HONOLULU — Coco Palms developer Chad Waters was cited by the Department of Health in late March for a reported environmental infraction at his Sound Investments LLC development on Oahu.
The DOH’s Clean Water Branch issued the citation based on observations made during a Feb. 20 inspection.
According to the citation from the DOH, the inspection found the development at the Olomana Heights project, violated the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System permit coverage, by failing to correctly install, implement, maintain or repair site best management practices, to prevent polluted storm water discharge from the site.
Waters could face fines of nearly $30,000 for the infractions, but stated his company is working with the DOH on remedying the issue.
In a statement to The Garden Island newspaper, Chad Waters said they were surprised to learn about the fine from the DOH for the Olomana Heights project.
“We have not received any correspondence regarding the alleged violation. All work on site was completed a year ago and all permits have been closed,” he said.
The majority of the lots, Waters said, are under the control of those who own the property.
“The remaining handful of lots owned by Sound Investments, LLC, have no grading or building in process and no open permits whatsoever,” he said.
Waters said his company will reach out to the DOH to clarify and resolve their concerns.
Sound Investments LLC, has no association with Coco Palms Hui LLC. According to the DOH, there are no enforcement actions of any kind on Kauai in relation to Chad Waters, Tyler Greene, or Coco Palms LLC.
The citation states this is the second infraction issued to the developer, for failing to correctly install, implement, maintain or repair BMP’s (best management practices), for the Waikalua Bayside construction process. In a statement to TGI, Matthew Kurano, environmental health specialist with the Clean Water Branch of the DOH, said their department implements storm water regulations to protect the quality of state waters.
“As required by law, people who conduct construction activities must implement best management practices and comply with storm water permits to prevent the discharge of pollutants, which degrade Hawaii’s streams and coastal waters,” he said.
Given the recent intensity of local weather, he said, it’s critical that those who undertake construction activities fully comply with DOH requirements.
“Those who fail to comply with environmental laws will face legal actions by the DOH,” he said. “It is everyone’s responsibility to protect Hawaii’s environment.”
According to the DOH Clean Water Branch, Waters has reached out to their program and is working on complying with the issued citation.
“We have met with the Department of Health and engaged our consultants and contractors to take the necessary steps to file any missing paperwork and take whatever corrective actions on site that are deemed appropriate to be in complete compliance with all Federal, State and County regulations,” Waters said.
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Bethany Freudenthal, Courts, Crime and County reporter, 652-7891 or bfreudenthal@thegardenisland.com
uhhh….why was this article published? I know why it was written. Regular readers have already noticed the writer Bethany F’s opposition to the planned renovation of the Coco Palms disaster zone, but how in the world could such a self-contradictory and petty article make it past the editor’s desk at a paper that presents itself as legitimate? C’mon, TGI!
Of course, it would be the Coco Palms occupiers’ good friend filing this story. When are you returning to Alaska?
Same kind of crap the media does to our president daily. Who really cares except for those who write the stories.