The District of Oahu has enacted a Stormwater Ordinance in order to establish minimum stormwater management requirements and controls to protect and safeguard the general health, safety, and welfare of the public residing in watersheds within this jurisdiction. The District of Oahu is the permitting authority for all land disturbing activities and requires the land owner to maintain all on-site stormwater control facilities and all open space areas (e.g. parks or “green” areas) required by the approved stormwater control plan. The District of Oahu will only provide construction permits to projects that establish a plan to manage stormwater runoff occurring during the construction process. The District of Oahu, under the NPDES program, also has the authority to inspect properties for noncompliance and can issue a notice of violation (NOV) for any deficiency or infraction onsite. Property owners are responsible for the maintenance of any stormwater facilities or practices located on the property. The District of Oahu has the authority to inspect stormwater facilities and practices in order to ascertain that they are properly maintained and functioning.
All non-exempt projects (new development or redevelopment) that disturb an area of one (1) acre or more of land are required to be reviewed for storm water controls.
Smaller projects, less than one (1) acre, that have the potential to discharge pollutants to the MS4 may be required to install specific BMPs (see Section 2.3.3 for qualifiers of such smaller projects) at the direction and discretion of DOT-HWYS.
All non-exempt projects (new development or redevelopment) are required to install LID BMP(s) for storm water management if they generate equal to or greater than one (1) acre of new permanent impervious surface. Some projects may qualify for exemptions or variances from this requirement to install LID BMP(s). Projects that qualify for variances from LID may install alternative permanent BMPs approved by DOT-HWYS.
The required permanent BMP(s) shall be designed and installed in accordance with the criteria, guidelines, and design standards described in this manual. The permanent BMP(s) shall be maintained in its perpetuity unless the original purpose of the project no longer exists. The permanent BMPs are intended to reduce storm water volume and/or the pollution created by storm water runoff and shall be selected based on their ability to target pollutants of concern in the project’s watershed, particularly those causing water body impairment. Typical pollutants contained in the storm water runoff may include, but are not limited to: phosphorus, nitrogen, sediment, heavy metals, oil, and grease. Unlike temporary construction activity BMPs, permanent BMPs are designed to provide long-term storm water treatment for the completed project and associated site improvements.
The type and size of the permanent BMPs are dependent on the water quality and water quantity a project is required to control and should be designed in accordance to the sizing rules specified in this manual.
Requiring a Connection (to DOT’s MS4) Permit New projects outside of DOT-HWYS’ right-of-way that produce storm water runoff that will drain to the MS4 through an authorized connection permit are subject to the unified criteria. Specifically, DOT-HWYS administers a permitting program for any business (industrial or commercial), agency, or project that wishes to establish a permanent connection to the MS4 and release storm water runoff via the MS4. Any new development or redevelopment project that applies for a permit will be subject to this criteria.
A permit must be acquired prior to constructing a physical drain connection to the MS4. A connection permit for the establishment of a new, private drain connection will not be issued until:
A request for a connection permit is made by submitting two separate forms. The first form that must be completed is the Application for a Private Storm Drain Connection and/or Discharge Permit to the State of Hawaii Highways Division Storm Drain System (Appendix C.1). For each connection, the applicant is instructed to submit information on the connection location, size, type of discharge and flow rate, as well as a facility drainage report. In addition, the applicant is required to indicate if their facility or activities generate Industrial Storm Water, as defined by 40 CFR Part 122.26(b)(14), and whether or not they have obtained an NGPC under HAR, Chapter 11-55, Appendix B, NPDES General Permit Authorizing the Discharge of Storm Water Associated with Industrial Activities (General Industrial Storm Water Permit aka Industrial NPDES Permit).
A second form, the Permit for Connection to the State Highways Drainage System (connection permit) (Appendix C.2), must be filled out and submitted to DOT-HWYS, stating that the applicant agrees to the terms and conditions of the connection permit. In order to complete the application process, the forms must be filled out and mailed to:
State of Hawaii
Department of Transportation
Highways Division, Oahu District
727 Kakoi Street Honolulu, Hawaii 96819-2017
Attn: Environmental Management Section Program Engineer