Department of Health seeking public comment on List of Impaired Waters in Hawaii

The State Department of Health (DOH) is seeking public comment on the 2002 Draft List of Impaired Waters in Hawaii. This list identifies waters throughout the state, which the DOH has determined impaired by one or more pollutants. Impairment is determined by comparing recent sampling results to the State Water Quality Standards. The periodic listing process allows the DOH to add or subtract waterbodies on the list and update the types of pollutants for listed waters. The federal Clean Water Act requires this list to be updated every two years.

In 2002, DOH proposes adding twenty-three new waterbodies to the list: seven streams and sixteen coastal waters. Recent sampling of these waters identified levels of pollutants that exceeded the State Water Quality Standards. Two sampling stations are proposed for removal from the list because of pollutant reduction or duplication of data.

The list identifies areas where waters may not be fishable or swimmable if exceedances of the Water Quality Standards remain unchecked. DOH will eventually delist the currently listed waters based on new data or determine Total Maximum Daily Loads (TMDLs) of pollutants for the waterbody. These TMDLs estimate how much of a pollutant can enter a waterbody and suggest how pollutant loads can be reduced to meet the Standards. TMDLs can be used as a tool to help communities implement plans and actions to improve water quality.

The Department of Health (DOH), State of Hawaii, requests public comments on the draft report titled "2002 List of Impaired Waters in Hawaii." The draft report is available for public inspection Monday through Friday between 7:45 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. in the Environmental Planning Office (EPO), Department of Health, 919 Ala Moana Blvd., Rm. 312, Honolulu 96814. For a copy of the draft report, contact the EPO at 586-4337, send an email to bmatsunaga@eha.health.state.hi.us, fax a request to 586-4370, visit our website at www.hawaii.gov/health/eh/epo/, or mail a request to the EPO address above. The District Health Offices (DHOs) on Hawaii, Kauai and Maui also have copies of this document available for review:

Hawai`i District Health Office
P.O. Box 916
Hilo, HI 96720
(808) 933-0917

Kealakekua Health Office
81-980 Halekii St., Ste. 103
Kealakekua, HI 96720
(808) 322-1507

Kaua`i District Health Office
3040 Umi St.
P.O. Box 671
Lihue, HI 96766
(808) 241-3323

Maui District Health Office
54 High St.
Wailuku, HI 96793
(808) 984-8230

Written public comments will be accepted until September 30, 2002. Please send comments to Manager, Environmental Planning Office, Department of Health, 919 Ala Moana Blvd., Third Floor, Honolulu, HI 96814.

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