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EPA settles stormwater violation case with Bali Hai Villas Limited Partnership on Kauai

Release Date: 8/25/2004
Contact Information: Dean Higuchi, (808) 541-2711

HONOLULU -- The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has recently settled its case with Bali Hai Villas Limited Partnership, requiring the company to pay $15,000 for Clean Water Act violations at a residential construction project in Princeville, Kaua'i.

The EPA action resolves alleged unauthorized stormwater discharges from the Bali Hai Villas' construction site in the Princeville area, resulting from the company's failure to obtain a needed permit to discharge stormwater from the site.

"Any stormwater discharges from construction projects must have pollution controls in place to protect aquatic and marine resources and habitat," said Alexis Strauss, the EPA's director for water programs in the Pacific Southwest region. "As has been seen elsewhere in Hawai'i, erosion and sedimentation associated with stormwater discharges can cause severe pollution problems for our coastal waters and coral reefs."

In January 2004, EPA and Department of Health inspectors found that the company:

-did not properly place and install fences around the project area to control silt from stormwater runoff;
-failed to install pollution protection at storm drains to prevent soil and sediments from reaching the ocean;
-failed to prevent discharges of pollutants associated with construction activities; and
-began construction activities prior to receiving a stormwater permit.

The EPA ordered the company to install the proper soil stabilization, erosion and sediment controls at all locations of exposed soil that are not undergoing active construction and locations where stormwater runoff could leave the project site. The company has implemented the necessary runoff controls and revised its stormwater pollution control plans for the project.

Information on the public's opportunity to comment on this settlement is available at: https://www.epa.gov/region09/enforcement/pubnotices .