Hawaii 2022 Regular Session

Hawaii Senate Bill SCR90

Introduced

3/11/22

Refer

3/16/22

Report Pass

4/6/22

Engrossed

4/7/22

Refer

4/8/22

Report Pass

4/19/22

Passed

4/25/22

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 reflects the growing concern regarding wastewater management and environmental protection in Hawaii. Marine Corps Base Hawaii currently discharges approximately 1.5 million gallons of treated wastewater daily, which represents 10% of the total effluent going out into the ocean. By upgrading the sewage treatment facility, the base would align with the state's goals to improve water reuse for irrigation and other purposes, thereby conserving fresh water and protecting vital aquatic environments, as stipulated in the Department of Health’s Water Quality Plan.

Summary

SCR90 is a Senate Concurrent Resolution that urges Marine Corps Base Hawaii to upgrade the capacity of its sewage treatment plant and to enhance the redundancy of its components. This initiative is driven by the need to ensure that the final effluent quality adheres to state permitting requirements, particularly in light of the base’s history of exceeding bacteria limitations set by the Department of Health. The resolution emphasizes the importance of protecting water quality and human health, especially since Kailua Bay, into which the base discharges treated wastewater, is heavily used for recreational activities.

Sentiment

Overall, the sentiment surrounding SCR90 is supportive of increased environmental accountability and public health safety. Stakeholders, including environmental groups and local residents, have acknowledged the necessity of adherence to environmental regulations. The passage of this resolution indicates a commitment to addressing long-standing infrastructure issues and improving the overall wastewater management practices in the region. While there may not be significant opposition noted in discussions surrounding the bill, the general focus remains on the need for compliance and modernization of facilities.

Contention

A key contention arises from the historical compliance failures of the Marine Corps Base Hawaii, including multiple excesses of the effluent bacteria limitations in recent years. This highlights the urgency of the resolution and the need for a comprehensive strategy to upgrade the sewage treatment infrastructure, which has been in use since 1947. Thus, while the resolution is largely seen as a necessary and positive step forward, it underscores the challenges of maintaining environmental standards against existing infrastructural limitations and the importance of continuous investment in facility upgrades.

Companion Bills

HI HCR70

Same As 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.

HI SR80

Previously Filed As

HI SCR130

Urging The Department Of Health To Take All Action Necessary To Require Wastewater Treatment Plants To Test Sewage Sludge And Any Other Residual Material For The Presence Of Perfluoroalkyl And Polyfluoroalkyl Substances.

HI SR112

HI SCR182

Urging The Public Utilities Commission To Honor And Comply With Its Statutory Duty To Investigate The Causes Of The August 2023 Maui Wildfires As Required By Section 269-9, Hawaii Revised Statutes.

HI SCR167

Urging The Department Of Health And Encouraging The County Of Maui, United States Army Corps Of Engineers, And Federal Emergency Management Agency To Take Certain Measures To Ensure The Safest Possible Management Of Ash And Debris From The August 2023 Maui Wildfires.

HI SCR195

Requesting The National Energy Laboratory Of Hawaii Authority To Work With The University Of Hawaii At Manoa To Develop New Master And Strategic Plans.

HI HB1136

Relating To The Hawaii Institute Of Marine Biology.

HI SCR221

Requesting That The Agribusiness Development Corporation Conduct A Study On The Feasibility Of Developing Desalination Plants In West And South Maui That Are Co-located With Hydrological Power Plants.

HI SCR91

Authorizing The Cancellation Of Governor's Executive Order No. 3006 And Reset Aside To The County Of Maui, Department Of Environmental Management, For Sewage Treatment Plant Purposes, Kahului, Wailuku, Maui, Tax Map Key Number: (2) 3-8-001:188 And Seaward Of 188 And The Issuance Of A Perpetual, Non-exclusive Easement To The County Of Maui, Department Of Environmental Management, For Wastewater Force Main Purposes, Kahului, Wailuku, Maui, Tax Map Key Number: (2) 3-8-001: Portion Of 119.

HI SCR87

Urging The Department Of Hawaiian Home Lands To Adopt And Implement A Neighborhood Security Watch In Each Homestead Area.

HI SCR3

Urging The United States Geological Survey To Conduct Topographical Surveys, Particularly Within Lava-flow Hazard Zones 1 And 2, To Update Its Long-term Lava-flow Hazard Map Of Hawaii Island.