The result of state-mandated, disaster-debris management plans for all Hawai’i counties should be a smoother system of handling hurricane-generated trash, Kaua’i County officials say. Working with the state of Florida, other East Coast states and counties there that have experience
The result of state-mandated, disaster-debris management plans for all Hawai’i
counties should be a smoother system of handling hurricane-generated trash,
Kaua’i County officials say.
Working with the state of Florida, other East
Coast states and counties there that have experience cleaning up after
hurricanes, Kaua’i County is preparing for the wake of future disasters, said
Troy Tanigawa, solid-waste coordinator.
The county has hired a consultant
to help with the process and is working with various state and federal agencies
on a plan, he said.
He said the planning process will designate “debris
sheds,” or areas where the most debris is expected to be generated. From that,
temporary storage sites will be identified, as well as information on how
different types of debris will be managed, sorted and stored at the various
sites.
Owners of the sites will need to sign letters of agreement or
understanding allowing the county to use the private land as temporary debris
storage sites after disasters, Tanigawa said.
The Federal Emergency
Management Agency has selected a consultant to do the environmental assessments
on identified sites.
The County Council recently approved three new
positions for solid-waste workers: Operations and maintenance supervisor,
contract specialist and administrative assistant.
The county will hire
consultants as needed, officials said.
Staff Writer Paul C. Curtis can
be reached at pcurtis@pulitzer.net or 245-3681 (ext. 224).
