State Clean Water Branch fines Hawaiian Dredging for Kauaʻi water pollution violations

Hawaiʻi Department of Health Clean Water Branch cited Honolulu-based Hawaiian Dredging Construction Company for water pollution violations on Kaua‘i.

The state issued a notice of violation and order to the construction company because of soil and vegetation discharges into two gulches in Hanapēpē and conducting earth-disturbing activities without a required National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System permit.

Hawaiian Dredging was ordered to pay a $390,000 fine and perform corrective actions, including:

• Implementing erosion and sediment controls to prevent sediment-laden storm water discharges from areas it graded and disturbed.
• Obtaining National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System permit coverage for the discharge of storm water associated with construction activities.

The firm has 20 days to contest the violation and request a hearing.

Construction sites disturbing 1 acre of land or more are subject to regulation under the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System and required to have permit coverage prior to initiating earth-disturbing activities.

Failure to implement erosion and sediment control measures can lead to polluted discharges into Hawaiʻi waters.

Furthermore, failing to obtain the required permit(s) and comply with permit conditions create an unfair advantage compared with other construction sites that dedicate resources toward environmental protection.

Noncompliance could subject the violator to fines of up to $60,000 per day, per violation.

Hawaiʻi’s water pollution control laws protect public health and the environment by prohibiting discharges that harm water quality.

Clean Water Branch enforces water pollution control laws in place to protect the public and Hawaiʻi’s fragile ecosystem.

Failure to abide by environmental regulations could result in legal action by the state, federal partners and/or private citizens.

A copy of the notice of violation and order is available at the state Clean Water Branch website.