Contact EPA Pacific Southwest Water Division
Pacific Southwest, Region 9
Serving: Arizona, California, Hawaii, Nevada, Pacific Islands, Tribal Nations
Hawaii Nonpoint Source Program
Letter of Approval
September 19, 2000
Mr. Gary Gill, Deputy Director
Environmental Health Administration
P.O. Box 3378
Honolulu, HI 96801-3378
Mr. David W. Blane, Director
Office of Planning
Leiopapa A Kamehameha Bldg.
235 S. Beretania Street, 6th Floor
P.O. Box 2359
Honolulu, HI 96813
Dear Messrs. Gill and Blane:
We are pleased to approve Hawaii's Implementation Plan for the Polluted Runoff Control, dated July 2000, pursuant to the Clean Water Action (CWA) Section 319. We find the Implementation Plan successfully incorporates the nine key elements, as defined in the Nonpoint Source Program and Grant Guidance for FY1997 and Beyond (EPA, May 1996), and characterizes an effective and dynamic state nonpoint source control program. We have summarized the key elements and strengths of Hawaii's program in the enclosed document. The Implementation Plan provides the necessary framework to guide future funding and activities to address polluted runoff.
We commend the State for developing an integrated Implementation Plan that incorporates activities under the Polluted Runoff Control Program (CWA) and the Coastal Nonpoint Pollution Control Program (Coastal Zone Act Reauthorization Amendment-CZARA), including a 15-year strategy/5-year plan. In addition, the work your agencies have done to provide the opportunities for public involvement and comment throughout the development of the Implementation Plan is critical to its successful implementation. Your agencies have demonstrated what can be accomplished through effective partnerships.
As a result of this approval, the State will receive the incremental FY2000 Section 319 grant in the amount of $763,000. These incremental funds are targeted to the development and implementation of watershed restoration action strategies in priority waterbodies identified in the State's Unified Watershed Assessment. Due to staff changes and workload concerns at specific Soil and Water Conservation Districts, we understand that the State will be issuing a request for proposals to identify other entities to develop several of the restoration action strategies.
Our respective agencies, along with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) are simultaneously working on meeting the requirements of CZARA. Although the approval processes for the Nonpoint Source Upgrade (CWA) and the CZARA programs are distinct, the specific environmental protection measures overlap. EPA and NOAA will continue to work with the State to meet all of the conditions for approval of the Coastal Nonpoint Pollution Control Program under CZARA by 2003 (within five years of NOAA/EPA's conditional approval).
As we look toward the future, there are many challenges we face that will require our continued commitment, fully staffed programs, and effective partnerships. EPA appreciates the effort and commitment your agencies and staff have shown in the development of the Polluted Runoff Control Program. We look forward to working with you to implement Hawaii's Implementation Plan for the Polluted Runoff Control. If you have any questions, please contact Mike Schulz (415) 972-3546 or Audrey Shileikis (415) 972-3459.
Yours,
Felicia Marcus
Regional Administrator
Enclosure
cc:
Denis Lau, Clean Water Branch
Susan Miller, Office of Planning
Dov Weitman, NPS Control Branch, EPA HQ
Bill Millhouser, OCRM, NOAA