NOTICE OF PROPOSED MODIFICATION TO THE
WATER POLLUTION CONTROL PERMIT
FOR THE MARINE CORPS BASE HAWAII
KANEOHE BAY WATER RECLAMATION FACILITY
NPDES PERMIT NO. HI 0110078

07-CW-PW-13

June 6, 2007

The State Department of Health (DOH) proposes to issue a National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit modification to discharge treated wastewaters to the Pacific Ocean off of Mokapu Peninsula and storm water runoff to Kaneohe Bay, subject to certain effluent limitations and special conditions, to:

UNITED STATES MARINE CORPS
MARINE CORPS BASE HAWAII (MCBH)
KANEOHE, OAHU, HAWAII

The proposed permit modification will expire at midnight, July 31, 2011.

The proposed modifications are a result of the finding of fact between the Permittee and the DOH for the “Notice of Appeal.”

The MCBH Kaneohe Bay Water Reclamation Facility (WRF) serves a population of 12,000 and is located at Mokapu Peninsula, Kaneohe, Oahu. The facility is a 2.0 million gallons per day capacity secondary treatment plant using a trickling filter followed by a polishing pond. The influent is primarily domestic wastewater with minor industrial discharges. About 18% of the effluent is used for irrigation of the Klipper Golf Course and in-plant use. The remaining effluent is discharged to the Pacific Ocean through the City and County of Honolulu’s Mokapu Outfall at coordinates: Latitude 2127\u201932\u201DN and Longitude 15742\u201956\u201DW. The outfall extends approximately one (1) mile off Mokapu Peninsula to a depth of 100 feet.

The existing Zone of Mixing (ZOM) for the City and County of Honolulu’s Kailua Regional Wastewater Treatment Plant will also be the ZOM for the MCBH Kaneohe Bay WRF.

The natural contours of the facility topography may convey storm water runoff from the facility boundaries at the southwest corner. The facility coordinates are Latitude 2126\u201930\u201DN and Longitude 15745\u201945\u201DW. A rain event of a significant intensity may create a storm water runoff from the MCBH Kaneohe Bay WRF in a quantity that discharges south into Kaneohe Bay.

The receiving waters are classified in Hawaii Administrative Rules (HAR), Chapter 11-54, Section 11-54-3, and include the Pacific Ocean off of Mokapu Peninsula, which is a Class A, Open Coastal Marine Water, and possibly Kaneohe Bay, which is a Class AA, Marine Water, Embayment. As stated in HAR, Chapter 11-54, Section 11-54-3(c)(2), it is the objective of class A waters to protect their use for recreational purposes and aesthetic enjoyment. 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 discharges that have not received the best degree of treatment or control compatible with the criteria established for these classes. As stated in HAR, Chapter 11-54, Section 11-54-3(c)(1), it is the objective that class AA waters remain in their natural pristine state as nearly as possible with an absolute minimum of pollution or alteration of water quality from any human-caused source or actions. To the extent practicable, the wilderness character of these areas shall be protected.

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 calendar 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
Department of Health Department of Health
919 Ala Moana Boulevard, Room 301 P.O. Box 3378
Honolulu, HI 96814-4920 Honolulu, HI 96801-3378

Copies of the 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 fact sheet 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, Chief of the 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 calendar 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.
(SB03511459 6/6/07) Director of Health