Civil Works Public Notices

23 Aug 2023

POH-2023-00015 Environmental Assessment for Review: Hale‘iwa Small Boat Harbor Maintenance Dredging and Beach Restoration, O‘ahu

10 Apr 2023

Public Notice of Availability of Draft Environmental Assessment for Waiahole Reservoirs (155 and 225) Rehabilitation

The Waiahole Ditch Irrigation System was constructed between 1912 and 1916 to irrigate sugarcane fields on the western side of Oahu and consists of a 26-mile-long transmission system of ditches, tunnels, siphons, and reservoirs that provides a source of irrigation water to local farmers from the windward side of the island of Oahu. The State of Hawaii Agribusiness Development Corporation (ADC), an attached agency to the Hawaii Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism (DBEDT), operates and maintains the Waiahole Ditch Irrigation System, including two reservoirs within the system: Reservoirs 155 and 225, both of which are unlined, earthen storage basins used to store irrigation water for adjacent farmers and are fed directly by the Waiahole Ditch. These reservoirs have lost holding capacity due to years of sediment accumulation. The purpose of the Proposed Action is to ensure that each reservoir meets dam safety criteria. Reservoir 155 is classified as a high hazard, small dam due to the following factors: a total height of 25 ft (ft), a holding capacity greater than 50 acre-feet (ac-ft), and potential downstream impacts in the event of a failure. Per the Hawaii Administrative Rules (HAR) Chapter 13-190.1, a "high hazard" dam classification is defined as that in which the failure of the dam or reservoir will result in probable loss of human life. Reservoir 225 is not currently listed as a regulated dam. However, recent calculations show that Reservoir 225 exceeds a capacity of 50 ac-ft, which would result in the reservoir being listed as a regulatory dam and require Hawaii Department of Lands and Natural Resources to take jurisdiction over the reservoir. To meet this purpose the water storage capacities of Reservoir 155 and Reservoir 225 would both be reduced. In addition, the reservoirs would be lined to reduce water losses and leakage in the system. The Proposed Action is authorized under Section 1(a)(4) of the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2001 (Public Law 106-554, Appendix D, Chapter 5 (114 STAT 2763A-190)), which authorized and directed use of $2 million of appropriated Construction General Funds to initiate design and construction of the Hawaii Water Management Project, which includes the Waiahole Ditch Irrigation System. The 905(b) Report (USACE 2002) was approved by Headquarters USACE on February 12, 2003, allowing implementation of design and construction of repairs and rehabilitation of publicly owned irrigation systems to the extent of the funds appropriated.

12 Dec 2022

Public Notice of USACE Feasibility Study: Honolulu Harbor Modification Feasibility Study

Interested parties are hereby notified that the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (Corps, USACE) and the State of Hawaii Department of Transportation (HDOT) are in the early stages of the Honolulu Harbor Modification Feasibility Study pursuant to Section 216 of the Flood Control Act of 1970 (Public Law 91-611). The study began with the signing of the Feasibility Cost Share Agreement on 23 September 2022 by both parties. The purpose of the study is to investigate the feasibility of modifications to the harbor, including but not limited to deepening and/or widening the harbor basins and channels to improve navigational efficiencies in the harbor. As part of the feasibility study, USACE is preparing an integrated feasibility report and appropriate documentation to comply with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) of 1969 (42 U.S.C. § 4321) and other applicable environmental laws and regulations. With this notice, the Corps seeks to notify the public of the availability of project information and opportunity to provide scoping comments as the Corps develops the scope and schedule for environmental analysis and compliance for the harbor modification study. The study will conclude with a recommended plan for implementation considering economic feasibility, engineering constructability, and environmental acceptability. This initial scoping solicitation for comments is being conducted as a matter of due diligence and to inform the preparation of a draft NEPA document associated with the feasibility study. Concurrent to involving the public, the Corps will pursue interagency coordination on the proposed action.