HONOLULU (KHON2) — The search for a new landfill site on Oahu is moving forward, but the top sites selected so far would require legislative action.
The Department of Environmental Services has narrowed down the potential sites for Oahu’s next landfill, but half the sites are in locations that require modifications to Act 73, which is a state law that sets specific restrictions to where landfills can be built.
Six of the sites are located in an area deemed a “no pass zone” – land that the Board of Water Supply says sits on the aquifer and land located on valuable, agricultural land in Wahiawa, Kapolei and Haleiwa.
“You’ll notice some of them are in well capture zones and you’ll notice some are in agricultural land, essentially all of them are on agricultural land,” explained Director of the Department of Environmental Services.
Six other sites are outside the no pass zone, but are close to conservation areas in Ewa, Waimanalo, Kailua and Manoa.
The update before the city council Committee on Public Infrastructure and Technology came with strong questions.
“So you could name a site that would require legislative action to Act 73, and just hope that the legislature agrees with that?” questioned Councilmember Andria Tupola.
“Correct,” answered Babcock.
“Interesting,” responded Tupola.
The possible sites for a landfill are limited. In March, Mayor Blangiardi promised no new landfill would be located on the Waianae Coast and the Navy declined the use of any federal lands.
An announcement on an alternative landfill site is expected to be made by next month, with a final decision made in December.