Letter to William Alla, Chairmen of the Commisson on Water Resource Management - No Evidence to Support Limiting Use of Keauhou Aquifer
Letter
Commission on Water Resource Management
Department of Land and Natural Resources
State of Hawaii
1151 Punchbowl Street, Room 227
Honolulu, HI 96813
Dear Chairperson Aila and Commissioners,
I write to share my concerns about the Kaloko-Honokohau National Historical Park's petition to designate the Keauhou Aquifer System as a Water Management Area. There is no scientific evidence supporting the need for a designation, and numerous stakeholder organizations and individuals in the community oppose the designation.
Recent research has shown that the Keauhou Aquifer System likely has much more water than had previously been believed. Most scientists and engineers who monitor the water on Hawaii Island believe that the aquifer is nowhere near using the 90 percent of sustainable yield which would automatically trigger the need for a designation; it is believed to be closer to 30 percent.
Additionally, there is no evidence that current water usage has adversely affected the water quality of the Park's ponds. While we must always be cognizant of our use and preservation of natural resources, we cannot destabilize a community's planned growth and access to water without clear scientific evidence.
I am also concerned about the impact that the designation of a Water Management Area for the Keauhou Aquifer System would have on the West Hawaii community. A Water Management Area designation is meant to protect the resource when there is a substantial risk of overuse or degradation of quality, and thus can rightfully lead to stringent restrictions on water use. However, West Hawaii has not met this threshold, and must have the ability to continue with planned affordable housing projects and other resources to serve a growing community.
This petition is premature, and should not be granted. Thank you for your attention. I welcome your questions or comments at any time.
Sincerely,
Source