The State Department of Health (DOH) tentatively proposes to issue a National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit to discharge once- through noncontact cooling water and storm water associated with industrial activity from the Port Allen Generating Station, to receiving State waters, subject to special conditions to:

KAUAI ISLAND UTILITY COOPERATIVE

The proposed NPDES permit for the existing discharge will expire five (5) years from the date of issuance.

The Kauai Island Utility Cooperative (KIUC) operates the Port Allen Generating Station, a 96.75 MW electric generating facility located at Port Allen, Eleele, Kauai, Hawaii. The facility utilizes water from four on-site wells for its once-through noncontact cooling process. The once-through noncontact cooling water discharges to Port Allen Bay through a shoreline outlet – Outfall Serial No. 001. Storm water runoff from the facility discharges to Port Allen and Hanapepe Bays through Outfall Serial Nos. 002 – 009.

Both Port Allen and Hanapepe Bays are designated as "Class A Wet Embayment" under HAR 11-54-6(a)(2)(B), Hawaii Administrative Rules (HAR). 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 if it is 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 draft modified 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 through e-mail at: cleanwaterbranch@doh.hawaii.gov or by mail at 2827 Waimano Home Road, Room 225, Pearl City, Hawaii 96782.

Copies of the draft modified 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 Clean Water Branch (CWB) office located at the 2827 Waimano Home Road 225, Pearl City, HI 96782 and at the Kauai District Health Office, 3040 Umi Street, Lihue, 96782. Copies may be bought. The public notice permit and fact sheet are also available on the internet at:

https://health.hawaii.gov/cwb/clean-water-branch-home-page/
public-notices-and updates/

For more information or if you have special needs due to disability that will aid you in inspecting and/or commenting on the public notice permit and related information, please contact Mr. Darryl Lum, Supervisor of the Engineering Section, CWB, at the above address or (808) 586-4309 (Voice) at least seven (7) calendar days before the comment deadline. For those who use a TTY/TDD, please call through Sprint Relay Hawaii, at 1-711 or 1-877-447-5991.

All written 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.