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Notice #: 05526050
Public Notices

NOTICE OF PROPOSED WATER POLLUTION CONTROL PERMIT
FOR THE STATE OF HAWAII
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION, AIRPORTS DIVISION (DOT-AIR)
HONOLULU INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT (HNL)
SMALL MUNICIPAL SEPARATE STORM SEWER SYSTEM (SMALL MS4)

06-CW-PW-36

November 30, 2006

The State Department of Health (DOH) tentatively proposes to issue a National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit to discharge storm water associated with industrial activities at the DOT-AIR HNL and municipal storm water runoff and certain non-storm water discharges which are collected by the Small MS4 and discharged into State Waters or into adjacent separately-owned storm drainage systems subject to special conditions to:

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
AIRPORTS DIVISION

The proposed permit will expire at midnight on June 1, 2011.

The Permittee owns, operates, and maintains the Small MS4 for the HNL on the Island of Oahu. The HNL includes industrial operations and storm water which drains into the HNL Small MS4 which is a system of conveyances, including storm drains, catch basins, drain inlets, oil/water separators, evaporation ponds, curbs, gutters, canals, culverts, and ditches, designed to collect and convey storm water runoff. These discharges flow into Manuwai Canal, Kaloaloa Canal, Mamala Bay, Keehi Lagoon, and the Reef Runway Marine Pond. The major pollutants of concern are silt, nutrients, litter and debris, heavy metals, and petroleum hydrocarbons. The volume of discharge is dependent upon rainfall-induced runoff and is highly variable.

The responsibility, coverage and liability for six (6) HNL tenants will be transferred to DOT-AIR, effective upon issuance of the NPDES permit. Other HNL tenants and privately-owned facilities who conduct operations meeting the definition of industrial activities under 40 CFR §122.26(b)(14) and which discharge storm water into the HNL Small MS4 shall be covered by the DOT-AIR NPDES permit, unless otherwise directed by DOT-AIR to obtain a separate NPDES Permit coverage from the DOH. Tenants shall obtain approval to connect to the HNL Small MS4. The Permittee shall ensure that all discharges from its separate storm sewer system comply with applicable water quality standards.

The receiving waters for the DOT-AIR HNL Small MS4 are classified by the DOH as Class 2, Inland Waters, and Class A, Marine Waters. Storm water from DOT-AIR HNL properties on the makai side of Ualena Street discharge into the City and County of Honolulu (City) MS4 [NPDES Permit No. HI S000002].

“The objective of class 2 waters is to protect their use for recreational purposes, the support and propagation of aquatic life, agricultural and industrial water supplies, shipping, and navigation. The uses to be protected in this class of waters are all uses compatible with the protection and propagation of fish, shellfish, and wildlife, and with recreation in and on these waters. These waters shall not act as receiving waters for any discharge which has not received the best degree of treatment or control compatible with the criteria established for this class” (HAR, Chapter 11-54, Section 11-54-3(b)(2)).

“It is the objective of class A waters that their use for recreational purposes and aesthetic enjoyment be protected. Any other use shall be permitted as long as it is compatible with the protection and propagation of fish, shellfish and wildlife, and with recreation in and on these waters. These waters shall not act as receiving waters for any discharge which has not received the best degree of treatment or control compatible with the criteria established for this class” (HAR, Chapter 11-54, Section 11-54-3(c)(2)).

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 be bought. The draft permit and rationale are also available on the internet at http://www.hawaii.gov/ health/environmental/water/cleanwater/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 Sprint Relay Hawaii, at 1-711 or (808) 447-5991.

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.
(SB05526050 11/30/06) Director of Health