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BE IT ENACTED BY THE PEOPLE OF THE COUNTY OF HAWAII:

Section 1. A new chapter is added to Article VI of the Hawaii County Charter to be appropriately numbered and to read as follows:

"DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT

Section 6-5.1. There shall be a department of environmental management consisting of a director, the necessary staff, and an environmental management commission.

Section 6-5.2. Statement of Policy. The Department of Environmental Management is established to protect, preserve, and enhance our environment by promoting the wise management of our waste.

Section 6-5.3. The director of environmental management shall be appointed by the mayor, confirmed by the council, and may be removed by the mayor. The director shall have had a minimum of five years' administrative experience in a related field.

Section 6-5.4. Powers, Duties and Functions. The department of environmental management shall manage the solid waste, wastewater, and recycling programs of the county, and exercise other functions prescribed by ordinance.

Section 6-5.5. Environmental Management Commission. There shall be an environmental management commission consisting of nine members who shall be appointed by the mayor and confirmed by the council. One member shall be a resident of each council district. The terms of the members shall be as prescribed in §13-4. The environmental management commission shall advise the department on waste reduction strategies, recycling, litter control, community involvement, and other issues related to the functions of the department, and shall exercise any other powers related to the functions of the department that may be delegated to it by ordinance."

Section 2. This amendment shall take effect at noon on the first Monday in December following its approval by the voters. The terms of the commission members shall begin January 1, 2001.

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