MEDIA RELEASE

The Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR) next month will hold statewide public hearings regarding revisions to Hawaii Administrative Rules relating to dams and reservoirs.

The rules are in Title 13, Subtitle 7, Chapter 190, “Dams and Reservoirs” and Adoption of Proposed Hawaii Administrative Rules, Title 13, Subtitle 7, Chapter 190.1.

The revisions are required under the Hawaii Dam and Reservoir Safety Act of 2007, Chapter 179D Hawaii Revised Statutes. They are intended to provide guidance on new construction of dams, alterations or removals of existing dams, to clarify certificate to impound application requirements, set the amounts for fees, establish minimum operational and physical requirements, clarify some definitions, and implement other related requirements pursuant to Chapter 179D HRS.

A copy of the proposed rule change packet is available online at http://hawaii.gov/dlnr/rules

Copies for public review are also available Monday through Friday, from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., at the DLNR Engineering Division, 1151 Punchbowl Street, Room 221, Honolulu, Hawaii 96813.

A copy of the proposed rules will be mailed to any interested person who requests a copy and pays the required fees for the copy and postage. These requests should be mailed to the following address along with the persons name, complete return mailing address and phone number:

Ishida & Yamada, LLLP
888 Mililani Street, Penthouse 5
Honolulu, Hawaii 96813
Attention: Mr. Edsel Yamada

The public hearings are scheduled as follows but not to exceed two hours:

* Kauai: 4-6 p.m., Tuesday, Oct. 12, Kauai War Memorial Convention Hall, 4191 Hardy Street, Lihue

* Oahu: 4-6 p.m., Wednesday, Oct. 13, Kalanimoku Building, Room 132 (DLNR Board Room), 1151 Punchbowl Street, Honolulu

* Maui: 10 a.m.-noon, Thursday, Oct. 14, Maui Community College, Laulima Room, 310 Kaahumanu Ave, Kahului

* Hawaii: 10 a.m.-noon, Friday, Oct 15, Waimea Civic Center, 67-5189 Kamamalu St., Kamuela

All interested persons are urged to attend the public hearing to present relevant information and individual opinion for DLNR to consider.

Any person requiring a special accommodation should make a request by writing the Engineering Division at the address above or by calling (V/T) (808) 587-0236. The request will need to be received at least seven days before the hearing date. For more information contact the Engineering Division at (808) 587-0236.