This is to give notice that the City and County of Honolulu (City) under Part 58 has determined that the following proposed action under the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program and B-18-MC-15-0001 is located in the 100-year floodplain and the wetland, and the City will be identifying and evaluating practicable alternatives to locating the action in the floodplain and the wetland, and the potential impacts on the floodplain and the wetland from the proposed action, as required by Executive Order 11988 and 11990, in accordance with HUD regulations at 24 CFR 55.20 Subpart C Procedures for Making Determinations on Floodplain Management and Protection of Wetlands.

A new connection to an existing 16-inch R-1 main at the west end of Renton Road and the new 12-inch and 18-inch waterline will run for a length of approximately .75 miles along Renton Road between the Ka Makana Ali’i Shopping Center and Park Row. The new waterline will provide a direct connection to the Board of Water Supply’s R-1 distribution system and allow the ‘Ewa Villages community to receive high quality R-1 water directly from the Honouliuli Wastewater Recycling Facility (HWRF).

The project crosses 10 separate parcels with an approximately 376 combined acreage. The central portion of the project surrounding Kalo’i Gulch (east of Kapolei Parkway) is located within the 100-year floodplain (Zones AE and AEF) and a wetland. The Base Flood Elevation has been determined and identified on the Federal Insurance Rate Map (FIRM), Panel 15003C0310G, effective January 19, 2011. The proposed waterline will be structurally mounted to the bridge, which is located above the base flood elevation of 36 feet at this location.

There are three primary purposes of this notice. First, people who may be affected by activities in floodplains and those who have an interest in the protection of the natural environment should be given an opportunity to express their concerns and provide information about these areas. Commenters are encouraged to offer alternative sites outside of the floodplain, alternative methods to serve the same project purpose, and methods to minimize and mitigate impacts. Second, an adequate public notice program can be an important public educational tool. The dissemination of information and request for public comment about floodplains can facilitate and enhance Federal efforts to reduce the risks and impacts associated with the occupancy and modification of these special areas. Third, as a matter of fairness, when the Federal government determines it will participate in actions taking place in floodplains, it must inform those who may be put at greater or continued risk.

Nelson H. Koyanagi, Jr., Director
Department of Budget and Fiscal Services