are required to develop and implement Integrated Solid Waste Management Plans to safely and effectively manage solid waste with the least adverse impact on human health and the environment by means of a variety of waste management practices and processing methods; and

WHEREAS, pursuant to chapter 342G-24, Hawaii Revised Statutes, each state-approved county plan shall be reviewed, revised, and submitted to the Office of Solid Waste Management once every five years; and

WHEREAS, the Office of Solid Waste Management updated the 1991 Integrated Solid Waste Management Plan for the State of Hawaii in July 2000, and expects the counties to follow suit; and

WHEREAS, the Office of Solid Waste Management has reported that Hawaii County updated their 1993 Integrated Solid Waste Management Plan in December 2002, while Maui County has not updated its plan since 1993, City and County of Honolulu since 1993, and Kauai County since 1994; and

WHEREAS, it is essential that the counties update and revise their respective Integrated Solid Waste Management Plan in order to effectively address the current landfill crisis and other related issues in their respective jurisdiction; and

WHEREAS, the State must now refocus and concentrate on solid waste management issues to avert a looming health and environmental catastrophe; now, therefore,

BE IT RESOLVED by the Senate of the Twenty-Second Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2003, the House of Representatives concurring, that the Department of Health is requested to convene an Integrated Solid Waste Management Task Force (Task Force) to address current solid waste management concerns and to assist with the revision and implementation of Integrated Solid Waste Management Plans for the State and each county; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the task force's mission shall be to:

(1) Meet the requirements of chapter 342G, Hawaii Revised Statutes;

(2) Provide how the counties shall address landfill issues, including but not limited to, siting and selection criteria for new landfills, closure of existing landfills, recycling, and waste stream diversion; and

(3) Report on the compliance by counties with section 340A-3, Hawaii Revised Statutes, on the disposal of solid waste in designated areas and facilities consistent with the public interest and make recommendations on how to achieve further compliance with that section; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the membership of the task force shall include:

(1) The Director of Health, or the Director's designee, who will also serve as the chair of the task force;

(2) An individual from each county representing the respective county's solid waste management agency;

(3) Two individuals representing the solid waste management industry selected by the Director of Health; and

(4) Two individuals representing environmental interests selected by the Director of Health; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Director of Health shall submit a report on the task force's actions and recommendations, including proposed legislation, to the Legislature no later than twenty days prior to the convening of the Regular Session of 2004; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that certified copies of this Concurrent Resolution be transmitted to the Governor, the Director of Health, and the respective Mayors of each county.

 

 

 

OFFERED BY:

_____________________________

Report Title:

Integrated Solid Waste Management Plan; Task Force