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Pacific Southwest, Region 9
Serving: Arizona, California, Hawaii, Nevada, Pacific Islands, Tribal Nations
Nonpoint Source Program
Note: EPA no longer updates this information, but it may be useful as a reference or resource.
Hawai'i - Archived Program Information
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Polluted runoff (also known as nonpoint source pollution) from agriculture, urban development, forestry, recreational boating and marinas, hydromodification and wetlands activities is the leading cause of water pollution in waters across the country and in Hawaii. To address these problems, the Hawaii Department of Health (HIDOH) and the Office of Planning in the Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism (DBEDT) have worked with many landowners, private nonprofit groups and various federal, state, and local agencies to develop and implement a program to prevent and reduce nonpoint sources of pollution.
The Nonpoint Source (NPS) or Polluted Runoff Program in Hawaii has evolved over the last decade based on the significance of polluted runoff and two federal statutes: Clean Water Act (CWA), Section 319 and the Coastal Zone Act Reauthorization Amendments (CZARA), Section 6217. The state assessed the impacts of NPS pollution and developed a management plan in the late 1980's. In response to CZARA, DBEDT and HIDOH undertook a joint effort to improve the statewide nonpoint source program and comply with CZARA requirements. In June 1996, Hawaii's Coastal Nonpoint Pollution Control Program (CNPCP) was submitted to EPA and National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) for approval. On June 30, 1998, NOAA and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) conditionally approved the Hawaii CNPCP. In an effort to upgrade and integrate the Coastal Nonpoint Pollution Control Program (under CZARA) with the Polluted Runoff Program (under the CWA), the state has established a single plan entitled Hawaii's Implementation Plan for Polluted Runoff Control. This plan also includes the 15-year program strategy and 5-year implementation plan for the achievement of CZARA management measures. Although the approval processes for the Nonpoint Source Upgrade (CWA) and the CZARA programs are distinct, the specific environmental protection measures overlap. On September 19, 2000, EPA approved Hawaii’s Implementation Plan for Polluted Runoff Control pursuant to the Clean Water Act Section 319. EPA and NOAA will continue to work with the state to meet all the conditions for approval of the Coastal Nonpoint Pollution Control Program under CZARA by 2003.
Historical documents relating to the conditional program approval
September 19, 2000 EPA Letter of Approval
Letter from Felicia Marcus, EPA, to Mr. Gary Gill, Deputy Director, Environmental Health Administration, Hawaii Department of Health and Mr. David Blane, Director, Office of Planning, Department of Business and Economic Development, approving Hawaii’s Implementation Plan for Polluted Runoff Control, pursuant to Section 319 of the Clean Water Act. (2 page document)EPA Review of Hawaii’s Implementation Plan for Polluted Runoff Control--Summary Document
Hawaii’s Implementation Plan for Polluted Runoff Control (an Upgrade to the 1990 Nonpoint Source Management Plan, CWA Section 319) successfully incorporates the nine key elements that are necessary for EPA approval as identified in the Nonpoint Source Program and Grants Guidance for Fiscal Year 1997 and Future Years (EPA, May 1996). These nine key elements characterize an effective and dynamic state nonpoint source program, pursuant to the CWA Section 319. This document is a summary of EPA's review of the Implementation Plan, identifying some of the strengths of the program and how it specifically addresses the nine key elements pursuant to CWA Section 319. (5 page document)
June 30, 1998 Letter - Transmittal of Findings
Letter to the Hawaii Department of Health and the Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism. Letter to the State transmitting the NOAA/EPA final Findings on Hawaii's Coastal Nonpoint Pollution Control Program (2 page text document).Hawaii Coastal Nonpoint Program Findings and Conditions
This final document provides the specific findings used by EPA and NOAA as the basis for the decision to approve, with conditions, the Coastal Nonpoint Source Program submitted by Hawaii (22 page text document).
Response to Comments
This document summarizes the comments received during the 30-day public comment period and NOAA and EPA's response to those comments (25 page text document).Announcement of Final Conditional Approval
Notice of availability of the final Findings and the environmental assessment for the EPA and NOAA review of the Coastal Nonpoint Source Program submitted by Hawaii, California, Connecticut and Alabama (4 page text document).