But the County wants to conduct more studies
by Rob Parsons |
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In
2008, faced with studies linking nutrients from wastewater injection
wells and septic systems from Maalaea condominiums to a drastic decline
in coral reef health, then-Councilmember Michelle Anderson worked with
U.S. Rep. Mazie Hirono to acquire federal funding to, "Define an
immediate solution for alternative disposal of wastewater and domestic
sewage."
But after being awarded an appropriation of more than
$184,000, the County Department of Environmental Management took a big
step backward, hiring a consultant to do more water quality testing
rather than devising a plan to address retiring the wells and sewage
treatments, approved and constructed in the 1970s.
Questions
arose at County Council on May 7, when a routine agenda from the
Director of Finance transmitting 33 contracts elicited discussion and
closer scrutiny. Now the matter is to be reviewed in the Council's
Infrastructure Management Committee on Monday, June 7.
The
original funding request, titled "Maalaea Coral Reef and Preservation,"
acknowledged that "scientifically quantified studies already conducted
over 8 years" link land-based nutrients to coral reef degradation. The
University of Hawaii Botany Department and USGS have both conducted
research confirming the effects of wastewater plumes percolating into
the ocean, resulting in dense growths of macroalgae.
The
Department of Land and Natural Resources' Division of Aquatic Resources
(DAR) has conducted monitoring since 1999, in partnership with the
Coral Reef Assessment and Monitoring Program. In a presentation to the
County Council in July 2007, DAR Education Specialist Russell Sparks
described a "total system collapse at Maalaea."
In 1972
Maalaea coral reefs were described as "striking in their diversity and
in the presence of rare coral species." As late as 1993, coral reef
cover was estimated at 50-75 percent in the area. Cover is now reduced
to 8 percent. "[I]n just a few decades, the Maalaea reef has
transformed from a healthy and diverse ecosystem into a badly degraded
habitat overgrown by algae and with little surviving coral," concluded
the DAR presentation.
Eleven condominiums at Maalaea produce
approximately 250,000 gallons of wastewater and sewage per day, which
is injected into more than 20 wells, the deepest of which is only about
75 feet. State Department of Health, Safe Drinking Water Branch data
show that six wells are less than 50 feet below the surface, and a
dozen others are no deeper than 60 feet. The Maalaea Triangle
Development, constructed in the mid- to late 1990s, adds another 50,000
gallons of nutrient-rich water daily, though their injection well is
290 feet.
In formulating their Request For Proposal (RFP) for
the Maalaea Coral Reef Degradation Study, it appears the County
flip-flopped the original goals of the project—to determine solutions
and alternative means of wastewater and sewage disposal—into a scope of
work that elevated "conduct additional study" and "monitor and compare
pollution and nutrient concentrations" above seeking immediate
solutions.
Even so, it's surprising that the RFP contract
winner, Marine Research Consultants, Inc., wrote a proposal that in no
way refers to Scope of Work point four, "evaluate and define
alternative disposal solutions for wastewater, domestic sewage,
cesspool, septic tank, and injection well systems."
Oceanographer
and Maalaea resident Dr. Thomas Royer offered a critical evaluation of
the proposal awarded the contract for additional studies. While a good
background for future studies, Royer concluded, "it should not be
expected to serve as a basis for a remediation plan."
"[Lead
researcher Dr. Steve] Dollar et al will not address the effects of
injection wells explicitly," Royer wrote. "No mention is made of their
potential contribution but their influence will show up on the nutrient
flux analysis if the results are significant. They seem to conclude
that sewage is not a problem since they dismiss the nitrogen isotope
work that focuses on wastewater management problems."
While
the County Council does not have the authority to cancel the contract,
they could make recommendations to do so or to investigate the
procurement selection process. The contract does contain a provision
for cancellation, or "Termination for Convenience."
"The
Procurement Officer may, when the interests of the County so require,
terminate this Contract in whole or in part, for the convenience of the
County," it states.
In order to comply with the original goals
of the project, going back to the drawing board and utilizing the
federal appropriation in a more proactive way is exactly what's
needed.
The Infrastructure Management Committee will
meet Monday, June 7 at 9am in the Council Chambers, 200 S. High St.,
Wailuku. For info call 270-7838 or visit www.co.maui.hi.us