NOTICE OF PROPOSED WATER POLLUTION
CONTROL PERMIT

FOR WAIKIKI AQUARIUM

NPDES PERMIT NO. HI 0020630

06-CW-PW-28

AUGUST 17, 2006

The Hawaii State Department of Health (DOH) tentatively proposes to issue a National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit to discharge overflows from saltwater exhibit tanks and pools, and treated seal pool drain down water from Waikiki Aquarium to the receiving water named Mamala Bay, a portion of the Pacific Ocean subject to special conditions to:

\u0010WAIKIKI AQUARIUM
2777 KALAKAUA AVENUE
HONOLULU, HAWAII 96815

The proposed permit will expire on November 30, 2010.

The Waikiki Aquarium is located at the southern end of Waikiki Beach on the Island of Oahu, Hawaii (across Kapiolani Regional Park and next to the Natatorium). The University of Hawaii operates and maintains the aquarium for the purpose of exhibiting to the general public various types of aquatic animals found in Hawaii and the South Pacific. The facility uses both well water and seawater for the exhibition fish tanks and seal pool. Overflows from seawater exhibit tanks and pools, and treated seal pool drain down water discharge through Outfall Serial No. 001 to the Mamala Bay of Pacific Ocean.

The receiving water, Mamala Bay, a portion of the Pacific Ocean, is classified by the Department of Health as Class A, Dry Open Coastal Waters under Hawaii Administrative Rules, Section 11-54-06(b)(3). The uses to be protected are all use compatible with the protection and propagation of fish, shellfish and wildlife, and with recreation in and on these waters.

Persons wishing to comment upon or object to the proposed NPDES permit, or to request a public hearing, should submit their comments or requests in writing no later than 30 days after the date of this notice, either in person or by mail, to:

Office Address Mailing Address
Clean Water Branch Clean Water Branch
Environmental Management Division Environmental Management Division
State Department of Health State Department of Health
919 Ala Moana Boulevard, Room 301 P.O. Box 3378
Honolulu, HI 96814-4920 Honolulu, HI 96801-3378

Copies of the proposed draft permit, and other information are available for public inspection, Monday through Friday (excluding holidays) from 7:45 a.m. until 4:15 p.m., at the DOH office address shown above. Copies may also be bought. The draft permit and rationale are also available on the internet at http://www.state.hi.us/doh/eh/cwb/pubntcs/index.html. For more information or if you have special needs due to disability that will aid you in inspecting and/or commenting on the draft permit and related information, please contact Mr. Alec Wong, Supervisor of the Engineering Section, Clean Water Branch, at the above address or (808) 586-4309 (Voice) at least seven (7) days before the comment deadline. For those who use a TTY/TDD, please call through Verizon-Hawaii Telephone Relay Service, at 1-711 or (808) 643-8822.

All comments and requests received on time will be considered. If DOH determines that there is significant public interest, a public hearing may be held after at least 30 days of public notice.

If DOH’s position is substantially unchanged after considering all timely written comments and all oral comments at any public hearing that may be held, then the DOH will issue the NPDES permit and this action will be final.

Please notify anyone you know who would be interested in this matter.

Chiyome Leinaala Fukino, M. D.
Director of Health (SB03509932 8/17/06)