Hawaii Senate Bill SB388

Hawaii 2024 Regular Session

• Introduced: 1/20/23
• Refer: 1/25/23
• Refer: 2/17/23
• Report Pass: 3/2/23
• Engrossed: 3/3/23
• Refer: 3/9/23
• Report Pass: 3/24/23
• Refer: 3/24/23

Caption

Relating To Waste Disposal Facilities.

Impact

By stipulating that no waste disposal facility can be situated near aquifers without a established buffer zone of at least one-half mile, SB388 directly impacts future waste management strategies in the state. The law reinforces existing regulations that have raised concerns about potential sources of water contamination and prioritizes environmental health over waste management needs. It also builds on previous legislation, such as Act 73, which limited waste facility siting in conservation districts. This could lead to additional complications for local governments tasked with relocating existing landfills while ensuring the protection of water supplies.

Summary

Senate Bill 388 aims to protect Hawaii's freshwater resources by prohibiting the construction, modification, or expansion of waste disposal facilities—specifically municipal solid waste landfills—near or above significant aquifers. This legislation follows recent environmental concerns, especially following the contamination of the Pearl Harbor-Hickam water system due to a fuel leak, which prompted the need for stringent protective measures for aquifers on which the state's water supply heavily relies. The bill emphasizes that the search for new landfill sites must not compromise the integrity of these vital water sources.

Contention

Opponents of the bill may argue that such stringent limitations on landfill location could lead to increased costs and logistical challenges for waste disposal in urban areas, particularly as Honolulu prepares to relocate the Waimanalo Gulch Sanitary Landfill by 2028. The legislation's strict buffer zones may be seen as overly restrictive by some stakeholders who advocate for a balanced approach to waste management that considers both public health and practical disposal needs. As urbanization grows, the challenge will be to find compromise solutions that safeguard environmental health without hampering effective waste management.