U.S. EPA Settles with Keehi Marine Center Over Pollution Violations in Honolulu
The U.S. EPA today announced that Keehi Marine has agreed to pay a $127,821 penalty for the discharge of pollutants like lead, zinc and copper through storm water runoff.
Keehi Marine, a boatyard at Sand Island, has also agreed to take preventative measures to reduce the discharge of the contaminants, which are a violation of the Clean Water Act, reported the Honolulu Star-Advertiser.
Keehi failed to comply with a condition or limitation in a CWA section 402 permit. According to the EPA, Keehi Marine completed the terms of an administrative order in November.
During an Apr. 21, 2017 storm water inspection, representatives of EPA Region 9 inspected the facility to evaluate compliance with the General Permit.
The facility accumulated fine sediment and debris near the work areas and boat repair activities were being conducted outdoors without any observable overhead coverage or alternative best management practices to prevent pollutants in storm water discharges, according to the EPA.
“Boatyard facilities that conduct maintenance and repair must have adequate stormwater pollution controls,” said EPA Pacific Southwest Regional Director of the Enforcement and Compliance Assurance Division Amy Miller in an EPA press release. “This order will help prevent pollution from reaching Ke‘ehi Lagoon and Māmala Bay, protecting fragile coastal ecosystems.”
Keehi Marine has installed a storm water treatment system to remove pollutants from their storm water discharge.
The facility has done the following for mitigation of the issue: developed a storm water pollution control plan; resurfaced the 1.3-acre boatyard area to prevent discharges from work areas; implemented sample analysis policies; and conducted employee training and daily inspections.
The EPA’s settlement with Keehi Marine is subject to a 30-day public comment period prior to final approval. Comments will be accepted by mail or email to [email protected] until Mar. 1, 2021.