Urgency sought in landfill closures

By Catherine E. Toth
Advertiser Central O'ahu Writer

Two senators are urging the state to take immediate action to address what they say are unresolved health hazards at the Waipahu incinerator and adjacent landfill.

Sen. Ron Menor and Sen. Rosalyn Baker sent a letter to the state Department of Health on Wednesday saying they want it to press the city to meet state and federal regulations on appropriately closing the incinerator and landfill.

But the DOH said the city is moving along with proper closure procedures, including monitoring the groundwater for possible leaching of hazardous waste.

The state's investigation into illegal dumping at the site found two areas that had brick and ash material from the incinerator deemed hazardous waste for its potential to migrate into the groundwater. That material was removed and disposed of at a hazardous waste landfill in Nevada last month, state officials said.

The city is finalizing its closure plan for the incinerator site, which is due to the state on Aug. 30. Closure plans for the landfill, which is on U.S. Navy property, are also in the works, state officials said.

"We're moving forward," said Steve Chang, DOH's solid and hazardous waste branch chief. "The city is forthcoming in providing the information we need and following our lead in disposal (suggestions)."

The state plans to hold a public meeting sometime next month to discuss the progress at the four sites: two at the incinerator, one at the closed landfill across the street and one in a gully near the Waipi'o Soccer Complex.

But the two senators are not convinced that the city is moving fast enough.

"I think the city's been given more than enough time," Menor said. "The things I'm raising are things the city's own consultants have recommended. ... The city needs to move more vigorously."

Menor, D-17th (Mililani, Waipi'o), and Baker, the Senate's Health Committee chairwoman, both reviewed documents provided by the DOH regarding illegal dumping at the sites. They are concerned about the potential environmental and health problems the sites could cause should the city not act quickly on cleanup and monitoring of the area.

"My conclusion is the state, and especially the city, needs to do more to address the health and environmental concerns at the site," Menor said. "Unless more remedial measures are taken, I just don't think the public at this point can be assured the conditions at the landfill will not present health and environmental problems in the future."

An informational briefing before the Senate on May 13 "did not reassure us," the letter stated, "but instead raised additional concerns of potential health hazards at both sites."

In the letter, the senators call on the city to submit detailed site-closure and post-closure plans, which would include monitoring of the groundwater, that would be available for public review. They also want the city to conduct soil sampling tests in the south-central portion of the soccer complex to ensure the area is safe.

In May the state fined the city $542,549 for illegal dumping at the former incinerator and three other sites nearby.

Chang said his department conducted soil tests there and found no evidence of hazardous waste — or evidence that the area poses a health hazard. "Based on results we have to date, I have to disagree with (the senators)," Chang said. "Actions have already been taken."

Reach Catherine E. Toth at 535-8103 or ctoth@honoluluadvertiser.com.