WAILUKU, Hawaii — Maui Mayor Michael Victorino on Sunday criticized a decision by a County Council comnittee to recommend acceptance of a settlement proposal with environmental groups that sued over the use of injection wells.

Members of the Maui County Committee on Governance, Ethics, and Transparency voted 5-3 on Friday to recommend that the full council settle and withdraw the case ahead of U.S. Supreme Court consideration in November, The Maui News reported.

Under the agreement, Maui County would be expected to reduce reliance on the injection wells, reimburse the groups' litigation costs and abide by a National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System permit, or an equivalent control document, officials said.

Victorino said he was disappointed that the council committee did not consider his settlement proposal before its vote.