NOTICE OF PROPOSED WATER POLLUTION CONTROL PERMIT FOR KEAHOLE POINT FISH KAILUA-KONA, ISLAND OF HAWAII NPDES PERMIT NO. HI 0021825 DOCKET NO. HI 0021825 May 19, 2021 The State Department of Health (DOH) tentatively proposes to re-issue a National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit to discharge fish excreta, unconsumed fish food, and medications approved or authorized for investigational use by the Federal Drug Administration under the Investigational New Animal Drug Program, associated with the Keahole Point Fish Offshore Fish Farm, to receiving State waters, subject to special conditions to: KEAHOLE POINT FISH LLC The proposed NPDES permit for the existing discharge will expire five (5) years from the date of issuance. Keahole Point Fish, LLC operates an offshore fish farm located southwest of Unualoha Point, Kailua-Kona, Island of Hawaii within a 90-acre area leased from the State of Hawaii. The open ocean fish farm, roughly 600 yards by 667 yards, is approximately 2600 feet from shore and in waters 200 feet deep. The facility is just inside of the southern boundary of the Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary and outside of a dolphin resting area. The facility currently cultivates kahala (Seriola rivoliana), under the trademark name Hawaiian Kampachi and moi (threadfin) in submersible net pens anchored into the substrate. The anchor lines are kept taut by a series of buoys and weights to prevent marine animal entanglement. The facility currently operates five net pens and for 2020, was projected to harvest approximately 590 metric tons (MT) of fish. The facility can deploy up to eight net pens. A feed/security vessel is semi-permanently moored onsite. The vessel is equipped with detachable hoses that connects to each net pen during feeding, video cameras that allow observation of the net pens, and compressed air used to raise the submerged net pens when necessary. Approximately 228 MT of feed is used during the calendar month of maximum feeding. The submersible net pens are cleaned as needed without the use of chemicals. The Pacific Ocean in the vicinity of the facility is designated as Class AA Kona coast marine waters in Appendix D and HAR 11-54-06(d)(1). It is the objective of Class AA waters that these waters remain in their natural pristine state as nearly as possible with an absolute minimum of pollution or alteration of water quality from any human-caused source or actions. To the extent practicable, the wilderness character of these areas shall be protected. Protected beneficial uses of Class AA waters include oceanographic research, the support and propagation of shellfish, and other marine life, conservation of coral reefs and wilderness areas, compatible recreation, and aesthetic enjoyment. 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 to cleanwaterbranch@doh.hawaii.gov or by mail to 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, Hawaii 96782, at the Kona District Health Office located at 79-1015 Haukapila Street, Kealakekua, HI 96750, and at the Hilo District Health Office located at 75 Aupuni Street, Room 201, Hilo, HI 96720. Copies may be bought. The public notice draft permit and fact sheet are also available on the internet at: https://health.hawaii.gov/cwb/clean-water-branch-home-page/public-notices-andupdates/. For more information or if you require aid 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 the DOH determines that there is significant public interest, a public hearing may be held after at least 30 calendar days of public notice. If the 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. ELIZABETH A. CHAR, M.D. Director of Health (WHT1326416 5/19/21)