KAILUA-KONA — The Hawaii State Department of Health has ordered Big Island Dairy in Ookala to pay $25,000 and immediately halt the discharge of wastewater into state waters.
The department issued the notice of violation to the dairy over the alleged discharge of wastewater from its feedlot operations into Kaohaoha Gulch, according to a statement from the Department of Health.
“Food production and environmental protection are not competing interests, and through this enforcement action and future permitting efforts, DOH will seek mutually beneficial results for the dairy, O’okala community, and greater State of Hawaii,” said Keith Kawaoka, the department’s deputy director of environmental health.
In addition to the fine, the dairy also has been ordered to “take corrective actions” to prevent illegal discharges and apply for a National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System permit as required by the federal Clean Water act and state pollution laws.
The notice comes after an inspection at the end of March that examined the dairy and gulch.
During that inspection, according to the department press release, inspectors “found clear evidence of an unlawful discharge of wastewater from the dairy’s field irrigation practices.”
Under federal and state laws, a dairy with at least 700 mature milking cows and operates as a Controlled Animal Feedlot Operation must obtain one of those permits.
Those permits, the press release states, regulate discharges from dairy operations to state and federal waters by requiring operations to use pollution reduction practices and compliance reporting.
As a provision of that permit, the release states, the dairy also must develop or revise a “Comprehensive Nutrient Management Plan,” which defines exactly how it uses wastewater for crop production. That plan is subject to federal guidelines and approval by the Department of Health.
Furthermore, Big Island Dairy must conduct surveys and inspections of state waters within its property to identify any and all discharge points.
The dairy has 30 days to submit its application for permit coverage to the department and 20 days to contest the notice of violation and request a hearing.