Commission on Water Resource Management considers MOA with Honolulu Board of Water Supply to seal two abandoned Oahu wells

The Commission on Water Resource Management on Aug. 19 heard staff recommend authorizing the chairperson to enter into a memorandum of agreement with the Honolulu Board of Water Supply to use congressionally directed funds routed through the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to seal two state-identified abandoned wells on Oahu.

Katie Roth, Planning Branch funding-program staff, told the commission the earmark totals $2,400,000 and requires a 20% cost share of $600,000, which the Board of Water Supply has agreed to provide. "About 2 years ago, we received congressionally directed funding from Congress in the amount of $2,400,000, with the intent to seal abandoned wells statewide," Roth said. She recommended the commission authorize the chairperson to finalize and enter the draft MOA, and to permit the chair to make non-substantial edits; any substantial changes would…