The state Department of Health wants the help of Kauaians to help keep island streams and water sources clean. Under the federal Clean Water Act, DOH officials are updating the standards the agency uses to assess the health of streams
The state Department of Health wants the help of Kauaians to help keep island streams and water sources clean.
Under the federal Clean Water Act, DOH officials are updating the standards the agency uses to assess the health of streams and surface waters on Kauai and other islands in the state.
Having clean surface water will help protect the health of fish, plants and animals and their habitats.
DOH officials seek public comments on its “2004 Listing and Delisting Criteria” and wants copies of data that documents the quality of water.
The deadline for submitting written comments on the draft criteria is Friday, Aug. 8. Comments should be sent to the DOH’s Environmental Planning Office.
Any additional data should be delivered to the same office by Oct. 1. Data received after that day could be used by DOH later.
The additional data that could be submitted could include environmental assessments, environmental impact assessments or information that was generated through collection methods and analysis, DOH officials said.
Data will be screened using the revised 2004 listing to prioritize water quality into one of three rankings, officials said.
Ranking one indicates “the highest priority for listing as impaired,” while a priority three indicates additional monitoring “is necessary to make a future listing decision,” DOH officials said.
Data submitted should include contact information for the person or the organization that collected the information, DOH officials said.
Residents can review the draft criteria list at the DOH district office in Lihue, For more information, call 241-3323.
