The 8712 Environmental 43 Notice 5 A SEMI-MONTHLY BULLETIN OF THE OFFICE OF ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY CONTROL AUGUST 23, 1998 6 UH West Oahu Campus Plan The University of Hawaii proposes to The master plan concept for the BENJAMIN J. CAYETANO develop a new four-year campus for UH campus includes a mix of instructional, GOVERNOR West Oahu in Kapolei, Oahu. The new administration, student services and multi- campus will accommodate the overall use facilities, library/academic support, OFFICE OF educational program needs of the University student housing, athletic, tropical agricul- for an initial campus of 2,750 students and ture and open space land uses. Within the ENVIRONMENTAL a long range capacity of 7,600 students by campus, land uses are planned to be within QUALITY CONTROL the year 2020. easy walking distance of one another, with GARY GILL The campus site is located mauka of parking areas strategically located through- DIRECTOR H-1 freeway between Makakilo and out the campus. A separate pedestrian Waipahu. A portion of the area was pathway system will provide access to the previously used for sugarcane production various campus land uses while minimizing and is currently being leased for diversified conflicts between pedestrians and vehicles. The Environmental Notice agriculture cultivation. The mauka portions The project will eliminate some reviews the environmental impacts of of the site near Puu Kapuai are under lease agricultural uses of the lands and impact projects proposed in Hawaii as pasture land for cattle. The entire area social conditions, views, transportation Other Resources under consideration is 991 acres, of which patterns, and hydrology of the area. A full available at OEQC . the proposed campus area will utilize EIS will be prepared for the campus long approximately 211 acres. range master plan. See page 6. • Guidebook for Hawaii's Environmental Review Hanalei River Designated as an American Heritage River Process On July 30, 1998, President Clinton lower portions of the river form an estuary • Environmental Impact designated the Hanalei River on the Island that serves as a nursery and habitat for a Study Resource Library of Kaua‘i as an American Heritage River. number of fisheries in the highly productive • Environmental Hanalei River is one of only 14 rivers waters of Hanalei Bay. Education Database nationwide selected to receive this classifi- Because of the beauty of the area and • Environmental Council cation. the variety of wildlife, tourism is also Annual Reports The President’s American Heritage increasing, raising new issues. The Hanalei Rivers Initiative supports community-led community is working to preserve tradi- • Rules and Policies efforts to restore and protect the environ- tional lifestyles and protect unique natural • "How to Plant a Native mental, economic, cultural and historic resources in the face of increasing popula- Hawaiian Garden" values of our rivers. The president has tion and economic pressures for develop- directed all Federal agencies with relevant ment. OEQC programs to work together, in close coop- Designation as an American Heritage 235 S. BERETANIA ST. eration with state and local agencies, to River provides an opportunity for stakehold- STATE OFFICE TOWER ensure the Initiative is a success. ers in the Hanalei area to establish a SUITE 702 Hanalei river, which starts high on government supported forum for resolving HONOLULU, HI 96813 the slopes of Mount Waialeale, flows 16 potential conflicts over use of the river. The Tel. (808) 586-4185 miles through a lush valley rich in wildlife stakeholders will work together with Fax. (808) 586-4186 and traditional culture and empties into government agencies to collect data, Molokai & Lanai: 1-800-468-4644 ext.64185 Hanalei Bay. The river drains a valley distribute information, and develop a Kauai: 274-3141 ext. 64185 Maui: 984-2400 ext. 64185 populated by native Hawaiian plants and community-based management plan. For Hawaii: 974-4000 ext. 64185 animals, many of them endangered. The more information, see page 17. Definitions Your guide to the Environmental Review Process Draft Environmental Draft Environmental Impact Statement of this area. On Oahu, the County law (Draft EIS) prior to project implementation. requires an EA be prepared to accompany a Assessment This document must completely disclose the permit application. This Bulletin posts A project or action that may affect likely impacts of a project. Secondary and notice of these SMP applications to the environment cannot be implemented cumulative impacts must be discussed along encourage public input. until an Environmental Assessment (EA) is with measures proposed to mitigate them. prepared in accordance with HRS §343. If The public has 45 days from the first Shoreline Certifications the lead government agency anticipates that publication date in this Bulletin to comment State law requires that Hawaii the project will have no significant on a Draft EIS. shorelines be surveyed and certified when environmental impact, then a Draft EA is necessary to clearly establish the regulatory written and public notice is published in Final EIS building setback (usually 40 feet inland this bulletin. The public has 30 days to After considering public comments from the shoreline). The public may comment on the Draft EA from the date of filed during the Draft EIS stage, the agency participate in the process to help assure the first notice. or applicant must prepare a Final Environ- accurate regulatory boundaries. Private mental Impact Statement (Final EIS). The land owners often petition to have their Final Environmental Final EIS must respond to all comments shoreline certified prior to construction. Assessment and FONSI from the draft stage. If deeper analysis was This Bulletin publishes notice of both required, it must be included in this shoreline certification applications and of (Negative Declaration) document. If the project is from a private final certifications or rejections. If, after the lead agency reviews the applicant, the lead agency is authorized to public comments, it feels that the project accept the FEIS. If the project is public, the Environmental Council Governor or Mayor is the accepting will have no significant effect on the The Environmental Council is a authority. Only after the EIS is accepted, environment, then it will prepare a Final fifteen-member citizen board appointed by may the project be implemented. EA and issue a Finding of No Significant the Governor to advise the State on Impact (FONSI) formerly called a Negative environmental concerns. The council Declaration. The Final EA must respond to EIS Acceptance Notice makes the rules that govern the Environ- all public comments. An Environmental If the accepting authority accepts a mental Impact Statement process. The Impact Statement will not be required and Final Environmental Impact Statement, a agendas of their regular meetings are the project may now be implemented. The separate EIS Acceptance Notice will be published in this Bulletin and the public is public has 30 days from the first notice of a published in this Bulletin. The public has invited to attend. FONSI in this Bulletin to sue in court to 60 days from the date of first notice of require the preparation of an EIS. acceptance to sue in court to challenge the Exemption Lists acceptance of an EIS. Government agencies must keep a EIS Prep Notice list describing the minor activities they If the lead agency decides that a NEPA regularly perform that are declared exempt project may have a significant environmen- National Environmental Policy Act from the environmental review process. tal impact, it must prepare an Environmen- (NEPA) is the law that requires federal These lists are reviewed and approved by tal Impact Statement (EIS) prior to projects to prepare an EIS. It is similar to the Environmental Council. This Bulletin implementing the project. The first step in Hawaii's law. Some projects require both a will publish an agency's draft exemption list preparing an EIS is publishing an EIS state and federal EIS and the public for public comment prior to Council Preparation Notice (Prep Notice) in this comment procedure should be coordinated. decision making. Bulletin. Agencies, groups or individuals Although not required by law, the OEQC have 30 days from the first publication of publishes NEPA notices in this Bulletin to Conservation District an EIS Prep Notice to request to become a help keep the public informed of important consulted party and to make written actions. Permits comments regarding the environmental Use of land in the State Conservation effects of the proposed action. The draft District requires a Conservation District EIS must respond to these comments. Special Management Area Use Application (CDUA). These applica- Permits tions are reviewed and approved by the Draft EIS The Special Management Area Board of Land and Natural Resources If a project is likely to have a (SMA) is along the coastlines of all our (BLNR). Members of the public may significant environmental impact, the lead islands. Most development in this area intervene in the permit process. Notice of agency or private applicant must prepare a requires a Special Management Permit these permit applications is published in (SMP). The Counties regulate development this Bulletin. Page 2 Office of Environmental Quality Control The Environmental Notice Table of Contents AUGUST 23, 1998 1 Oahu Notices Previously Published Projects Pending Public Comments Draft Environmental