Below are the top of mind questions regarding disposal of ash and debris:
For the Kula/Olinda Ash Management Site - Central Maui Landfill
Will ash and debris be removed from public, residential and commercial areas? Has the process started yet?
Yes. Fire-related structural ash and debris will be removed from public, residential and commercial properties. Ash and debris removal efforts are expected to be completed in early January in Upcountry (Kula, Olinda, and Makawao), and are expected to begin in late January in Lahaina. This effort does not include the removal of fugitive ash from properties adjacent to properties with destroyed structures.
Is there a possibility the Temporary Debris Storage (TDS) site becomes the permanent disposal site for fire ash and debris?
No. The US Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) is constructing the TDS to temporarily stage debris until the County constructs a permanent disposal site.
Why isn’t the ash and debris being taken off the island for disposal?
For logistical, safety and environmental reasons, it would be extremely difficult. The process of staging, packaging, loading and unloading to/from ships, and loading onto trains or trucks for transport to facilities on the mainland is not feasible given existing infrastructure, both on Maui and the mainland. For example:
ash/debris from the West Maui TDS site would need to be excavated, loaded onto trucks (currently estimated at 40,000+ trips), and transferred to Kahului, which is a heavily populated area;
Kahului Harbor may need to be further dredged to accommodate entry of a ship the size needed to accommodate ash/debris shipment;
a temporary debris storage (TDS) area would have to be constructed immediately adjacent to the harbor, which lacks sufficient space and would pose a risk to the marine environment;
a large crane would need to be erected at the harbor between the TDS and the ship to load out the ash/debris;
the ship would require an adequate deep water port on the west coast of the mainland with adequate handling equipment (large crane) to off-load the ash/debris from the ship onto railcars for shipment;
the ash/debris would have to be shipped by train to licensed landfill facilities which can accept rail haul waste.
This approach would extend the timeframe for cleanup by months to years. In addition, it would increase the overall environmental impact of the cleanup and risk of an accident or spill in transport, staging at the ports, loading and unloading immediately adjacent to the ocean. Ash and debris would end up being disposed of in essentially the same type of location as is currently proposed in West Maui. Finally, because the ash/debris from Lahaina may contain human remains, there is a desire for a nearby management area to keep these remains in West Maui.
For the Lahaina Ash Management Site - West Maui (Olowalu Site)
Can the ash and debris be temporarily placed in shipping containers in Lahaina while the permanent disposal site is being constructed?
This is not feasible. The volume of ash and other fire debris equates to thousands of shipping containers which would require significant land space for temporarily storage. For example, use of 33-cubic yard shipping containers represents over 12,000 containers and would require at least 9 acres for temporary storage and equipment movement. Also, the fact that shipping containers are loaded from the end (i.e. not from the top) further complicates logistical challenges.
How will the ash and debris be removed and transported safely to the temporary debris storage (TDS) areas and proposed final containment areas?
Ash is collected by hand tools (rakes and shovels), mini-excavators and front-loaders into dump trucks lined with heavy plastic, which are sealed and tarped (aka ‘burrito wrapped’) prior to leaving the property to prevent any spillage or dust generation during transport. The trucks follow designated routes to the temporary debris storage (TDS) and/or proposed final containment areas. Sensitive dust monitors are placed at both the source and destination locations. Loads are slowly dumped out to avoid generating dust, as the plastic ‘burrito wrap’ commonly breaks open as the load is dumped out. Dust is controlled by water misters applying a gentle spray of water. The TDS areas are lined with a heavy (80 mil) HDPE plastic liner to prevent leaks and are covered daily to avoid drying and dust generation. USACE oversees all contractors involved in this process.
Is the closed Olowalu landfill being re-opened?
No. The footprint of the proposed final containment area is not connected to or part of the old landfill, which was closed in 1992. It will be located between the old, closed landfill in the cinder pit.
Has any impact from the currently closed Olowalu landfill on the reef been measured or observed? What can be learned from that experience?
To our knowledge, no impacts to the reef have been measured or observed. The County continues to maintain and monitor the closed Olowalu Landfill. The County conducted a 3rd party evaluation of Olowalu in 2014, and completed related construction in 2018 (surface water drainage improvements, gas system maintenance, and vegetation).
What is being done to protect the long-term health of the community and environment surrounding Olowalu? Will the West Maui site meet the requirements of federal or state landfill regulation?
While the proposed final containment area design has not yet been finalized, it will feature redundant mitigation measures, including a double liner, environmental monitoring, and other controls to protect long-term community and environmental health. Additional information about the design and construction schedule will be provided as soon as it becomes available.
The County of Maui is not proposing to construct a RCRA hazardous waste (Subtitle C) disposal facility. The County is fulfilling Mayor Bisson’s request to provide the safest solid waste management facility possible. The strictest solid waste design requirements are for hazardous waste landfills, hence Subtitle C design criteria are being used as guidance for facility design.
As this area is known for very high winds that may exacerbate air and marine pollution concerns, are there mitigation methods for airborne contaminants being developed to protect the environment and community areas from the ash and debris is being disturbed, cleared, and then deposited?
Ash and debris in parts of the impacted areas have been temporarily stabilized through application of a product called SoilTac, which binds with the ash/debris to prevent it from being blown or washed away. There will be several operational environmental controls that will be used to prevent ash and debris from escaping. This includes the use of water misters to minimize dust, wrapping debris in plastic and covering loads during transport, and covering the debris at the containment area at the end of the day. Operations will be suspended during high winds. Finally, air quality monitoring will also be conducted during cleanup and disposal, and operations will be adjusted should air monitoring detect any issues.
Is this area located below the Underground Injection Control (UIC) line?
No. The site is currently being planned above a non-drinking water resource and is makai (ocean side) of the ‘Underground Injection Control (UIC)’ zone designated by the State. The boundary between non-drinking water aquifers and underground sources of drinking water is generally referred to as the “UIC Line”. Restrictions on wells differ, depending on whether the area is inland (mauka) or seaward (makai) of the UIC line.
What are the other benefits of this containment area?
Being close to Lahaina, the exhaust emissions and risks to drivers on the Pali of tens of thousands of trucks will be greatly reduced. In addition, clean fill displaced to build the TDS and final containment area can be hauled back to the properties for backfilling on excavated parcels.
Can USACE use the same design/construction for the TDS area that is proposed for the final containment area?
The engineering controls to be used on the proposed final containment area are not necessary at the TDS as it will not be installed below grade, all run-off will be controlled, and this area is temporary in nature. The TDS design is typical for temporary containment and does not require the double liner system or groundwater/gas monitoring systems.