Hawaii House Bill HCR70

Hawaii 2022 Regular Session

• Introduced: 3/10/22
• Refer: 3/14/22
• Report Pass: 3/31/22
• Engrossed: 3/31/22
• Refer: 4/1/22

Caption

Urging Marine Corps Base Hawaii To Upgrade The Capacity Of Its Sewage Treatment Plant And Redundancy Of The Components To Ensure That Final Effluent Quality Is In Compliance With State Permitting Requirements.

Impact

The resolution not only calls for immediate upgrades to the sewage treatment facilities but also suggests enhancements to existing water reuse systems for irrigation purposes. By advocating for the reestablishment of water reuse, particularly for the irrigation of Klipper Golf Course, HCR70 aims to decrease the consumption of potable water on the base and mitigate environmental discharge issues. This aligns with broader state goals to reduce ocean discharge and promote water conservation, echoing directives set forth in the 2019 Water Quality Plan by Hawaii’s Department of Health.

Summary

HCR70 is a House Concurrent Resolution urging Marine Corps Base Hawaii to upgrade its sewage treatment plant's capacity and components' redundancy to ensure compliance with state water quality permitting requirements. The bill addresses concerns about the significant volume of treated wastewater—approximately 1.5 million gallons daily—released into Kailua Bay, which is heavily used for recreational activities. This resolution highlights the importance of protecting water quality and human health, particularly in light of historical exceedances of bacterial limits set by health authorities.

Sentiment

The general sentiment around HCR70 appears to be positive, reflecting community support for improved environmental standards and infrastructure resilience at Marine Corps Base Hawaii. Stakeholders likely view the resolution as a necessary step towards balancing military operations with environmental stewardship. However, there may be underlying concerns about the military's responsiveness to environmental criticism and the adequacy of current measures to ensure long-term compliance with health standards.

Contention

While HCR70 calls for improvements, there may be challenges related to funding and prioritization of projects within military budgets. Some may question the efficiency of proposed upgrades and whether they will substantially address the history of non-compliance. Moreover, discussions may arise about the potential impacts on military operations and local ecosystems, particularly if the upgrades require significant time or displacement efforts, thereby necessitating a careful balancing act between military needs and environmental protection.