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HAWAI‘I DAIRY FARMS
FINAL ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STATEMENT
VOLUME 3 AGENCIES AND ORGANIZATIONS
COMMENT LETTERS AND RESPONSES
This environmental document is prepared pursuant to Hawaiÿi Revised Statutes, Chapter 343, Environmental Impact Statement Law and Chapter 200 of Title 11, Administrative Rules,
Department of Health, Environmental Impact Statement Rules.
SUBMITTED BY:
JANUARY 2017
HAWAI‘I DAIRY FARMS
FINAL ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STATEMENT
VOLUME 3 AGENCIES AND ORGANIZATIONS
COMMENT LETTERS AND RESPONSES
SUBMITTED BY:
PREPARED BY:
Architecture • Planning & Environmental Services • Interior Design • Civil Engineering 925 Bethel Street, 5th Floor, Honolulu, HI 96813 (808) 523-5866
This environmental document is prepared pursuant to Hawaiÿi Revised Statutes, Chapter 343, Environmental Impact Statement Law and Chapter 200 of Title 11, Administrative Rules,
Department of Health, Environmental Impact Statement Rules.
JANUARY 2017
HAWAI‘I DAIRY FARMS Final Environmental Impact Statement
FINAL ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STATEMENT LIST OF VOLUMES
VOLUME
1 FINAL ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STATEMENT
2 TECHNICAL APPENDICES
3-7 COMMENTS AND RESPONSES TO THE DEIS
3 AGENCIES AND ORGANIZATIONS COMMENT LETTERS AND RESPONSES
4 FRIENDS OF MĀHĀ‘ULEPŪ COMMENT LETTER, APPENDICES, AND RESPONSES
5 KAWAILOA DEVELOPMENT COMMENT LETTER, APPENDICES, AND RESPONSES
6 INDIVIDUAL COMMENT LETTERS AND RESPONSES (PART 1 OF 2)
7 INDIVIDUAL COMMENT LETTERS AND RESPONSES (PART 2 OF 2)
8-9 COMMENTS AND RESPONSES TO THE EISPN
8 COMMENTS AND RESPONSES TO THE EISPN - PART A
9 COMMENTS AND RESPONSES TO THE EISPN - PART B
HAWAIʻI DAIRY FARMS Final Environmental Impact Statement
i
Consulted Parties
Respondents and Distribution
Early or Ongoing Consultation,
Presentation, or Notification
Comments Received
EISPN
Received DEIS
Comments Received
DEIS
Received FEIS
A. Federal Agencies or Affiliates Environmental Protection Agency Region IX Pacific Islands X
Department of Agriculture Natural Resources Conservation Service X X
Department of Commerce National Marine Fisheries Service X
Department of Homeland Security Coast Guard 14th District X
Department of Transportation Federal Aviation Administration X
Department of Transportation Federal Transit Administration X
Department of Transportation Federal Highways Administration X
Department of the Navy X National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Fisheries Pacific Island Regional Office
X X X X X
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Honolulu District X X X X
U.S. Department of the Interior Fish and Wildlife Service, Pacific Islands X X X X X
Department of Interior, Geological Survey, Pacific Islands Water Science Center X X X
Department of the Interior National Parks Service, Pacific Islands X
B. State Agencies Department of Accounting and General Services X X X X
Department of Agriculture X X X X Department of Business, Economic Development & Tourism (DBEDT) X X
DBEDT, Office of Planning X X X X
DBEDT, Strategic Industries Division X X
Department of Defense X X X
Department of Hawaiian Home Lands X X Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR) X X X X
DLNR, CWRM X X X X
DLNR, Engineering Division X X X X X
HAWAIʻI DAIRY FARMS Final Environmental Impact Statement
ii
Consulted Parties
Respondents and Distribution
Early or Ongoing Consultation,
Presentation, or Notification
Comments Received
EISPN
Received DEIS
Comments Received
DEIS
Received FEIS
DLNR, Historic Preservation Division X X X X X
Kaua‘i/Ni‘ihau Island Burial Council X X X X
DLNR, Land Division, Kaua‘i District X X X X X DLNR, Soil and Water Conservation District, West Kaua‘i
X X
Department of Health (DOH) via Environmental Planning Office X X X X X
DOH, Clean Air Branch X X X X
DOH, Clean Water Branch X X X X
DOH, Communications Office X
DOH, Compliance Assistance Office X DOH, Environmental Health Services Division (EHSD) X
DOH, EHSD – Food & Drug Branch – Indoor & Radiological Health Branch X
DOH, EHSD – Food & Drug Branch – Sanitation Branch X
DOH, EHSD – Vector Control Branch X DOH, Environmental Management Division X
DOH, Environmental Resources Office X DOH, Hazard Evaluation and Emergency Response Office X
DOH, Health Resources Administration X
DOH, Kaua‘i District Health Office X DOH, Planning, Policy, and Program Development Office X
DOH, Safe Drinking Water Branch X
DOH, Sanitation X X X X
DOH, Solid & Hazardous Waste Branch X
DOH, State Laboratories Division X
DOH, Wastewater Branch X X X X
Department of Transportation (DOT) X X X X
Kaua‘i/Ni‘ihau Island Burial Council X X
Office of Environmental Quality Control X X
HAWAIʻI DAIRY FARMS Final Environmental Impact Statement
iii
Consulted Parties
Respondents and Distribution
Early or Ongoing Consultation,
Presentation, or Notification
Comments Received
EISPN
Received DEIS
Comments Received
DEIS
Received FEIS
Office of Hawaiian Affairs X X X X University of Hawai‘i, Environmental Center X X
University of Hawai‘i, Water Resources Research Center X
C. County of Kaua‘i
Department of Parks and Recreation X X
Department of Planning X X X
Department of Public Works X X X X
Department of Water X X X X
Fire Department X X
Office of Economic Development X X
Office of the County Clerk X X X
Police Department X X
Transportation Agency X X
E. Elected Officials
U.S. Senator Brian Schatz X X
U.S. Senator Mazie Hirono X X (former) U.S. Representative Mark Takai 1st District X
U.S. Representative Colleen Hanabusa 1st District X
U.S. Representative Tulsi Gabbard, 2nd District X X
Council Chair, Mel Rapozo X X X X
Council Vice Chair, Ross Kagawa X X X X
Councilmember, Arryl Kaneshiro X X
Councilmember, Gary L Hooser X X X X X
Councilmember, JoAnn A. Yukimura X X X X
Councilmember, KipuKai Kuali‘i X X
Councilmember, Mason K. Chock X X X X
Honorable Mayor Bernard P. Carvalho, Jr. X X
Representative Dee Morikawa, House District 16 X X
Representative Councilmember, X X X X
HAWAIʻI DAIRY FARMS Final Environmental Impact Statement
iv
Consulted Parties
Respondents and Distribution
Early or Ongoing Consultation,
Presentation, or Notification
Comments Received
EISPN
Received DEIS
Comments Received
DEIS
Received FEIS
Derek S.K. Kawakami House District 14 Representative James K. Tokioka, House District 15 X X
Senator Ronald D. Kouchi, Senate District 8 X X
F. Media
Honolulu Star Advertiser X X
Hawai‘i Tribune Herald X X
West Hawai‘i Today X X
The Garden Island X X X
Maui News X X
Moloka‘i Dispatch X X
Honolulu Civil Beat X X
H. Libraries Department of Education Hawai‘i State Library Hawai‘i Documents Center
X X
Hawai‘i Kai Regional Library X X
Hilo Regional Library X X
Kahului Regional Library X X
Kaimuki Regional Library X X
Kāne‘ohe Regional Library X X
Legislative Reference Bureau X X Library of the Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism X
Līhu‘e Regional Library X X X
Hanapepe Public Library X X
Kapa‘a Public Library X X
Kōloa Public and School Library X X
Princeville Public Library X X
Waimea Public Library X X
Pearl City Regional Library X X
University of Hawai‘i Hamilton Library X X
HAWAIʻI DAIRY FARMS Final Environmental Impact Statement
v
Consulted Parties
Respondents and Distribution
Early or Ongoing Consultation,
Presentation, or Notification
Comments Received
EISPN
Received DEIS
Comments Received
DEIS
Received FEIS
University of Hawai‘i at Hilo Edwin H. Mo‘okini Library X X
University of Hawai‘i Kaua‘i Community College Library X X X
University of Hawai‘i, Maui College Library X X
I. Community Interest Groups and Individuals
Aha Moku Advisory Committee X X
Center for Biological Diversity X X
Center for Food Safety X X
Contractors Association Kaua‘i X X X X
Friends of Māhā‘ulepū X X X X X
Grove Farm X X X X X
Hawaii Cattlemen’s Council, Inc. X X Hawai‘i Chapter of the Sierra Club Kaua‘i Group X X X X X
Kaua‘i Chamber of Commerce X X X X
Kaua‘i County Farm Bureau X X X X
Kaua‘i Economic Development Board X X
Kaua‘i Filipino Chamber of Commerce X X
Kaua‘i Planning and Action Alliance X X
Kaua‘i Visitors Bureau X X
Kawailoa Development X X X X X
Kohola Leo X X
Kōloa Community Association X X
Kōloa Landing X X
Malama Kōloa X X
Malama Māhā‘ulepū X X X X X
Maui School Garden Network X X
Poiʻpū Bay Golf Course X X
Po‘ipū Beach Resort Association X X X X
Po‘ipū Crater Homeowners’ Association X X X X
Po‘ipū Kai X X
HAWAIʻI DAIRY FARMS Final Environmental Impact Statement
vi
Consulted Parties
Respondents and Distribution
Early or Ongoing Consultation,
Presentation, or Notification
Comments Received
EISPN
Received DEIS
Comments Received
DEIS
Received FEIS
Rotary Club of Po‘ipū Beach X X
Surfrider Foundation, Kaua‘i Chapter X X X X X
Whalers Cove Resort X X
J. Individuals
Albert, Martin, M.D. X X X X
Albert, Phyllis X X X X
Albrecht, Arnold and Jane X X X X
Alexander, Mary X X
Amsterdam, Jo X X X X
Anderson, Gary R. X X X X
Andrade, Mac X X
Anthony, John X X
Aqui, Emeline X X
Ascuena, Jodi X X X X X
Ascuena, Victor X X
Ashkenazy, Janet X X X X
Baldwin, Peter X X
Bandsma, Gloria X X
Barich, Terese X X X X
Barnard, Bill X X X X
Baron, Chris X X X X
Bartlett, Tom and Mary X X X X X
Basile, Jude X X X X
Basler, Sabra X X X X X
Bator, Bonnie P. X X X X X
Bay, Greg & Shelley X X X X X
Beall, Allan X X
Beall, Charlotte X X
Beall, Charlotte and Allen X X X X
Beam, Craig X X X X
Bedwell, Curtis J. X X X X X
HAWAIʻI DAIRY FARMS Final Environmental Impact Statement
vii
Consulted Parties
Respondents and Distribution
Early or Ongoing Consultation,
Presentation, or Notification
Comments Received
EISPN
Received DEIS
Comments Received
DEIS
Received FEIS
Bell, Betty X X X X X
Bell, Masai X X X X
Beuttell, Jack X X
Blaich, Beryl X X X X X
Bishop, Roger X X X X X
Blessing, Alison K. & Breckenridge, Robert L. X X X X
Blessing, Phillip L. and Kathleen L. X X X X
Boll, Sharon X X X X
Boyd, Carylee X X X X
Boyle, Cornelia X X X X X
Brendel, Judith E. X X X X
Britzmann, Katy X X X X X
Brockett, Kyle X X
Brockett, Sonja X X
Bronzino, Edna X X
Brouchoud, Bob & Kathy X X
Bulder, Liedeke & Wright, Dick X X X X
Burkhardt, Joanne X X X X
Burnham, Deborah X X
Burns, Mrs. Robert E. X X X X
Calipjo, Lesther X X
Carrick, Donna X X X
Carrick, George X X X
Carrick, George and Donna X X X X
Cassidy, Andrea X X X
Cassidy, Michael and Andrea X X X X
Caylor, Carolyn X X X X
Cerioni, Lee X X X X
Clark, Kat X X
Clune, Constance A. X X
Coe, Charlie X X
HAWAIʻI DAIRY FARMS Final Environmental Impact Statement
viii
Consulted Parties
Respondents and Distribution
Early or Ongoing Consultation,
Presentation, or Notification
Comments Received
EISPN
Received DEIS
Comments Received
DEIS
Received FEIS
Collison, David H. V. X X X X
Coon, Michael M. X X X X
Coon-Waymen, Michael & Jenica X X X
Cowden, Felicia X X X X X
Cox, Carroll X X
Crawford, Brenda S. X X X X
Curtis, Mya X X
Dalton, Judy X X X X
Davis, Amy Boudreau X X
Davis, Eric X X
Davis-Briant, Carol Ann X X X X
Decker, Lori X X X X X
DeMarco, Richard X X
DeMichiel, Catherine X X X X
DeMichiel, Robert P. X X X X
deVries, Diane X X X X X
Deyden, Myra VanOrnum X X
DeZerega, David X X X X
DeZerega, Sara X X X X
Di Pietro, Jeri X X X X
Diamant, Michael X X X X
Dorrance, Jay X X X X
Ebata, Ellen X X X X X
Eckberg, Ronalee and Eric X X X X
EerNisse, Errol P. X X
Ellul, Beverley and Joseph X X X X
Erichsen, Andrew X X
Faraldi, Russell X X X X
Farias, Bronwyn X X
Farias, Robert X X
Farrell, Cheryl Ann X X X X
HAWAIʻI DAIRY FARMS Final Environmental Impact Statement
ix
Consulted Parties
Respondents and Distribution
Early or Ongoing Consultation,
Presentation, or Notification
Comments Received
EISPN
Received DEIS
Comments Received
DEIS
Received FEIS
Faye, Alan X X X X
Fehring, Bruce X X
Feldmeir, Matthew & Susan X X
Ferguson, James & Susan X X X X X
Fleming, Collin and Factor, Kim X X X X
Forbes, Micha X X
Forer, Karl X X X X
Freeman, Margery X X X X X
Fry, Robert X X
Garcia, Shawn X X
George, Heather X X
Gia, Debborrah X X
Gipson, Farouz X X
Goeggel, Cathy X X
Goodwin, Sharon X X X X
Gottlieb, Alan X X
Grace, Yojana X X X X X
Grant, Amy X X X X
Gudoy, Gina X X
Hadwin, Jim X X X X X
Hadwin, Kathleen X X X X
Hagan, Beth X X X X
Hagan, Pat X X X X
Hagensen, Julie M. X X X X
Hager, Vivian X X X X
Halliday, John & Terri X X X X X
Hammerquist, Bridget X X X X X Hanohano, Kalanikumai Ka Maka ‘uli ‘uli ‘O Na Ali‘i X X X X
Hartman, Diann X X
Hartman, Lisa X X X X
HAWAIʻI DAIRY FARMS Final Environmental Impact Statement
x
Consulted Parties
Respondents and Distribution
Early or Ongoing Consultation,
Presentation, or Notification
Comments Received
EISPN
Received DEIS
Comments Received
DEIS
Received FEIS
Hashimoto, Danny X X
Hayden, Chris & Diana X X
Hayes, Terrie and Kaohelauli'i, Billy X X X X X
Heacock, Donald E. X X X X X
Healy, John T. X X X X
Hee, Stephen X X X X
Heinen, Gary and Jackie X X X X
Heller, Larry X X X X
Hennessy, Tom and Ann X X X X
Herndon, Herb X X X X
Herndon, Joyce X X X X
Hibbitt, Mindy X X
Hiraoka, Joy X X
Hoff, John R. X X X X X
Hokupaa X X
Holl, Sherrie X X
Holt, Howard & Maureen X X X X X
Horak, Joe X X
Houby, Jens X X X X
Howell, David & Linda X X X X X
Hubner, Andy X X
Hurley, Marisa X X X X
Ito, Y. Marvin X X
James, Michael X X
Janai, Kapua X X X X X
Jarrett, Nancee X X
Jerdal, Larry and Karen X X X X
John, Ronald O. X X X X X
Jones, Ruthann X X
Jones, Vince and Fran X X X X
Jorgens, Gayle and Wai, Stanley X X X X
HAWAIʻI DAIRY FARMS Final Environmental Impact Statement
xi
Consulted Parties
Respondents and Distribution
Early or Ongoing Consultation,
Presentation, or Notification
Comments Received
EISPN
Received DEIS
Comments Received
DEIS
Received FEIS
Judd, David X X X X Kalanikumai Ka Makauliuli O Na Alii Hanohano X X
Kallai, Hope X X
Kanna, Jacqueline K. X X
Kashiwaeda, Suzanne X X X X X
Kaui, Trinette X X
Kawahara, Dawn Fraser X X X X
Kawahara, Delano H. X X X X
Kawahara, Lani X X X X
Kaye, Melanie X X
Keamoai, Hoku X X
Kechloian, Eileen X X X X X
Kechloian, John (Jay) X X X X X
Kelley, MaryLu X X X X
Kelly, Frank and Marilyn X X X X
Ken (no last name) X X X X
Khalsa, Dr. H.S.S. X X
Kinsey, Sinclair W. X X X X
Kroll, Jean X X
Kuala, Marty X X X X
Lauryn, Steven X X X X
Lawrence, Jr., Delton X X
Lee-Jackson, Debra X X X X
Leininger, Susan X X X X
Levy, Joan X X X X
Lo, Karl & Catherine X X X X
Lott, Jacquelynn K. X X
Low, Kristen X X
Lucas, Paul X X X X
Lynam, Christina X X X X
HAWAIʻI DAIRY FARMS Final Environmental Impact Statement
xii
Consulted Parties
Respondents and Distribution
Early or Ongoing Consultation,
Presentation, or Notification
Comments Received
EISPN
Received DEIS
Comments Received
DEIS
Received FEIS
Macdougall, Sandy X X X X
Malapit, Lon X X
Maple, Stuart & Lynne X X X X
Martin, Marianne X X X X
Masters, Jeff and Deborah X X X X
Matsumura, Lynne X X
McCaslin, Candace X X X X
McCoubrey, Sharon X X X X X
Meboe, Ellen F. X X X X X
Meboe, Joe X X X X X
Meyer, Ira & Rayme X X X X X
Mikaila, Taressa X X
Miller, John W. X X X X
Mills, Mary P. X X X X
Miner, Imogene X X X X
Mizumoto, Lance C. X X X X
Mizuo, Kenneth & Lynette X X
Montgomery, Yuri X X X X
Morey, Lee X X X X
Mukai, Richard & Victoria X X
Muller, Jan X X X X X
Muller, John T. Jr. X X X X X
Murguia, Kathleen X X X X
Muzik, Katherine X X
Neudorffer, Mary X X X X X
Nishek, Jerry X X
Nishimura, Randall X X
Norman, Rita X X X X
O'Connor, Tim X X X X
Oliver, Polli C. X X X X
Olry, Michele X X X X
HAWAIʻI DAIRY FARMS Final Environmental Impact Statement
xiii
Consulted Parties
Respondents and Distribution
Early or Ongoing Consultation,
Presentation, or Notification
Comments Received
EISPN
Received DEIS
Comments Received
DEIS
Received FEIS
Olson, Dick and Maria X X X X
Osterer, Lorraine X X X X X
Oxford, Patty X X X X
Oyama, Mark X X
Patterson, John X X X X
Perez, Kymry X X X X
Pescaia, Carol X X X X
Petersen, Greg X X X X
Pilaria, Rowland X X X X X
Pilaria, Shari X X X X X
Pilaria, Val X X X X
Pinzon, Crystal X X
Plotkins, Pierra A. X X X X
Poindexter, James M. X X X X
Pollock, Sherry X X
Powers, Eve X X X X
Purdy, Ken X X
Purdy, Susie X X
R, Liz X X
Rachap, Allan X X X X X
Rachap, Judith X X X X X
Ray, Robert X X X X
Rees, Gerald and Hannah X X X X X
Riley, Mark and Simpson, Ann X X X X
Rogers, Puanani X X
Rose, Mike and Laurie X X X X
Rosen, Gail C. X X X X
Rosen, Henry and Sara X X X X X
Rosener, Matt X X X X X
Rowe, Rupert X X
Rozelle, Linda M. X X X X
HAWAIʻI DAIRY FARMS Final Environmental Impact Statement
xiv
Consulted Parties
Respondents and Distribution
Early or Ongoing Consultation,
Presentation, or Notification
Comments Received
EISPN
Received DEIS
Comments Received
DEIS
Received FEIS
Ruchaber, Krista X X
Rullman, Charles X X X X
Russell, Richard X X X X X
Saiki, Michael X X
Salazar, Tiffany L. X X
Santos, Ivy X X
Sauve, Joe X X X X
Scamahorn, Elizabeth X X
Schimmelfennig, William X X X X
Schwartz, Ken and Stephanie X X X X X
Shablow, Janette X X X X
Shaffer, Jamie H. X X X X
Sheffield, Kathy X X
Sherman, Dr. Irene & Douglas X X X X X
Simms, Shelby X X
Sindt, Ed X X X X X
Smith, Annick X X
Smith, Sarah X X
Smith, Stephen E. X X X X
Snyder, Eleanor X X X X X
Sparks, Norma Doctor X X X X
Sparks, Stephen A. X X X X
Stecher, Steven & Igarashi, Portia X X X X
Stein, Jerry and Wendy X X X X X
Steinhagen, James & Susan X X X X
Sterns, Nancy X X X X
Stone, Mary Isabella X X X X
Stone, Rebecca X X X X
Street, Nicole X X
Sullivan, Don X X X X
Sullivan, James X X X X X
HAWAIʻI DAIRY FARMS Final Environmental Impact Statement
xv
Consulted Parties
Respondents and Distribution
Early or Ongoing Consultation,
Presentation, or Notification
Comments Received
EISPN
Received DEIS
Comments Received
DEIS
Received FEIS
Summerfield, Yvonne X X X X
Sussman, Jay X X X X
Suzie X X
Swanson, Ashley X X X X
Swanson, William X X X X X
Sweeney, Sean Keoki X X
Sylvester, Linda X X
Talaber, Cynthia & Dave X X X X X
Taylor, Gabriela X X
Taylor, Ken X X X X
Taylor, Terry X X X X
Thompson, Tayemi Susan X X X X X
Thurston, Anne X X X X
Tilley, Karen X X X X
Trapp, Max X X X X
Trentlage, Sheri & Dave X X X X
Trevino, Luis X X X X X
Valentini, George & Littlefield, Pam X X X X X
Valenziano, Beth X X X X X
Varnel, Deboragh X X
Vernon, Ian X X
Viluan, Tia X X
Vlach, Robert X X X X
Walden, Diane X X X X
Walden, Terry X X X X
Waldrop, Mark X X X X
Waldrop, Mary X X X X X
Waybright, Liz X X
Weil, Martin X X X X
Weiner, Jill X X
Welti, Cynthia X X X X
HAWAIʻI DAIRY FARMS Final Environmental Impact Statement
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Consulted Parties
Respondents and Distribution
Early or Ongoing Consultation,
Presentation, or Notification
Comments Received
EISPN
Received DEIS
Comments Received
DEIS
Received FEIS
Werner, Mariah X X
Wesland, Coni X X X X
White, Allan B. X X X X
Whitney, William X X X X
Wiener, Susan X X X X
Wilcox, Mark X X X X
Wildman, Kelly X X X X
Wildman, Randall X X X X
Williams, Bob X X
Williams, Bob and Jeanette X X X X
Williams, Carol X X X X
Williams, Jeanette X X
Williams, Laura X X X X
Wollin, Pearl X X X X
Wolny, Kerry X X X X
Wolny, Pam X X X X X
Wry, Diane X X
Wyeth, Hau'onalani X X X X X
Yamada, Debbie X X
Yamamoto, James X X
Yamasaki, Morton X X
Yatsuoka, Vanessa X X
Yeo, Gwen X X X X
Zelkovsky, Robert X X X X X
Zepeda, Joy X X
Zimmerman, Jack X X X X
AGENCIES
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00 c
ows,
but
the
herd
cou
ld g
row
in s
izeto
200
0 w
hen
the
dairy
is u
nder
full-
scal
e op
era
on.
On
Janu
ary
30, 2
015,
NM
FS fo
rwar
ded
our c
omm
ents
aer
a re
view
of t
he d
ra E
ISPN
. Our
com
men
ts w
ere
offer
ed u
nder
four
hea
ding
s us
ed in
the
EISP
N as
env
ironm
enta
l se
ngs-
Sur
face
Wat
er R
esou
rces
, Roa
dway
and
Traffi
c, D
rain
age
and
Stor
m W
ater
Run
off, a
nd W
ater
Sup
ply.
Resp
onse
s to
our
com
men
ts w
ere
offer
ed b
y Gr
oup
70.
The
follo
win
g is
a p
arap
hras
ing
of N
MFS
com
men
ts, a
nd th
e re
spon
ses
mad
e by
Surfa
ce W
ater
Res
ourc
es -
NMFS
com
men
ted
that
the
proj
ect c
ould
resu
lt in
an
incr
ease
in n
utrie
nt lo
ad to
the
mar
ine
envi
ronm
ent,
and
the
prop
onen
t sho
uld
deve
lop
mi
gaon
/avo
idan
ce m
easu
res
to p
reve
nt it
.
Resp
onse
- Na
tura
lly g
row
ing
gras
s will
pro
vide
70
% o
f the
die
t for
the
dairy
farm
her
d. N
utrie
nt re
quire
men
ts fo
rth
e pa
stur
e gr
ass w
ill b
e gr
eate
r tha
n th
at p
rovi
ded
by c
ale
man
ure
and
efflue
nt fr
om th
e m
ilkin
g pa
rlor.
Tosu
pple
men
t thi
s nut
rient
defi
cien
cy, f
erliz
ers w
ould
be
appl
ied.
Bas
ed o
n co
nser
vave
ana
lysis
up
to 2
per
cent
of
tota
l nitr
ogen
and
one
per
cent
of p
hosp
horu
s may
pas
s thr
ough
the
soils
and
end
up
in th
e m
arin
e en
viro
nmen
t,re
sul
ng in
100
00 p
ound
s of n
itrog
en a
nd 9
00 p
ound
s of p
hosp
horu
s int
rodu
ced
into
nea
rsho
re m
arin
e w
ater
san
nual
ly. B
y co
mpa
rison
, the
cur
rent
nitr
ogen
inpu
t fro
m so
urce
s alo
ng th
e Po
ipu
shor
elin
e ar
e 38
510
poun
ds,
whi
le p
hosp
horu
s inp
ut st
ands
at 1
260
poun
ds. T
o m
iga
te th
e nu
trien
t inp
ut, t
he p
ropo
nent
pro
pose
s to
esta
blish
35 fo
ot se
tbac
ks fr
om th
e to
p of
dra
inag
e w
ays w
here
cow
s wou
ld b
e ex
clud
ed.
Road
way
and
Traffi
c - N
MFS
com
men
ted
that
the
proj
ect c
ould
resu
lt in
an
incr
ease
in im
perm
eabl
e su
rface
s,re
sul
ng in
gre
ater
runo
ff an
d se
dim
enta
on, a
nd th
e pr
opon
ent s
houl
d in
clud
e m
anag
emen
t mea
sure
s to
avo
idor
min
imize
it.
Resp
onse
- Th
e da
iry fa
rm fa
cili
es w
ill o
ccup
y ap
prox
imat
ely
10 a
cres
(of t
he n
early
600
acr
e fa
rm) o
n th
ew
este
rn b
ound
ary
of th
e sit
e. T
he d
evel
oped
are
a w
ill re
sult
in m
inim
al im
perm
eabl
e su
rface
s.
Drai
nage
and
Sto
rm W
ater
Run
off -
NMFS
com
men
ted
that
exi
sng
and
futu
re d
rain
age
cond
ion
s sh
ould
be
cons
ider
ed a
nd m
easu
res
deve
lope
d to
avo
id o
r min
imize
runo
ff an
d di
scha
rge.
Resp
onse
- Gu
ers,
curb
s and
swal
es w
ould
be
used
with
in th
e da
iry fa
cilit
y, an
d ru
noff
from
the
build
ings
will
be
dire
cted
to g
roun
d le
vel a
nd d
irect
ly in
to g
rass
surro
undi
ng th
e bu
ildin
gs. R
un-off
from
the
1.75
acr
e ar
ea g
roun
dsw
ould
be
rout
ed to
stor
age
pond
s. Cu
lva
on o
f a g
rass
that
ch fo
r com
plet
e ve
geta
ve c
over
thro
ugho
ut th
e da
irypa
ddoc
k w
ould
cap
ture
rain
fall.
Fen
ces w
ould
be
erec
ted
alon
g th
e se
tbac
ks to
pre
vent
cow
s fro
m a
cces
sing
thos
ear
eas.
Wat
er S
uppl
y - N
MFS
com
men
ted
that
the
chan
ges
in th
e hy
drol
ogy
(mor
e ac
cura
tely,
the
hydr
olog
ical
cyc
le) o
fth
e lo
cal m
arin
e en
viro
nmen
t may
occ
ur d
ue to
wat
er u
sage
and
dis
char
ge fr
om th
e da
iry o
pera
on, a
nd th
atth
ese
chan
ges
shou
ld b
e an
alyz
ed.
Resp
onse
- On
ce fu
lly o
pera
onal
, the
dai
ry w
ould
use
300
00 g
allo
ns o
f gro
undw
ater
/day
for a
her
d siz
e of
699
cow
s, an
d 84
800
gallo
ns/d
ay fo
r her
d siz
e of
200
0 co
ws.
Exis
ng o
n sit
e w
ells
prod
uce
3,00
0,00
0 ga
llons
/day
. All
pota
ble
wat
er u
sed
as w
ash
wat
er w
ill b
e re
-app
lied
to p
astu
re la
nds.
The
shal
low
er g
roun
dwat
er a
quife
run
derly
ing
the
dairy
is a
sepa
rate
wat
erbo
dy in
cla
y al
luvi
um d
epos
its a
nd is
not
con
nect
ed to
the
deep
wat
eraq
uife
r in
unw
eath
ered
vol
cani
c ro
ck.
NMFS
is s
asfi
ed w
ith th
e re
spon
ses
and
the
mea
sure
s th
at th
e Ha
wai
i Dai
ry F
arm
s in
tend
s to
impl
emen
t with
rega
rds
to th
e En
viro
nmen
tal S
eng
s ca
tego
ries
liste
d in
the
EISP
N, e
xcep
t for
the
resp
onse
und
er S
urfa
ce W
ater
Reso
urce
s. N
MFS
is c
once
rned
that
the
poss
ible
add
ion
of 1
0000
pou
nds
of n
itrog
en a
nd 9
00 p
ound
s of
phos
phor
us a
nnua
lly fr
om ru
n-off
cou
ld le
ad to
incr
ease
d al
gae
grow
th a
long
the
Poip
u sh
orel
ine,
whi
ch in
turn
coul
d re
sult
in o
verw
helm
ing
cora
ls a
long
the
shor
elin
e. A
s po
inte
d ou
t in
the
resp
onse
, the
am
ount
of n
itrog
enan
d ph
osph
orus
ent
erin
g th
e Pi
opu
shor
elin
e is
con
side
rabl
y hi
gher
alre
ady,
but a
n in
crea
se o
f ove
r 25
% in
nitro
gen
and
near
ly 7
5 %
in p
hosp
horu
s is
sig
nific
ant.
The
prop
osed
35
foot
set
back
from
the
boun
dary
of t
hefa
rm w
ill h
elp
to re
duce
the
run-
off, b
ut N
MFS
bel
ieve
s ad
dion
al m
easu
res
may
be
nece
ssar
y, es
peci
ally
giv
enth
e pr
opos
ed in
crea
se in
the
herd
size
to 2
000
cow
s, w
hich
we
assu
me
wou
ld n
eces
sita
te th
e us
e of
mor
efe
rliz
er to
incr
ease
the
gras
s to
be
used
to fe
ed th
e he
rd.
NMFS
real
izes
that
the
Haw
aii D
airy
Far
ms
is n
ot re
spon
sibl
e fo
r the
cur
rent
leve
l of n
utrie
nts
ente
ring
the
Poip
ush
orel
ine,
but
we
wou
ld a
sk th
at th
e Ha
wai
i Dai
ry F
arm
s co
nsid
er im
plem
enng
add
ion
al m
easu
res
to re
duce
the flo
w o
f nut
rient
s to
the
shor
elin
e. T
hese
mea
sure
s m
ight
incl
ude
plan
ng a
ddi
onal
veg
eta
on o
r to
deve
lop
addi
onal
dra
inag
e m
easu
res
in th
e ar
ea to
be
used
as
setb
ack
to fu
rther
redu
ce ru
noff,
or t
o re
sear
ch a
ltern
ave
way
s to
gro
w th
e gr
ass
need
ed fo
r fee
d w
ithou
t hav
ing
to u
se s
o m
uch
fer
lizer
.
NMFS
wou
ld b
e ha
ppy
to m
eet t
o di
scus
s w
ays
that
the
Haw
aii D
airy
Far
ms
can
redu
ce th
e flo
w o
f nut
rient
s to
the
mar
ine
envi
ronm
ent.
If in
tere
sted
, the
Haw
aii D
airy
Far
ms
can
cont
act m
e to
arra
nge
thos
e m
eeng
s. T
hank
you
for t
he o
ppor
tuni
ty to
revi
ew a
nd p
rovi
de c
omm
ents
on
this
pro
ject
. If o
ur c
onnu
ed in
volv
emen
t will
hel
p to
faci
litat
e th
e pr
ojec
t goi
ng fo
rwar
d, p
leas
e fe
el fr
ee to
con
tact
us
at y
our c
onve
nien
ce.
-- Rich
ard
Hall
Fish
ery
Polic
y An
alys
t Pa
cific
Isla
nds
Regi
onal
Offi
ceNO
AA In
ouye
Reg
iona
l Cen
ter
1845
Was
p Bl
vd.,
Build
ing
176
Hono
lulu
, HI 9
6818
808-
725-
5018
January 3, 20
17 Mr. Ric
hard Hall
Fishery Policy
Analyst
Pacific Island
s Regional Offi
ce NOAA
Inouye Region
al Center
1845 Wasp Blv
d, Building 176
Kapole
i, Hawai‘i 9670
7 Su
bjec
t: Hawai‘
i Dairy Farms
Final Environ
mental Impac
t Statement (EI
S)
Response to Co
mment on Dra
ft EIS Dear M
r. Hall:
Thank you for
your input d
ated August 1
, 2016 on the
Hawai‘i Dairy
Farms (HDF)
Draft E
IS. To further
clarify your
comments an
d discuss reco
mmendations,
we conduc
ted a telephon
e call with you
on December
6, 2016. Than
k you very mu
ch for taking
time to discus
s the project a
nd actions to
minimize pote
ntial adverse e
ffects. Roadw
ays and Traffic
, Drainage and
Storm Water
Runoff, and W
ater Supply
We acknowle
dge your resp
onses to our
Draft EIS co
mments, and
that you are
generally sati
sfied with our
responses a
nd measures
listed in the
Draft EIS for
Roadw
ays and Traffic
, Drainage an
d Storm Water
Runoff, and W
ater Supply. Y
our comme
nts requested
further consi
deration of pl
ans to minimi
ze adverse ef
fects to
Surface Water
Resources.
Surface Water
Resources
Your primary
comments ad
dress the pot
ential for nutr
ient pass-thro
ugh from the
dairy operatio
ns into the ma
rine environm
ent, via surfac
e water disch
arge from the
Waiopi
li Ditch. As w
e discussed, th
is is an agricu
ltural ditch sy
stem that drai
ns the former
sugarcane pla
ntation lands,
and collects r
unoff from a 2
,700 acre wate
rshed includi
ng the 557-a
cre dairy site
. This ditch i
s not a peren
nial stream th
at flows
continuously o
r even regular
ly, and discha
rge into the o
cean during pe
riods of peak
precipitation
occurs on ave
rage only 10 ti
mes each year
(EIS Section
4.17.2 Su
rfac
e W
ater
Qua
lity; and E
IS Volume 2, A
ppendix E).
A recent stud
y by the State
of Hawaii Dep
artment of He
alth (DOH) (M
arch 2016)
characterized
the existing w
ater quality at
Waiopili Ditc
h based on te
sting along
several ditch
locations exte
nding to the o
cean discharg
e point. The d
itch generally
exhibit
s a low water
flow during m
ost of the year
, often with up
stream dry ch
annel conditi
ons and stagn
ant standing w
ater in the low
er reaches. Th
e DOH study s
hows elevate
d nutrient le
vels, exhibitin
g natural co
ntributions f
rom the up
slope waters
hed and the lo
wland agricul
tural areas, wi
th no dairy co
ws present on
site. The gr
oundwater en
gineer consult
ing to HDF esti
mated the pot
ential nutrient
s that could l
eave the site fr
om HDF opera
tions as two p
ercent of nitro
gen (totaling 1
0,000 pounds
per year), an
d one percent
of phosphoru
s (totaling 90
0 pounds per
year). This w
ould not occu
r as chronic d
aily releases,
rather, contri
butions woul
d be limited
to periods o
f major rainf
all events tha
t exceed 0.8 i
nches. Such r
ainfall events
are estimated
to occur, on av
erage, 10 days
annually.
Richard Hall,
Fishery Policy
Analyst, NOAA
Inouye Region
al Center
Hawai‘i Dairy
Farms Enviro
nmental Impac
t Statement
January 3, 20
17 Page 2
of 4
No effluent ap
plication woul
d be conducte
d two days p
rior to, durin
g, and two da
ys after such
weather
events per be
st managemen
t practice gui
delines. The e
stimate of nut
rients leaving
the site is the
same for
both the comm
itted herd siz
e of 699 matu
re dairy cows
and the conte
mplated herd
size of up to
2,000 mature
dairy cows.
Based on our
discussion, y
ou noted tha
t with implem
entation of th
e measures p
resented in th
e EIS, nutrien
ts will be ma
naged effectiv
ely for the co
mmitted dairy
of up to 69
9 mature dair
y cows. Your
comments are
further recom
mendations fo
r nutrient ma
nagement wit
h a future con
templated dai
ry with
potential her
d size of up t
o 2,000 matur
e dairy cows.
With addition
al nutrient loa
ding anticipate
d at this
level, addition
al measures c
an be taken to
minimize nut
rient inputs to
the ocean en
vironment. To
minimize
this potential,
you have mad
e several guid
ance recomme
ndations, as ou
tlined below:
• Conduct ba
seline surface
water quality
monitoring o
f Waiopili Dit
ch, particularl
y at the ocean
dischar
ge terminus, p
rior to the da
iry becoming
established, t
o measure the
range of exis
ting nutrien
t contribution
s to the marin
e environmen
t. Conduct sam
pling particula
rly during rai
ny period
s to assess the
existing nutri
ent levels in d
itch water flow
s. • Du
ring developm
ent of the dai
ry operation,
and for the o
ngoing future
operations, c
onduct a
program for
surface water
quality mon
itoring of Wa
iopili Ditch, p
articularly at
the ocean
discharge term
inus. Contin
ue this progr
am particularl
y during rainy
periods to as
sess the
nutrient levels
in ditch wate
r flows. Cond
uct periodic n
earshore ocea
n water moni
toring once
the operations
are establishe
d. • Con
duct strict ag
ronomic man
agement and d
iligent irrigati
on practices t
o minimize fe
rtilizer
applications t
o the greatest
extent practi
cable. Manag
e the fertiliza
tion of the da
iry pasture
grass to serve
the plant gro
wth requirem
ents and avoid
fertilizer rele
ases through
the soils
column or in s
urface runoff.
• Min
imize surface
runoff release
to the agricu
ltural ditches
draining the p
roperty. Impl
ement measu
res to establish
and maintain
sizable buffer
zones with w
ell-developed
natural veget
ation filtratio
n. Minimize i
mpervious su
rfaces and ha
rdscape whic
h would redu
ce infiltration
and increas
e surface runo
ff. NRCS c
onservation p
ractices will b
e used to impr
ove surface dr
ainage and pr
otect water qu
ality. Practice
s include
establishing
riparian herb
aceous cover,
grassed wate
rways and se
diment basins
(EIS Section
3.2). Manur
e from a conv
entional feedlo
t dairy opera
tion may be c
onsidered wa
ste, but in the
pasture-based
system
, 100 percent
of the manure i
s used a resou
rce with its co
nstituent com
ponents provi
ding nutrients
needed
for the forage
crop. Nutrien
t managemen
t is fundamen
tal to the HD
F operation a
nd is discusse
d throughout
the EIS, and
empha
sized in Secti
on 3.5.4.2 Nu
trient Balance
and based on
the Nutrient B
alance Analys
is contained i
n EIS Vol
ume 2, Appen
dix D. Applicat
ion of nutrient
s will corresp
ond with fora
ge uptake, soil
properties an
d weathe
r conditions,
which will all
be monitored
in the field a
nd tracked us
ing advanced
technology to
apply t
he right amou
nts in the righ
t place and at
the right time
for optimal fo
rage growth.
Richard Hall,
Fishery Policy
Analyst, NOAA
Inouye Region
al Center
Hawai‘i Dairy
Farms Enviro
nmental Impac
t Statement
January 3, 20
17 Page 3
of 4
To protect wa
ter quality of s
urface water a
nd downstream
areas, two typ
es of setbacks
will be establ
ished. A phys
ical setback to
exclude cows
from waterwa
ys and drainag
es will be crea
ted with padd
ock fencing se
t 35 feet
back from th
e top of bank
of drainage w
ays on site. Ex
isting vegetati
on within the s
etbacks will b
e manag
ed or restored
to reduce ero
sion, improve s
tability of ditc
h banks, incre
ase net carbon
storage, and
improve and
maintain wat
er quality (Fi
gure 3.5-2). T
he second typ
e of setback r
estricts liquid
effluent
application ne
ar water sour
ces: 50 feet fr
om the top of
the bank on e
ither side of a
waterway; a
nd 1,000
EIS Vo
lume 2 Appen
dix K, identifi
es both existin
g and propose
d conditions r
elated to stor
mwater runof
f and dr
ainage. Estim
ated Peak Flo
w where flow
s combine sou
th of the site
will be redu
ced. Proposed
conditi
ons include
roughly 80 a
cres of main
tained drainag
eways, veget
ated setback
s, cow walkw
ays topped
with soft, cru
shed, permeab
le limestone,
and farm road
s, and a thick
grass ground
cover over th
e majori
ty of the farm
: nearly 470
acres of the 5
57-acre site. W
ith organic m
atter from m
anure, the
predominately
kikuyu grass c
rop will impr
ove surface in
filtration of ra
infall and irrig
ation (Yost, 2
016, EIS
Appendix 5-A)
. Calcula
tions in the Hy
drologic Asses
sment show t
he projected
reduction by s
torm event. F
or the 10-yea
r storm
event, peak fl
ow leaving th
e project site
will be reduce
d by 257 cubic
feet per secon
d (cfs); for the
25-yea
r storm event,
reduced by 28
3 cfs; and for t
he 50-year sto
rm event, redu
ced by nearly
300 cfs.
As for the ma
rine environm
ent, a marine
water qualit
y report is in
cluded in App
endix F of the
EIS. A
supplemental
report in th
is appendix in
cludes a Nove
mber 2016 as
sessment of t
he nearshore
marine
biological com
munity. This
report state
s the nearsho
re receiving e
nvironment i
s an area typ
ified by
extreme ener
gy during all
seasons. Such
extreme ener
gy, primarily
in the form o
f waves and
currents,
serves to rapi
dly disperse i
nput from str
eam discharg
e. Hence, the t
ime that the
marine enviro
nment is
exposed to ep
isodic inputs
of storm runo
ff is very shor
t, and the lim
ited marine s
pecies that oc
cupy the
area are cap
able of with
standing such
impacts. The
re is also a
large body of
scientific lite
rature docum
enting that re
ef corals do n
ot require low
nutrient wat
er. For examp
le, a multitud
e of corals fro
m around
the Pacific Ba
sin growing a
t the Waikk A
quarium live
in high nutrie
nt marine gro
undwater and
have h
igher linear g
rowth rates t
han corals in
the wild. Hen
ce, there is n
o reason to ex
pect that a sh
ort-term e
xposure of ele
vated nutrient
s by this limit
ed benthic co
mmunity will
result in any n
egative impac
ts to cora
ls and associat
ed marine life
in the mixing
zone of Waiop
ili Ditch and th
e ocean.
HDF has estab
lished baselin
e water quali
ty monitoring
with the initi
ally compiled d
ata set includ
ed in the
EIS Volume 2,
Appendix F:
Farm
s on
Sur
face
Wat
er a
nd M
arin
e W
ater
Che
mist
ry by Ma
rine Research
Consultants,
Inc. (MRCI). M
RCI establi
shed 12 surfa
ce water quali
ty monitoring
stations in an
d around the
HDF site, as w
ell as four ocea
n sampli
ng transects d
own gradient
of the site, to
provide for r
egular water
quality monit
oring (see EIS
Health
(DOH) Clean
Water Branch
(CWB) quality
assurance/qu
ality control re
quirements, an
d results will
be made availa
ble to DOH CW
B, dairy n
Richard Hall,
Fishery Policy
Analyst, NOAA
Inouye Region
al Center
Hawai‘i Dairy
Farms Enviro
nmental Impac
t Statement
January 3, 20
17 Page 4
of 4
Your comment
, along with th
is response, w
ill become par
t of the public
record and w
ill be publishe
d in the
Final EIS. A co
py of the Fina
l EIS is includ
ed on a compa
ct disc with th
is letter. Whe
n published, t
he Final
EIS will be a
vailable on th
e OEQC websi
te which you
can access u
sing the follo
wing URL, an
d search
http://tinyurl
.com/OEQCKA
UAI. Thank
you for your p
articipation in
the environme
ntal review pro
cess. Sincere
ly, AL, INC
. Jeffrey
H. Overton, A
ICP, LEED AP
Principal Plan
ner cc:
Hawai‘i Dairy
Farms
Hawai‘
i State Depart
ment of Healt
h,
Environme
ntal Planning O
ffice
January 3, 20
17 Vera K
oskelo Biologi
st Regula
tory Specialist
USACE
- Honolulu Dis
trict Buildin
g 230 Fort Sh
after, Hawai‘i 9
6856-5440
Subj
ect:
Hawai‘i Dairy
Farms Final E
nvironmental
Impact Statem
ent (EIS)
Respon
se to Comment
on Draft EIS
Dear Ms. Kosk
elo: Thank
you for your i
nput dated Ju
ly 18, 2016 on
the Hawai‘i D
airy Farms Dr
aft EIS.
We acknowled
ge the Corps r
esponse is the
same as the p
reviously rece
ived October
22, 2014 lett
er that stated
a Departmen
t of the Arm
y (DA) permi
t will not be
require
d, as the proje
ct is not subje
ct to regulatio
n under Sectio
n 404 in accor
dance with 33
CFR Part 323.
4. Your c
omment, along
with this res
ponse, will be
come part of t
he public reco
rd and
will be publis
hed in the Fin
al EIS. A copy
of the Final E
IS is included
on a compac
t disc w
ith this letter.
When publis
hed, the Final
EIS will be a
vailable on th
e OEQC
website whic
h you can acc
ess using the
following URL
, and search “
Hawaii Dairy
Farms”
: http://tinyur
l.com/OEQCKA
UAI. Thank
you for your p
articipation in
the environme
ntal review pro
cess. Sincere
ly, GROUP
70 INTERNAT
IONAL, INC.
Jeffrey
H. Overton, A
ICP, LEED AP
Principal Plan
ner cc:
Hawai‘i Dairy
Farms
Hawai‘
i State Depart
ment of Healt
h,
Environme
ntal Planning O
ffice
January 3, 20
17 Mr. Aar
on Nadig
Island Team M
anager
Oahu, Kaua‘i N
orth Western
Hawaiian Islan
ds, and Ameri
can Samoa
United States
Department o
f the Interior
Fish and Wildl
ife Service
Pacific Island
s Fish and Wil
dlife Office
300 Ala Moana
Boulevard, Ro
om 3-122
Honolulu, Haw
ai‘i 96850
Subj
ect:
Hawai‘i Dairy
Farms Final E
nvironmental
Impact Statem
ent (EIS)
Respon
se to Comment
on Draft EIS
Dear Mr. Nadi
g: Thank
you for your i
nput dated Ju
ly 25, 2016 o
n the Hawai‘i
Dairy Farms (
HDF) Draft E
IS. The follow
ing responses
are offered to
your commen
ts: HDF h
as met with y
our office and
the State Div
ision of Fores
try and Wildli
fe to follow
up on issues o
f interest to th
e agencies. HD
F is committed
to operations
that pose n
o adverse im
pacts to enda
ngered specie
s and has ag
reed to prepa
re and
finalize an End
angered Spec
ies Awarenes
s and Protecti
on Plan (ESAP
P), with input
from th
e agencies, pri
or to develop
ment and ope
ration of the d
airy. In our m
eetings,
HDF and U.S
. Fish and W
ildlife Service
(USFWS) disc
ussed facility
design and
operations as
well as minim
ization measu
res for the eig
ht endangered
species that
may occur on
or overfly the
site (four wat
erbirds, the Ha
waiian goose,
two seabirds .
The Final EIS S
ection 4.10, F
auna, has been
refined to clar
ify elements of
the ESAPP
as well as to in
corporate USF
WS comments.
H
awai
ian
Wat
erbi
rds a
nd H
awai
ian
Goos
e
The Final EIS d
ocuments the
minimization
methods that
will be furthe
r detailed in
the ESAPP. A s
peed limit of
15 miles per h
our on roadw
ays within the
HDF site will
be enf
orced, and H
DF will emp
hasize the im
portance of
endangered s
pecies awaren
ess and prot
ection throug
h a training
module that
will be cond
ucted period
ically with con
tractors and o
thers accessin
g HDF on a re
gular basis.
Per the discus
sion with Kau
ai-based USFW
S personnel, fe
ncing will vary
throughout
the site depen
dent on the res
ource to be pr
otected. HDF n
otes the USFW
S comment
regarding po
ssible attract
ion to the no
n-vegetated s
urfaces aroun
d the effluen
t settling
and storage p
onds, and to t
he managed p
astures. The e
ffluent ponds
will be
surrounded b
y woven wire
fence with ap
proximately fi
ve-inch rectan
gular spacing
at the
top that dimin
ishes in size to
wards the gro
und to preven
t waterbirds f
rom wande
ring in to the
area. All perim
eter and inter
ior fencing w
ill not utilize
barbed
wire to reduce
the risk that
birds or bats
may be harme
d by interactio
n with the
barbs on that
type of wire.
In place of ba
rbed wire on
the top and b
ottom of the
fences – tensi
oned fence wir
e will be used
and electric fe
nce strands u
sed in certain
locatio
ns.
Mr. Aaron Nad
ig Island
Team Manager
, United States
Department o
f the Interior
Fish and Wildl
ife Service
Hawai‘i Dairy
Farms Enviro
nmental Impac
t Statement
January 3, 20
17 Page 2
of 4
HDF will mon
itor for the pr
esence of end
angered birds
and potentia
l seasonal nes
ting, and will
provide
protection to a
ny nests by e
xcluding cows
and equipmen
t from the are
a for the requi
red duration
of time.
Monitoring fo
r avian botuli
sm within the
pond area, a
nd the action
s to be imple
mented should
any be
detected, will b
e detailed in t
he ESAPP.
HDF will work
with USFWS a
nd DOFAW to
identify a comp
rehensive pre
dator control
program to m
inimize
H
awai
ian
Hoa
ry B
at
There are almo
st no suitable r
oost trees wit
hin the dairy s
ite for the Haw
aiian hoary ba
t, however, the
Final EIS, Se
ction 4.10.2 P
roba
ble
Impa
cts
and
Miti
gatio
n M
easu
res – Fau
na states the
HDF commitm
ent to not
disturb, remo
ve or trim wo
ody plants gr
eater than 15
feet tall durin
g the Hawaiia
n hoary bat p
upping
season. No aff
ect to bats is e
xpected from a
ctivities and o
perations of th
e dairy farm.
Seab
irds
The Fin
al EIS, Section
3.3.1.7 Utilitie
s Utility
Cooperative
(KIUC)
to the site, w
ith electrical
lines to the d
airy facilities
to be run in
a concrete-e
ncased condu
it routed
underneath th
e access road
. As described
in the EIS, S
ection 4.10.2
Prob
able
Im
pact
s an
d M
itiga
tion
Mea
sure
s – F
auna
, outside lights
used at night
will utilize sh
ades to protec
t against uplig
hting and be “
dark sky com
pliant” to prev
ent possible di
sorientation o
f seabirds that
may overfly t
he site.
Arth
ropo
ds
We concur wit
h USFWS’s stat
ement that ap
proximately 0
.75 mile from
the closest po
int to the dair
y farm is
one of fourte
en units inclu
ded as critica
l habitat and
contains the
endangered
cave arthropo
ds. This
distance is do
cumented in
the Final EIS S
ection 4.11.1
Exist
ing
Cond
ition
s –
Inve
rteb
rate
Spe
cies
and
Pes
t In
sect
s. The majori
ty of the critic
al habitat doc
umented in th
e USFWS 2003
Designat
ion
of C
ritic
al H
abita
t fo
r th
e Ka
uai C
ave
Wol
f Spi
der
and
Kaua
i Cav
e Am
phip
od F
inal
Rul
e region.
Neither the b
otanical and fa
unal survey no
r the invertebr
ate survey rev
ealed any evid
ence of lava
tubes or caves
on the proper
ty, and no suc
h features hav
e been report
ed for the area
in the near su
rrounds
of the HDF si
te. Section 4.1
6.1 Hydro
logy
, and Figure 4
.16-1 Geo
logy
, illustr
ate the sig
nificantly diffe
rent geologic f
eatures of the
valley, which
is filled with a
lluvium that ge
nerally extend
s about 6
0 feet under th
e surface and
is underlain by
highly weath
ered lava at a
shallow depth
by secondary
. With r
egards to the
issue of pote
ntial impact on
the arthropo
ds due to sur
face water ru
noff from the
propos
ed dairy far
m, conveyed
downstream
by watercour
ses, HDF re
iterates the
multiple bes
t manag
ement practic
es to be empl
oyed in the da
iry’s design an
d operations
(EIS Section 3
.5.1 Padd
ocks
, Fe
ncin
g an
d Se
tbac
ks): To p
rotect water
quality of sur
face water an
d downstream
areas, two t
ypes of
setbacks will b
e established.
A physical set
back to exclud
e cows from
waterways an
d drainages w
ill be created
with paddock
fencing set 3
5 feet back fr
om the top of
bank of drai
nage ways on
site. Existing
vegeta
tion within th
e setbacks wil
l be managed
or restored t
o reduce eros
ion, improve
stability of di
tch banks,
increase net c
arbon storage
, and improve
and maintain
water quality
. Additional s
etbacks restr
ict liquid e
ffluent applic
ation within 5
0 feet of water
ways; addition
al setbacks fr
om other wat
er sources are
listed i
n Section 3.5.
4.2 Nutri
ent B
alan
ce.
Mr. Aaron Nad
ig Island
Team Manager
, United States
Department o
f the Interior
Fish and Wildl
ife Service
Hawai‘i Dairy
Farms Enviro
nmental Impac
t Statement
January 3, 20
17 Page 3
of 4
Further, HDF’
s invertebrate
consultant, St
even Lee Mon
tgomery, Ph.D
., provided the
following res
ponse to
potential effe
cts of runoff:
Recognizing th
at the food su
pply of the wh
olly saprophag
ic amphipod i
s organic matt
er derived fro
m roots a
nd other decay
ing plant debr
is, and since n
itrogenous an
d phosphoric
nutrients will
promote
plant growth,
their effects,
if anything a
t all, can be
expected to ex
pand the foo
d supply in t
his oligotr
ophic subterra
nean ecosystem
. The da
iry operation
is not expecte
d to impact an
y endangered
invertebrate
populations.
Sesb
ania
tom
ento
sa
The USFWS co
mment letter
to the Draft E
IS acknowledg
es the statem
ent that the p
roject will not
disturb
critical habita
t for this enda
ngered coasta
l plant. Furth
er informatio
n has been inc
luded in the F
inal EIS,
Section 4.9.1 E
xist
ing
Cond
ition
s – F
lora
, to clarify:
single individ
ual plant rece
ntly identified
in a coastal a
rea south-east
of Polihale (
USFWS, 2015)
. shoreli
ne for the end
angered ‘
for the ‘
The plant is
successfully c
ultivated from
seed, and ha
s been out-p
lanted at app
ropriate sites
throug
hout the state
, including Ma
kauwahi Cave
Reserve (USF
WS, 2010). So
while the coa
stal area
provide appro
priate habitat
for this enda
ngered plant,
no naturally oc
curring
population of
the species is
currently kno
wn to exist in
the area. Rega
rdless, activiti
es of HDF wil
l occur o
ver a mile inla
nd of the coas
tal area, and th
us will not aff
ect the critica
l habitat estab
lished for this
rare, native p
lant. The Se
ptember 2016
USFWS listin
g of 49 specie
s statewide, c
onsisting of 1
0 animal and
39 plant speci
es, occur o
n or in the nea
r vicinity of th
e HDF site.
HDF apprecia
tes the on-go
ing communi
cation with y
our agency a
nd the State
DOFAW to fin
alize a
document det
ailing all minim
ization measu
res in an ESAP
P prior to pro
ject constructio
n and operatio
ns.
Mr. Aaron Nad
ig Island
Team Manager
, United States
Department o
f the Interior
Fish and Wildl
ife Service
Hawai‘i Dairy
Farms Enviro
nmental Impac
t Statement
January 3, 20
17 Page 4
of 4
Your comment
, along with th
is response, w
ill become par
t of the public
record and w
ill be publishe
d in the
Final EIS. A co
py of the Fina
l EIS is includ
ed on a compa
ct disc with th
is letter. Whe
n published, t
he Final
EIS will be a
vailable on th
e OEQC websi
te which you
can access u
sing the follo
wing URL, an
d search
. Thank
you for your g
uidance and p
articipation du
ring the envir
onmental revi
ew process.
Sincerely,
GROUP 70 INT
ERNATIONAL
, INC.
Jeffrey
H. Overton, A
ICP, LEED AP
Principal Plan
ner cc:
Hawai‘i Dairy
Farms
Hawai‘
i State Depart
ment of Healt
h,
Environme
ntal Planning O
ffice
January 3, 20
17 Mr. Ro
nald L. Rickm
an Acting
Center Direct
or U.S. Ge
ological Surve
y Pacific
Islands Wate
r Science Cent
er 1845 W
asp Boulevard
, Building 176
Honolu
lu, Hawai‘i 968
18 Su
bjec
t: Hawai‘
i Dairy Farms
Final Environ
mental Impac
t Statement (EI
S)
Response to Co
mment on Dra
ft EIS Dear M
r. Rickman:
June 20, 2016
Hawai‘i Dairy
Farms Draft E
IS. We ack
nowledge you
Final E
IS. Farms”
: .
Sincere
ly,
Je
Principal Plan
ner cc:
Hawai‘i Dairy
Farms
Hawa
January 3, 20
17 Mr. Do
uglas Murdock
Compt
roller State o
f Hawai‘i
Department o
f Accounting a
nd General Se
rvices Post Of
fice Box 119
Honolulu, Haw
ai‘i 96810-011
9 Su
bjec
t: Hawai‘
i Dairy Farms
Final Environ
mental Impac
t Statement (EI
S)
Response to Co
mment on Dra
ft EIS Dear M
r. Murdock:
July 26, 2016
Hawai‘
i Dairy Farms
Draft Enviro
nmental Impac
t Statement (EI
S). We acknow
ledge
Final EIS.
Farms”:
.
Sincerely,
Je
Princip
al Planner
cc: Hawai‘
i Dairy Farms
Hawa
Envi
ronmental Pla
nning Office
January 3, 20
17 Leo R.
Asuncion
Director
State of Hawa
i‘i Office o
f Planning
235 South Ber
etania Street,
6th Floor
Honolulu, Haw
ai‘i 96813
Subj
ect:
Hawai‘i Dairy
Farms Final E
nvironmental
Impact Statem
ent (EIS)
‘i, Hawai‘i
Response to Co
mment on Dra
ft EIS Dear D
irector Asunc
ion: Thank
you for your i
nput dated Ju
ly 25, 2016 o
n the Hawai‘i
Dairy Farms (
HDF) Draft E
IS. We acknow
ledge you hav
e received an
d read the EIS
and have note
d that the pro
ject goals
2010 Compre
hensive Econ
omic Develop
ment Strategy
on Increased
Food Securit
y and Fo
od Self-Suffici
ency Strategy.
Your le
tter notes the
environmenta
l analysis in
the EIS exami
nes various i
ssues related
to surface wa
ter and the ne
arshore marin
e environmen
t, and that the
Office of Plan
ning has no fu
rther commen
ts. Your le
tter, along wi
th this respon
se, will becom
e part of the p
ublic record an
d will be pub
lished in the
Final EIS. A co
py of the Fina
l EIS is includ
ed on a compa
ct disc with th
is letter. Whe
n published, t
he Final EIS w
ill be availabl
e on the OEQC
website
which you ca
n access using
the following
URL, and sea
r.
Thank you for
your participa
tion in the env
ironmental rev
iew process.
Sincerely,
GROUP 70 INT
ERNATIONAL
, INC.
Jeffrey
H. Overton, A
ICP, LEED AP
Principal Plan
ner cc:
Hawai‘i Dairy
Farms
Hawai‘
i State Depart
ment of Healt
h,
Environme
ntal Planning O
ffice
January 3, 20
17 Colone
l Neal S. Mitsu
yoshi, P.E.
Chief Enginee
ring Officer
Hawai‘i Natio
nal Guard
State of Hawa
i‘i Depart
ment of Defen
se 3949 D
iamond Head R
oad Honolu
lu, Hawai‘i 968
16-4495
Subj
ect:
Hawai‘i Dairy
Farms Final E
nvironmental
Impact Statem
ent (EIS)
‘i, Hawai‘i
Response to Co
mment on Dra
ft EIS Dear C
olonel Mitsuy
oshi: Thank
you for your in
put dated June
22, 2016 on t
he Hawai‘i Dai
ry Farms Draft
EIS. We ack
nowledge you
have no comm
ents at this tim
e. Your c
omment, along
with this res
ponse, will be
come part of t
he public reco
rd and
will be publis
hed in the Fin
al EIS. A copy
of the Final E
IS is included
on a compac
t disc w
ith this letter.
When publis
hed, the Final
EIS will be a
vailable on th
e OEQC
Farms”:
. Thank
you for your p
articipation in
the environme
ntal review pro
cess. Sincere
ly, GROUP
70 INTERNAT
IONAL, INC.
Jeffrey
H. Overton, A
ICP, LEED AP
Princip
al Planner
cc: Hawai‘
i Dairy Farms
Hawai‘i State
Department o
f Health,
Envi
ronmental Pla
nning Office
January 3, 20
17 Ms. Lau
ra McIntyre, AI
CP Progra
m Manager, S
tate of Hawai‘
i Depart
ment of Health
Environmenta
l Planning Off
ice P.O. Bo
x 3378
Honolulu, Haw
ai‘i 96801
Subj
ect:
Hawai‘i Dairy
Farms Final E
nvironmental
Impact Statem
ent (EIS)
‘i, Hawai‘i
Response to Co
mment on Dra
ft EIS Dear M
s. McIntyre:
Thank you for
your input d
ated July 25, 2
016 on the Ha
wai‘i Dairy Fa
rms (HDF) Dr
aft EIS. Th
e following res
ponses are off
ered to your c
omments:
Clea
n W
ater
Issu
es:
1.State wate
rs and criteria
: a.HD
F has designed
the project to
comply with
applicable Sta
te of Hawaii
Water Policie
s, including th
ose stated in
Hawaii Admi
nistrative Rul
es (HAR) §11
-54-1.1, §1
1-54-3, and §1
1-54-4 throug
h §11-54-8.
b.Designated
uses per HAR
section §11-
54-3 and the
classification
of waters in
and aro
und the HDF
site are identif
ied in the EIS
Chapter 4, Sec
tion 4.17 Surfa
ce
Wat
er R
esou
rces
and
Nea
rsho
re M
arin
e En
viro
nmen
t and Chapter
5, Table
5.8
. F
watershed fal
l into Class 2,
and the open
coastal water
s downgradien
t of the
project are Cla
ss A, as waters
in the area ar
e not classifie
d for special pr
otection.
2.HDF has e
stablished bas
eline water qu
ality monitori
ng with the in
itially compile
d data se
t included in
the EIS Volu
me 2, Append
ix F: Bas
elin
e Co
nditi
ons
and
an
Mar
ine
Wat
e by M
arine Resear
ch Consultant
s, Inc. (MRC
I). MRCI
established 1
2 surface wate
r quality moni
toring station
s in and around
the HDF site,
as well as fou
r ocean sampl
ing transects
down gradient
of the site, to
provide for
regular water
quality moni
toring (see EI
S Section 4.17
). The monito
ring program
and methods a
re designed to
meet the
DOH) Clean
Water Branch
quality assu
rance/quality
control requi
rements, and
results
will be mad
e available t
o DOH CWB,
dairy
community.
Laura McIntyre
Hawai‘
i Dairy Farms
Environmenta
l Impact Statem
ent Januar
y 3, 2017
Page 2 of 7
3.HDF unde
rstands it is re
sponsible for c
omplying with
National Pollu
tant Discharg
e Elimination
System
(NPDES) perm
it coverage un
der HAR §11-
55, Water Pol
lution Contro
l. In March 20
14, HDF met
with DOH to
determine con
struction activ
ities that wou
ld require an
NPDES permi
t and was adv
ised that
only the const
ruction of the
dairy facilities
themselves w
ould require t
he permit. Cons
truction activ
ities for the
sole purpose
of growing c
rops do not r
equire an NPD
ES permit pe
r HAR §11-55
, Appendix C.
Once HDF is i
n operation, p
er 40 CFR 122
, it is excluded
from NPDES
requirements
as a non-poin
t source
agricultural a
ctivity as defin
ed in 40 CFR 1
22.2. 4.HD
F has consulte
d with the U.
S. Army Corp
s of Engineers
(USACE) whi
ch confirmed
, in a letter da
ted Octobe
r 22, 2014, tha
t maintenance
of existing dr
ainage ditches
on an existin
g farm at the H
DF site are
not prohibited
by or otherwi
se subject to r
egulation und
er Section 404
in accordance
with 33 CFR P
art 323.4.
USACE recom
mended use o
f Best Managem
ent Practices (
BMPs) to avo
id and minimi
ze impacts
to the aquat
ic resource. A
dditional pra
ctices are an
ticipated to f
all under the
exemption
for constru
ction or main
tenance of ex
isting or new
animal walkw
ays, stream cr
ossings, and f
arm roads
with applicatio
n of BMPs.
Following USA
CE review of
the Draft EIS, t
he agency reite
rated its resp
onse of Octob
er 22, 2014 th
at a Depart
ment of the A
rmy permit w
ill not be req
uired; the em
ail and attach
ment is inclu
ded in EIS
Volume 3 unde
r Agency Comm
ent Letters.
5.EIS Sectio
n 4.17 Surfac
e W
ater
Res
ourc
es a
nd N
ears
hore
Mar
ine
Envi
ronm
ent descr
ibes BMPs to b
e followe
d by HDF t
o avoid and
minimize imp
acts to the a
quatic resour
ce. These in
clude both
management
controls and
structural con
trols to be im
plemented in
the short-term
for construct
ion. Manag
ement contro
ls will include
: minimizing ex
posure of dist
urbed surfaces
; monitoring a
nd repair of
structural con
trols; prohibit
ing leaking or
poorly-maint
ained constru
ction equipme
nt and machi
nery; and ke
eping adjacent
public, paved
streets free of
dirt and mud.
Structural con
trols to be util
ized during
construction w
ill include: si
lt fence insta
lled in key lo
cations; sand
bags barriers
in swales; a
nd geotex
tile filter fabric
and sediment
logs around d
rain inlets.
Over the long-
term, the sur
face water qu
ality in the ag
ricultural ditc
hes and Waio
pili Ditch will
be improv
ed by active m
anagement of t
he dairy site. C
ultivation of a
grass thatch
for complete v
egetative
cover throug
hout the dai
ry paddocks
will minimize
currently ex
posed soils w
ithin the site
. A Conser
vation Plan fo
r HDF prepar
ed with inpu
t from the U
.S. Departmen
t of Agricultu
re Natural
District in De
cember 2013
, identifies the
conservation
practices and
BMPs in acco
rdance with N
RCS technic
al guidance. T
hese practice
s and BMPs
are the foun
dation of the
minimization
measures
described thro
ughout the EIS
. To pro
tect water qu
ality of surfa
ce water and
downstream
areas, two t
ypes of setba
cks will be
established. A
physical setb
ack to exclude
cows from w
aterways and
drainages wi
ll be created w
ith paddoc
k fencing set
35 feet back f
rom the top o
f bank of drai
nage ways on
site. Existing
vegetation
within the set
backs will be e
nhanced to ac
t as filter strip
s to trap soil p
articles and or
ganic debris th
at may be
carried by su
rface flow tow
ards drainagew
ays thus minim
izing inputs to
stormwater
runoff.
The vegetated
setbacks will
reduce eros
ion, improve
stability of di
tch banks, in
crease net car
bon storage
, and improve
and maintain
water quality
(Figure 3.5-2
). The second
type of setba
ck restricts
liquid effluen
t application
near water so
urces: 50 feet
from the top
of the bank
on either side
of a waterw
ay; and 1,000
feet from th
e nearest Cou
nty drinking
water well,
loa F (EIS Se
ction 3.5,
).
Laura McIntyre
Hawai‘
i Dairy Farms
Environmenta
l Impact Statem
ent Januar
y 3, 2017
Page 3 of 7
6.The HDF p
roject purpose
is to establish
a sustainable
, pastoral rota
tional-grazing
dairy farm th
at will increas
e current loca
l milk product
ion, bolster H
awai‘i’s declin
ing dairy indu
stry, and redu
ce reliance
on imported m
ilk from the m
ainland United
States. The r
otational-graz
ing dairy syst
em utilizes 1
00 percen
t of all manu
re on-site as n
atural fertiliz
er to grow gr
ass. This cost
-effective met
hod reduces
imported fert
ilizer and feed
, and minimize
s potential imp
acts to the env
ironment.
Between 1984
and 2015, im
portation of m
ilk to Hawai‘i
rose from 0 t
o 90 percent.
The local dai
ry industr
y has been red
uced to just tw
o dairies on t
he Big Island,
and with a re
cent cut of 23
percent in
price paid to t
hose dairies b
y the processo
r, local milk p
roduction is i
n jeopardy. Co
nventional fee
dlot dairy o
perations face
management
challenges inc
luding costs o
f imported fe
ed which fluc
tuate with
grain and fuel
prices, and th
e need to stor
e manure in w
aste impoundm
ent lagoons as
a waste produ
ct. Withou
t a need to uti
lize manure as
a nutrient for
growing crops
, options for ut
ilizing manur
e produced
are limited to
drying manur
e for sale, spre
ading on lands
that can toler
ate the nutrie
nts, utilizing d
ried manur
e solids as b
edding for da
iry cows in co
nfinement, or
generating e
nergy, which
ultimately
requires treat
ment and di
sposal. The
pasture-based
dairy mode
l is a clean,
cost-effective
, and sustain
able method.
Sustainable is
defined in the
EIS as:
a.Treatment
of storm wate
r: Design of the
facility is desc
ribed in the E
IS Chapter 3, D
escription of t
he Propos
ed Action. Gut
ters, curbs and
swales will be
used within th
e dairy facility
to direct surfa
ce sheet f
low as a part
of the overal
l site stormw
ater managem
ent plan. Meta
l roofing mate
rial on
dairy building
s will be slope
d to adequate
ly sized gutter
s and downsp
outs. Run-off
from a 1.75-
acre area with
in the facility,
primarily un
covered areas
with the poten
tial for
manure to be p
resent, will be
captured in th
e effluent stor
age ponds. Effl
uent from the
ponds will be
used to
irrigate the gra
ss crop, the pr
imary forage a
nd foodstock fo
r the cows.
b.Implement
ation of metho
ds to conserv
e water: Pota
ble water wil
l be sourced
from an onsit
e well establi
shed a centur
y ago to serve
the sugarcan
e plantation. T
he battery of
wells produce
d 3 MGD
during use fo
r sugarcane ir
rigation (see
EIS Section 4.
16.2 ). The
majority of t
he estima
ted 12,163 - 3
4,800 gallons
per day used
within the m
ilking parlor, d
epending on t
he herd
size, will be c
aptured in th
e ponds and
used for irriga
tion (EIS Tab
le 4.16-2 and
4.22-1, Wate
r ).
c.Stormwat
er re-use: Agr
icultural infra
structure from
prior sugarca
ne cultivation
will be mainta
ined, or rest
ored where n
eeded, to imp
rove stormwa
ter runoff con
veyance capac
ities. Within th
e dairy
facility, which
will occupy ro
ughly 2 percen
t of the total fa
rm area, roof
run-off from t
he implement
shed, m
ilking parlor, a
nd covered se
ction of the h
olding yard w
ill be discharg
ed at ground
level directly
to grass surro
unding the bu
ildings.
d.Reduce ex
cessive runoff
and need for
fertilization:
NRCS conserv
ation practice
s will be use
d to improv
e surface dra
inage and pr
otect water q
uality. Practic
es include es
tablishing rip
arian herbac
eous cover, g
rassed water
ways and sed
iment basins
(EIS Section
3.2). Manure
in a conven
tional feedlot
dairy operatio
n may be was
te, but in the p
asture-based s
ystem, 100 pe
rcent of
the manure is
used a resour
ce with its con
stituent comp
onents provid
ing nutrients n
eeded for the
forage
crop. As suc
h, nutrient m
anagement is f
undamental t
o the HDF ope
ration and is
discussed thro
ughout
the EIS and e
mphasized in
Section 3.5.4
.2 Nutrie
nt B
alan
ce and b
ased on the N
utri
ent
Bala
nce
contained in
EIS Volume
2, Appendix D
. Application
of nutrients w
ill correspond
with
Laura McIntyre
Hawai‘
i Dairy Farms
Environmenta
l Impact Statem
ent Januar
y 3, 2017
Page 4 of 7
forage uptake
, soil properti
es and weath
er conditions,
which will all
be monitored
in the field an
d tracked
using advanc
ed technology
to apply the
right amount
s in the right
place and at
the right
time for optim
al forage grow
th. Enhanc
e hydraulic c
apacity: The
identifies bo
th existing an
d propos
ed conditions
related to stor
mwater runof
f and drainage
. Estimated Pe
ak Flow where
flows combin
e south of th
e site will be
reduced. Pro
posed conditi
ons include
roughly 80 a
cres of
maintained dr
ainageways, ve
getated setbac
ks, cow walkw
ays topped wi
th soft, crushe
d, permeable
limestone, and
farm roads, a
nd a thick gra
ss ground cov
er over the ma
jority of the fa
rm: nearly 470
acres o
f the 557-acre
site. With org
anic matter fr
om manure, t
he predominat
ely kikuyu gra
ss crop
will improve s
urface infiltra
tion of rainfall
and irrigation
(Yost, 2016, i
n EIS Appendi
x 5-A).
Calculations in
the Hydrologi
c Assessment
show the pro
jected reducti
on by storm
event. For the
10-yea
r storm event,
peak flow lea
ving the proje
ct site will be re
duced by 257
cubic feet per
second
(cfs); for the 2
5-year storm
event, reduce
d by 283 cfs; a
nd for the 50-
year storm ev
ent, reduced b
y nearly
300 cfs.
Safe
Dri
nkin
g W
ater
Issu
es:
1.The numbe
r of dairy em
ployees will r
ange from 5 t
o 10 fulltime e
mployees, as s
tated in EIS S
ections
4.15 and 4.21.
The number o
f employees ha
s also been ad
ded to the des
cription of the
proposed act
ion in the E
IS, Section 3.3
.1.7 Utilit
ies under
“Domestic Wa
stewater”.
2.The drinki
ng water syst
em is not expe
cted to exceed
25 or more i
ndividuals at l
east 60 days p
er year,
nor will it ha
ve 15 service
connections.
Therefore, th
e well to be u
sed by HDF w
ill be conside
red a private
well. HDF und
erstands its re
sponsibility for
ensuring the
water is safe f
or consumptio
n. 3.Ad
ditionally, to s
atisfy the DOH
Milk Rules, po
table water us
ed for milk prod
uction – in the
milking parlo
r and for
milking opera
tions – must b
e demonstrate
d to be from a
n approved sup
ply that is pro
perly located,
protected, and
operated in a
sanitary mann
er. 4.HD
F can make its
current water
quality testing
results availab
le to DOH, and
anticipates co
operating in
regular water
testing under
the Milk Rul
es. Water wil
l be tested fro
m the plumbe
d source withi
n the dairy fa
cility once em
ployees are on
site. 5.The
reference on
page 4-56 has
been correcte
d to State of H
awai‘i, Depart
ment of Healt
h, Safe Drinkin
g Water
Branch (SDWB
). 6.As
described in t
he EIS Section
3.3.1.7 Utilitie
s “Potab
le Water,” po
table water w
ill be provided
to the
milking parlor
and adjacent
buildings, as w
ell as to water
troughs in pa
ddocks,
well on site. E
IS Section 3.5
.4.1 descri
bes the irrigat
ion water, to
be sourced fr
om Waita
Reservoir, as
filtered and pu
mped to the v
arious irrigati
on component
s on the farm.
Thus the prop
osed dairy w
ill not have a d
ual water syst
em, but rathe
r two complet
ely separate s
ystems.
Und
ergr
ound
Inje
ctio
n Co
ntro
l (U
IC)
1.HDF ackn
owledges EPO
’s comments
regarding the
UIC line. Ab
ove the UIC
line, construct
ion and
operation of n
ew industrial
wastewater fro
m manufactur
ing or processi
ng operations
is prohibited.
2.HD
F does not pro
pose to condu
ct any processi
ng on site, or t
o install a was
tewater inject
ion well.
3.HDF has r
eceived appro
val for its ind
ividual waste
water system
sized at 700
gpd, which in
cludes an
absorption be
d (IWS file #5
1486).
4.HDF does
not propose co
nstruction or o
peration of a n
ew drainage i
njection for st
orm water pur
poses.
Laura McIntyre
Hawai‘
i Dairy Farms
Environmenta
l Impact Statem
ent Januar
y 3, 2017
Page 5 of 7
Sour
ce W
ater
Ass
essm
ent P
rogr
am (S
WAP
)
1.The minim
um setback d
istance from p
ublic drinking
water source
s for the appli
cation of efflu
ent is 50
feet per the D
OH Guid
elin
es fo
r (2010
). However, H
DF has agreed
to increase
this setback to
1,000 feet fol
l Within
this set
back, no efflue
nt will be app
lied and no an
imals will depo
sit manure as
the area will n
ot be used
for grazing (E
IS Section 3.5
.4 ).
Please see
2.Fig
ure 3.3-5
has been revi
sed as sugges
ted, to identif
y “Drinking W
ater Wells” an
d to spec
ify the separa
tion distance f
rom the
The fo
ur groundwa
ter monitorin
g wells crea
ted by HDF
will allow nu
trient and ba
cteriological
monitoring of
the shallow g
roundwater in
alluvial layer
s on the valle
y floor. Per t
he results of t
he hydrol
ogic assessme
nt prepared fo
r HDF, the sh
allow groundw
ater is compl
etely separate
from the
3.Wh
ile not requir
ed, HDF has e
lected to cons
truct the efflue
nt ponds to i
nclude a flexi
ble membran
e liner, a
s well as to pla
ce the ponds w
ithin a second
ary containme
nt berm.
4.The potent
ial contamina
ting activities
(PCA) defined
in the Source
Water Assess
ment Program
(SWAP)
defines a conf
ined animal fe
eding facility
as greater tha
n 25 head per
acre of dairy c
attle. The stoc
king rate pr
oposed by HD
F at the comm
itted herd siz
e of 699 matu
re dairy cows
utilizing 470
acres of
pasture is less
than 1.5 anim
als per acre; a
t the contemp
lated herd siz
e of up to 2,0
00 mature da
iry cows u
tilizing 470 ac
res, the stocki
ng rate is app
roximately 4.2
5 animals per
acre. Thus the
density of
the pasture-b
ased rotationa
l grazing dair
y does not m
eet the defini
tion of a PCA
. Additionally
, the SWAP
program ackn
owledges that
site-specific p
ractices inclu
ding BMPs m
ay mitigate co
ntamination
and would be
acknowledged
in any PCA as
sessment.
Section 3.4
identifies app
roximately 15
0 calves that m
ay be on site a
t any given tim
e, with ro
ughly 50 of tho
se housed with
in the calf shed
s. Manure from
the calf sheds
will be transfe
rred to
the effluent po
nds. The 100 c
alves near the
calf sheds wi
ll be on pastur
e in paddocks
that total abo
ut 2.5 acr
es. For the co
ntemplated he
rd size, calf n
umbers are e
stimated to in
crease to up t
o 500 calves,
with approxim
ately 167 in th
e calf sheds an
d the remaini
ng on pasture
(Section 3.8
Size
). 5. for two
- and ten-
loa drinking w
ater Well F an
d Well C. The
response
provided was
“GIS Data: No
t available fro
m the Departm
ent of Water.” H
owever, the tw
o- and ten-yea
r time o
f travel zones
shown in the
redacted rep
orts that wer
e provided ar
e consistent
with the EIS
Figure 4.16-3
, and the efflue
nt ponds are o
utside of the w
ell capture
zones.
The last parag
raph on page
4-56 of the D
raft EIS, now
pages 4-60 4
-61 of the Fin
al EIS, have b
een revised
to clarify wh
ich informati
on can be att
ributed to the
cited CWB p
ublication, an
d which is
attributed to t
he groundwate
r engineer con
tracted by HD
F. 6.A s
oil sampling p
rogram is part
of the nutrien
t balance anal
ysis which is fo
undational to t
he rotational
grazing dairy
model (see
5d under Clea
n Water Issu
es, above). H
DF is commi
tted to adapt
ive manag
ement of the s
ite to maintain
nutrient bala
nce for the he
alth of the cow
s, the success
of the dairy
and for protec
tion of the env
ironment.
7.The SWAP
program has b
een corrected
to be attribut
ed to the SDWB
.
Laura McIntyre
Hawai‘
i Dairy Farms
Environmenta
l Impact Statem
ent Januar
y 3, 2017
Page 6 of 7
Gene
ral S
afe
Dri
nkin
g W
ater
Com
men
ts
1.The pivot i
rrigation syste
m will be pro
gramed to pre
vent applicatio
n to the on-si
te potable wa
ter well
and the monito
ring wells.
2.The livesto
ck water dist
ribution syste
m in Section
3.3.2.2 has be
en corrected;
the correct se
ctions in
Chapter 4 that
document live
stock water de
mand are 4.16
.3 and 4.22.2.
3.The abbrev
iation μS/cm h
as been define
d in the text an
d was added to
the abbreviat
ions list.
4.The abbrev
iation μM has b
een defined in
the text and w
as added to the
abbreviations
list. 5.HD
F will have a
sampling tap
to allow testi
ng of water qu
ality from the
potable wate
r well. Testing
freque
ncy will be
determined u
nder DOH Ha
wai’i Adminis
trative Rules
§11-15 Milk
, which we
understand to
require testin
g by the Depa
rtment of San
itation every
six months.
Initial data on
shallow grou
ndwater const
ituents from s
ampling of the
HDF-installed
monitoring w
ells is inclu
ded in EIS Ap
pendix E
(TNWRE, 201
6). W
aste
wat
er Is
sues
1.The numbe
r of dairy em
ployees will r
ange from 5 t
o 10 fulltime e
mployees, as s
tated in EIS S
ections
4.15 and 4.21.
2.The
FEIS introdu
ction has bee
n corrected to
clarify the to
tal paddock a
rea is 469.9
acres and the
numbe
r of paddocks i
s 119. 3.The
FEIS introduc
tion has been
corrected to id
entify the amo
unt of irrigate
d pasture – 34
6.5 acres.
4.HDF ackn
owledges you
r comment tha
t an expansio
n beyond 699
mature dairy
cows may requ
ire the
issuance of a C
AFO/NPDES p
ermit by the S
tate DOH.
5.HDF ackn
owledges you
r comment tha
t daily opera
tions with 700
or more mat
ure dairy cow
s may require
additional reg
ulatory review
and permittin
g. 6.The
maximum nu
mber of peop
le expected to
be onsite at
any time could
be up to 20
; the typical
number of peo
ple expected o
nsite at any o
ne time would
be approxima
tely 4 people i
n addition to d
airy employ
ees. 7.Sec
tion 3.4 Herd
identi
fies the numb
er of calves a
nticipated wit
hin the calf sh
eds to be
approximately
50 calves at th
e committed he
rd size. Sectio
n 3.8 of the
EIS notes
the number o
f calves to be
housed in th
e sheds at an
y one time co
uld increase t
o approximat
ely 167
calves. The es
timated numbe
r of additional
calves on past
ure is also incl
uded in those E
IS sections.
8.The Depar
tment of Hea
lth Guideline
s for Livestoc
k Managemen
t reference h
as been revis
ed to correct
ly cite the refe
rence. 9.The
WMP subm
itted to WW
B covers the
699 mature
dairy cow he
rd size (refer
red to as th
e “comm
itted” herd siz
e in the EIS).
Should HDF c
ontemplate po
ssible expansio
n of the herd
following
proven succe
ss of the rot
ational-grazin
g system for
local milk pro
duction, addit
ional regulato
ry permit
s, such as a W
MP for the la
rger herd size
, may be req
uired. The EI
S provides a
side-by-side
summary of t
he impacts di
sclosed throug
hout the EIS i
n Table 4.27-
1 .
Laura McIntyre
Hawai‘
i Dairy Farms
Environmenta
l Impact Statem
ent Januar
y 3, 2017
Page 7 of 7
Your comment
, along with th
is response, w
ill become par
t of the public
record and w
ill be publishe
d in the
Final EIS. A co
py of the Fina
l EIS is includ
ed on a compa
ct disc with th
is letter. Whe
n published, t
he Final
EIS will be a
vailable on th
e OEQC websi
te which you
can access u
sing the follo
wing URL, an
d search
. Thank
you for your p
articipation in
the environme
ntal review pro
cess. Sincere
ly, GROUP
70 INTERNAT
IONAL, INC.
Jeffrey
H. Overton, A
ICP, LEED AP
Principal Plan
ner cc:
Hawai‘i Dairy
Farms
Hawai‘
i State Depart
ment of Healt
h,
Environme
ntal Planning O
ffice
DA
VID
Y. I
GE
GO
VER
NO
R O
F H
AW
AII
SUZA
NN
E D
. CA
SEC
HA
IRPE
RSO
NBO
AR
D O
F LA
ND
AN
D N
ATU
RA
L RE
SOU
RCES
CO
MM
ISSI
ON
ON
WA
TER
RES
OU
RC
E M
AN
AG
EMEN
T
KE
KO
A K
AL
UH
IWA
FIR
ST D
EPU
TY
JEFF
RE
Y T
. PE
AR
SON
DEP
UTY
DIR
ECTO
R -
WA
TER
AQ
UA
TIC
RES
OU
RC
ESBO
ATI
NG
AN
D O
CEA
N R
ECRE
ATI
ON
BU
REA
U O
F C
ON
VEY
AN
CES
CO
MM
ISSI
ON
ON
WA
TER
RES
OU
RC
E M
AN
AG
EMEN
TCO
NSE
RV
ATI
ON
AN
D C
OA
STA
L LA
ND
SC
ON
SER
VA
TIO
N A
ND
RES
OU
RC
ES E
NFO
RC
EMEN
TEN
GIN
EER
ING
FOR
ESTR
Y A
ND
WIL
DLI
FEH
ISTO
RIC
PR
ESER
VA
TIO
NK
AH
OO
LAW
E IS
LAN
D R
ESER
VE
CO
MM
ISSI
ON
LAN
DST
ATE
PA
RK
S
STA
TE
OF
HA
WA
IID
EPA
RT
ME
NT
OF
LA
ND
AN
D N
AT
UR
AL
RE
SOU
RC
ES
STA
TE H
ISTO
RIC
PR
ESER
VA
TIO
ND
IVIS
ION
KA
KU
HIH
EWA
BU
ILD
ING
601
KA
MO
KIL
A B
LVD
, STE
555
KA
POLE
I, H
AW
AII
967
07
July
18,
201
6
Lydi
a M
orik
awa
Land
Div
isio
nLO
G N
O: 2
016.
0137
7Ly
dia.
M.M
orik
awa@
haw
aii.g
ovD
OC
NO
: 160
7MN
05A
rcha
eolo
gy
SUB
JEC
T:C
hapt
er 6
E-8
His
tori
c Pr
eser
vatio
n R
evie
w -
EIS
Not
ice
for
Haw
aii D
airy
Far
ms
TM
K: (
4) 2
-9-0
01:0
01 p
or a
nd (4
) 2-9
-003
:001
por
. and
006
por
.
Than
k yo
u fo
r re
ques
ting
our
revi
ew o
f th
e dr
aft E
nviro
nmen
tal I
mpa
ct S
tate
men
t (EI
S) f
or H
awai
i Dai
ry F
arm
s (H
DF)
, whi
ch w
e re
ceiv
ed in
our
Kap
olei
offi
ce f
rom
Lan
d D
ivis
ion
on J
une
13, 2
016.
We
rece
ntly
rec
eive
d an
d re
view
ed a
rev
ised
dra
ft of
the
arc
haeo
logi
cal
inve
ntor
y su
rvey
rep
ort
for
the
proj
ect
entit
led
“Arc
haeo
logi
cal
Inve
ntor
y Su
rvey
of
580-
oloa
Dis
tric
t, K
aua‘
i Is
land
, Haw
ai‘i
[TM
K:
(4)
2-9-
003:
001
por.
and
006
por;
2-9
-001
:001
por
.] J.
Puts
i., J
. Pow
ell,
M.C
hing
, M. D
ega,
Ph.
D M
ay 2
016.
The
orig
inal
su
bmitt
al w
as re
ceiv
ed in
the
Hon
olul
u of
fice
Sept
embe
r 25,
201
4 an
d re
view
ed b
y th
e St
ate
His
toric
Pre
serv
atio
n D
ivis
ion
(SH
PD) i
n a
lette
r dat
ed D
ecem
ber 3
, 201
4 (L
og N
o. 2
014.
0440
5, D
oc N
o. 1
410M
N02
). W
e re
ceiv
ed th
e re
vise
d co
py F
ebru
ary
20,
2015
and
rev
iew
ed i
t in
a l
ette
r da
ted
Apr
il 13
, 20
15 (
Log
No.
201
5.01
404,
Doc
N
o.15
04M
N05
). W
e re
ceiv
ed th
e th
ird d
raft
in o
ur K
apol
ei o
ffic
e on
June
1, 2
016.
We
have
req
uest
ed a
dditi
onal
rev
isio
ns t
o th
e re
port
purs
uant
to
HA
R§1
3-27
6. A
t th
is t
ime,
the
Sta
te H
isto
ric
Pres
erva
tion
Div
isio
n is
una
ble
to a
sses
s pot
entia
l im
pact
s to
hist
oric
pro
pert
ies.
Onc
e w
e re
ceiv
e an
acc
epta
ble
arch
aeol
ogic
al in
vent
ory
surv
ey (A
IS) r
epor
t, w
e w
ill b
e pr
epar
ed to
mak
e re
com
men
datio
ns re
gard
ing
pres
erva
tion
or p
oten
tial
miti
gatio
ns t
o m
inim
ize
effe
cts
to h
isto
ric p
rope
rties
. N
aone
at (
808)
271
-494
0 or
Mar
yjan
e.na
one@
haw
aii.g
ovif
you
have
any
que
stio
ns re
gard
ing
this
lette
r.
Alo
ha,
Mar
y Ja
ne N
aone
Kau
a‘i L
ead
Arc
haeo
logi
stSt
ate
His
toric
Pre
serv
atio
n D
ivis
ion
cc.
Jeff
Ove
rton,
Gro
up 7
0, je
ff@
grou
p70i
nt.c
om
January 3, 20
17 Susan L
ebo, PhD
Archaeology B
ranch Chief
State of Hawa
i‘i Depart
ment of Land
and Natural R
esources
State Historic
Preservation
Division
601 Kamokila
Blvd, Suite 55
5 Kapole
i, Hawai‘i 9670
7 Su
bjec
t: Hawai‘
i Dairy Farms
Final Environ
mental Impac
t Statement (EI
S)
Response to Co
mment on Dra
ft EIS Dear D
r. Lebo:
We received a
State Histori
c Preservation
Division (SH
PD) letter fro
m Mary Jane
Naone, Kaua‘i
Lead Archaeo
logist, dated J
uly 18, 2016,
regarding the
Hawai‘i Dairy
Farms
Draft EIS.
After subsequ
ent coordinati
on with your o
ffice, we have
since receive
d your letter
of acceptance
of the AIS dat
ed December
19, 2016. Your
letter states t
hat no further
work i
s recommende
d for the fourt
een plantation
era sites with
in the project
area. Your le
tter further st
ates that the c
urrent propos
ed project wi
ll not affect tw
o sites outside
the Project
Area assessed
as significan
t under Crite
rion d (infor
mation
potential) and
e (cultural va
lue), and no fu
rther mitigatio
n is recommen
ded for the
project. Futur
e proposed p
rojects outsid
e the current
project area s
hall require
consultation w
ith SHPD.
Your commen
t, along with t
his response,
will become p
art of the pub
lic record and
will be
published in
the Final EIS.
A copy of the
Final EIS is in
cluded on a c
ompact
disc with this
letter. When
published, th
e Final EIS w
ill be availabl
e on the OEQC
websit
e which you
can access usi
ng the followi
ng URFarms”
: http://tinyur
l.com/OEQCKA
UAI. Thank
you for your p
articipation in
the environme
ntal review pro
cess. Sincere
ly, GROUP
70 INTERNAT
IONAL, INC.
Jeffrey
H. Overton, A
ICP, LEED AP
Principal Plan
ner cc:
Hawai‘i Dairy
Farms
Hawai‘
i State Depart
ment of Healt
h,
Environme
ntal Planning O
ffice
January 3, 20
17 Carty S
. Chang, PE
Chief Enginee
r State o
f Hawai‘i
Department o
f Land and Na
tural Resourc
es Engine
ering Division
Post Of
fice Box 621
Honolulu, Haw
ai‘i 96809
Subj
ect:
Hawai‘i Dairy
Farms Final E
nvironmental
Impact Statem
ent (EIS)
‘i, Hawai‘i
Response to Co
mment on Dra
ft EIS Dear M
r. Chang:
Thank you for
your input d
ated July 7, 20
16 on the Ha
wai‘i Dairy Fa
rms Draft EIS
. We ac
knowledge th
e Engineering
Division’s co
mments rega
rding the rule
s and regulat
ions of the Na
tional Flood I
nsurance Pro
gram (NFIP),
as well as th
e Flood
Hazard Zone X
in which the
Hawai‘i Dairy
Farms projec
t is located. We
acknowledge
your commen
t that the NFI
P does not re
gulate any de
velopment wit
hin a Zone X
designation.
Your commen
t, along with t
his response,
will become p
art of the pub
lic record and
will be
published in
the Final EIS.
A copy of the
Final EIS is in
cluded on a c
ompact
disc with this
letter. When
published, th
e Final EIS w
ill be availabl
e on the OEQC
Farms”
: .
Thank you for
your participa
tion in the env
ironmental rev
iew process.
Sincerely,
GROUP 70 INT
ERNATIONAL
, INC.
Jeffrey
H. Overton, A
ICP, LEED AP
Principal Plan
ner cc:
Hawai‘i Dairy
Farms
Hawai‘
i State Depart
ment of Healt
h,
Environme
ntal Planning O
ffice
January 3, 20
17 Marvin
Mikasa
Land Agent
State of Hawa
i‘i Depart
ment of Land
and Natural R
esources
Land Division
– Kaua‘i Distr
ict Post Of
fice Box 621
Honolulu, Haw
ai‘i 96809
Subj
ect:
Hawai‘i Dairy
Farms Final E
nvironmental
Impact Statem
ent (EIS)
loa District, K
aua‘i, Hawai‘i
Response to Co
mment on Dra
ft EIS Dear M
r. Mikasa:
June 15, 2016
Hawai‘i Dairy
Farms Draft E
IS. We ack
nowledge
–
Final EIS.
Farms”:
.
Sincerely,
Jeffrey
H. Overton, A
ICP, LEED AP
Principal Plan
ner cc:
Hawai‘i Dairy
Farms
Envi
ronmental Pla
nning Office
January 3, 20
17 Mr. Me
l Rapozo
Chairperson,
Kaua‘i County
Council
County of Kau
a‘i Counci
l Services Divi
sion 4396 R
ice Street, Suit
e 209 Lhu‘e,
Kaua‘i, Hawa
i‘i 96766
Subj
ect:
Hawai‘i Dairy
Farms Final E
nvironmental
Impact Statem
ent (EIS)
Mhulep, K
loa District, K
aua‘i, Hawai‘i
Response to Co
mment on Dra
ft EIS Dear C
ouncilmember
Rapozo:
Thank you for
your input d
ated July 15,
2016 on the H
awai‘i Dairy F
arms (HDF)
Draft EIS. We
acknowledge y
our comments
in support of t
he HDF EIS.
Your commen
t, along with t
his response,
will become p
art of the pub
lic record and
will be
published in
the Final EIS.
A copy of the
Final EIS is in
cluded on a c
ompact
disc with this
letter. When
published, th
e Final EIS w
ill be availabl
e on the OEQC
websit
e which you
can access usi
ng the followi
ng URL, and s
earch “Hawai
i Dairy
Farms”: http:/
/tinyurl.com/O
EQCKAUAI.
Thank you for
your participa
tion in the env
ironmental rev
iew process.
Sincerely,
GROUP 70 INT
ERNATIONAL
, INC.
Jeffrey
H. Overton, A
ICP, LEED AP
Principal Plan
ner cc:
Hawai‘i Dairy
Farms
Hawai‘
i State Depart
ment of Healt
h,
Environme
ntal Planning O
ffice
AN
EQ
UA
L O
PPO
RTU
NIT
Y E
MPL
OY
ER
CO
UN
TY
CO
UN
CIL
O
FFIC
E O
F T
HE
CO
UN
TY
CL
ER
K
Mel
Rap
ozo,
Cha
ir
Ros
s Kag
awa,
Vic
e C
hair
Jade
K. F
ount
ain-
Tani
gaw
a, C
ount
y C
lerk
M
ason
K. C
hock
Scot
t K. S
ato,
Dep
uty
Cou
nty
Cle
rk
Gar
y L.
Hoo
ser
A
rryl
Kan
eshi
ro
Kip
uKai
Kua
li‘i
Te
leph
one
(808
) 241
-418
8 J
oAnn
A. Y
ukim
ura
Fax
(
808)
241
-634
9
Em
ail
cokc
ounc
il@ka
uai.g
ov
Cou
ncil
Serv
ices
Div
isio
n 43
96 R
ice
Stre
et, S
uite
209
Lī
hu‘e,
Kau
a‘i, H
awai
‘i 96
766
Ju
ly 1
, 201
6
Gro
up 7
0 In
tern
atio
nal
Att
n: J
eff O
vert
on/H
awai
‘i D
airy
Far
ms
Via
E-m
ail:
HD
F@G
roup
70in
t.com
D
ear
Mr.
Ove
rton
:
Than
k yo
u fo
r th
e op
port
unity
to s
ubm
it co
mm
ents
in s
uppo
rt o
f the
Haw
ai‘i
Dai
ry F
arm
s’ D
raft
Env
iron
men
tal I
mpa
ct S
tate
men
t (E
IS).
I a
m w
ritin
g to
day
as
an in
divi
dual
Cou
ncilm
embe
r on
the
Kau
a‘i C
ount
y C
ounc
il an
d am
cur
rent
ly t
he
Cou
ncil’
s V
ice
Cha
ir a
nd C
hair
of t
he C
ounc
il’s
Publ
ic W
orks
/ Pa
rks
& R
ecre
atio
n C
omm
ittee
.
I w
ould
lik
e to
ack
now
ledg
e H
awai
‘i D
airy
Far
ms
for
bein
g op
en a
nd
com
mun
icat
ive
with
the
peo
ple
of K
aua‘
i ov
er t
he p
ast
seve
ral
year
s as
the
y pu
rsue
d th
eir
plan
s.
Con
duct
ing
a vo
lunt
ary
EIS
goe
s ab
ove
and
beyo
nd t
heir
re
gula
tory
req
uire
men
ts,
and
I am
app
reci
ativ
e of
thi
s ge
stur
e to
ens
ure
our
com
mun
ity th
at th
e da
iry
will
pro
tect
the
envi
ronm
ent.
Gro
win
g up
on
Kau
a‘i’s
wes
t sid
e, I
witn
esse
d fir
st-h
and
how
agr
icul
ture
can
st
imul
ate
the
econ
omy,
sup
port
loca
l peo
ple,
and
feed
fam
ilies
. W
e ha
ve lo
st a
lot o
f ag
ricu
ltura
l op
erat
ions
in
the
past
few
dec
ades
. H
awai
‘i D
airy
Far
ms
pres
ents
a
new
opp
ortu
nity
tha
t is
res
pons
ible
, mor
e su
stai
nabl
e th
an d
airi
es o
f the
pas
t, an
d us
es s
tate
-of-t
he-a
rt t
echn
olog
y to
incr
ease
food
sec
urity
, pro
vide
a fr
esh,
loca
l foo
d so
urce
for
our
peo
ple,
div
ersi
fy a
gric
ultu
re,
and
utili
ze I
mpo
rtan
t A
gric
ultu
ral
Land
s. Th
e re
sults
of t
he D
raft
EIS
sho
w th
at th
e da
iry
is w
ell-s
uite
d fo
r M
ahau
lepu
V
alle
y, a
nd s
peci
fical
ly w
ill i
mpr
ove
soil
on t
he f
arm
, pr
otec
t w
ater
res
ourc
es,
min
imiz
e fly
pop
ulat
ion,
and
not
neg
ativ
ely
affe
ct h
ome
valu
es.
Odo
r fr
om t
he
dair
y w
ill n
ot im
pact
nea
rby
visi
tors
or
resi
dent
s.
Haw
ai‘i
Dai
ry F
arm
s w
ould
be
a po
sitiv
e ad
ditio
n to
Kau
a‘i’s
eco
nom
y an
d co
mm
unity
, and
I fu
lly s
uppo
rt it
s D
raft
EIS
. Th
ank
you
for
allo
win
g m
e to
pro
vide
co
mm
ents
in
supp
ort
of H
awai
‘i D
airy
Far
ms.
Sh
ould
you
hav
e an
y qu
estio
ns,
plea
se fe
el fr
ee to
con
tact
me
or C
ounc
il Se
rvic
es S
taff
at (8
08) 2
41-4
188.
Si
ncer
ely,
RO
SS K
AG
AW
A
Cou
ncil
Vic
e C
hair
, Kau
a‘i C
ount
y C
ounc
il
January 3, 20
17 Mr. Ro
ss Kagawa
Council Vice C
hair, Kaua‘i Co
unty Council
County of Kau
a‘i Counci
l Services Divi
sion 4396 R
ice Street, Suit
e 209
Subj
ect:
Dear
Kagawa: July 1,
2016 on the
Draft S. W
. .
Sincere
ly,
Je
cc:
Janu
ary
3, 2
017
Mr.
Mas
on K
. Cho
ck
Coun
cilm
embe
r, Ka
ua‘i
Coun
ty C
ounc
il Co
unty
of K
aua‘
i Co
unci
l Ser
vice
s Div
isio
n 43
96 R
ice
Stre
et, S
uite
209
Lī
hu‘e
, Kau
a‘i,
Haw
ai‘i
9676
6
Subject:
Haw
ai‘i
Dair
y Fa
rms F
inal
Env
iron
men
tal I
mpa
ct S
tate
men
t (EI
S)
Māh
ā‘ul
epū,
Kōl
oa D
istr
ict,
Kaua
‘i, H
awai
‘i
Re
spon
se to
Com
men
t on
Dra
ft EI
S
Dea
r Cou
ncilm
embe
r Cho
ck:
Than
k yo
u fo
r yo
ur in
put
to th
e St
ate
Depa
rtm
ent o
f Hea
lth d
ated
July
5, 2
016
on
the
Haw
ai‘i
Dai
ry F
arm
s (H
DF)
Dra
ft EI
S. A
s th
e co
nsul
tant
for t
he p
roje
ct, G
roup
70
Inte
rnat
iona
l offe
rs th
e fo
llow
ing
resp
onse
s to
your
com
men
ts:
Revi
ew o
f a W
aste
Man
agem
ent P
lan
(WM
P) is
a fu
nctio
n of
the
Was
tew
ater
Bra
nch
of th
e D
epar
tmen
t of H
ealth
(DOH
) in
acco
rdan
ce w
ith th
e D
OH G
uide
lines
for W
aste
M
anag
emen
t (2
010)
. The
WM
P re
view
pro
cess
is
not
part
of
the
EIS
proc
ess
or
subj
ect t
o pu
blic
revi
ew a
nd c
omm
ent.
HD
F up
date
d th
e W
MP
to re
flect
refin
emen
ts id
entif
ied
duri
ng th
e pl
anni
ng p
roce
ss.
HD
F op
erat
ions
as
docu
men
ted
in th
e or
igin
al a
nd re
vise
d W
MP
are
refle
cted
in th
e EI
S, a
nd a
re c
onsi
sten
t with
the
disc
lose
d Ap
pend
ix D
, Nut
rien
t Bal
ance
Ana
lysis
for
Haw
aiʻi
Dair
y Fa
rm.
Whi
le a
n ag
ricu
ltura
l pro
ject
on
agri
cultu
ral l
ands
impl
emen
ted
and
oper
ated
with
pr
ivat
e fu
nds
does
not
req
uire
env
iron
men
tal
disc
losu
re,
HD
F re
spon
ded
to
com
mun
ity c
once
rns
by a
gree
ing
to p
repa
re a
n EI
S. T
he E
IS i
s a
disc
losu
re
docu
men
t th
at a
naly
zes
the
effe
cts
of a
pro
pose
d pr
ojec
t or
pro
gram
on
the
envi
ronm
ent i
nclu
ding
dir
ect,
indi
rect
and
cum
ulat
ive
impa
cts,
disc
usse
s alte
rnat
ive
met
hods
or
desi
gns
to t
he p
ropo
sed
actio
n, a
nd f
orm
ulat
es m
inim
izat
ion
and
miti
gatio
n m
easu
res
to e
limin
ate,
redu
ce, o
r rec
tify
adve
rse
impa
cts o
f the
pro
pose
d ac
tion.
Thi
s EI
S w
as p
repa
red
in a
ccor
danc
e w
ith H
awai
‘i Ad
min
istr
ativ
e Ru
les T
itle
11 C
hapt
er 2
00, i
mpl
emen
ting
Haw
ai‘i
Revi
sed
Stat
utes
(H
RS)
Chap
ter
343.
Upo
n pu
blic
atio
n by
the
Offi
ce o
f En
viro
nmen
tal
Qual
ity C
ontr
ol i
n th
e En
viro
nmen
tal
Not
ice
issu
e of
June
8, 2
016,
the
Dra
ft EI
S un
derw
ent
a 45
-day
age
ncy
and
publ
ic
revi
ew.
Mr.
Mas
on K
. Cho
ck
Coun
cilm
embe
r, Ka
ua‘i
Coun
ty C
ounc
il H
awai
‘i Da
iry
Farm
s Env
iron
men
tal I
mpa
ct S
tate
men
t Ja
nuar
y 3,
201
7 Pa
ge 2
of 2
Your
com
men
t, al
ong
with
this
res
pons
e, w
ill b
ecom
e pa
rt o
f the
pub
lic r
ecor
d an
d w
ill b
e pu
blis
hed
in th
e Fi
nal E
IS. A
cop
y of
the
Fina
l EIS
is in
clud
ed o
n a
com
pact
dis
c w
ith th
is le
tter
. Whe
n pu
blis
hed,
the
Fina
l EI
S w
ill b
e av
aila
ble
on t
he O
EQC
web
site
whi
ch y
ou c
an a
cces
s us
ing
the
follo
win
g UR
L, a
nd s
earc
h “H
awai
ʻi D
airy
Far
ms”
: htt
p://
tinyu
rl.co
m/O
EQCK
AUAI
.
Than
k yo
u fo
r you
r par
ticip
atio
n in
the
envi
ronm
enta
l rev
iew
pro
cess
.
Sinc
erel
y,
GROU
P 70
INTE
RNAT
ION
AL, I
NC.
Jeffr
ey H
. Ove
rton
, AIC
P, L
EED
AP
Prin
cipa
l Pla
nner
cc:
Haw
ai‘i
Dair
y Fa
rms
H
awai
‘i St
ate
Depa
rtm
ent o
f Hea
lth,
Envi
ronm
enta
l Pla
nnin
g Of
fice
AN
EQ
UA
L O
PPO
RTU
NIT
Y E
MPL
OY
ER
CO
UN
TY
CO
UN
CIL
O
FFIC
E O
F T
HE
CO
UN
TY
CL
ER
K
Mel
Rap
ozo,
Cha
ir
Ros
s Kag
awa,
Vic
e C
hair
Jade
K. F
ount
ain-
Tani
gaw
a, C
ount
y C
lerk
M
ason
K. C
hock
Scot
t K. S
ato,
Dep
uty
Cou
nty
Cle
rk
Gar
y L.
Hoo
ser
A
rryl
Kan
eshi
ro
Kip
uKai
Kua
li‘i
Te
leph
one
(808
) 241
-418
8 J
oAnn
A. Y
ukim
ura
Fax
(
808)
241
-634
9
Em
ail
cokc
ounc
il@ka
uai.g
ov
Cou
ncil
Serv
ices
Div
isio
n 43
96 R
ice
Stre
et, S
uite
209
Lī
hu‘e,
Kau
a‘i, H
awai
‘i 96
766
Ju
ly 2
5, 2
016
Dr.
Vir
gini
a Pr
essl
er
Dir
ecto
r D
epar
tmen
t of H
ealth
12
50 P
unch
bow
l Str
eet
Hon
olul
u, H
awai
‘i 9
6813
D
ear
Dr.
Pre
ssle
r:
R
E:
HA
WA
I‘I D
AIR
Y FA
RM
S
D
RA
FT E
NV
IRO
NM
EN
TAL
IMP
AC
T ST
ATE
ME
NT
(DE
IS)
MĀ
HĀ
‘ULE
PŪ
RO
AD
, KA
UA
‘I, H
AW
AI‘I
Afte
r ca
refu
l re
view
I h
ave
foun
d th
e pr
opos
ed D
raft
EIS
for
the
Haw
ai‘i
Dai
ry F
arm
s pr
ojec
t loc
ated
at T
MK
: (4)
2-9
-003
insu
ffici
ent b
ased
on
its r
evie
w a
nd
findi
ngs
pert
aini
ng to
thre
e (3
) par
ticul
ar a
reas
of c
once
rn: I
mpa
cts
of g
roun
d w
ater
an
d ne
arsh
ore
coas
tal
reso
urce
s, i
mpa
cts
from
odo
r an
d fli
es,
and
impa
cts
on
prop
erty
val
ues
in n
earb
y re
sort
and
res
iden
tial a
reas
.
Whi
le t
he d
ata
cont
aine
d w
ithin
the
Dra
ft E
IS a
ppea
rs a
t fir
st g
lanc
e to
be
thor
ough
and
com
preh
ensi
ve, a
clo
se r
evie
w fi
nds
it fa
ils t
o ta
ke in
sec
onda
ry a
nd
cum
ulat
ive
impa
cts
as r
equi
red
unde
r H
awai
‘i R
evis
ed S
tatu
tes
(HR
S) 3
43.
The
re
appe
ars
to b
e no
com
preh
ensi
ve a
naly
sis
spec
ifica
lly o
f th
e lo
ng-t
erm
cum
ulat
ive
impa
cts
of t
his
oper
atio
n co
mbi
ned
with
the
pro
ject
ed g
row
th o
f th
e ge
nera
l po
pula
tion
of th
e ad
jace
nt r
esor
t and
res
iden
tial a
reas
.
I fo
und
the
follo
win
g re
fere
nce
espe
cial
ly
trou
blin
g an
d fr
ankl
y no
t bel
ieva
ble:
“R
esul
ts o
f tec
hnic
al s
tudi
es a
nd th
e fin
ding
s of
the
EIS
sho
w n
o un
miti
gate
d nu
isan
ces
that
w
ould
af
fect
pr
oper
ty
valu
es
as
a re
sult
of
dair
y im
plem
enta
tion
or o
pera
tions
. N
o no
ticea
ble
odor
s, fl
ies,
noi
se, w
aste
or
wat
er
disc
harg
es w
ill r
each
res
ort
or r
esid
entia
l ar
eas.
As
suc
h, t
he d
airy
will
not
ad
vers
ely
affe
ct r
esid
ents
, nea
rby
recr
eatio
nal a
ctiv
ities
, gue
sts…
”
Dr.
Vir
gini
a Pr
essl
er, D
irec
tor
Re:
H
awai
‘i D
airy
Fa
rms,
D
raft
Env
iron
men
tal
Impa
ct
Stat
emen
t (D
EIS
), Māh
ā‘ul
epū
Roa
d, K
aua‘
i, H
awai
‘i Ju
ly 2
5, 2
016
Page
2
In a
dditi
on t
o se
rvin
g on
the
Kau
a‘i C
ount
y C
ounc
il an
d fo
rmer
ly s
ervi
ng a
s th
e D
irec
tor
of t
he O
ffice
of
Env
iron
men
tal
Qua
lity
Con
trol
, I
am p
rese
ntly
an
inac
tive
real
est
ate
brok
er.
How
ever
, as
a re
sult
of m
y pa
st t
wen
ty (
20)
year
s of
ex
peri
ence
in th
is fi
eld
and
in r
ecen
t dis
cuss
ions
with
loca
l rea
l est
ate
prof
essi
onal
s,
it is
cle
ar th
at p
rope
rty
valu
es h
ave
alre
ady
been
neg
ativ
ely
impa
cted
in b
oth
reso
rt
and
resi
dent
ial s
ecto
rs.
Th
us,
the
revi
ew
and
conc
lusi
ons
pert
aini
ng
to
real
pr
oper
ty
valu
es,
incl
udin
g th
e im
pact
s on
pro
ject
ed r
even
ue l
oss
to K
aua‘
i C
ount
y, m
ust
be
cond
ucte
d an
d in
clud
ed in
any
fina
l EIS
.
A r
evie
w o
f im
pact
s on
loc
al s
trea
ms
and
coas
tal
reso
urce
s fr
om t
he d
airy
op
erat
ion
mus
t al
so b
e ex
pand
ed a
nd r
ecen
t fin
ding
s of
the
Sur
frid
er F
ound
atio
n in
corp
orat
ed,
whi
ch i
llust
rate
tha
t st
ream
s an
d dr
aina
ge a
reas
in
the
area
are
al
read
y he
avily
con
tam
inat
ed.
Aga
in, w
hile
at
first
thi
s ar
ea a
ppea
rs to
hav
e be
en
revi
ewed
, I fi
nd t
hat
revi
ew s
uper
ficia
l in
natu
re a
nd la
ckin
g in
as
to t
he p
oten
tial
seco
ndar
y an
d cu
mul
ativ
e im
pact
s to
bot
h gr
ound
wat
er a
nd n
ears
hore
coa
stal
re
sour
ces.
Whi
le I
also
hav
e fu
rthe
r co
ncer
ns a
nd c
omm
ents
, the
abo
ve r
epre
sent
s th
ose
that
I be
lieve
des
erve
urg
ent a
nd c
ompr
ehen
sive
att
entio
n.
Si
ncer
ely,
G
AR
Y L.
HO
OSE
R
Cou
ncilm
embe
r, K
aua‘
i Cou
nty
Cou
ncil
AM
K:c
y cc
: H
awai
‘i D
airy
Far
ms
c/o A
my
Hen
ness
ey, D
irec
tor
of C
omm
unic
atio
ns
(
Via
E-m
ail O
nly:
am
y@ul
upon
o.co
m)
Je
ffrey
H. O
vert
on, G
roup
70
Inte
rnat
iona
l Inc
. (
Via
E-m
ail O
nly:
HD
F@G
roup
70in
t.com
) La
ura
McI
ntyr
e, P
rogr
am M
anag
er, D
epar
tmen
t of H
ealt
h E
nvir
onm
enta
l P
lann
ing
Offi
ce (V
ia E
-mai
l Onl
y: L
aura
.McI
ntyr
e@do
h.ha
wai
i.gov
)
Bri
dget
Ham
mer
quis
t, Fr
iend
s of
Māhā‘
ulepū
(Vi
a E
-mai
l Onl
y: b
ridg
etha
mm
erqu
ist@
haw
aiia
ntel
.net
)
Scot
t Gle
nn, D
irec
tor,
Offi
ce o
f Env
iron
men
tal Q
ualit
y C
ontr
ol
(
Via
E-m
ail O
nly:
oeq
chaw
aii@
doh.
haw
aii.g
ov)
y,
January 3, 20
17 Mr. Gar
y L. Hooser
Councilmemb
er, Kaua‘i Cou
nty Council
County of Kau
a‘i Counci
l Services Divi
sion 4396 R
ice Street, Suit
e 209
Subj
ect:
Dear C
ouncilmember
Hooser:
dated July 25
, 2016 on
. comme
nts: Section
of co
ncern noted
in your com
ments: Sectio
n 4.11
Inve
rteb
rate
s Sp
ecie
s an
d Pe
st In
sect
s; Section 4.16
Groundw
ater
Res
ourc
es; Sectio
n 4.17 Su
rfac
e W
ater
Res
ourc
es &
Nea
rsho
re M
arin
e En
viro
nmen
t; Section 4.1
9 Air Qu
ality
, Odo
r and
Gre
enho
use
Gase
s. –
4.20 and 4.26.
ated
ry implement
ation or
operation
laaule
pu airy sit
eproper
ty
-
ional pasture
-.
disclose all pr
impacts
Mr. Gary L. Ho
oser Counci
lmember, Kau
a‘i County Cou
ncil
January 3, 20
17 2 of 2
resses
.
Sincere
ly,
Principal Plan
ner cc:
AN
EQ
UA
L O
PPO
RTU
NIT
Y E
MPL
OY
ER
CO
UN
TY
CO
UN
CIL
O
FFIC
E O
F T
HE
CO
UN
TY
CL
ER
K
Mel
Rap
ozo,
Cha
ir
Ros
s Kag
awa,
Vic
e C
hair
Jade
K. F
ount
ain-
Tani
gaw
a, C
ount
y C
lerk
M
ason
K. C
hock
Scot
t K. S
ato,
Dep
uty
Cou
nty
Cle
rk
Gar
y L.
Hoo
ser
A
rryl
Kan
eshi
ro
Kip
uKai
Kua
li‘i
Te
leph
one
(808
) 241
-418
8 J
oAnn
A. Y
ukim
ura
Fax
(
808)
241
-634
9
Em
ail
cokc
ounc
il@ka
uai.g
ov
Cou
ncil
Serv
ices
Div
isio
n 43
96 R
ice
Stre
et, S
uite
209
Lī
hu‘e,
Kau
a‘i, H
awai
‘i 96
766
Ju
ly 1
, 201
6
Si
na P
rude
r, P
.E.
Was
tew
ater
Bra
nch
Dep
artm
ent o
f Hea
lth
919
Ala
Moa
na B
oule
vard
, Roo
m 3
12
Hon
olul
u, H
awai
‘i 9
6814
D
ear
Ms.
Pru
der:
RE
: H
AW
AI‘I
DA
IRY
FA
RM
S D
RA
FT E
NV
IRO
NM
EN
TAL
IMP
AC
T ST
ATE
ME
NT
(DE
IS)-
MĀ
HĀ
‘ULE
PŪ
RO
AD
, KA
UA
‘I, H
AW
AI‘I
I am
fol
low
ing
up o
n a
conc
ern
brou
ght
to m
y at
tent
ion
rega
rdin
g pl
ans
subm
itted
by
Haw
ai‘i
Dai
ry F
arm
s (H
DF)
reg
ardi
ng t
heir
pro
pose
d op
erat
ion
on
land
s lo
cate
d in
Māhā‘
ulepū,
Kau
a‘i,
and
for
whi
ch p
ublic
com
men
ts w
ere
solic
ited
. It
has
bee
n br
ough
t to
my
atte
ntio
n th
at H
DF
filed
27
revi
sion
s to
the
ir W
aste
M
anag
emen
t Pla
n w
ith th
e W
aste
wat
er B
ranc
h of
the
Dep
artm
ent o
f Hea
lth (D
OH
) an
d di
d no
t di
sclo
se o
r gi
ve t
he p
ublic
any
not
ice
of t
hese
cha
nges
. Th
e pu
blic
has
be
en p
rovi
ding
com
men
t ba
sed
on H
DF’
s or
igin
al p
lan
that
was
sub
mitt
ed t
o D
OH
in
Jul
y 20
14.
It w
as d
urin
g th
e Ju
ne 1
4, 2
016
depo
sitio
n of
far
m m
anag
er J
im G
arm
atz
that
the
Fri
ends
of M
āhā‘
ulepū
(FO
M) r
ealiz
ed t
hat
thei
r fo
cus
was
on
the
orig
inal
pl
an s
ubm
itted
by
HD
F, a
nd t
hat
they
nee
ded
to r
esea
rch
and
unde
rsta
nd t
he
chan
ges
filed
by
HD
F be
fore
the
y co
uld
prov
ide
mea
ning
ful c
omm
ent.
The
45-
day
com
men
t pe
riod
for
the
DE
IS e
nds
on J
uly
25,
2016
. T
his
timet
able
doe
s no
t pr
ovid
e FO
M o
r ot
her
inte
rest
ed m
embe
rs o
f th
e pu
blic
the
sta
tuto
rily
req
uire
d tim
e to
res
pond
to th
e ch
ange
s m
ade
by H
DF,
giv
en th
at th
ey o
nly
lear
ned
of th
e 27
re
visi
ons
on J
une
14, 2
016.
I am
ask
ing
that
you
con
side
r ex
tend
ing
the
45-d
ay c
omm
ent
peri
od t
o ta
ke
into
acc
ount
not
ice
give
n by
HD
F to
the
pub
lic a
nd a
genc
ies
of t
heir
rev
ised
pla
ns.
This
wou
ld c
erta
inly
be
less
one
rous
than
req
uiri
ng a
new
EIS
be
publ
ishe
d as
was
re
cent
ly r
equi
red
by t
he D
epar
tmen
t of
Lan
d an
d N
atur
al R
esou
rces
in
a ca
se
invo
lvin
g an
app
licat
ion
for o
ne o
f its
per
mits
. I m
ake
this
req
uest
in th
e in
tere
st o
f
Sina
Pru
der,
P.E
. R
e:
Haw
ai‘i
Dai
ry
Farm
s D
raft
E
nvir
onm
enta
l Im
pact
St
atem
ent
(DE
IS)
Māh
ā‘ul
epū
Roa
d, K
aua‘
i, H
awai
‘i
July
1, 2
016
Page
2
ri
ght
proc
ess
and
in t
he in
tere
st o
f all
mem
bers
of t
he p
ublic
who
may
wan
t m
ore
time
to c
omm
ent o
n th
e m
odifi
ed D
EIS
.
Th
ank
you
for
your
att
entio
n to
thi
s ve
ry i
mpo
rtan
t is
sue
to t
he r
esid
ents
of K
aua‘
i.
Si
ncer
ely,
JOA
NN
A. Y
UK
IMU
RA
C
ounc
ilmem
ber,
Kau
a‘i C
ount
y C
ounc
il
cc:
Haw
ai‘i
Dai
ry F
arm
s c/
o A
my
Hen
ness
ey, D
irec
tor
of C
omm
unic
atio
ns
(V
ia E
-mai
l: am
y@ul
upon
o.co
m)
Je
ffrey
H. O
vert
on, G
roup
70
Inte
rnat
iona
l Inc
. (
Via
E-m
ail:
HD
F@G
roup
70in
t.com
) La
ura
McI
ntyr
e, P
rogr
am M
anag
er, D
epar
tmen
t of H
ealth
Env
iron
men
tal
Pla
nnin
g O
ffice
(Via
E-m
ail:
Laur
a.M
cInt
yre@
doh.
haw
aii.g
ov)
Scot
t Gle
nn, D
irec
tor,
Offi
ce o
f Env
iron
men
tal Q
ualit
y C
ontr
ol
(Vi
a E
-mai
l: to
eqch
awai
i@do
h-ha
wai
i.gov
) B
ridg
et H
amm
erqu
ist,
Frie
nds
of M
āhā‘
ulepū
(
Via
E-m
ail:
brid
geth
amm
erqu
ist@
haw
aiia
ntel
.net
)
And
rea
Cas
sida
y (V
ia E
-mai
l: 2b
erk2
@sb
cglo
bal.n
et)
January 3, 20
17 Ms. Joa
nn A. Yukimur
a Counci
lmember, Kau
a‘i County Cou
ncil County
of Kaua‘i
Council Servic
es Division
4396 Rice Stre
et, Suite 209
Su
bjec
t:
Dear Councilm
ember Yukimu
ra: July 1, 2016
Draft .
Guid
elin
es fo
r Was
te
Man
agem
ent
Nut
rien
t Bal
ance
Ana
lysis
for
. commu
ni
analyzes
environment i
formulates
measures
or action.
Upon publica
tion Notice
issue of June
8, 2016
a 45-
Ms. Joann A. Y
ukimura
Councilmemb
er, Kaua‘i Cou
nty Council Impact
Statement
January 3, 20
17 2 of 2
.
Sincerely,
Je
cc:
ORGANIZATIONS
January 3, 20
17 Leiman
a DaMate
Executive Dir
ector Aha Mo
ku Advisory C
ommittee
1151 Punchbo
wl Street
Honolulu, Haw
ai‘i 96813
Subj
ect:
Hawai‘i Dairy
Farms Final E
nvironmental
Impact Statem
ent (EIS)
Respon
se to Comment
on Draft EIS
Dear Ms. DaM
ate: Thank
you for your i
nput dated Ju
ly 20, 2016 o
n the Hawai‘i
Dairy Farms (
HDF) Draft E
IS. The follow
ing responses
are offered to
your commen
ts: Cultura
l Impact Asses
sment.
The Cultural I
mpact Assess
ment (CIA) (S
CS, April 2016
) includes cons
ultation with
individuals ha
ving ties to M
hulep, and u
tilized numer
ous available
information
sources, inclu
ding historica
l documents
and maps. A
s noted in th
e CIA, public
notices were p
ublished in re
levant newsp
apers request
ing informati
on on cultura
l resour
ces or activiti
es in the proje
ct area. Scient
ific Consultant
Services, Inc.
(SCS) also se
nt letters of in
quiry and rea
ched out via
telephone call
s; 31 individu
als or organiz
ation represe
ntatives resp
onded in all.
Twelve peopl
e participate
d in intervi
ews, including
signed
an Informati
on Release Fo
rm, included i
n the CIA on
page D-5, afte
r reviewing th
e transcript of
his interview
. The CIA
report exami
ned the relatio
nship of findin
gs regarding c
ulturally impo
rtant natura
l resources. T
he conclusion
s of the EIS an
alysis of poten
tial impacts to
soils, water,
flora/fauna a
nd agricultur
al properties
showed no sig
nificant impa
cts to these r
esources as a
result of the
dairy operat
ion, and henc
e no adverse e
ffects in
regard to thes
e culturally im
portant natur
al resources.
Water Quality
. Protect
ion of water
quality is a ke
y component o
f the technical
guidance prov
ided Physical
setbacks will b
e created wit
h fences insta
lled 35-feet fr
om drainagew
ay (totaling
70-feet in wi
dth) to keep
cows away fr
om surface w
aters. Within
the 35-foot
setback, veget
ation will be m
aintained to c
reate filter st
rips to captur
e particulates
during
stormwater
runoff. Anoth
er setback res
tricts applicat
ion of effluen
t within
50 feet of th
e drainageway
s; only irriga
tion water w
ill be used a
s needed to
maintain the v
egetated buffe
r and pasture
grass, keeping
nutrient appl
ications away
from w
aterways. See
Section 3.5.1, P
addocks, Fenc
ing and Setbac
ks in the EIS.
Leimana DaMa
te, Executive D
irector, Aha M
oku Advisory
Committee
Hawai‘i Dairy
Farms Enviro
nmental Impac
t Statement
January 3, 20
17 Page 2
of 3
loa-Poip ar
ea. Rather th
an the
loa volcanic s
eries to the we
st, the valley f
loor is filled w
ith alluvial ma
terial which
generally exte
nds about 60
feet under the
surface. This
material is h
ighly weathere
d lava compo
sed of dark
brown to blac
k silty clay an
d clayey silt. T
hese layers ar
e essentially im
permeable and
function as
an aquiclude
to separate sh
allow groundw
ater in the al
luvium from
the confined g
roundwater in
the underl
ying volcanics
. Groundwater
confined wit
hin the under
lying volcanic
s is the sour
ce of drinking
water.
EIS Figure 4.1
6-1 and Vi
cini
ty displa
ys the volcani
c geological h
istory of the
area. The alluvial m
aterial within
the valley is p
oorly permeab
le so moveme
nt in the shall
ow groundwa
ter is slow, w
hich allows th
e remedial pro
perties of soils
and its super-
active microbio
logical organis
ms to utilize
or remove nu
trients and p
otential conta
minants. Any
water move
ment in the
shallow groun
dwater
contained wit
hin the alluvia
l material wi
ll move in th
e makai direc
tion to ultima
te discharge
into the
marine enviro
nment.
In periods of
rainfall that
reach or exc
eed 0.8 inches
, groundwater
contained in
the shallow
alluvial
material may
rise to the su
rface through
the deep ditch
es cut for sug
arcane irrigat
ion that rema
in on the
HDF site. The
potential for t
his seasonally
high groundw
ater to interse
ct with the de
ep ditches occ
urs only
in the mid-sect
ion of the HDF
site due to the
descending de
pth of the grou
ndwater in the
alluvium towa
rds the ma
kai end of the
site. There
will be ongoin
g natural inp
uts to Waiopi
li Ditch from
the overall wa
tershed and th
e agricultural
lands b
ordering the d
itch downstre
am of the dair
y. With the me
asures being
taken by the d
airy to activel
y manag
e surface runo
ff, nutrients a
nd suspended
sediments, co
ncerns about
the potential
effects of dair
y operat
ions to ocean
beach recreati
on are not ant
icipated.
Long-term oce
an water qual
ity monitoring
has been initi
ated to provid
e a baseline fo
r the nearsho
re ocean
waters. HDF w
ill regularly sa
mple and ana
lyze nutrient a
nd chemical c
onstituent lev
els in the nea
r-shore
marine enviro
nment. Data f
rom the nears
hore water m
onitoring pro
gram will be m
ade available
to the
contamination
sources.
We acknowled
ge your refere
nce to Hawaii
State Constitu
tional Law in A
rticle XII. The
approximate s
ize of 557 ac
res on the val
ley floor. The
closest
point of the H
DF site is near
ly .75 mile from
the beach; lan
downer Maha
ulepu Farms c
ontrols access
to the private
roads that le
ad to agricultu
ral lands in th
e valley and b
eyond, not HD
F. There will b
e no adverse
impact on nat
ive Hawaiian ga
thering and fis
hing rights due
to the propos
ed project.
Leimana DaMa
te, Executive D
irector, Aha M
oku Advisory
Committee
Hawai‘i Dairy
Farms Enviro
nmental Impac
t Statement
January 3, 20
17 Page 3
of 3
Your comment
, along with th
is response, w
ill become par
t of the public
record and w
ill be publishe
d in the
Final EIS. A co
py of the Fina
l EIS is includ
ed on a compa
ct disc with th
is letter. Whe
n published, t
he Final
. Thank
you for your p
articipation in
the environme
ntal review pro
cess. Sincere
ly,
Je
Principal Plan
ner cc:
Hawai‘i Dairy
Farms
Hawai‘
i State Depart
ment of Healt
h,
July
XX
, 201
6
Gro
up 7
0 In
tern
atio
nal
ATT
N: J
eff O
verto
n/H
awai
i Dai
ry F
arm
s92
5 B
ethe
l Stre
et 5
th F
loor
Hon
olul
u H
I 968
13H
DF@
Gro
up70
int.c
om
Dep
artm
ent o
f Hea
lth (D
OH
)A
TTN
: Lau
ra M
cInt
yre/
Envi
ronm
enta
l Pla
nnin
g O
ffic
e12
50 P
unch
bow
l Stre
etH
onol
ulu
HI 9
6813
Re:
C
omm
ents
on
Haw
aii D
airy
Dra
ft E
nvir
onm
enta
l Im
pact
Sta
tem
ent
On
beha
lf of
the
Cen
ter f
or B
iolo
gica
l Div
ersi
ty (“
Cen
ter”
), w
e w
ould
like
to su
bmit
com
men
ts
on th
e H
awai
i Dai
ry F
arm
s Dra
ft En
viro
nmen
tal I
mpa
ct S
tate
men
t (“D
EIS”
), w
hich
was
pr
epar
ed p
ursu
ant t
o H
awai
i Rev
ised
Sta
tute
s, C
hapt
er 3
43, E
nviro
nmen
tal I
mpa
ct S
tate
men
t La
w.1
The
Cen
ter i
s con
cern
ed a
bout
seve
ral s
igni
fican
t def
icie
ncie
s in
the
DIE
S an
d w
e ar
eco
ncer
ned
that
the
prop
osed
dai
ry fa
rm’s
con
stru
ctio
n an
d op
erat
iona
l act
iviti
es a
re li
kely
to
resu
lt in
una
utho
rized
take
of f
eder
ally
thre
aten
ed a
nd e
ndan
gere
d sp
ecie
s. W
e th
eref
ore
reco
mm
end
that
the
Haw
aii D
airy
seek
to d
evel
op a
Hab
itat C
onse
rvat
ion
Plan
and
obt
ain
an
Inci
dent
al T
ake
Perm
it pr
ior t
o th
e co
nstru
ctio
n an
d op
erat
ion
of th
e D
airy
in o
rder
to a
void
vi
olat
ing
the
take
pro
hibi
tion
unde
r Sec
tion
9 of
the
Enda
nger
ed S
peci
es A
ct (“
ESA
”) a
nd th
e to
re
ceiv
e si
mila
r aut
horiz
atio
n un
der S
ectio
n 19
5D-4
of t
he H
awai
i End
ange
red
Spec
ies A
ct
(“H
EIS”
).2Th
e C
ente
r is a
nat
iona
l, no
n-pr
ofit
cons
erva
tion
orga
niza
tion
supp
orte
d by
mor
e th
an a
mill
ion
mem
bers
and
onl
ine
activ
ists
. The
Cen
ter a
nd it
s mem
bers
hav
ea
long
stan
ding
in
tere
st in
the
cons
erva
tion
of e
ndan
gere
d an
d th
reat
ened
spec
ies a
nd th
eir h
abita
tsin
Haw
aii a
nd
the
rem
aind
er o
f the
Uni
ted
Stat
es.
We
are
deep
ly c
once
rned
that
DEI
S di
smis
ses t
he li
kely
impa
cts t
o th
reat
ened
and
end
ange
red
spec
ies,
by re
view
ing
and
disp
osin
g of
thes
e is
sues
in a
cur
sory
man
ner.
The
DEI
S ig
nore
s or
fails
ent
irely
to a
ddre
ss th
e co
ncer
ns p
rovi
ded
by U
.S. F
ish
and
Wild
life
Serv
ice
(“Se
rvic
e”) i
n a
lette
r to
the
Dai
ry in
Feb
ruar
y 20
15.
Sim
ple
miti
gatio
n m
easu
res r
ecom
men
ded
by th
e Se
rvic
e do
not
app
ear t
o ha
ve b
een
inco
rpor
ated
into
the
DEI
S, m
akin
gun
auth
oriz
ed ta
ke o
f lis
ted
spec
ies t
hat m
uch
mor
e lik
ely.
W
e al
so re
com
men
d th
at th
e D
airy
seek
a N
atio
nal P
ollu
tion
Dis
char
ge E
limin
atio
n Sy
stem
(“N
PDES
”) p
erm
it ra
ther
than
kee
ping
the
dairy
her
d ex
actly
one
co
w b
elow
the
lega
l lim
it as
to w
here
a fa
cilit
y m
ust p
osse
ss su
ch a
per
mit.
With
out m
eani
ngfu
l
1H
awai
i Dai
ry F
arm
s 201
6. H
awai
’I D
iary
Far
ms,
Dra
ft En
viro
nmen
tal I
mpa
ct S
tate
men
t (he
reaf
ter “
DIA
RY
D
EIS”
).2
16 U
.S.C
. § 1
538
2
rest
rictio
ns o
n di
scha
rges
, it i
s hig
hly
likel
y th
at th
e D
airy
will
con
tam
inan
t sur
face
and
gr
ound
wat
er, r
esul
ting
in h
arm
to tw
o hi
ghly
end
ange
red
cave
arth
ropo
ds, d
egra
de w
ater
qua
lity
alon
g K
auai
’sso
uthe
ast s
hore
line,
and
pot
entia
llyde
grad
e th
e cr
itica
l hab
itat o
f the
mon
k se
al o
r in
jure
the
spec
ies o
utrig
ht th
roug
h ex
posu
re to
pol
lute
dw
ater
.
I.Im
pact
s to
Fede
rally
Thr
eate
ned
and
End
ange
red
Spec
ies
In a
lette
r to
the
Dai
ry, t
he U
.S. F
ish
and
Wild
life
Serv
ice
reco
mm
ende
d a
suite
of c
onse
rvat
ion
mea
sure
s to
prot
ect t
hrea
tene
d an
d en
dang
ered
spec
ies d
urin
g bo
th th
e co
nstru
ctio
n ph
ase
and
durin
g op
erat
ions
to m
inim
ize
pote
ntia
l tak
e by
the
Dia
ry.
Thes
e in
clud
e:
Impl
emen
ting
mea
sure
s to
min
imiz
e th
ew
ater
bird
s’ a
ttrac
tion
to p
onds
, suc
h as
inst
allin
g co
vers
or e
nclo
sure
s ove
r was
te la
goon
s;Im
plem
entin
g a
pred
ator
con
trol p
rogr
am to
min
imiz
e th
e pr
edat
ion
and/
orre
duce
d br
eedi
ng su
cces
s of w
ater
bird
s usi
ng p
astu
res;
Prov
idin
g ad
ditio
nal i
nfor
mat
ion
abou
t fen
cing
cho
ices
so th
at U
SFW
S m
ayas
sess
w
heth
er e
ntan
glem
ent o
r col
lisio
n ris
ks e
xist
, and
dis
allo
win
g th
ein
stal
latio
n of
ele
ctric
or
bar
bed-
wire
fenc
ing;
Inst
allin
g si
gnag
e ne
ar ro
adw
ays w
arni
ng d
river
s of t
he p
rese
nce
of b
irds i
n th
ear
ea;
Wor
king
with
USF
WS
to d
evel
op m
easu
res t
o av
oid
fost
erin
g co
nditi
ons t
hatw
ould
pr
omot
e av
ian
botu
lism
, inc
ludi
ng a
mon
itorin
g pl
an fo
r ear
ly d
etec
tion
and
resp
onse
;W
orki
ng w
ith a
bio
logi
cal m
onito
r to
avoi
d an
d m
itiga
te p
oten
tial d
ispl
acem
enta
nd lo
ss
of n
ests
durin
g co
nstru
ctio
n or
ope
ratio
n;A
void
ing
site
-cle
arin
g or
oth
er p
lant
-dis
turb
ing
activ
ities
dur
ing
the
Haw
aiia
nho
ary
bat
birth
ing
and
pup
rear
ing
seas
on;
Enga
ging
in c
onst
ruct
ion
activ
ities
onl
y du
ring
dayl
ight
hou
rs so
as t
o av
oid
use
of
artif
icia
l lig
htin
g, w
hich
may
dis
orie
nt se
abird
s;To
the
exte
nt e
xter
ior l
ight
s can
not b
e el
imin
ated
, pos
ition
ing
exte
rior f
acili
tylig
hts l
ow
to th
e gr
ound
with
mot
ion-
trigg
ers a
nd o
ther
safe
ty m
easu
res;
Con
figur
ing
and
inst
allin
g ut
ility
line
s in
such
a w
ay a
s to
avoi
d po
sing
aco
llisi
on
haza
rd;
Min
imiz
ing
dist
urba
nce
to th
e se
nsiti
ve c
ave
habi
tat—
whi
ch is
hyd
rolo
gica
llylin
ked
to
the
prop
osed
HD
F si
te—
that
hou
ses t
he tw
o ar
thro
pod
spec
ies (
whi
chdi
stur
banc
e in
clud
es c
onta
min
atio
n fr
om su
rfac
e so
urce
s of c
hem
ical
s,pe
stic
ides
, and
was
te d
ispo
sal
whi
ch e
nter
s cav
es v
ia st
ream
s or g
roun
dwat
erse
epag
e);
Min
imiz
ing
dist
urba
nce
to th
e cr
itica
l hab
itat o
f the
‘oha
i (w
hich
dis
turb
ance
incl
udes
ha
bita
t deg
rada
tion
caus
ed b
y in
trodu
ctio
n of
non
-nat
ive
plan
ts, l
ack
ofad
equa
te
polli
natio
n, fi
re, d
estru
ctio
n by
off
-roa
d ve
hicl
es, s
torm
s, an
d hu
man
dist
urba
nces
);In
corp
orat
ing
best
man
agem
ent p
ract
ices
to a
void
and
min
imiz
e im
pact
s to
wat
erre
sour
ces.
We
are
conc
erne
d th
at m
any
of th
ese
sim
ple
reco
mm
enda
tions
hav
e be
en ig
nore
d in
the
DEI
S,
and
that
the
risks
to th
reat
ened
and
end
ange
red
spec
ies a
re b
eing
dis
mis
sed
in a
cur
sory
man
ner.3
33Th
e C
ente
r sup
ports
the
Dai
ry’s
dec
isio
n to
impl
emen
t a p
reda
tor c
ontro
l pro
gram
at t
heir
faci
lity.
For e
xam
ple,
the
wat
erbi
rd c
onse
rvat
ion
plan
onl
y co
ntem
plat
es b
asic
trai
ning
for p
erso
nnel
, but
3
does
not
incl
ude
mea
sure
s to
min
imiz
e at
tract
ion
of w
ater
bird
s to
was
te la
goon
s and
oth
er
faci
litie
s at t
he d
airy
. M
ore
sign
ifica
ntly
, with
resp
ect t
o lis
ted
seab
irds,
the
DEI
S on
ly st
ates
: “t
he e
ndan
gere
d H
awai
ian
Petre
l (Pt
erod
rom
asa
ndw
iche
nsis
), an
d th
e th
reat
ened
end
emic
sub-
spec
ies o
f the
New
ell’s
Shea
rwat
er(P
uffin
us a
uric
ular
is n
ewel
li) h
ave
been
reco
rded
ove
r-fly
ing
the
gene
ral p
roje
ct a
rea
betw
een
Apr
il an
d th
e en
d of
Nov
embe
r eac
h ye
ar”4
and
that
“Th
e pr
inci
pal p
oten
tial i
mpa
ct th
at c
onst
ruct
ion
of th
e pr
opos
ed d
airy
farm
s pos
es to
prot
ecte
d se
abird
s is t
he in
crea
sed
thre
at th
at b
irds w
ill b
e do
wne
d af
ter b
ecom
ing
diso
rient
ed b
y lig
hts
asso
ciat
ed w
ith th
e pr
ojec
t dur
ing
the
nest
ing
seas
on. T
he tw
o m
ain
way
s tha
t out
door
ligh
ting
coul
d po
se a
thre
at to
thes
e no
ctur
nally
flyi
ng se
abird
s is i
f, 1)
durin
g co
nstru
ctio
n it
is d
eem
ed
expe
dien
t, or
nec
essa
ry to
con
duct
nig
httim
e co
nstru
ctio
nac
tiviti
es, a
nd 2
) fol
low
ing
build
-out
, th
e po
tent
ial o
pera
tion
of st
reet
light
s or s
ecur
itylig
htin
g.”5
This
info
rmat
ion
is n
ot a
ccur
ate
and
does
not
act
ually
ana
lyze
the
real
risk
s to
liste
d se
abird
sp
ecie
s. A
smal
l num
ber o
f New
ell’s
She
arw
ater
s con
tinue
to n
est o
n H
a’up
u rid
ge.6
Plac
ing
a la
rge
agric
ultu
ral f
acili
ty d
irect
ly b
elow
the
ridge
will
act
ually
cre
ate
a si
gnifi
cant
haz
ard
for
both
the
adul
ts th
at n
esto
f Ha’
upu
and
espe
cial
ly th
e yo
ung
fledg
lings
. G
iven
the
rura
l nat
ure
of
the
land
aro
und
the
prop
osed
dai
ry, i
t is u
nlik
ely
that
any
fallo
ut b
irds w
ill e
ver b
e re
cove
red,
an
d th
ere
is a
hig
h pr
obab
ility
that
if a
bird
is d
owne
d in
a p
astu
re a
rea
it w
ill d
ie fr
om p
reda
tion
or e
xhau
stio
n.
The
Cen
ter i
s con
cern
ed th
at th
e D
EIS
cont
inue
s to
cont
empl
ate
nigh
t-tim
e co
nstru
ctio
n at
the
Dai
ry, a
nd is
not
hee
ding
the
Fish
and
Wild
life
Serv
ice’
s rec
omm
enda
tion
to o
nly
cond
uct
dayt
ime
cons
truct
ion,
or e
ven
limiti
ngni
ght-t
ime
cons
truct
ion
to th
e no
n-se
abird
seas
on
(Dec
embe
r thr
ough
Apr
il). F
urth
erm
ore,
the
Serv
ice
reco
mm
ende
d th
at a
ll lig
hts “
be p
ositi
oned
lo
w to
the
grou
nd, b
e m
otio
n tri
gger
ed, a
nd b
e sh
ield
ed a
nd/o
r ful
l cut
-off
. Ef
fect
ive
light
sh
ield
s sho
uld
beco
mpl
etel
y op
aque
, suf
ficie
ntly
larg
e, a
nd p
ositi
oned
so th
at th
e bu
lb is
onl
y vi
sibl
e fr
om b
elow
. The
DEI
S on
ly st
ates
that
ligh
ting
will
be
shie
lded
, thi
s is i
nsuf
ficie
nt to
en
sure
aga
inst
take
of l
iste
d se
abird
s. Fi
nally
, the
DEI
S al
so fa
ils to
con
side
r the
inte
ract
ion
of
seab
irds w
ith u
tility
line
s for
the
dairy
. C
ollis
ions
with
pow
er li
nes p
ose
a si
gnifi
cant
risk
to
liste
d se
abird
s, an
d th
e D
EIS
has i
gnor
ed th
e Fi
sh a
nd W
ildlif
e Se
rvic
e’s r
ecom
men
datio
n th
atut
ility
and
pow
er li
nes b
e un
derg
roun
ded
as m
uch
as p
ossi
ble.
With
resp
ect t
o th
e tw
o en
dang
ered
cav
e in
verte
brat
es, t
he K
aua‘
i Cav
e W
olf S
pide
r and
the
Kau
a‘i C
ave
amph
ipod
, the
DEI
S al
so p
rovi
des a
cur
sory
dis
cuss
ion.
The
DEI
S st
ates
that
“Th
is
surv
ey sh
owed
no
evid
ence
of l
ava
tube
s (ca
ves)
that
wou
ld su
ppor
t the
end
ange
red
Kau
a’i c
ave
wol
f spi
der o
r cav
eam
phip
od”7
and
that
“Th
ere
is n
o fe
dera
lly d
esig
nate
d C
ritic
al H
abita
tfor
an
y in
verte
brat
e sp
ecie
s on
or a
djac
ent t
o th
e su
bjec
t pro
perty
. No
antic
ipat
edac
tions
rela
ted
to
the
prop
osed
pro
ject
act
ivity
in th
e su
rvey
ed lo
catio
ns a
re e
xpec
ted
toth
reat
en e
ntire
spec
ies o
r en
tire
inve
rtebr
ate
popu
latio
ns.”
8
4D
AIR
Y D
EIS
at 2
3.
Sect
ion
9 of
the
Enda
nger
ed S
peci
es A
ctpr
ohib
its a
ny p
erso
n,
incl
udin
g an
y fe
dera
l age
ncy,
from
“ta
king
” an
y lis
ted
spec
ies w
ithou
t pro
per a
utho
rizat
ion
5Id
. at 2
6.6
Pers
onal
com
mun
icat
ion
with
Kau
ai E
ndan
gere
d Se
abird
Rec
over
y Te
am.
The
Cen
ter s
trong
ly su
gges
ts th
at th
e D
airy
con
tact
the
Stat
e D
epar
tmen
t of F
ores
try a
nd W
ildlif
e re
gard
ing
curr
ent s
tatu
s of l
iste
d sp
ecie
s in
Haw
aii
rath
er th
an c
ondu
ctin
g an
inco
mpl
ete
liter
atur
e se
arch
.7
DA
IRY
DEI
Sat
2.
8Id
. at 2
0.
4
thro
ugh
a va
lid in
cide
ntal
take
per
mit.
9Th
e de
finiti
on o
f “ha
rm”
has b
een
defin
ed b
road
ly b
y re
gula
tion
as “
an a
ct w
hich
act
ually
kill
s or i
njur
es w
ildlif
e. S
uch
act m
ay in
clud
e si
gnifi
cant
ha
bita
t mod
ifica
tion
or d
egra
datio
n w
here
it a
ctua
lly k
ills o
r inj
ures
wild
life
by si
gnifi
cant
ly
impa
iring
ess
entia
l beh
avio
ral p
atte
rns,
incl
udin
g br
eedi
ng, f
eedi
ng o
r she
lterin
g.”10
Cou
rts h
ave
foun
d fe
dera
l age
ncie
s lia
ble
for u
nlaw
ful t
ake
of li
sted
spec
ies w
here
age
ncy-
auth
oriz
ed
activ
ities
resu
lted
in th
e ki
lling
or h
arm
ing
indi
vidu
als o
f suc
h sp
ecie
s.11
The
lega
l sta
ndar
d is
no
t wha
t the
DEI
S pu
rpor
ts —
thre
aten
ing
entir
e sp
ecie
s or e
ntire
inve
rtebr
ate
popu
latio
ns—
but
rath
er h
arm
to e
ven
a si
ngle
indi
vidu
al o
f a li
sted
spec
ies.
The
DEI
S do
es n
otan
alyz
e w
heth
er
the
impa
cts o
f the
Dai
ry d
owns
tream
of t
he si
te w
ill a
dver
sely
aff
ect e
ither
the
Kau
a’i c
ave
amph
ipod
or t
he K
aua‘
i Cav
e W
olf S
pide
r. A
sign
ifica
nt se
ctio
n of
the
coas
tline
has
bee
n de
sign
ated
as c
ritic
al h
abita
t for
thes
e tw
o sp
ecie
s, an
d th
ese
area
s are
dire
ctly
dow
nstre
am o
f the
D
airy
. If
wat
er p
ollu
tion
caus
es h
abita
t mod
ifica
tions
that
impa
ir th
e es
sent
ial b
ehav
iora
l pa
ttern
s of e
ven
just
one
indi
vidu
al o
f eith
er o
f the
se sp
ecie
s, su
ch h
arm
wou
ld re
pres
ent a
vi
olat
ion
of th
e En
dang
ered
Spe
cies
Act
. G
iven
that
the
DEI
S ha
s fai
led
to d
iscu
ss th
e im
pact
s to
the
liste
d ca
ve sp
ecie
s, an
d ha
s fai
led
to in
clud
e an
y m
itiga
tion
to c
ompl
etel
y av
oid
take
, any
ha
rm th
at o
ccur
s will
repr
esen
t a v
iola
tion
of S
ectio
n 9
of th
e A
ct.
II.
Com
plia
nce
with
the
Cle
an W
ater
Act
The
Haw
ai’i
Dai
ry F
arm
s (D
airy
) sho
uld
be d
esig
nate
d as
a c
once
ntra
ted
anim
al fe
edin
g op
erat
ion
(CA
FO),
and
shou
ld n
ot b
e ap
prov
ed to
ope
rate
, as d
escr
ibed
, with
out f
irst a
cqui
ring
an in
divi
dual
CA
FO N
atio
nal P
ollu
tant
Dis
char
ge E
limin
atio
n Sy
stem
(NPD
ES) p
erm
it.
As d
escr
ibed
in th
e D
EIS,
“[f
]or d
airy
ope
ratio
ns w
ith 7
00 o
r mor
e m
atur
e da
iry c
ows,
addi
tiona
l re
gula
tory
revi
ew a
nd p
erm
ittin
g by
the
Stat
e D
epar
tmen
t of H
ealth
is re
quire
d. T
he a
pplic
atio
n pr
oces
s for
a [N
PDES
CA
FO] p
erm
it in
clud
es p
ublic
not
ifica
tion
and
inpu
t. A
t the
dis
cret
ion
of
HD
F, m
anag
emen
t may
cho
ose
to e
xpan
d op
erat
ions
up
to th
e ca
rryi
ng c
apac
ity o
f the
land
, w
hich
is e
stim
ated
to b
e up
to 2
,000
pro
duct
ive
milk
ing
dairy
cow
s.”D
EIS
at 2
-9. H
owev
er,
wha
t thi
s sta
tem
ent f
ails
to re
cogn
ize
is th
at th
e D
epar
tmen
t may
, at i
ts d
iscr
etio
n, d
esig
nate
any
da
iry fa
cilit
y, e
ven
one
oper
atin
g at
bel
ow 7
00 m
atur
e da
iry c
ows -
know
n as
the
“lar
ge”
dairy
C
AFO
thre
shol
d, a
s a C
AFO
subj
ect t
o N
PDES
per
mitt
ing.
40
C.F
.R. §
122
.23(
c).
In th
is in
stan
ce, w
here
the
faci
lity
is p
ropo
sed
to o
pera
te a
t a m
ere
one
cow
bel
ow th
e la
rge
Cle
an W
ater
Act
CA
FO th
resh
old
of 7
00 c
ows,
and
inte
nds t
o ex
pand
its o
pera
tion
to u
pwar
ds to
2,
000
dairy
cow
s (al
mos
t thr
ee ti
mes
the
larg
e C
AFO
thre
shol
d)in
the
near
-pro
ject
ed fu
ture
, the
on
ly c
lear
man
ner f
or th
e D
epar
tmen
t to
supp
ort w
ater
qua
lity
goal
s and
the
obje
ctiv
es o
f the
C
lean
Wat
er A
ct w
ould
be
to d
esig
nate
d th
is o
pera
tion
as C
AFO
and
requ
ire it
to o
btai
n an
in
divi
dual
CA
FO N
PDES
per
mit.
Furth
er, i
n co
mpl
ianc
e w
ith th
e N
PDES
per
mit,
the
Dai
ry sh
ould
be
cons
truct
ed, o
pera
ted,
and
m
aint
aine
d su
ch th
at th
ere
it w
ill n
o di
scha
rge
of a
ny p
ollu
tant
(inc
ludi
ng a
ny b
iolo
gica
l
916
U.S
.C. §
153
8(a)
(1)(
B);
50 C
.F.R
. § 1
7.31
(a) (
exte
ndin
g th
e “t
ake”
pro
hibi
tion
to th
reat
ened
spec
ies)
. The
term
“t
ake”
is st
atut
orily
def
ined
bro
adly
as “
to h
aras
s, ha
rm, p
ursu
e, h
unt,
shoo
t, w
ound
, kill
, tra
p, c
aptu
re, o
r col
lect
, or
to a
ttem
pt to
eng
age
in a
ny su
ch c
ondu
ct.”
16
U.S
.C. §
153
2(19
).10
50 C
.F.R
. § 1
7.3;
see
also
Babb
itt v
. Sw
eet H
ome
Ch.
Of C
omm
uniti
es fo
r a G
reat
Ore
gon,
515
U.S
. 687
(199
5).
11Se
e,e.
g.,D
efen
ders
of W
ildlif
e v.
Env
tl. P
rot.
Agen
cy, 8
82 F
.2d
1294
(8th
Cir.
198
9).
5
pollu
tant
, che
mic
al p
ollu
tant
-su
ch a
s any
pes
ticid
e or
pha
rmac
eutic
al re
sidu
e, o
r any
oth
er
agric
ultu
ral w
aste
) fro
m th
e op
erat
ion
into
any
adj
acen
t gro
und
or su
rfac
e w
ater
s. A
s it r
elat
es to
th
e pl
anne
d ef
fluen
t “po
nds,”
thes
e im
poun
dmen
ts m
ust b
e de
sign
ed to
incl
ude
impe
rmea
ble
linin
gs a
nd e
lect
roni
c ef
fluen
t lea
kage
mon
itorin
g, a
s fur
ther
dis
cuss
ed in
the
DEI
S at
3-1
6; th
e D
epar
tmen
t sho
uld
requ
ire th
e D
airy
to m
aint
ain
and
subm
it, a
t a m
inim
um, q
uarte
rly re
ports
de
taili
ng th
e co
nditi
on o
f the
se im
poun
dmen
ts, i
nclu
ding
bi-w
eekl
y re
cord
ings
of t
he d
epth
s of
the
man
ure
and
proc
ess w
aste
wat
er in
the
liqui
d im
poun
dmen
t; al
l spi
lls a
nd le
aks f
rom
any
w
aste
impo
undm
ent;
and
all c
alib
ratio
ns,
read
ings
, ins
pect
ions
, and
repo
rts fr
om th
e im
poun
dmen
t sen
sor s
yste
m. F
urth
er, b
ecau
se o
f the
incr
easi
ng se
verit
y of
wea
ther
eve
nts,
all
efflu
ent s
tora
ge im
poun
dmen
ts sh
ould
be
cons
truct
ed to
with
stan
d at
leas
t a 1
00-y
ear s
torm
ev
ent,
rath
er th
an th
e 25
-yea
r, 24
hou
r des
ign
curr
ently
pro
pose
d. S
ee D
EIS
at 3
-14.
The
Dep
artm
ent s
houl
d ad
ditio
nally
inco
rpor
ate
a ro
bust
mon
itorin
g pl
an in
to th
e D
airy
’sN
PDES
per
mit.
Zer
o di
scha
rge
limita
tions
are
goo
d in
theo
ry, b
ut a
re m
eani
ngle
ss if
the
oper
atio
n is
not
act
ivel
y co
mpl
ying
with
the
disc
harg
e lim
itatio
n. T
he o
nly
way
to m
eani
ngfu
lly
ensu
re fu
ll co
mpl
ianc
e is
to re
quire
eff
ectiv
e m
onito
ring
of a
ll po
tent
ial d
isch
arge
poi
nts o
n th
e op
erat
ion,
incl
udin
g, b
ut n
ot li
mite
d to
, any
wat
erw
ay o
n or
thro
ugh
the
prop
erty
, and
any
ditc
h,
tile
drai
n, o
r oth
er c
onve
yanc
e in
tend
ed to
tran
spor
t liq
uids
off
of a
gric
ultu
ral f
ield
s and
pas
ture
s. Se
e, e
.g.,
DEI
S at
3-1
4 (“
Dra
inag
e im
prov
emen
ts w
ill c
onsi
st o
f sur
face
mod
ifica
tions
to in
clud
e sw
ales
(ref
erre
d to
as g
rass
ed w
ater
way
in N
RC
S Pr
actic
e C
odes
), se
dim
ent b
asin
s, st
ream
cr
ossi
ngs,
surf
ace
drai
nage
s, an
d w
ater
and
sedi
men
t con
trol b
asin
. Muc
h of
the
exis
ting
drai
nage
infr
astru
ctur
e, in
stal
led
and
guse
d fo
r sug
arca
ne ir
rigat
ion,
will
be
rest
ored
whe
re
poss
ible
and
reus
ed o
r im
prov
ed.”
) Ind
eed,
the
DEI
S ag
rees
with
the
utili
ty o
f suc
h a
mon
itorin
g pr
otoc
ol, p
rovi
ding
that
: “[w
]ith
care
ful m
onito
ring
of th
e op
erat
ions
and
the
natu
ral s
yste
ms,
incl
udin
g th
e so
ils, p
astu
re g
rass
es a
nd w
ater
qua
lity,
the
dairy
scal
ing
can
be a
ccom
plis
hed
with
se
nsiti
vity
to th
e va
rious
indi
cato
rs o
f car
ryin
g ca
paci
ty.”
DEI
S at
1-1
6. S
uch
mon
itorin
g ne
eds
are
espe
cial
ly a
ppar
ent g
iven
the
cum
bers
ome
and
conc
erni
ng fe
cal a
nd u
rine
load
s tha
t suc
h a
larg
e he
rd w
ill b
e co
nsis
tent
ly d
eliv
erin
g to
the
oper
atio
n’s a
gric
ultu
ral f
ield
s. Th
e D
epar
tmen
t sh
ould
requ
ire th
e D
airy
to su
bmit
at le
ast q
uarte
rly re
ports
in c
ompl
ianc
e w
ith th
is m
onito
ring
plan
.
Fina
lly, a
s cur
rent
ly p
ropo
sed,
the
Dai
ry in
tend
s to
utili
ze o
n-si
te b
uria
l for
its m
anag
emen
t of
mor
talit
ies.
This
type
of m
orta
lity
man
agem
ent c
an b
e ex
trem
ely
harm
ful t
o gr
ound
wat
er, a
nd
put o
ther
wild
life
and
othe
r ani
mal
s attr
acte
d to
the
mor
talit
ies a
t ris
k. T
he D
epar
tmen
t sho
uld
requ
ire, a
t a m
inim
um, t
hat t
he D
airy
util
ize
a co
mpo
stin
g or
rend
erin
g se
rvic
e fo
r its
mor
talit
ies,
an
d m
anda
te th
at a
ny m
orta
lity
-bef
ore
trans
port
to a
com
post
ing
or re
nder
ing
faci
lity
-be
stor
ed
in a
fully
enc
lose
d bu
ildin
g, se
para
ted
from
all
the
othe
r ani
mal
s, th
at w
ill e
nsur
e ag
ains
t le
achi
ng fr
om th
e de
com
posi
tion
and
putre
fact
ion
of th
e m
orta
litie
s. A
nd, a
gain
, the
Dep
artm
ent
shou
ld re
quire
the
Dai
ry to
subm
it at
leas
t qua
rterly
reco
rds o
f mor
talit
ies a
nd m
anag
emen
t m
easu
res u
tiliz
ed.
Sinc
erel
y,
Bre
tt H
artl
6
Enda
nger
ed S
peci
es P
olic
y D
irect
orC
ente
r for
Bio
logi
cal D
iver
sity
1411
K S
t. N
W, S
uite
130
0W
ashi
ngto
n, D
.C. 2
0005
202.
817.
8121
bhar
tl@bi
olog
ical
dive
rsity
.org
January 3, 20
17 Mr. Bre
tt Hartl
Endangered Sp
ecies Policy D
irector
Center for Bio
logical Diversi
ty 1411 K
St. NW, Suite 1
300 Washin
gton, D.C. 200
05 Su
bjec
t: Hawai‘
i Dairy Farms
Final Environ
mental Impac
t Statement (EI
S)
Response to Co
mment on Dra
ft EIS Dear M
r. Hartl:
Thank you for
your input d
ated July 2016
on the Hawai
‘i Dairy Farms
(HDF) Draft
EIS. The follow
ing responses
are offered to
your commen
ts: We un
derstand the C
enter for Biol
ogical Diversi
ty is concerne
d that constru
ction and op
erational activ
ities of the pr
oposed dairy
farm will resu
lt in unauthor
ized take of
federally thre
atened and e
ndangered sp
ecies. HDF has
retained an
avian biologi
st with deep k
nowledge of th
e unique avifa
una of Hawai
i and with exte
nsive experie
nce advising
Kauai landow
ners on minim
ization of imp
acts to endan
gered species
of waterbirds
, nn, and se
abirds. HDF a
nd its team a
re coordinatin
g with the U.S
. Fish and W
ildlife Service
(USFWS) and
the State of
Hawaii Divis
ion of Forestr
y and Wildlif
e (DOFAW) to
identify actio
ns during con
struction and
dairy operat
ions to avoid a
dverse impac
ts. Federa
lly Threatene
d and Endange
red Species
Coordination
with USFWS a
nd DOFAW ha
s further clar
ified the follow
ing specifics
related to fen
ces, lighting a
nd other agri
cultural infras
tructure. The
Final EIS has
been revised t
o reflect the re
finements in s
ections 3.3.2 A
gric
ultu
ral I
nfra
stru
ctur
e, 3.5.1 P
addo
cks,
Fenc
ing
and
Setb
acks
, and 4.10 Pro
babl
e Im
pact
s an
d M
itiga
tion
Mea
sure
s - F
auna
: Fencin
g choices to av
oid entanglem
ent or other ris
k to native Ha
waiian hoary
bats that may
pass through t
he area, and to
and wat
erbirds;
Underground
routing of pow
er to the dairy
facility from t
he existing Ka
uai Island
Utility Cooper
ative-provided
power; and
Exterior lighti
ng will use fix
tures that mee
t dark-sky sta
ndards and in
corporate
all relevant fe
atures to prev
ent any potent
ial disorientat
ion of seabirds
that may
fly over the si
te.
Mr. Brett Hart
l Center
for Biological
Diversity
Hawai‘i Dairy
Farms Enviro
nmental Impac
t Statement
January 3, 20
17 Page 2
of 4
Additional sp
ecifics to min
imize impact
s will be det
ailed in an E
ndangered Sp
ecies Awarene
ss and
Protection Pla
n (ESAPP), re
ferred to as a
n Avian Specie
s Protection P
lan in the Dra
ft EIS, which
is being
developed in
coordination
with the USF
WS and DOF
AW. Elements
to be further
detailed in t
he ESAPP
include: Reduci
ng waterbirds
’ attraction to
the effluent p
onds by insta
lling a mesh fen
ce and utilizin
g BMPs;
Developing a
comprehensiv
e predator con
trol program;
Minimi
zing condition
s in which avia
n botulism cou
ld potentially
develop, and d
etermine step
s to implem
ent in the even
t an outbreak
occurs. Regul
ar bird monito
ring during da
iry operations
for early
detection and
response to av
ian botulism w
ill also be inco
rporated; and
Utilizing an on
-site biologica
l monitor duri
ng constructio
n activities to
identify and a
void any
endangered sp
ecies present
or nesting on
site. The Fin
al EIS has been
clarified to no
te that HDF w
ill not disturb,
remove or trim
woody plants
greater than
15 feet tall du
ring the Hawa
iian hoary bat
pupping seaso
n. No affect to
bats is expect
ed from activit
ies and
operations th
at of the dairy
farm (Section
4.10). The US
FWS response
letter to the
Draft EIS, incl
uded in Appen
dix 6 of the Fi
nal EIS, concu
rs with the EI
S statem
ent that the n
earest section
of the Kloa
Lava Tube S
ystem that pr
ovides habitat
for rare and
endang
ered cave arth
ropods is app
roximately 0.7
5 miles from t
he HDF site’s s
outhern prop
erty boundary
(Sectio
n 4.11.1 Exis
ting
Cond
ition
s –
Inve
rteb
rate
Spe
cies
and
Pes
t In
sect
s)Valley
differs signif
Cave Wolf Spid
e-1 inclu
ded in the Fin
al EIS). The
entire HDF si
te lies on the p
oorly permeab
le alluvium wh
ich covers t
deposited pri
or to the latter
stage volcanic
s referred to
as the Koloa s
eries volcanic
s. Three puu l
ocated to
the southwest
of the HDF si
te are remnan
ts of this post
-eruptional ph
ase. How thes
e volcanics in
the area
makai of the
HDF site are
interfingered
with and/or d
isplaced the p
reviously depo
sited alluvium
is not
known (Nance
, 2016).
The cave wol
f spider is an
opportunistic
predator, fee
ding on whate
ver prey it can
find, native o
r non-native.
Harm is not p
redicted since
this crustacea
n at the base
of the cave fo
od chain feed
s on roots and
organic
debris from p
lants, and mos
t plants are m
ore productive
of tissues wi
th an increas
e in nutrients
. More fo
od for the base
of the food ch
ain means the
apex predato
r, the spiders,
should also ha
ve the same o
r more p
rey (Montgom
ery, 2016).
Physical setba
cks and restric
tion of nutrie
nt application
near water so
urces are clar
ified in the Fi
nal EIS
(Section 3.5.1
Paddock
s, Fe
ncin
g an
d Se
tbac
ks and S
ection 3.5.4.2
Nutrient
Bal
ance
); these setba
cks are
among the m
inimization an
d mitigation m
easures to pr
event soil ero
sion and runo
ff downgradien
t of the
dairy. Newell Shearw
ater As outl
ined earlier in
this response
, per the advis
ement of the U
.S. Fish and W
ildlife Service
and the State
Division of Fo
restry and Wi
ldlife, HDF will
follow best p
ractices and o
perational pro
cedures to pro
tect any
protected anim
al species. Th
e dairy outdo
or lighting wi
ll be designed
to minimize e
ffects on noctu
rnally flying s
eabirds which
may nest on
Haupu Ridge.
All outdoor l
ights installed
as part of the
project will b
e shielde
d to reduce the
potential for i
nteractions of
nocturnally fl
ying seabirds
with external l
ights and man
-made s
tructures.
Mr. Brett Hart
l Center
for Biological
Diversity
Hawai‘i Dairy
Farms Enviro
nmental Impac
t Statement
January 3, 20
17 Page 3
of 4
An Endangere
d Species Aw
areness and P
rotection Plan
will be compl
eted in consul
tation with USF
WS and
DOFAW prior
to dairy cons
truction and
operations, to
ensure that
dairy operatio
ns would not
result in
deleterious im
pacts to prote
cted wildlife.
Compliance w
ith the Clean W
ater Act
HDF will com
ply with all re
gulatory and
permitting re
quirements fo
r construction
and operatio
ns. The
Waste Manag
ement Plan fo
r the commit
ted herd size
of up to 699
mature dairy
cows has been
reviewed
with no furth
er comments
by the State
Department o
f Health (DOH
). Should HDF
, at some time
in the
future, contem
plate expandi
ng the herd to
the carrying
capacity of th
e land, additi
onal regulator
y review
and permittin
g by DOH will b
e undertaken
as required. R
ecord keeping
and reporting
will be condu
cted in
fulfillment of b
oth regulatory
requirements
. Additionally
, HDF has volu
ntary implem
ented surface,
on-site
groundwater,
and nearshor
e marine water
quality monito
ring as descri
bed in EIS Sec
tion 4.17.4.
Animal Morta
lity Managem
ent HDF ha
s adequately p
lanned its cem
etery site and
has incorpor
ated Best Man
agement Prac
tices to protec
t water r
esources surr
ounding the H
DF site. The a
nimal cemeter
y is specifically
located on th
e north side o
f the far
m, in an area
of relatively f
lat pasture. S
ite selection c
riteria for the
cemetery pa
ddock include
d protect
ion from prev
ailing winds, a
nd distance m
ore than 100
feet away from
any drainagew
ay, 200 feet
from any natu
ral watercour
se, 300 feet fro
m any well, an
d more than 2
0 feet from an
y buildings. W
ithin the
cemetery padd
ock, pits will b
e sited based
on soil suitab
ility and slope
. A containme
nt berm will be
created
around the pi
t area to prev
ent both run-o
ff on to, and fr
om, the cemet
ery site. An ar
ea of approxi
mately
5,000 square f
eet is needed
for the anima
l cemetery at
the contempl
ated herd size
of up to 2,00
0 mature
dairy cows, w
hich is a frac
tion of a 3- t
o 5-acre padd
ock. Based on
preliminary a
nalysis, HDF
does not
anticipate en
countering gr
oundwater in
the cemeter
y paddock ar
ea. Pits will
be lined as n
eeded in
accordance w
ith NRCS Con
servation Pra
ctice Standar
d, Animal Mor
tality Facility
Code 316, to
protect
groundwater q
uality.
A containmen
t berm will b
e created aro
und the pit a
rea to preven
t both run-off
on to, and fr
om, the
cemetery site.
Six (6) pits, a
pproximately
20’ x 40’ over
all and 8 to 10
’ deep, are des
igned to accom
modate
carcasses of u
p to 150 cows
and 360 calve
s or stillborn
animals at the
contemplated
herd size. Ind
ividual
pits within th
e area will be
a minimum o
f 2-feet wide w
ith a length ap
propriate to b
ury the carcas
s. Pits
will be lined i
n accordance w
ith NRCS Cons
ervation Pract
ice Standard, A
nimal Mortality
Facility Code
316, to prot
ect groundwa
ter quality. Ea
ch animal carca
ss will be dus
ted on all side
s with ground
limestone. T
he bottom
of each pit wil
l be also duste
d. Pits can be
reused every
18 to 24 mont
hs, which is th
e typical time
for a ca
rcass to decom
pose. Pit bot
toms will be le
vel, and carca
sses will be p
laced in a sin
gle layer and
covered with
at least 2 feet
of organic
material. Mu
ltiple layers m
ay be created
with subseque
nt burials, or
additional are
a within the
cemetery pad
dock may be
used as need
ed. Based on
preliminary a
nalysis, HDF
does not anti
cipate encoun
tering ground
water in the c
emetery padd
ock area when
excavating th
e pits. The pa
ddock area w
ill not be
grazed.
HDF may also
consider proc
uring and inst
alling an incin
erator to use
for managing
mortality on
the farm.
The incinerato
r would meet t
he appropriat
e guidance fro
m NRCS Cons
ervation Pract
ice Standard –
Animal
Mortality Cod
e 316 as well a
s State and EP
A emissions r
egulations, to
ensure no adv
erse air quali
ty impact
from the incin
erator operat
ions.
Mr. Brett Hart
l Center
for Biological
Diversity
Hawai‘i Dairy
Farms Enviro
nmental Impac
t Statement
January 3, 20
17 Page 4
of 4
Your comment
, along with th
is response, w
ill become par
t of the public
record and w
ill be publishe
d in the
Final EIS. A co
py of the Fina
l EIS is includ
ed on a compa
ct disc with th
is letter. Whe
n published, t
he Final
EIS will be a
vailable on th
e OEQC websi
te which you
can access u
sing the follo
wing URL, an
d search
“Hawaii Dair
y Farms”: http
://tinyurl.com
/OEQCKAUAI
. Thank
you for your p
articipation in
the environme
ntal review pro
cess. Sincere
ly, GROUP
70 INTERNAT
IONAL, INC.
Jeffrey
H. Overton, A
ICP, LEED AP
Principal Plan
ner cc:
Hawai‘i Dairy
Farms
Hawai‘
i State Depart
ment of Healt
h,
Environme
ntal Planning O
ffice
Cent
er fo
r Foo
d Sa
fety
(CFS
) is a
non
-pro
fit m
embe
rshi
p or
gani
zatio
n th
at w
orks
to p
rote
ct
hum
an h
ealth
and
the
envi
ronm
ent b
y cu
rbin
g th
e pr
olife
ratio
n of
har
mfu
l foo
d pr
oduc
tion
tech
nolo
gies
and
by
prom
otin
g or
gani
c an
d su
stai
nabl
e ag
ricul
ture
. O
ur m
embe
rshi
p ha
s ra
pidl
y gr
own
to in
clud
e ov
er 7
00,0
00 p
eopl
e ac
ross
the
coun
try
that
supp
ort o
rgan
ic fo
od a
nd
farm
ing,
gro
w o
rgan
ic fo
od, a
nd re
gula
rly p
urch
ase
orga
nic
prod
ucts
. As
a p
artn
er o
f Haw
ai‘i-
base
d or
gani
zatio
ns fo
r ove
r a d
ecad
e, H
awai
‘i Ce
nter
for F
ood
Safe
ty
(HCF
S) is
a h
igh-
perf
orm
ing
publ
ic in
tere
st a
dvoc
acy
nonp
rofit
that
wor
ks to
redu
ce th
e im
pact
s of
indu
stria
l agr
icul
ture
whi
le si
mul
tane
ously
pro
mot
ing
orga
nic
and
sust
aina
ble
agric
ultu
re.
With
10,
000
mem
bers
, HCF
S is
activ
ely
build
ing
a po
wer
ful n
etw
ork
of in
form
ed fa
rmin
g an
d fo
od a
dvoc
ates
to st
reng
then
the
loca
l foo
d m
ovem
ent.
HCFS
has
bec
ome
one
of th
e la
rges
t m
embe
rshi
p-ba
sed
food
and
env
ironm
enta
l adv
ocac
y or
gani
zatio
ns in
Haw
ai‘i,
util
izing
lega
l ac
tions
, pol
icy
initi
ativ
es, g
rass
root
s coo
rdin
atio
n an
d ca
paci
ty-b
uild
ing,
scie
ntifi
c re
sear
ch,
part
ners
hips
, and
pub
lic e
duca
tion
to a
chie
ve it
s miss
ion.
Th
e pr
opos
ed D
airy
on
the
islan
d of
Kau
ai h
as th
e po
tent
ial t
o be
a g
reat
reso
urce
for t
he
econ
omy
and
peop
le o
f Haw
aii,
help
ing
to a
dvan
ce th
e st
ate’
s foo
d se
lf-su
ffici
ency
goa
ls by
pr
ovid
ing
mor
e th
an 1
,000
,000
gal
lons
of f
resh
, nut
ritio
us m
ilk a
nnua
lly to
Haw
aiia
n fa
mili
es.
Afte
r rev
iew
ing
the
EIS,
how
ever
, tha
t pot
entia
l is r
educ
ed b
y th
e po
ssib
ility
of s
igni
fican
t en
viro
nmen
tal i
mpa
cts f
rom
the
Dairy
. The
und
erly
ing
purp
ose
of p
repa
ring
an E
IS u
nder
Ha
wai
i’s E
nviro
nmen
tal P
olic
y Ac
t (HE
PA) i
s to
enha
nce
cons
ciou
snes
s abo
ut e
nviro
nmen
tal
impa
cts.
HAR
§34
3-1.
The
stat
ute
enco
urag
es b
oth
coop
erat
ion
and
coor
dina
tion.
Bas
ed o
n th
is sp
irit o
f coo
pera
tion,
CFS
urg
es H
awai
i Dai
ry F
arm
s to
cons
ider
the
follo
win
g co
ncer
ns w
e ha
ve
iden
tifie
d w
ith th
e Da
iry a
s pro
pose
d an
d m
ake
chan
ges t
hat w
ill m
itiga
te th
e en
viro
nmen
tal
risks
pre
sent
ed b
elow
. Th
e U
se o
f Ani
mal
Dru
gs &
Ant
ibio
tics
The
use
of a
nim
al d
rugs
pos
es se
rious
risk
s upo
n th
e en
viro
nmen
t and
hum
an h
ealth
. The
EIS
m
entio
ns th
at H
awai
i Dai
ry F
arm
s will
onl
y us
e an
tibio
tics a
s pre
scrib
ed b
y a
licen
sed
vete
rinar
ian
(EIS
at 3
-18)
; how
ever
, the
re is
not
eve
n a
prel
imin
ary
estim
ate
of th
e am
ount
and
ty
pe o
f ani
mal
dru
gs th
e da
iry p
lans
to u
se, u
nder
min
ing
tran
spar
ency
and
lim
iting
the
dairy
’s
abili
ty to
acc
urat
ely
anal
yze
its p
oten
tial i
mpa
cts o
n th
e en
viro
nmen
t. Ev
en in
the
mos
t min
imal
se
nse—
and
stat
ed a
s muc
h in
the
EIS—
anim
al d
rugs
hav
e th
e ca
paci
ty to
acc
umul
ate
in so
il,
wat
er w
ays,
and
ani
mal
pro
duct
s. B
ecau
se a
nim
als a
bsor
b on
ly a
bout
25%
of t
he a
ntib
iotic
s th
ey c
onsu
me,
the
rest
is e
xcre
ted
via
thei
r was
te.1 T
hrou
gh ru
noff,
bio
accu
mul
atio
n, a
nd so
il up
take
, ant
ibio
tics h
ave
the
capa
city
to sp
read
rapi
dly
and
wid
ely.
An
EPA
repo
rt o
n da
iry fa
rms
1 Ste
lla, C
., &
Har
sh, C
. (20
15, S
epte
mbe
r). A
mer
ica'
s Sec
ret A
nim
al D
rug
Prob
lem
(Rep
.). R
etrie
ved
http
://w
ww
.cen
terf
orfo
odsa
fety
.org
/file
s/an
imal
_dru
g_10
_26_
7783
8.pd
f
in th
e Ya
kim
a Va
lley
foun
d th
e an
tibio
tic M
onen
sin in
resid
entia
l drin
king
wel
ls do
wns
trea
m
from
thos
e da
iry fa
rms.
2 Add
ition
ally
, oth
er a
ntib
iotic
s wer
e de
tect
ed in
wat
er w
ells,
dai
ry
was
te la
goon
s, a
nd w
aste
wat
er tr
eatm
ent p
lant
influ
ent.3 T
he re
sults
of t
his s
tudy
wer
e di
vers
e an
d im
pact
ful:
anim
al d
rugs
, the
use
of s
ynth
etic
fert
ilize
rs, a
nd p
estic
ides
from
dai
ry fa
rms l
ed
to se
vere
wat
er c
onta
min
atio
n in
the
Yaki
ma
Valle
y.4
Rese
arch
ers h
ave
paid
par
ticul
ar a
tten
tion
to th
e ef
fect
s ani
mal
dru
gs h
ave
on a
quat
ic sp
ecie
s.5
Antib
iotic
s hav
e pr
oven
to b
e to
xic
to a
quat
ic fr
eshw
ater
spec
ies a
nd th
ere
are
still
unk
now
ns
of th
e po
tent
ial e
ffect
s on
saltw
ater
spec
ies.
6 The
follo
win
g st
udie
s all
poin
t to
toxi
c ef
fect
s on
aqua
tic a
nd te
rres
tria
l spe
cies
due
to a
ntib
iotic
s fro
m a
nim
al w
aste
: Scm
itt e
t. al
. (20
04),
Wol
lenb
erge
r et.
al. (
2000
), an
d Fe
rnán
dez e
t. al
. (20
04).7 S
eein
g as
this
farm
wou
ld b
e on
an
islan
d w
ith a
mpl
e op
port
unity
for r
unof
f int
o su
rrou
ndin
g fr
esh
and
saltw
ater
sour
ces,
it is
im
pera
tive
that
the
Haw
aii D
airy
Far
ms r
eexa
min
e th
eir u
se o
f ani
mal
dru
gs. I
n ad
ditio
n to
an
tibio
tics,
oth
er c
ateg
orie
s of a
nim
al d
rugs
like
bet
a-ag
onist
s, st
eroi
d ho
rmon
es, a
ntio
xida
nt
feed
add
itive
s, an
d co
ccid
iost
ats a
re u
sed
in a
nim
al a
gric
ultu
re—
som
e on
dai
ries—
with
da
nger
ous i
mpa
cts o
n th
e en
viro
nmen
t and
hum
an h
ealth
.8 Cen
ter f
or F
ood
Safe
ty d
id a
n an
imal
dru
g re
port
on
thes
e ve
ry d
rugs
that
det
ails
the
spec
ific
nega
tive
impa
cts e
ach
drug
ha
s.9
An
imal
dru
gs a
lso im
pact
the
anim
als.
Ani
mal
wel
fare
is se
vere
ly re
duce
d by
the
use
of th
ese
drug
s as s
ome
caus
e re
duce
d he
art r
ate,
met
abol
ic c
ondi
tions
, and
mus
cle
trem
ors.
10 T
he li
st
does
not
stop
ther
e. T
he c
ondi
tions
ani
mal
s are
put
in d
ue to
thes
e an
imal
dru
gs a
re a
troc
ious
an
d un
nece
ssar
y. If
Haw
aii D
airy
Far
ms h
as in
tent
of m
aint
aini
ng a
ny so
rt o
f wel
fare
stan
dard
fo
r the
ir co
ws,
the
use
of a
nim
al d
rugs
for a
nyth
ing
othe
r tha
n th
erap
eutic
pur
pose
s mus
t be
er
adic
ated
. Ad
ditio
nally
, the
use
of a
ntib
iotic
s in
anim
al a
gric
ultu
re h
as th
e po
tent
ial t
o cr
eate
gen
e re
sista
nce.
In p
artic
ular
, the
lice
nsed
vet
erin
aria
ns w
ho a
dmin
ister
thes
e dr
ugs a
re a
t a h
ighe
r ris
k of
exp
osur
e to
thes
e re
sista
nt g
enes
.11 T
hese
stud
ies a
ll di
scus
s the
neg
ativ
e im
pact
s of
2 Uni
ted
Stat
es, E
nviro
nmen
tal P
rote
ctio
n Ag
ency
. (20
12, S
epte
mbe
r). R
elat
ion
Betw
een
Nitr
ate
in W
ater
Wel
ls an
d Po
tent
ial S
ourc
es in
the
Low
er Y
akim
a Va
lley,
Was
hing
ton.
3 Ib
id.
4 Ibid
. 5 S
tella
& H
arsh
. (20
15).
op. c
it.
6 Ste
lla &
Har
sh. (
2015
). op
. cit.
7 S
chm
itt, H
., et
al.
(200
4). P
ollu
tion-
Indu
ced
Com
mun
ity T
oler
ance
of S
oil M
icro
bial
Com
mun
ities
Cau
sed
by th
e An
tibio
tic S
ulfa
chlo
ropy
ridaz
ine.
Env
ironm
enta
l Sci
ence
& T
echn
olog
y En
viro
n. S
ci. T
echn
ol.,
38(4
), 11
48-1
153.
do
i:10.
1021
/es0
3468
5p; W
olle
nber
ger,
L., H
allin
g-Sø
rens
en, B
., &
Kus
k, K
. (20
00).
Acut
e an
d ch
roni
c to
xici
ty o
f ve
terin
ary
antib
iotic
s to
Daph
nia
mag
na. C
hem
osph
ere,
40(
7), 7
23-7
30. d
oi:1
0.10
16/s
0045
-653
5(99
)004
43-9
; Fe
rnan
dez,
C.,
et a
l. (2
004)
. Eco
toxi
colo
gica
l ass
essm
ent o
f dox
ycyc
line
in a
ged
pig
man
ure
usin
g m
ultis
peci
es so
il sy
stem
s. S
cien
ce o
f The
Tot
al E
nviro
nmen
t, 32
3(1-
3), 6
3-69
. doi
:10.
1016
/j.sc
itote
nv.2
003.
10.0
15
8 Ste
lla &
Har
sh. (
2015
). op
. cit.
9 S
tella
& H
arsh
. (20
15).
op. c
it.
10 S
tella
& H
arsh
. (20
15).
op. c
it.
11 S
tella
& H
arsh
. (20
15).
op. c
it.
antib
iotic
-res
istan
t str
ains
of m
icro
orga
nism
s tha
t com
e fr
om th
e us
e of
ant
ibio
tics i
n an
imal
ag
ricul
ture
: Sen
gelø
v et
. al.
(200
3); C
hee-
Sanf
ord
et. a
l. (2
001)
; and
Sen
gelø
v, H
allin
g-Sø
rens
en,
& A
ares
trup
(200
3).12
Man
y co
nsum
ers s
ubm
itted
com
men
ts to
Haw
aii D
airy
Far
ms w
ith
conc
erns
ove
r the
use
of a
nim
al d
rugs
(EIS
at C
omm
ents
and
Res
pons
es to
the
EISP
N –
Par
t A).
Th
ese
conc
erns
are
a g
row
ing
tren
d am
ongs
t U.S
. con
sum
ers.
The
wor
ries a
bout
ant
ibio
tic
resis
tanc
e, im
pact
s of a
nim
al d
rugs
on
wat
erw
ays,
and
ani
mal
wel
fare
hav
e pr
ompt
ed
com
pani
es li
ke C
hipo
tle a
nd P
aner
a to
elim
inat
e or
redu
ce th
eir u
se o
f ani
mal
dru
gs.13
With
the
help
of m
arke
t-ba
sed
cam
paig
ns th
at re
flect
ed th
e ap
preh
ensio
ns o
f con
sum
ers,
dru
g m
anuf
actu
rers
also
with
drew
pro
duct
s.14
As m
ore
peop
le u
nder
stan
d an
d le
arn
abou
t the
way
m
ost f
ood
in th
is co
untr
y is
grow
n, a
des
ire to
elim
inat
e th
e us
e of
ani
mal
dru
gs, l
ike
antib
iotic
s, in
crea
ses.
It is
nec
essa
ry th
at H
awai
i Dai
ry F
arm
s tak
e in
to c
onsid
erat
ion
the
impa
ct
anim
al a
ntib
iotic
s and
oth
er a
nim
al d
rugs
cou
ld h
ave
on h
uman
hea
lth b
ecau
se o
f the
se
antib
iotic
-res
istan
t bac
teria
that
hav
e de
velo
ped,
as w
ell a
s wha
t con
sum
ers w
ant f
rom
thei
r fo
od.
The
Use
of C
omm
erci
al F
ertil
izer
s Th
e EI
S st
ates
com
mer
cial
fert
ilize
rs w
ill b
e us
ed to
ass
ist g
row
ing
the
Kiki
uyu
gras
s for
fora
ge
(EIS
at 1
-10)
. Com
mer
cial
fert
ilize
rs h
ave
a lo
ng-s
tand
ing
hist
ory
of e
nviro
nmen
tal
cont
amin
atio
n, e
spec
ially
nitr
ogen
fert
ilize
rs. T
he sa
me
EPA
repo
rt o
n th
e im
pact
s of d
airy
fa
rms i
n Ya
kim
a Va
lley
show
s hig
h le
vels
of n
itrat
e co
ntam
inat
ion
in w
ater
sour
ces d
owns
trea
m
from
thes
e da
iry fa
rms’
usa
ge o
f nitr
ogen
fert
ilize
rs.15
Nitr
ate
cont
amin
atio
n oc
curs
from
the
wid
espr
ead
use
of n
itrog
en fe
rtili
zers
and
can
lead
to se
rious
hea
lth c
ondi
tions
such
as b
lue
baby
synd
rom
e, v
ario
us fo
rms o
f can
cer,
and
repr
oduc
tive
issue
s.16
Exc
ess n
itrog
en c
an
cont
ribut
e to
coa
stal
dea
d zo
nes a
nd e
utro
phic
atio
n, a
n iss
ue th
at b
ecom
es m
ore
pert
inen
t du
e to
the
loca
tion
of th
is pr
opos
ed d
airy
farm
; gro
undw
ater
pol
lutio
n; c
ontr
ibut
ion
to g
loba
l cl
imat
e ch
ange
; and
nitr
ogen
dep
ositi
on.17
Inor
gani
c ni
trog
en fe
rtili
zers
rele
ase
thei
r nut
rient
s at
a ra
te th
at is
not
com
patib
le w
ith th
e ne
eds o
f the
pla
nt, c
ausin
g ni
trog
en c
onta
min
atio
n in
12
Sen
gelø
v, G
., et
al.
(200
3). B
acte
rial a
ntib
iotic
resis
tanc
e le
vels
in D
anish
farm
land
as a
resu
lt of
trea
tmen
t with
pi
g m
anur
e slu
rry.
Env
ironm
ent I
nter
natio
nal,
28(7
), 58
7-59
5. d
oi:1
0.10
16/s
0160
-412
0(02
)000
84-3
; Che
e-Sa
nfor
d,
J. C.
, et a
l. (2
001)
. Occ
urre
nce
and
Dive
rsity
of T
etra
cycl
ine
Resis
tanc
e Ge
nes i
n La
goon
s and
Gro
undw
ater
U
nder
lyin
g Tw
o Sw
ine
Prod
uctio
n Fa
cilit
ies.
App
lied
and
Envi
ronm
enta
l Mic
robi
olog
y, 6
7(4)
, 149
4-15
02.
doi:1
0.11
28/a
em.6
7.4.
1494
-150
2.20
01; S
enge
løv,
G.,
Halli
ng-S
øren
sen,
B.,
& A
ares
trup
, F. M
. (20
03).
Susc
eptib
ility
of
Esc
heric
hia
coli
and
Ente
roco
ccus
faec
ium
isol
ated
from
pig
s and
bro
iler c
hick
ens t
o te
trac
yclin
e de
grad
atio
n pr
oduc
ts a
nd d
istrib
utio
n of
tetr
acyc
line
resis
tanc
e de
term
inan
ts in
E. c
oli f
rom
food
ani
mal
s. V
eter
inar
y M
icro
biol
ogy,
95(
1-2)
, 91-
101.
doi
:10.
1016
/s03
78-1
135(
03)0
0123
-8
13 S
tella
& H
arsh
. (20
15).
op. c
it.
14 S
tella
& H
arsh
. (20
15).
op. c
it.
15 U
nite
d St
ates
, Env
ironm
enta
l Pro
tect
ion
Agen
cy. (
2012
). op
.cit.
16
Cen
ter f
or F
ood
Safe
ty. (
2012
, Oct
ober
18)
. Gro
ups P
oise
d To
Sue
Yak
ima
Valle
y Fa
ctor
y Fa
rms R
espo
nsib
le F
or
Publ
ic H
ealth
Haz
ards
[Pre
ss re
leas
e]. N
ews R
oom
| P
ress
Rel
ease
s. R
etrie
ved
from
ht
tp:/
/ww
w.c
ente
rfor
food
safe
ty.o
rg/p
ress
-rel
ease
s/73
2/gr
oups
-poi
sed-
to-s
ue-y
akim
a-va
lley-
fact
ory-
farm
s-re
spon
sible
-for-
publ
ic-h
ealth
-haz
ards
17
Uni
ted
Nat
ions
, Env
ironm
ent P
rogr
amm
e. (2
014)
. UN
EP Y
ear B
ook
2014
em
ergi
ng is
sues
upd
ate:
Exc
ess
Nitr
ogen
in th
e En
viro
nmen
t.
the
vario
us fo
rms m
entio
ned
prev
ious
ly.18
“N
itrog
en c
asca
de”
can
occu
r as w
ell,
whi
ch is
the
rapi
d m
ovem
ent o
f nitr
ogen
thro
ugh
vario
us m
ediu
ms:
air,
soil,
and
wat
er.19
If th
at is
n’t
mon
itore
d cl
osel
y an
d co
rrec
tly, n
itrat
e co
ntam
inat
ion
and
the
prev
ious
ly m
entio
ned
impa
cts
of n
itrog
en fe
rtili
zer b
ecom
e in
crea
singl
y m
ore
adve
rse.
Th
e EI
S in
dica
tes t
he u
se o
f buf
fers
to m
itiga
te ru
noff
and
past
ure
gras
s cov
er to
con
trol
the
nutr
ient
loss
(EIS
at 1
-15)
. Tha
t doe
s not
, how
ever
, con
trol
the
amou
nt o
f nitr
ous o
xide
re
leas
ed in
to th
e ai
r whe
n th
ese
fert
ilize
rs a
re a
pplie
d. N
itrou
s oxi
de—
mor
e ha
rmfu
l tha
n ca
rbon
dio
xide
—is
a co
ntrib
utor
to o
zone
dep
letio
n an
d gl
obal
clim
ate
chan
ge.20
The
EIS
also
st
ates
that
the
leve
ls of
nitr
ogen
and
pho
spho
rus f
rom
com
mer
cial
fert
ilize
rs w
ill b
e 33
0 an
d 84
0 tim
es g
reat
er th
an th
e cu
rren
t lev
els,
but
just
ify th
at b
y sa
ying
this
will
mos
tly o
ccur
dur
ing
perio
ds o
f hea
vy ra
infa
ll (E
IS a
t Sur
face
Wat
er Q
ualit
y an
d M
arin
e As
sess
men
t – p
g. 1
2). W
hile
th
e EI
S m
ay sa
y th
at th
is w
on’t
be a
con
tinuo
us in
put o
f the
se e
xtra
ele
men
ts, K
auai
is a
trop
ical
isl
and
that
exp
erie
nces
per
iods
of h
eavy
rain
fall
far m
ore
freq
uent
ly th
an o
ther
loca
tions
. Eve
n if
the
cont
ribut
ion
of n
itrog
en a
nd p
hosp
horu
s to
the
envi
ronm
ent i
s epi
sodi
c, a
s is b
elie
ved
to
be b
y th
is EI
S, a
ny m
ore
exce
ss n
itrog
en a
nd p
hosp
horu
s to
the
curr
ent o
vera
bund
ance
alo
ng
the
coas
t and
thro
ugho
ut th
e isl
and
is un
nece
ssar
y an
d st
ill d
etrim
enta
l. Ex
cess
nitr
ogen
in th
e en
viro
nmen
t is a
glo
bal p
robl
em o
f gra
nd m
agni
tude
and
the
Haw
aii D
airy
Far
ms’
ana
lysis
of
thei
r im
pact
s to
this
prob
lem
is in
suffi
cien
t. Fu
rthe
r wor
k ne
eds t
o be
don
e to
trul
y un
ders
tand
th
e lo
ng-t
erm
impa
cts c
omm
erci
al fe
rtili
zers
will
hav
e on
the
envi
ronm
ent a
nd th
e he
alth
of
the
peop
le o
f Kau
ai.
The
Use
of P
estic
ides
Th
e EI
S m
entio
ned
the
use
of p
estic
ides
and
the
safe
app
licat
ion
of sa
id p
estic
ides
but
no
men
tion
of w
hich
pes
ticid
es o
r how
muc
h w
ill b
e us
ed (E
IS a
t 4-4
2). W
ith th
at b
eing
said
, it i
s im
port
ant t
o no
te th
e de
trim
enta
l effe
cts p
estic
ides
infli
ct u
pon
both
the
envi
ronm
ent a
nd
hum
an h
ealth
. Acc
ordi
ng to
the
EPA
repo
rt o
n th
e Ya
kim
a Va
lley
dairy
farm
s, th
e pe
stic
ides
us
ed o
n da
iry fa
rms a
re ‘m
obile
, per
siste
nt, o
r bot
h’.21
Thi
s rep
ort r
elea
sed
findi
ngs t
hat s
how
w
ater
con
tam
inat
ion
from
nitr
ogen
, ant
ibio
tics,
and
oth
er p
ollu
tant
s lik
e pe
stic
ides
.22 T
he u
se
of p
estic
ides
on
dairy
farm
s has
the
pote
ntia
l to
caus
e lo
ng-t
erm
dam
age
to th
e en
viro
nmen
t, an
d cr
itica
lly to
the
48 n
umbe
r of t
hrea
tene
d an
d en
dang
ered
spec
ies o
n Ka
uai,
and
Haw
aii
Dairy
Far
ms s
houl
d ha
ve c
ondu
cted
a m
ore
thor
ough
ana
lysis
of p
estic
ide
use
and
thei
r im
pact
s.23
18 C
ente
r for
Foo
d Sa
fety
| Is
sues
| S
oil |
The
Nitr
ogen
Cyc
le. (
n.d.
). Re
trie
ved
July
18,
201
6, fr
om
http
://w
ww
.cen
terf
orfo
odsa
fety
.org
/issu
es/3
183/
soil/
the-
nitr
ogen
-cyc
le
19 U
nite
d N
atio
ns, E
nviro
nmen
t Pro
gram
me.
(201
4). o
p. c
it.
20 U
nite
d N
atio
ns, E
nviro
nmen
t Pro
gram
me.
(201
4). o
p. c
it.
21 U
nite
d St
ates
, Env
ironm
enta
l Pro
tect
ion
Agen
cy. (
2012
). op
.cit.
22
Cen
ter f
or F
ood
Safe
ty. (
2012
). op
. cit.
23
48
spec
ies p
rote
cted
und
er th
e ES
A - P
acifi
c Is
land
s Fish
and
Wild
life
Offi
ce. (
2012
, Sep
tem
ber 2
0). R
etrie
ved
July
17
, 201
6, fr
om h
ttps
://w
ww
.fws.
gov/
paci
ficisl
ands
/kau
ai48
spec
ies.
htm
l
Addi
tiona
lly, t
here
has
bee
n a
long
hist
ory
of p
estic
ide
use
in H
awai
i with
ver
y n
egat
ive
ram
ifica
tions
. Spe
cific
ally
, the
pes
ticid
es u
sed
wid
ely
in H
awai
i hav
e be
en li
nked
to c
ontr
ibut
ing
to th
e de
clin
e of
nat
ive
Haw
aiia
n po
llina
tors
, rai
sing
serio
us c
once
rns f
or th
e se
curit
y of
our
fo
od sy
stem
.24 W
ith n
early
70%
of H
awai
i’s fo
od c
rops
dep
ende
nt u
pon
bees
for p
ollin
atio
n,
the
use
of p
estic
ides
on
this
dairy
farm
cou
ld a
id in
bee
pop
ulat
ion
decl
ines
.25 W
hile
the
EIS
stat
es th
at th
e na
tive,
end
ange
red,
and
thre
aten
ed sp
ecie
s on
the
islan
d w
on’t
be im
pact
ed b
y th
e co
nstr
uctio
n an
d pr
oduc
tion
of th
is da
iry fa
rm, H
awai
i wild
life
has b
een
serio
usly
impa
cted
du
e to
the
wid
espr
ead
use
of p
estic
ides
.26 T
here
fore
, to
assu
me
that
this
farm
wou
ldn’
t hav
e sim
ilar i
mpa
cts i
s sho
rtsig
hted
. Aga
in, t
he E
IS sh
ould
hav
e pr
ovid
ed a
mor
e th
orou
gh a
naly
sis o
f w
hat p
estic
ides
will
be
used
and
thei
r pot
entia
l im
pact
s esp
ecia
lly o
n th
reat
ened
and
en
dang
ered
spec
ies a
s eac
h pe
stic
ide
form
ula
has a
uni
que
and
ofte
n de
trim
enta
l im
pact
. A
repo
rt o
n th
e ef
fect
s of p
estic
ide
use
in H
awai
i sta
tes:
“[s
]tud
ies s
how
that
pes
ticid
es u
sed
heav
ily in
GE
oper
atio
ns in
Haw
ai‘i,
incl
udin
g at
razin
e, c
hlor
pyrif
os, s
ynth
etic
pyr
ethr
oids
, and
ne
onic
otin
oids
, pos
e a
serio
us th
reat
to w
ildlif
e an
d de
grad
atio
n of
nat
ural
hab
itats
”.27
One
pa
rtic
ular
cla
ss o
f ins
ectic
ides
men
tione
d in
the
prev
ious
stud
y, n
eoni
cotin
oids
, hav
e ca
used
pa
rtic
ular
dam
age
to a
quat
ic sp
ecie
s bec
ause
they
are
wat
er so
lubl
e.28
Neo
nico
tinoi
ds a
re
appr
oved
to c
ontr
ol p
ests
on
anim
al fa
rmin
g op
erat
ions
. See
, e.g
. N
otic
e of
Pes
ticid
e Pr
oduc
ts;
Regi
stra
tion
Appl
icat
ions
, 75
Fed.
Reg
. 51,
045
(Aug
. 18,
201
0).
Putt
ing
the
envi
ronm
ent a
side,
pes
ticid
es h
ave
the
pote
ntia
l for
serio
us ri
sks t
o hu
man
hea
lth,
espe
cial
ly to
the
appl
icat
ors o
f the
se p
estic
ides
. A st
udy
by th
e Am
eric
an A
cade
my
of P
edia
tric
s fo
und
that
ear
ly o
n ex
posu
re to
pes
ticid
es h
as b
een
linke
d to
chi
ldho
od c
ance
rs, a
sthm
a, a
nd
othe
r sev
ere
heal
th is
sues
.29 C
hild
ren
and
infa
nts a
ren’
t the
onl
y on
es w
ho fa
ce se
rious
co
nseq
uenc
es fr
om p
estic
ide
expo
sure
; adu
lt po
pula
tions
face
illn
esse
s lik
e de
pres
sion,
N
onHo
dgki
n’s l
ymph
oma,
Par
kins
on’s
dise
ase,
and
oth
ers.
30 T
here
is m
ore
than
subs
tant
ial
evid
ence
to in
dica
te th
at th
e us
e of
pes
ticid
es o
n th
is da
iry fa
rm w
ould
in fa
ct c
ause
serio
us
dam
age.
24
Haw
ai'i
Polli
nato
rs &
Pes
ticid
es (R
ep.).
(201
6, A
pril)
. Ret
rieve
d ht
tp:/
/ww
w.c
ente
rfor
food
safe
ty.o
rg/f
iles/
pest
icid
es-a
nd-p
ollin
ator
s-fa
ct-s
heet
_fin
al_6
2716
_406
31.p
df
25 Ib
id.
26 Ib
id.
27 F
rees
e, B
., Lu
kens
, A.,
& A
njom
shoa
a, A
. (20
15, M
ay).
Pest
icid
es in
Par
adise
: Haw
ai'i'
s Hea
lth &
Env
ironm
ent a
t Ri
sk (R
ep.).
Ret
rieve
d ht
tp:/
/ww
w.c
ente
rfor
food
safe
ty.o
rg/f
iles/
pest
icid
erep
ortf
ull_
8647
6.pd
f 28
Car
nem
ark,
M.,
Jenk
ins,
P. T
., &
Wal
ker,
L. (2
015,
Sep
tem
ber)
. Wat
er H
azar
d: A
quat
ic C
onta
min
atio
n by
N
eoni
cotin
oid
Inse
ctic
ides
in th
e Un
ited
Stat
es (R
ep.).
Ret
rieve
d ht
tp:/
/ww
w.c
ente
rfor
food
safe
ty.o
rg/f
iles/
neon
ic-
wat
er-r
epor
t-fin
al-2
4201
6_w
eb_3
3288
29
Fre
ese,
B.,
Luke
ns, A
., &
Anj
omsh
oaa,
A. (
2015
). op
. cit.
30
Fre
ese,
B.,
Luke
ns, A
., &
Anj
omsh
oaa,
A. (
2015
). op
. cit.
The
Use
of G
rain
Fee
d W
hile
the
EIS
indi
cate
s tha
t onl
y 30
% o
f the
dai
ry c
ows’
die
ts w
ill b
e gr
ain,
ther
e is
no
disc
ussio
n of
wha
t will
be
the
mak
eup
of th
at g
rain
(EIS
at 3
-9).
Ther
e ar
e m
any
bene
fits o
f a
gras
s-fe
d di
et th
at p
oint
to th
e fa
ct th
at e
ven
usin
g 30
% g
rain
shou
ld n
ot b
e co
nsid
ered
. One
st
udy
look
ed a
t dai
ry c
ows g
razin
g on
Kik
uyu
gras
s and
wha
t the
impa
cts o
f add
ing
in g
rain
feed
ha
d on
the
dairy
cat
tle. T
he st
udy
show
s tha
t any
am
ount
of c
once
ntra
te th
at e
xcee
ds 2
9% o
f th
e co
w’s
die
t lea
ds to
unf
avor
able
con
sequ
ence
s for
the
cow
. 31 G
rass
-feed
ing
incr
ease
s the
co
ncen
trat
ion
of th
e co
njug
ated
lino
leic
aci
d (C
LA) o
f the
cow
.32 C
LAs a
re a
gro
up o
f fat
ty a
cids
th
at h
ave
antic
arci
noge
nic
effe
cts,
pos
itive
ly im
pact
ing
hum
an h
ealth
.33 T
his s
ame
stud
y st
ates
th
at th
e m
ilk w
ith th
e he
alth
iest
fatt
y ac
id p
rofil
e w
as fr
om c
ows t
hat w
ere
gras
s fed
.34 W
omen
w
ho c
onsu
me
a di
et w
ith h
igh
leve
ls of
CLA
, lik
e da
iry fr
om c
ows w
ho h
ave
high
er p
rofil
es o
f it,
are
at lo
wer
risk
of b
reas
t can
cer.35
Thi
s sam
e he
alth
ben
efit
cann
ot b
e ac
hiev
ed b
y da
iry
prod
ucts
gen
erat
ed fr
om g
rain
-fed
dairy
cow
s. A
stud
y by
Dal
ey e
t. al
. (20
10) g
oes i
nto
grea
t de
tail
of th
e he
alth
ben
efits
of g
rass
-fed
beef
ove
r gra
in-fe
d an
d th
e im
pact
s on
hum
an h
ealth
, lik
e lo
wer
risk
s of d
iabe
tes.
36
Man
y so
urce
s of o
n-fa
rm n
itrog
en c
ome
from
the
cont
ents
of g
rain
feed
and
that
nitr
ogen
is
then
tran
sfer
red
via
the
man
ure
back
into
the
soil,
pot
entia
lly c
ausin
g co
ntam
inat
ion.
37 M
ost
grai
n fo
r ani
mal
feed
s are
gro
wn
usin
g sy
nthe
tic n
itrog
en fe
rtili
zers
that
, as d
iscus
sed
at le
ngth
pr
evio
usly
, are
det
rimen
tal t
o th
e en
viro
nmen
t.38 A
dditi
onal
ly, i
t is u
nkno
wn
whe
ther
or n
ot
the
grai
n us
ed w
ould
be
GE g
rain
. GE
cro
ps g
ener
ally
eith
er p
rom
ote
pest
icid
e us
e or
pro
duce
pe
stic
ides
. The
se c
rops
hav
e da
mag
ing
envi
ronm
enta
l im
pact
s suc
h as
enc
oura
ging
the
deve
lopm
ent o
f her
bici
de-r
esist
ant w
eeds
and
inse
ctic
ide
resis
tanc
e pe
sts.
Whi
le th
is fa
rm m
ay
not b
e gr
owin
g th
e gr
ain
on si
te, c
ontr
ibut
ing
to th
e de
man
d of
GE
grai
n fo
r an
anim
al th
at
bene
fits f
rom
a g
rass
-fed
diet
add
s to
the
nega
tive
envi
ronm
enta
l im
pact
s of t
his d
airy
farm
.
31
Ful
kers
on, W
., et
al.
(200
6). E
ffect
of c
erea
l-bas
ed c
once
ntra
tes o
n pr
oduc
tivity
of H
olst
ein–
Frie
sian
cow
s gr
azin
g sh
ort-
rota
tion
ryeg
rass
(Lol
ium
mul
tiflo
rum
) or k
ikuy
u (P
enne
situm
cla
ndes
tinum
) pas
ture
s. L
ives
tock
Sc
ienc
e, 1
03(1
-2),
85-9
4. d
oi:1
0.10
16/j.
livsc
i.200
6.01
.005
32
Sto
ckda
le, C
. R.,
et a
l. (2
003)
. Inf
luen
ce o
f pas
ture
and
con
cent
rate
s in
the
diet
of g
razin
g da
iry c
ows o
n th
e fa
tty
acid
com
posit
ion
of m
ilk. J
ourn
al o
f Dai
ry R
esea
rch,
70(
3), 2
67-2
76. d
oi:1
0.10
17/s
0022
0299
0300
6009
33
Ibid
. 34
Ibid
. 35
Aro
, A.,
et a
l. (2
000)
. Inv
erse
Ass
ocia
tion
Betw
een
Diet
ary
and
Seru
m C
onju
gate
d Li
nole
ic A
cid
and
Risk
of B
reas
t Ca
ncer
in P
ostm
enop
ausa
l Wom
en. N
utrit
ion
and
Canc
er, 3
8(2)
, 151
-157
. doi
:10.
1207
/s15
3279
14nc
382_
2 36
Dal
ey, C
. A.,
et a
l. (2
010)
. A re
view
of f
atty
aci
d pr
ofile
s and
ant
ioxi
dant
con
tent
in g
rass
-fed
and
grai
n-fe
d be
ef.
Nut
ritio
n Jo
urna
l Nut
r J, 9
(1).
doi:1
0.11
86/1
475-
2891
-9-1
0 37
McK
ague
, K. (
2005
). En
viro
nmen
tal i
mpa
cts o
f nitr
ogen
use
in a
gric
ultu
re (C
anad
a). G
uelp
h: O
ntar
io, M
inist
ry o
f Ag
ricul
ture
, Foo
d an
d Ru
ral A
ffairs
. Ret
rieve
d fr
om h
ttp:
//w
ww
.om
afra
.gov
.on.
ca/e
nglis
h/en
gine
er/f
acts
/05-
073.
htm
38
Don
lon,
D.,
& R
iggs
, P. (
2014
, Mar
ch).
Food
& C
limat
e: C
onne
ctin
g th
e Do
ts, C
hoos
ing
the
Way
For
war
d (R
ep.).
Re
trie
ved
http
s://
soils
olut
ion.
org/
wp-
cont
ent/
uplo
ads/
2016
/03/
food
-and
-clim
ate-
repo
rt.p
df
The
Lack
of O
rgan
ic C
ertif
icat
ion
Now
here
in th
e EI
S do
es it
men
tion
Haw
aii D
airy
Far
ms c
onsid
ered
cer
tifyi
ng th
is Da
iry a
s or
gani
c, n
or d
oes i
t giv
e an
ade
quat
e ex
plan
atio
n fo
r why
that
alte
rnat
ive
was
n’t c
hose
n. T
he
Haw
aii E
nviro
nmen
tal P
olic
y Ac
t req
uire
s tha
t an
EIS
“disc
uss a
ltern
ativ
e m
etho
ds a
nd m
odes
fo
r im
plem
entin
g th
e pr
opos
ed a
ctio
n, se
lect
ing
the
one
with
the
leas
t det
rimen
tal e
ffect
on
the
envi
ronm
ent.
Som
e al
tern
ativ
es to
con
sider
incl
ude:
diff
eren
t site
s; d
iffer
ent f
acili
ty
conf
igur
atio
ns; o
r, di
ffere
nt im
plem
enta
tion
met
hods
.” H
AR §
11-2
00-1
0(6)
. Des
pite
the
innu
mer
ous b
enef
its o
f org
anic
and
the
cont
inuo
us q
uest
ions
of c
once
rned
citi
zens
, the
EIS
do
es n
ot e
ven
anal
yze
the
alte
rnat
ive.
Inde
ed, t
he fa
rm w
ill n
ot b
e a
cert
ified
org
anic
farm
. O
ne st
udy
touc
hes o
n th
e en
viro
nmen
tal b
enef
its o
f org
anic
dai
ry fa
rms s
peci
fical
ly a
nd sh
ows
that
ani
mal
wel
fare
and
milk
qua
lity
are
high
er in
com
paris
on to
non
-org
anic
dai
ry fa
rms.
39
With
that
in m
ind,
all
the
issue
s we
pres
ente
d in
thes
e co
mm
ents
wou
ld b
e gr
eatly
redu
ced
if th
is w
as a
cer
tifie
d or
gani
c da
iry fa
rm. B
ecau
se o
rgan
ic re
gula
tions
lim
it th
e us
e of
thes
e co
mm
erci
al fe
rtili
zers
, pes
ticid
es, a
nd a
nim
al d
rugs
, the
issu
es o
f wat
er c
onta
min
atio
n, so
il co
ntam
inat
ion,
hum
an h
ealth
pro
blem
s, an
d an
tibio
tic re
sist
ance
are
min
imize
d or
com
plet
ely
erad
icat
ed.40
Add
ition
ally
, org
anic
agr
icul
ture
is o
n th
e ris
e w
ith c
onsu
mer
s dem
andi
ng a
hig
her
qual
ity p
rodu
ct.41
A c
ertif
ied
orga
nic
dairy
farm
wou
ld g
reat
ly b
enef
it th
e pe
ople
and
the
envi
ronm
ent o
f Haw
aii b
y br
ingi
ng in
loca
l milk
that
is fu
lfilli
ng th
e ne
eds a
nd c
onsu
mer
des
ires
of th
e pe
ople
of H
awai
i. Th
e pu
rpos
e of
this
farm
is to
retu
rn lo
cal m
ilk p
rodu
ctio
n to
the
stat
e of
Haw
aii,
and
with
the
desir
e fo
r org
anic
milk
gro
win
g, it
onl
y m
akes
sens
e th
at th
is w
ould
be
a ce
rtifi
ed o
rgan
ic fa
rm.
The
Inte
rnat
iona
l Fed
erat
ion
of O
rgan
ic F
ood
Mov
emen
ts (I
FOAM
) has
def
ined
org
anic
ag
ricul
ture
as “
Org
anic
agr
icul
ture
is a
pro
duct
ion
syst
em th
at su
stai
ns th
e he
alth
of s
oils,
ec
osys
tem
s and
peo
ple.
It r
elie
s on
ecol
ogic
al p
roce
sses
, bio
dive
rsity
and
cyc
les a
dapt
ed to
lo
cal c
ondi
tions
rath
er th
an th
e us
e of
inpu
ts w
ith a
dver
se e
ffect
s. O
rgan
ic a
gric
ultu
re
com
bine
s tra
ditio
n, in
nova
tion
and
scie
nce
to b
enef
it th
e sh
are
envi
ronm
ent a
nd p
rom
ote
fair
rela
tions
hips
and
a g
ood
qual
ity o
f life
for a
ll in
volv
ed.”
42 T
his p
ropo
sed
dairy
farm
has
the
oppo
rtun
ity to
hol
d th
ese
sam
e va
lues
and
stan
dard
s tha
t are
reco
gnize
d by
108
diff
eren
t co
untr
ies w
hile
also
gre
atly
redu
cing
neg
ativ
e en
viro
nmen
tal i
mpa
cts.
CO
NCL
USI
ON
CF
S an
d HC
FS e
ncou
rage
Haw
aii D
airy
Far
ms t
o ad
dres
s the
abo
ve is
sues
—an
d th
ose
issue
s ra
ised
by o
ther
com
men
ters
—be
fore
issu
ing
a fin
al E
IS a
nd in
itiat
ing
the
Dairy
. A fu
ll an
alys
is of
39 M
ülle
r-Li
nden
lauf
, M.,
Deitt
ert,
C., &
Köp
ke, U
. (20
10).
Asse
ssm
ent o
f env
ironm
enta
l effe
cts,
ani
mal
wel
fare
and
m
ilk q
ualit
y am
ong
orga
nic
dairy
farm
s. L
ives
tock
Sci
ence
, 128
(1-3
), 14
0-14
8. d
oi:1
0.10
16/j.
livsc
i.200
9.11
.013
40
Cen
ter f
or F
ood
Safe
ty |
Issu
es |
Org
anic
& B
eyon
d |
Wha
t are
the
Bene
fits
of O
rgan
ic?
(n.d
.). R
etrie
ved
July
21,
20
16, f
rom
htt
p://
ww
w.c
ente
rfor
food
safe
ty.o
rg/is
sues
/306
/org
anic
-and
-bey
ond/
wha
t-ar
e-th
e-be
nefit
s-of
-org
anic
41
Ibid
. 42
Cen
ter f
or F
ood
Safe
ty |
Issu
es |
Org
anic
& B
eyon
d |
Mea
ning
of O
rgan
ic. (
n.d.
). Re
trie
ved
July
20,
201
6, fr
om
http
://w
ww
.cen
terf
orfo
odsa
fety
.org
/issu
es/3
06/o
rgan
ic-a
nd-b
eyon
d/m
eani
ng-o
f-org
anic
the
pote
ntia
l im
pact
s of a
nim
al d
rugs
, pes
ticid
es, G
E gr
ain,
nitr
ogen
fert
ilize
r, an
d th
e be
nefit
s of
org
anic
cer
tific
atio
n w
ill g
reat
ly im
prov
e th
e qu
ality
of t
he E
IS a
nd, i
f miti
gatin
g m
easu
res a
re
adop
ted,
wou
ld re
duce
the
envi
ronm
enta
l im
pact
of t
he D
airy
. Re
spec
tful
ly S
ubm
itted
, Pa
ige
Tom
asel
li Se
nior
Att
orne
y Cl
aire
Jord
an
Rese
arch
Ass
istan
t
January 3, 20
17 Ms. Pai
ge Tomaselli
Senior Attorn
ey Center
for Food Safet
y 660 Pe
nnsylvania Av
enue SE
Washington, D
C 20003
Subj
ect:
Hawai‘i Dairy
Farms Final E
nvironmental
Impact Statem
ent (EIS)
Mhulep, K
loa District, K
aua‘i, Hawai‘i
Response to Co
mment on Dra
ft EIS Dear M
s. Paige Tomas
elli: Thank
you for your
input receive
d on July 25,
2016 on the H
awai‘i Dairy F
arms (HDF)
Draft EIS. The
following res
ponses are off
ered to your c
omments:
Health of the
herd is of prim
ary importance
as the succes
s of a dairy re
lies on cows
effectively pro
ducing quality
milk. All cows
will be treate
d with a high
standard of
care. Dairy m
anagers and
caretakers wi
ll be trained
and competen
t in handling
animals to m
inimize stress
and ensure th
e herds’ welf
are. A license
d veterinarian
may pr
escribe use of
antibiotics app
roved by the F
ood & Drug Ad
ministration (F
DA) for tre
atment of illn
esses. Adhere
nce to guideli
nes that proh
ibit milk from
cows underg
oing antibiot
ic treatment
will ensure n
o adulteratio
n of milk. Ro
utine laborat
ory tests of m
ilk for traces
of antibiotic
residue will b
e conducted.
FDA-approv
ed hormones m
ay also be use
d as prescribe
d by a license
d veterinarian
. HDF will no
t treat cows w
ith bovine gro
wth hormone
, referred to a
s rBST or rBGH
. All vac
cines, antibiot
ics, ionophore
s and hormon
e therapy will
be prescribed
via a veterin
arian – client
– patient – rel
ationship (VCP
R). The Anima
l Medicinal Dr
ug Use
Clarification A
ct (AMDUCA)
provides ve
terinarians a
cting within t
he VCPR to
provide optio
ns so that cow
s and calves c
an receive the
medications
and hormone
s they n
eed when the
y need them.
Animal Histo
ry, disease inc
idence, disea
se risk,
local prevalen
ce, product co
st, Federal Dr
ug Administrat
ion (FDA) app
roval and
route of adm
inistration all
will be part
of HDF-specif
ic veterinary
protocols to
ensure best
animal welfa
re with the
least amount
of pharmac
euticals. All
vaccination an
d treatment p
rotocols will fo
llow FDA and A
MDCU guideli
nes. Unlike
traditional con
fined dairy op
erations, HDF
cows will be o
n pasture up t
o 22 hours a
day, which en
hances overal
l health of the
animals and
further reduce
s risk of illne
ss and the n
eed for antib
iotics. There
will be no us
e of sub-thera
peutic,
preventative,
or growth prom
oting use of an
tibiotics, ionop
hores or horm
ones (such
as rBST). An
tibiotics will
only be used
to treat ind
ividual anima
ls with life
threatening s
ituations and
only after p
rescribed by
veterinarians
following all
guidelines of
AMDUCA. Fur
thermore, HD
F will follow
the best anim
al welfare
protocols, inc
luding vaccina
tion protocols
for all age c
lasses to furt
her prevent
bacterial infec
tion and to m
inimize the us
e of antibiotic
s on HDF. An
tibiotics are
costly, lead to
wasted milk
and mean a co
w is unhealthy
, which is not
beneficial to
the animals or
operations. H
DF will limit th
e use of antibi
otics as much
as possible.
Ms. Paige Tom
aselli, Senior A
ttorney, Cente
r for Food Safe
ty Hawai‘
i Dairy Farms
Environmenta
l Impact Statem
ent Januar
y 3, 2017
Page 2 of 3
The groundw
ater engineer
consulting to
HDF estimated
the potential
nutrients that
could leave t
he site
from HDF ope
rations as two
percent of nit
rogen (totalin
g 10,000 poun
ds per year),
and one per
cent of
phosphorus (
totaling 900
pounds per y
ear). This wo
uld not occu
r as chronic d
aily releases,
rather,
contributions
would be lim
ited to period
s of major ra
infall events t
hat exceed 0.8
inches. Such
rainfall
events are es
timated to occ
ur, on averag
e, 10 days ann
ually. No efflue
nt application
would be con
ducted
two days prio
r to, during,
and two days
after such w
eather events
per best ma
nagement pr
actice guideli
nes. The estim
ate of nutrient
s leaving the s
ite is the same
for both the
committed he
rd size of 699
mature
dairy cows an
d the contemp
lated herd siz
e of up to 2,00
0 mature dair
y cows.
To provide p
erspective, n
utrient inputs
from the ad
jacent Kloa-P
oip region
were also cal
culated.
Nitrogen input
to the marine
environment
in the Poip r
egion is calcu
lated to be 38,
510 pounds a
nnually,
or 3.5 times m
ore than the e
stimate of pot
ential nutrien
t throughput
from HDF. Ph
osphorus for
both domes
tic wastewate
r and landscap
e fertilization
in the region
is estimated to
be 1,260 pou
nds annually,
or 1.4 tim
es greater tha
n the potentia
l discharge fr
om HDF. The
nutrient input
s from domes
tic uses in th
e Poip
region are con
stant througho
ut the year and
no mitigation
is applied to r
educe the qua
ntities.
Pesticides an
d herbicides
can reduce po
pulations of b
eneficial inse
cts, which is w
hy HDF will u
tilize an
integrated pe
st managemen
t (IPM) appr
oach. Essentia
lly, IPM disrup
ts reproductio
n with appro
priate bird (t
he cattle egre
t) were introd
uced between
1898 and 19
50 to reduce
livestock-rela
ted insects. IP
M utilizes
knowledge o
f the ancient fo
od web among
species. An e
specially impo
rtant insect to
minimize fly
breeding habit
at in manure
is the dung be
etle, which ca
n bury manur
e in one to th
ree days and t
hereby
incorporate or
ganic matter i
nto the soil. D
isrupting and
removing the
dung interru
pts the egg to
fly lifecycl
e, which requ
ires from 7 to
20 days depen
ding on the typ
e of fly. Popul
ations of dung
beetles found
pand w
ith the growi
ng manure fo
od source
, thus increas
ing and speed
ing breakdow
n of manure w
hile preventin
g fly larvae fr
om hatching.
Fly minimi
zation measu
res are furthe
r described in
EIS Section 4
.11. HDF sh
ares the conce
rn of herbicid
e and pesticid
e impacts on
the HDF site a
nd surroundin
g environmen
t. Insectic
ides and herbi
cides are non-
discriminatory
and kill benefi
cial as well as p
est insects. Suc
h control woul
d only be
used when nee
ded by those q
ualified to app
ly chemicals, an
d in accordanc
e with authoriz
ed procedures
and reg
ulatory labelin
g requirement
s. Safe applica
tion practices
for any unav
oidable herbic
ide or pestici
de include
specifically t
argeting the p
roblem pest s
pecies withou
t harming ins
ects and anim
als in the area
. IPM wi
ll be the prefe
rred means to
control pests;
this method d
isrupts the rep
roduction pote
ntial of pests b
y approp
riate means at
key points in t
he life cycle.
Hawai‘i Dairy
Farms has ch
osen not to p
ursue organic
certification a
t this time to
allow for flex
ibility in
operations. H
owever, the fa
rm will use m
any of the com
ponents of an
organic farm
in its operat
ions, includi
ng developing
soil fertility
through act
ive grazing m
anagement, co
ntrolling pest
s and disease
throug
h sanitation a
nd plant and a
nimal diversity
, and stress re
duction for the
herd. It is imp
ortant to note
that wi
th up to 699 m
ature dairy co
ws, the farm w
ill not produce
enough natur
al fertilizer to
establish soil
fertility
needed for h
igh quality fo
rage product
ion. Commerc
ial fertilizer w
ill help suppo
rt the forage
growth. Suppl
emental feed w
ill also be nee
ded to provid
e adequate nu
trition for mil
k production.
Hawai‘i
Dairy Farms
plans to purc
hase locally g
rown feed as
much as po
ssible, but ma
y have to rel
y on the
importation o
f supplement
al feeds to p
rovide proper
nutrition for
the herd. O
rganic feeds
will be
considered bas
ed on market a
vailability and
pricing.
Ms. Paige Tom
aselli, Senior A
ttorney, Cente
r for Food Safe
ty Hawai‘
i Dairy Farms
Environmenta
l Impact Statem
ent Januar
y 3, 2017
Page 3 of 3
Unlike conven
tional feedlot
dairy operat
ions that face
managemen
t challenges
related to the
costs of
imported feed
(which fluctua
te with grain
and fuel prices
), HDF will ut
ilize a grain m
ixture which
would initially
constitute 30
percent of the
ir dairy needs.
The suppleme
ntal grain mix
ture complem
ents the cows
’ main d
iet of grass an
d provides su
pplemental nu
trients to sup
port cow heal
th and milk p
roduction. Th
e ratio of
grass vs. grain
will be adjust
ed over time a
s pasture prod
uctivity increa
ses with dairy
operations.
Your comment
, along with th
is response, w
ill become par
t of the public
record and w
ill be publishe
d in the
Final EIS. A co
py of the Fina
l EIS is includ
ed on a compa
ct disc with th
is letter. Whe
n published, t
he Final
EIS will be a
vailable on th
e OEQC websi
te which you
can access u
sing the follo
wing URL, an
d search
http://tinyurl
.com/OEQCKA
UAI. Thank
you for your p
articipation in
the environme
ntal review pro
cess. Sincere
ly, GROUP
70 INTERNAT
IONAL, INC.
Jeffrey
H. Overton, A
ICP, LEED AP
Principal Plan
ner cc:
Hawai‘i Dairy
Farms
Hawai‘
i State Depart
ment of Healt
h,
Environme
ntal Planning O
ffice
January 3, 20
17 Mr. Bry
an Davidson
President
Contractors A
ssociation of K
aua‘i 4231 A
hukini Road
Lhu‘e, Kaua‘i
, Hawai‘i 9676
6 Su
bjec
t: Hawai‘
i Dairy Farms
Final Environ
mental Impac
t Statement (EI
S)
Mhu
lep, Kloa Dis
trict, Kaua‘i, H
awai‘i
Respon
se to Comment
on Draft EIS
Dear Mr. Brya
n Davidson:
Thank you for
your letter d
ated July 19,
2016 regardin
g the Hawai‘i
Dairy Farms
(HDF) Draft E
IS. We acknow
ledge your com
ments in supp
ort of the HDF
EIS. Your c
omment, along
with this res
ponse, will be
come part of t
he public reco
rd and
will be publis
hed in the Fin
al EIS. A copy
of the Final E
IS is included
on a compac
t disc w
ith this letter.
When publis
hed, the Final
EIS will be a
vailable on th
e OEQC
website whic
h you can acc
ess using the
following URL
, and search “
Hawaii Dairy
Farms”
: http://tinyur
l.com/OEQCKA
UAI. Thank
you for your p
articipation in
the environme
ntal review pro
cess. Sincere
ly, GROUP
70 INTERNAT
IONAL, INC.
Jeffrey
H. Overton, A
ICP, LEED AP
Principal Plan
ner cc:
Hawai‘i Dairy
Farms
Hawai‘
i State Depart
ment of Healt
h,
Environme
ntal Planning O
ffice
January 3, 20
17 Mr. Wa
rren H. Haruk
i Preside
nt & CEO
Grove Farm
3-1850 Kaumu
alii Highway
Su
bjec
t: onmen
tal Impact Stat
ement (EIS)
Warren H. Har
uki: letter dated Ju
ne 24 regard
ing the
. We ac
knowledge
e EIS.
will be publis
hed in the Fin
al EIS. disc w
ith this letter.
When publis
hed, the Final
EIS will be a
vailable on th
e OEQC
Farms”:
.
Sincerely, 70 INT
ERNATIONAL
, INC.
Je
Princip
al Planner
cc:
Hawa
July
21,
201
6 RE
: Let
ter
of S
uppo
rt –
Haw
aii D
airy
Far
ms D
EIS
The
Haw
aii C
attle
men
’s Co
unci
l, In
c. (H
CC) i
s ple
ased
to o
ffer t
his l
ette
r of s
uppo
rt
rega
rdin
g th
e H
awai
i Dai
ry F
arm
s DEI
S.
HCC
is th
e st
atew
ide
umbr
ella
org
aniz
atio
n co
mpr
ised
of t
he fo
ur c
ount
y le
vel C
attle
men
’s As
soci
atio
ns. O
ur 1
50+
mem
ber r
anch
ers r
epre
sent
ove
r 60,
000
head
of b
eef c
ows;
mor
e th
an 7
5% o
f all
the
beef
cow
s in
the
Stat
e. R
anch
ers a
re th
e st
ewar
ds o
f ap
prox
imat
ely
25%
of t
he S
tate
’s to
tal l
and
mas
s. Th
e pl
ans t
hat h
ave
been
out
lined
in H
awai
i Dai
ry F
arm
s EIS
are
ver
y so
und
in th
eir
appr
oach
to e
nvir
onm
enta
l ste
war
dshi
p an
d ca
ttle
man
agem
ent.
The
loca
tion
of th
e da
iry
is a
n ar
ea w
ith a
his
tory
in g
razi
ng a
nd it
s’ zo
ning
des
igna
tion
is Im
port
ant A
g La
nds.
The
dair
y is
situ
ated
in a
n ar
ea a
way
from
hom
es, r
esor
ts a
nd th
e sh
ore
line
prev
entin
g an
y po
tent
ial i
mpa
ct o
f flie
s and
/or o
dor f
rom
resi
dent
s or g
uest
s.
The
plan
s als
o in
dica
te th
e us
e of
the
late
st te
chno
logy
to e
nsur
e ca
ttle
hea
lth a
nd w
ell-
bein
g w
hile
wor
king
with
oth
er ra
nche
rs in
the
area
to p
rovi
de e
xcep
tiona
l car
e th
roug
hout
the
stag
es o
f dai
ry p
rodu
ctio
n. T
heir
judi
ciou
s use
of w
ater
reso
urce
s will
pr
otec
t thi
s val
uabl
e re
sour
ce a
nd p
lay
a vi
tal r
ole
in th
e im
prov
emen
t of s
oil c
ondi
tions
an
d qu
ality
afte
r dec
ades
of d
eple
tion
from
suga
r can
e pr
oduc
tion.
Th
e da
iry
indu
stry
in H
awai
i has
bee
n in
a st
eady
dec
line
in th
e pa
st 3
0 ye
ars w
ith o
nly
two
curr
ently
ope
ratin
g. T
his i
ndus
try
is a
cri
tical
nee
d fo
r our
stat
e an
d pl
ays a
vita
l rol
e in
the
futu
re o
f foo
d su
stai
nabi
lity
in H
awai
i. Fo
r the
se re
ason
s, H
CC is
supp
ortiv
e of
the
Haw
aii
Dai
ry F
arm
s DEI
S an
d th
e fu
ture
of t
he d
airy
indu
stry
in H
awai
i. Si
ncer
ely,
Pr
esid
ent
Man
agin
g D
irec
tor
January 3, 20
17 Mr. Da
le Sandlin
Managing Dir
ector Hawai‘
i Cattlemen’s C
ouncil P.O. Bo
x 437199
Kamuela, Haw
ai‘i 96743
Subj
ect:
Hawai‘i Dairy
Farms Final E
nvironmental
Impact Statem
ent (EIS)
Respon
se to Comment
on Draft EIS
Dear Mr. Dale
Sandlin: letter d
ated July 21,
2016 regardin
g Hawai‘i
Dairy Farms
(HDF) Draft E
ISF EIS.
Final EIS.
Farms”
: .
Sincere
ly,
Jeffrey H. Ove
rton, AICP,
Princip
al Planner
cc: Hawai‘
i Dairy Farms
Hawa
Envi
ronmental Pla
nning Office
January 3, 20
17 Ms. Lau
rie Ho Preside
nt Kaua‘i
County Farm B
ureau P.O. Bo
x 3895
Lhu‘e, Kaua‘i
, Hawai‘i 9676
6-6895
Subj
ect:
Hawai‘i Dairy
Farms Final E
nvironmental
Impact Statem
ent (EIS)
Mhulep, K
loa District, K
aua‘i, Hawai‘i
Response to Co
mment on Dra
ft EIS Dear M
s. Laurie Ho:
Thank you for
your letter d
ated July 20,
2016 regardin
g the Hawai‘i
Dairy Farms
(HDF) Draft E
IS. We acknow
ledge your com
ments in supp
ort of the HDF
EIS. Your c
omment, along
with this res
ponse, will be
come part of t
he public reco
rd and
will be publis
hed in the Fin
al EIS. A copy
of the Final E
IS is included
on a compac
t disc w
ith this letter.
When publis
hed, the Final
EIS will be a
vailable on th
e OEQC
website whic
h you can acc
ess using the
following URL
, and search “
Hawaii Dairy
Farms”
: http://tinyur
l.com/OEQCKA
UAI. Thank
you for your p
articipation in
the environme
ntal review pro
cess. Sincere
ly, GROUP
70 INTERNAT
IONAL, INC.
Jeffrey
H. Overton, A
ICP, LEED AP
Principal Plan
ner cc:
Hawai‘i Dairy
Farms
Hawai‘
i State Depart
ment of Healt
h,
Environme
ntal Planning O
ffice
July
22 ,
201
6 Al
oha,
Th
e K
auai
Cha
mbe
r of C
omm
erce
sub
mits
this
lette
r in
supp
ort o
f Haw
aii D
airy
Far
ms
and
its
draf
t Env
ironm
enta
l Im
pact
Sta
tem
ent (
DEI
S).
Th
e C
ham
ber h
as b
een
in c
ontin
uous
con
tact
with
repr
esen
tativ
es fr
om H
awai
i Dai
ry F
arm
s
for m
ore
than
two
year
s. T
hey
have
pro
vide
d us
with
farm
tour
s an
d in
form
atio
n, a
nd h
ave
an
swer
ed a
ll of
our
que
stio
ns. I
n ou
r exp
erie
nce,
Haw
aii D
airy
Far
ms
has
been
an
open
, co
nsci
entio
us c
ompa
ny th
at c
ares
abo
ut b
eing
a re
spon
sibl
e an
d co
ntrib
utin
g m
embe
r of t
he
Kaua
i bus
ines
s co
mm
unity
.
The
Cha
mbe
r app
reci
ates
Haw
aii D
airy
Far
ms’
willi
ngne
ss to
con
duct
a v
olun
tary
EIS
, and
we
ar
e pl
ease
d w
ith th
e D
EIS
findi
ngs.
Fro
m a
n ec
onom
ic s
tand
poin
t, th
e D
EIS
exp
lain
s th
at
Haw
aii D
airy
Far
ms
will:
D
iver
sify
Kau
ai’s
agr
icul
ture
indu
stry
and
pro
vide
the
first
larg
e-sc
ale
com
mer
cial
use
of
Impo
rtant
Agr
icul
tura
l Lan
ds o
n th
e G
arde
n Is
land
.
R
evita
lize
the
dairy
indu
stry
by
incr
easi
ng lo
cal m
ilk p
rodu
ctio
n by
50%
and
ther
eby
in
crea
sing
Haw
aii’s
food
sec
urity
.
Ope
rate
usi
ng a
pas
ture
-bas
ed m
odel
that
pro
vide
s co
ws
with
a 7
0% g
rass
die
t. T
his
pa
stur
e-ba
sed
mod
el is
mor
e su
stai
nabl
e th
an tr
aditi
onal
feed
lot d
airie
s of
Kau
ai’s
pas
t.
Cre
ate
up to
28
oper
atio
nal j
obs
as w
ell a
s co
nstru
ctio
n jo
bs a
nd lo
cal s
uppl
ier
oppo
rtuni
ties.
Cre
ate
$6 m
illion
to $
9 m
illion
in a
nnua
l ope
ratin
g ex
pend
iture
s, p
rovi
ding
net
tax
R
even
ues
to C
ount
y an
d St
ate
gove
rnm
ents
.
Util
ize
near
by K
auai
ranc
hers
to m
anag
e of
f-site
her
d m
anag
emen
t, th
ereb
y bo
ostin
g
reve
nues
for t
hese
com
pani
es.
Pr
ovid
e th
e op
portu
nity
in th
e fu
ture
for l
ocal
pro
duct
ion
of v
alue
-add
ed d
airy
pro
duct
s,
such
as
yogu
rt, b
utte
r, ch
eese
, ice
cre
am, e
tc.,
as w
ell a
s th
e po
tent
ial f
or a
grito
uris
m.
Ser
ving
Kau
ai's
div
erse
bus
ines
s c o
mm
unity
sin
ce 1
913,
the
Kaua
i Cha
mbe
r of C
omm
erce
bo
asts
an
activ
e m
embe
rshi
p of
mor
e th
an 6
50 b
usin
essp
eopl
e re
pres
entin
g 45
0 co
mpa
nies
.
Our
mis
sion
is “t
o pr
omot
e, d
evel
op a
nd im
prov
e co
mm
erce
, qua
lity
grow
th a
nd e
cono
mic
st
abilit
y in
the
Cou
nty
of K
auai
.” H
awai
i Dai
ry F
arm
s’ p
astu
re-b
ased
dai
ry is
alig
ned
with
our
m
issi
on, a
nd w
e su
ppor
t its
pla
ns a
nd D
EIS
. M
ahal
o ,
M
ark
Perr
iello
Pr
esid
ent &
CEO
January 3, 20
17 Mr. Ma
rk Perriello
President & CE
O Kaua‘i
Chamber of Co
mmerce
P.O. Box 1969
, Kaua‘i
, Hawai‘i 9676
6 Su
bjec
t: Hawai‘
i Dairy Farms
Final Environ
mental Impac
t Statement (EI
S)
Response to Co
mment on Dra
ft EIS Dear M
r. Mark Perrie
llo: Thank
you for your l
etter dated Ju
ly 22, 2016 r
egarding the H
awai‘i Dairy F
arms (HDF)
Draft EIS. We
acknowledge y
our comments
in support of t
he HDF EIS.
Your commen
t, along with t
his response,
will become p
art of the pub
lic record and
will be
published in
the Final EIS.
A copy of the
Final EIS is in
cluded on a c
ompact
disc with this
letter. When
published, th
e Final EIS w
ill be availabl
e on the OEQC
Farms”
: http://tinyur
l.com/OEQCKA
UAI. Thank
you for your p
articipation in
the environme
ntal review pro
cess. Sincere
ly, GROUP
70 INTERNAT
IONAL, INC.
Jeffrey
H. Overton, A
ICP, LEED AP
Principal Plan
ner cc:
Hawai‘i Dairy
Farms
Hawai‘
i State Depart
ment of Healt
h,
Environme
ntal Planning O
ffice
January 3, 20
17 Mr. Go
rdon LaBedz
Chair
P.O. Box 819
Waimea, Haw
ai‘i 96796
Subj
ect:
Hawai‘i Dairy
Farms Final E
nvironmental
Impact Statem
ent (EIS)
District, Kaua
‘i, Hawai‘i
Response to Co
mment on Dra
ft EIS Dear M
r. LaBedz:
Thank you for
your input d
ated July 16,
2016 on the H
awai‘i Dairy F
arms (HDF)
Draft EIS. The
following res
ponses are off
ered to your c
omments.
Dairy Herd Siz
e HDF is
committed t
o establishin
g a herd of
up to 699 m
ature dairy c
ows to
demonstrate
the pasture-b
ased system
as an econom
ically and env
ironmentally
sustainable m
odel for Hawa
i‘i. Precision a
gricultural tech
nology that m
onitors cows’
health, grass
productivity,
and effluen
t managemen
t will be use
d to ensure
environmental
health and sa
fety, as well a
s best manag
ement practic
es, and help
determine the
ultimate carr
ying capacity
of the land. W
ith proven su
ccess at a her
d size of
699, HDF will c
ontemplate the
possibility of
expanding the
herd in the fut
ure. For da
iry operation
s with 700 o
r more matur
e dairy cows,
regardless i
f the operat
ion is feedlot
or pasture-ba
sed, additiona
l regulatory r
eview and pe
rmitting
by the State D
epartment of H
ealth would be
required. The
application p
rocess for a
National Poll
utant Discharg
e Elimination
System (NPD
ES) Concentra
ted Animal
Feeding Oper
ation (CAFO)
permit includ
es public not
ification and
input. At the
discret
ion of HDF, m
anagement ma
y choose to s
ubmit an app
lication to exp
and operat
ions up to the
carrying cap
acity of the la
nd, which is e
stimated to be
up to 2,000 p
roductive mil
king dairy cow
s. Permit proc
ess compliance
would be foll
owed at such
time HDF may
decide to pur
sue an expand
ed operation.
Waiopi
li Ditch
Complaints fro
m the public
citing the high
levels of ente
rococcus in W
aiopili Ditch
and public
Department o
f Health (DOH
) Clean Water
Branch (CW
B) to conduct
a “Sanitary
sub-watershe
d and the adj
acent Waikomo
watersheds.
DOH CWB con
ducted water
sampling with
in the Waiopili
Ditch and area
s upstream,
and initiated a
series of inve
stigations into
water quality
issues. The Sa
nitary Survey
finding
s resulted in
an expression
of concern b
y DOH CWB
that the num
ber of injectio
n wells and ce
sspools in the
adjacent Wai
komo watershe
d, which inclu
des
Mr.
Hawai‘i Dairy
Farms Enviro
nmental Impac
t Statement
January 3, 20
17 Page 2
of 3
The Part 1 Sa
nitary Survey
found no sig
nificant impa
ct to the ditc
h from any a
ctivity that co
uld be
attributed to
the dairy. Fer
al animal wast
e, decaying or
ganic debris a
nd inputs fro
m existing ag
ricultural
operations m
ay all be contr
ibuting factor
s to the fecal
indicator bac
teria (FIB) lev
els in ditches
running
-made drainag
e ditch on pr
ivate proper
ty, and is not
an inviting re
creational bod
y of water util
ized by people
. Further testi
ng is needed
to more c
learly identify
whether the
source(s) of F
IB is human or
animals, and
DOH CWB ha
s partnered w
ith a Unive
rsity of Califor
nia laboratory
to more defin
itively determ
ine the source
of the fecal co
ntamination in
Waiopi
li Ditch. Resul
ts will be pub
lished as Part
2 of the Waio
pili Ditch Sani
tary Survey. T
he Waiop
ili D
itch
Sani
tary
Sur
vey,
Kau
ai P
art
1 can be acces
sed on the DO
H Clean Wate
r Branch web
site under “Li
brary” (http:/
/health.hawaii
.gov/cwb).
Nearshore Ma
rine Environm
ent The E
IS documents
the existin
g conditions
of the nears
hore marine
environment,
including a
characterizati
on of the bio
tic environme
nt where wat
er flows to th
e ocean thro
ugh Waiopili
Ditch. Compa
ring the chara
cterization of
nutrients and
biological co
nstituents fro
m surface wa
ter samples to
those w
ater samples
taken in the n
earshore mar
ine area revea
l that indicato
r bacteria wer
e substantially
lower
in the ocean
than in the di
tch. The rapid
decrease is a
result of phy
sical mixing o
f water masse
s. Water
sampling resu
lts show that
elevated level
s of indicator b
acteria do not
extend beyon
d the shorelin
e. See EIS
Section 4.17.3
Nearshor
e M
arin
e W
ater
s, and Appendi
x F. To add
ress the comm
ents to the D
raft EIS, HDF
engaged MR
CI to survey
the marine bi
otic communi
ty structu
re and provi
de baseline d
ocumentation
of existing
conditions. T
he typical w
eather and se
a conditi
ons in the are
a are characte
rized as a hig
h energy env
ironment due
to frequent
tradewinds an
d long-pe
riod ocean sw
ell, which rap
idly mix the w
ater column. T
his translates
to rough wat
er conditions
considered da
ngerous for h
uman recreati
on except duri
ng periods of
exceptionally
calm wind and
waves.
The survey w
as conducted
during such a
period in No
vember 2016
, to allow for
safety as we
ll as for
visibility with
in the water.
The open coa
stal exposure
to long-perio
d south swells
and tradewin
d-generated s
eas are reflect
ed in the
survey finding
s. There is ess
entially no bio
tic community
structure in th
e areas where
the ditch wat
er flow
meets the oce
an. A semi-em
bayment crea
ted seaward o
f a submerged
basaltic shelf
is bounded b
y distinct
shallow dikes
that focus wa
ve energy. W
ithin the centr
al area of this
semi-embaym
ent are expan
sive sand
flats. Biotopes
– areas of u
niform enviro
nmental cond
itions that pr
ovide a livin
g place for a
specific
assemblage of
plants and an
imals - were d
ocumented an
d described fo
r the area in
a marine
biotic assessm
ent report and
included in th
e Final EIS.
The hardy pio
neering coral
Poci
llopo
ra m
eand
rina
occurs throu
ghout the ne
arshore zone
with a hard
bottom
. Areas with a
hard bottom
and sheltered
from wave eff
ects had a 10-
to 20-percent
cover consisti
ng of addi
tional common
coral species
(Porites l
obat
a and P. compr
essa
, and Mon
tipor
a pa
tula
and M. c
apita
te).
A well-establi
shed coral com
munity was id
entified in a sm
all area shelte
red from dest
ructive waves
by a protect
ive lava extru
sion approxim
ately 0.3 mile
s south of the
ditch terminus
. The corals w
ithin this area
are com
posed of the
most common
components o
f most Hawa
iian reefs. Du
e to the dista
nce from the
discharge poin
t (approximat
ely 2,000 feet
, or 0.3 mile),
nutrient or bio
logical inputs
from the ditch
would
be diluted to b
ackground ma
rine levels and
create no imp
act. Based on
results of the
marine biotic
survey
and indication of
any condition
s associated w
ith HDF that
could lead to
deleterious e
ffects to cora
l reef commu
nities.
Mr.
Hawai‘i Dairy
Farms Enviro
nmental Impac
t Statement
January 3, 20
17 Page 3
of 3
Long-term oce
an water qual
ity monitoring
has been initi
ated to provid
e a baseline fo
r the nearsho
re ocean
waters. HDF w
ill regularly sa
mple and ana
lyze nutrient a
nd chemical c
onstituent lev
els in the nea
r-shore
marine enviro
nment. Data f
rom the nears
hore water m
onitoring pro
gram will be m
ade available
to the
will allow for
evaluation of
possible
contamination
sources.
Your comment
, along with th
is response, w
ill become par
t of the public
record and w
ill be publishe
d in the
Final EIS. A co
py of the Fina
l EIS is includ
ed on a compa
ct disc with th
is letter. Whe
n published, t
he Final
EIS will be a
vailable on th
e OEQC websi
te which you
can access u
sing the follo
wing URL, an
d search
http://tinyurl
.com/OEQCKA
UAI. Thank
you for your p
articipation in
the environme
ntal review pro
cess. Sincere
ly, GROUP
70 INTERNAT
IONAL, INC.
Jeffrey
H. Overton, A
ICP, LEED AP
Principal Plan
ner cc:
Hawai‘i Dairy
Farms
Hawai‘
i State Depart
ment of Healt
h,
Environme
ntal Planning O
ffice
1
Ju
ly 2
5, 2
016
Laur
a M
cInt
yre
Stat
e of
Haw
aii,
Dep
artm
ent o
f Hea
lth
Envi
ronm
enta
l Pla
nnin
g O
ffice
91
9 Al
a M
oana
Blv
d., R
oom
312
H
onol
ulu,
HI 9
6814
do
h.ep
o@do
h.ha
wai
i.gov
Je
ff O
verto
n G
roup
70
Inte
rnat
iona
l 92
5 Be
thel
St.,
5th
Flo
or
Hon
olul
u, H
I 968
13
HD
F@G
roup
70in
t.com
Su
bmitt
ed v
ia E
-mai
l to
all p
artie
s.
Subj
ect:
Con
sulte
d Pa
rty
Com
men
ts o
n D
raft
Envi
ronm
enta
l Im
pact
Sta
tem
ent (
DEI
S) fo
r H
awai
i Dai
ry F
arm
s’ P
ropo
sed
Dai
ry O
pera
tion
Dea
r Ms.
McI
ntyr
e an
d M
r. O
verto
n,
On
beha
lf of
Mal
ama
Mah
a`ul
epu,
I w
ould
like
to th
ank
you
for t
he o
ppor
tuni
ty to
com
men
t on
the
Dra
ft En
viro
nmen
tal I
mpa
ct S
tate
men
t (D
EIS)
for H
awai
i Dai
ry F
arm
s’ p
ropo
sed
dairy
op
erat
ion.
O
bjec
tives
: Th
e D
EIS
augm
ents
the
HD
F pr
ojec
t pur
pose
(to
“est
ablis
h a
sust
aina
ble,
pas
tora
l rot
atio
n gr
azin
g da
iry fa
rm th
at w
ill in
crea
se c
urre
nt lo
cal m
ilk p
rodu
ctio
n, e
tc.”p
.1-3
) with
eig
ht p
roje
ct
obje
ctiv
es a
nd fo
ur e
valu
atio
n cr
iteria
. Pu
rpos
e #2
sta
tes
“app
ly p
rove
n, s
usta
inab
le p
asto
ral r
otat
ion
graz
ing
syst
em a
nd
stat
e-of
-the-
art t
echn
olog
y to
redu
ce re
lianc
e on
cos
tly im
porte
d fe
rtiliz
er a
nd fe
ed.”
This
mod
el
Mal
ama
Mah
a`ul
epu
Com
men
ts o
n D
EIS
for H
awai
i Dai
ry F
arm
s’ P
ropo
sed
Dai
ry O
pera
tion
2
of d
airy
ope
ratio
n m
ay b
e “p
rove
n so
mew
here
in th
e na
tion
or w
orld
.” If
so, w
here
? Ex
ampl
es o
f th
is k
ind
of te
chno
logi
cal d
airy
ing
shou
ld b
e ci
ted
in th
e D
EIS,
esp
ecia
lly w
hen
the
past
oral
N
ew Z
eala
nd-b
ased
mod
el h
as b
een
prov
ed to
be
flaw
ed th
roug
h th
e co
untry
, acc
ordi
ng to
the
New
Zea
land
Min
istry
of H
ealth
. Pu
rpos
e #
8 is
to “p
rote
ct a
nd e
nhan
ce th
e ar
eaʻs
nat
ural
, cul
tura
l, so
cial
and
eco
nom
ic
envi
ronm
ent t
hrou
gh s
ound
agr
icul
tura
l pla
nnin
g, p
rese
rvat
ion
of o
pen
spac
e an
d se
nsiti
ve
reso
urce
s, a
nd d
evel
opm
ent o
f eco
nom
ic b
enef
it. “
N
othi
ng in
the
DEI
S de
mon
stra
tes
how
the
areaʻs
nat
ural
and
cul
tura
l env
ironm
ent w
ill be
en
hanc
ed b
y th
e pr
ojec
t. O
verv
iew
of t
he P
ropo
sed
Proj
ect:
The
Ove
rvie
w o
f the
Pro
pose
d Pr
ojec
t (p.
1-4)
say
s “p
ossi
ble
expa
nsio
n of
the
herd
up
to 2
000
mat
ure
milk
ing
cow
s, fo
llow
ing
the
prov
en s
ucce
ss o
f the
rota
tion
graz
ing
syst
em fo
r loc
al m
ilk
prod
uctio
n an
d be
tter u
nder
stan
ding
the
pote
ntia
l car
ryin
g ca
paci
ty o
f the
pas
ture
.” H
ow w
ill th
e ca
rryin
g ca
paci
ty a
nd s
ucce
ss o
f the
pro
ject
be
defin
ed a
nd q
uant
ified
/mea
sure
d?
The
Hyd
rolo
gica
l Ass
essm
ent f
or P
astu
re A
reas
(Vol
2. A
ppen
dix
K, G
roup
70)
sta
tes
that
“HD
F m
anag
emen
t may
cho
ose
to e
xpan
d op
erat
ions
up
to th
e ca
rryin
g ca
paci
ty o
f the
land
, whi
ch is
cu
rrent
ly e
stim
ated
to b
e up
to 2
,000
pro
duct
ive
milk
ing
dairy
cow
s. “
(p, 6
94-6
95)
How
was
this
“est
imat
ed” c
apac
ity d
eriv
ed?
In a
dditi
on, a
car
ryin
g ca
paci
ty w
ithin
the
dairy
bo
unda
ry is
not
the
sam
e as
car
ryin
g ca
paci
ty o
f the
are
aʻs
surro
undi
ng la
nd a
nd w
ater
s. G
rass
m
ight
be
grow
ing
with
ade
quat
e yi
eld
to fe
ed a
dditi
onal
cow
s, b
ut th
e nu
trien
t loa
ds in
sur
face
w
ater
s m
ight
be
exce
edin
g le
vels
that
are
ben
ign
to m
arin
e re
sour
ces.
U
nres
olve
d Is
sues
: “R
esol
utio
n of
the
Dai
ry S
ize”
mus
t dep
end
on m
ore
than
gra
ss y
ield
and
milk
pro
duct
ion
leve
ls.
The
DEI
S re
cogn
izes
the
prev
entio
n of
neg
ativ
e en
viro
nmen
tal i
mpa
cts
such
as
fly in
fest
atio
ns
and
dim
inis
hed
air q
ualit
y, in
clud
ing
man
ure
and
urin
e sm
ells
. Th
ese
fact
ors
have
to b
e in
clud
ed a
s na
tura
l sys
tem
indi
cato
rs o
f the
“car
ryin
g ca
paci
ty” o
f the
land
. G
roun
dwat
er R
esou
rces
: Th
e D
EIS
docu
men
ts s
tate
that
ther
e ar
e tw
o di
stin
ct b
odie
s of
gro
undw
ater
loca
ted
unde
r the
pr
opos
ed H
DF
site
. The
firs
t is
a sh
allo
w a
quife
r res
idin
g in
the
allu
vium
that
fills
the
valle
y flo
or,
and
the
seco
nd is
a d
eep
aqui
fer i
n un
wea
ther
ed v
olca
nic
rock
. Sev
eral
test
s al
ong
with
as
soci
ated
ana
lyse
s w
ere
perfo
rmed
to d
eter
min
e th
at th
ese
two
grou
ndw
ater
bod
ies
are
not
hydr
olog
ical
ly c
onne
cted
, mea
ning
that
wat
er d
oes
not m
ove
freel
y fro
m th
e sh
allo
w a
quife
r to
the
deep
aqu
ifer.
Mat
t Ros
ener
, prin
cipa
l of N
orth
Sho
re H
ydro
logi
cal S
ervi
ces
revi
ewed
the
Mal
ama
Mah
a`ul
epu
Com
men
ts o
n D
EIS
for H
awai
i Dai
ry F
arm
s’ P
ropo
sed
Dai
ry O
pera
tion
3
info
rmat
ion
pres
ente
d to
reac
h th
is d
eter
min
atio
n an
d co
ncur
with
the
inte
rpre
tatio
n th
at th
e 2
wat
er b
odie
s ar
e se
para
te, a
nd le
achi
ng o
f pol
luta
nts
to th
e de
ep a
quife
r is
not l
ikel
y du
e to
the
pres
ence
of l
ow-p
erm
eabi
lity
laye
rs th
at a
ct a
s an
aqu
iclu
de.
The
DEI
S st
ates
that
som
e gr
ound
wat
er d
isch
arge
to th
e de
ep d
rain
age
ditc
hes
loca
ted
near
m
onito
ring
wel
ls H
DF-
1 an
d H
DF-
2 w
ill oc
cur a
s th
e w
ater
tabl
e is
rela
tivel
y cl
ose
to th
e w
ater
ta
ble
in th
is a
rea.
The
doc
umen
t als
o st
ates
that
gro
undw
ater
dis
char
ge to
the
drai
nage
ditc
hes
is n
ot e
xpec
ted
in th
e lo
wer
par
t of t
he H
DF
prop
erty
(nea
r HD
F-3
and
HD
F-4
mon
itorin
g w
ells
). It
shou
ld b
e no
ted,
how
ever
, tha
t dur
ing
a ve
ry w
et m
onito
ring
perio
d in
Nov
embe
r 201
5 th
e w
ater
leve
l in
the
HD
F-3
wel
l pea
ked
at 5
6.7
feet
(MSL
) whi
le th
e gr
ound
ele
vatio
n at
this
wel
l si
te is
onl
y 57
feet
(MSL
), m
eani
ng th
e w
ater
tabl
e w
as e
ssen
tially
at t
he g
roun
d su
rface
(i.e
. sa
tura
tion)
. It i
s un
clea
r why
dra
inag
e of
gro
undw
ater
into
the
ditc
hes
runn
ing
thro
ugh
the
low
er
porti
on o
f the
HD
F si
te w
ould
not
occ
ur d
urin
g th
ese
com
mon
ly o
ccur
ing
cond
ition
s. T
he
prop
osed
pum
ping
rate
of a
ppro
xim
atel
y 30
,000
GPD
from
the
priv
ate
Wel
l 14
loca
ted
on th
e pr
opos
ed d
airy
site
doe
s no
t see
m p
robl
emat
ic a
s th
e pu
mp
was
pro
duci
ng u
p to
3 M
GD
bef
ore
the
Kolo
a Su
gar M
ill cl
osed
, effe
ctiv
ely
endi
ng th
e su
gar p
lant
atio
n er
a at
Mah
a`ul
epu.
Su
rfac
e W
ater
Res
ourc
es a
nd N
ears
hore
Mar
ine
Envi
ronm
ent:
Wat
er q
ualit
y te
stin
g in
the
area
of t
he p
ropo
sed
HD
F da
iry s
how
ed th
at a
gric
ultu
ral d
itche
s an
d in
term
itten
t stre
ams
in th
is w
ater
shed
exp
erie
nce
chro
nica
lly d
egra
ded
cond
ition
s fo
r nut
rient
s an
d pa
thog
ens,
bot
h po
lluta
nts
that
are
ass
ocia
ted
with
ani
mal
was
te (a
s w
ell a
s ot
her s
ourc
es).
The
rece
nt D
OH
San
itary
Sur
vey
docu
men
ted
high
leve
ls o
f Ent
eroc
occo
us a
nd C
lost
rudi
um
Perfr
inge
ns (C
P) fe
cal i
ndic
ator
bac
teria
(FIB
) in
Wai
opili
Ditc
h se
dim
ents
. Add
ition
al w
ater
qu
ality
test
ing
for t
he D
EIS
perfo
rmed
by
Mar
ine
Res
ourc
e C
onsu
ltant
s, In
c. (M
RC
I) sh
owed
th
at F
IB c
ount
s w
ere
gene
rally
hig
h at
mos
t sur
face
wat
er s
ampl
ing
site
s in
the
wat
ersh
ed b
ut
varia
ble
betw
een
sam
plin
g si
tes
and
sam
plin
g pe
riods
. A m
ore
deta
iled
wat
er q
ualit
y ev
alua
tion
for s
urfa
ce w
ater
s in
the
HD
F si
te a
rea
was
incl
uded
in th
e D
EIS
in A
ppen
dix
F. N
othi
ng re
ally
st
ood
out i
n th
is s
ectio
n ot
her t
han
the
gene
ral o
bser
vatio
n th
at e
xist
ing
surfa
ce w
ater
qua
lity
is
obvi
ousl
y al
read
y de
grad
ed in
the
Mah
a`ul
epu
wat
ersh
ed to
an
exte
nt a
nd H
DF
is p
ropo
sing
an
inte
nsiv
e la
nd-u
se o
n ap
prox
imat
ely
20%
of t
he w
ater
shed
are
a th
at is
alre
ady
know
n fo
r its
w
ater
pol
lutio
n po
tent
ial.
Mar
ine
wat
er q
ualit
y te
stin
g w
as a
lso
perfo
rmed
by
MR
CI a
long
sev
eral
tran
sect
s ex
tend
ing
from
the
shor
elin
e at
Māhā‘
ulepū
to ro
ughl
y 20
0 m
eter
s of
fsho
re. B
ecau
se w
ater
che
mis
try
anal
yses
sho
wed
onl
y "s
mal
l ele
vatio
ns o
f ino
rgan
ic n
utrie
nts
at th
e sh
orel
ine"
, MR
CI
inte
rpre
ted
this
to m
ean
that
not
muc
h gr
ound
wat
er is
bei
ng d
isch
arge
d al
ong
this
coa
stal
se
gmen
t in
gene
ral.
The
nota
ble
exce
ptio
n to
this
was
in T
rans
ect 3
, nea
r the
out
let o
f Wai
opili
St
ream
whe
re s
ever
al w
ater
qua
lity
para
met
ers
wer
e su
bsta
ntia
lly e
leva
ted
clos
e to
sho
re,
incl
udin
g di
ssol
ved
nutri
ents
, tur
bidi
ty, a
nd C
hlor
ophy
ll a.
The
se w
ere
inte
rpre
ted
to b
e th
e re
sult
of th
e st
ream
dis
char
ging
at t
his
poin
t and
not
gro
undw
ater
dis
char
ge w
hich
see
ms
reas
onab
le. S
teep
gra
dien
ts o
f nut
rient
con
cent
ratio
ns, s
alin
ity, a
nd tu
rbid
ity o
bser
ved
in m
arin
e w
ater
s ne
ar th
e W
aiop
ili St
ream
out
let l
ed th
e au
thor
s to
con
clud
e th
at, "
inpu
t fro
m d
itch
wat
er
Mal
ama
Mah
a`ul
epu
Com
men
ts o
n D
EIS
for H
awai
i Dai
ry F
arm
s’ P
ropo
sed
Dai
ry O
pera
tion
4
is h
ighl
y re
stric
ted
in te
rms
of e
ffect
s to
the
mar
ine
envi
ronm
ent".
How
ever
, it s
houl
d be
not
ed
that
wat
er q
ualit
y sa
mpl
ing
for t
his
stud
y pr
esum
ably
did
not
occ
ur d
urin
g pe
riods
of h
igh
stre
amflo
w w
hen
the
impa
ct z
one
in n
ears
hore
mar
ine
wat
ers
wou
ld b
e ex
pect
ed to
be
muc
h la
rger
. Th
is s
ectio
n of
the
DEI
S do
es a
ckno
wle
dge
that
man
ure
coul
d ru
n of
f int
o dr
aina
ge d
itche
s,
even
with
the
pres
crib
ed 3
5-fo
ot b
uffe
r stri
ps in
stal
led
on b
oth
side
s of
all
wat
erw
ays
at th
e H
DF
site
. "M
anur
e pa
rticl
es th
at d
o no
t set
tle o
ut in
to th
e bu
ffer a
rea
coul
d be
car
ried
into
ditc
h w
ater
s an
d do
wns
tream
with
sto
rmw
ater
flow
s" (p
. 4-6
7). A
lso
ackn
owle
dged
is th
e po
tent
ial o
f el
evat
ed n
utrie
nt le
vels
in s
urfa
ce w
ater
s an
d gr
ound
wat
er d
ue to
the
prop
osed
dai
ry fa
rm.
"Incr
ease
s in
nut
rient
s as
a re
sult
of d
airy
est
ablis
hmen
t or o
pera
tions
can
info
rm m
odifi
catio
n of
th
e op
erat
ion'
s nu
trien
t man
agem
ent"
(p. 4
-66)
. C
onsi
sten
cy w
ith S
tate
of H
awai
‘i W
ater
Pol
icie
s:
This
sec
tion
esse
ntia
lly s
tate
s, w
ith v
ery
little
just
ifica
tion,
that
the
prop
osed
HD
F pr
ojec
t su
ppor
ts th
e St
ate'
s An
ti-de
grad
atio
n po
licy
(HAR
-11-
54-1
.1) f
or In
land
Wat
ers
(Cla
ss 1
and
2)
and
Mar
ine
Wat
ers
(Cla
ss A
). Th
ere
is n
o ac
know
ledg
emen
t of t
he li
kelih
ood
for f
urth
er w
ater
qu
ality
deg
rada
tion
to o
ccur
as
a re
sult
of th
is p
roje
ct. I
nste
ad, t
he D
EIS
lang
uage
reas
ons
that
du
ring
perio
ds o
f hea
vy ra
infa
ll an
d ru
noff,
the
dairy
's n
utrie
nt lo
sses
will
be d
ilute
d by
add
ition
al
stre
amflo
w. A
s th
e do
cum
ent s
tate
s re
peat
edly
, the
se a
re th
e tim
es w
hen
nutri
ents
and
oth
er
pollu
tant
s w
ill be
mob
ilized
from
the
dairy
farm
site
so
both
pol
luta
nt c
once
ntra
tions
and
load
s ar
e lik
ely
to in
crea
se d
urin
g th
ese
perio
ds, n
ot d
ecre
ase
thro
ugh
dilu
tion.
W
ith re
gard
to im
pact
s on
the
mar
ine
envi
ronm
ent,
the
DEI
S la
ngua
ge s
impl
y st
ates
that
, "T
here
will
be n
o su
bsta
ntia
l effe
cts
to m
arin
e w
ater
qua
lity
from
the
HD
F da
iry",
reas
onin
g th
at
vigo
rous
mix
ing
near
the
Wai
opili
Stre
am o
utle
t will
limit
wat
er q
ualit
y de
grad
atio
n. T
his
expl
anat
ion
is li
kely
bas
ed o
n th
e lim
ited
wat
er q
ualit
y da
ta c
olle
cted
in th
e ne
arsh
ore
perfo
rmed
fo
r thi
s st
udy.
Aga
in, i
t is
impr
obab
le th
at s
ampl
es a
nd/o
r dat
a w
ere
colle
cted
dur
ing
high
ra
infa
ll/ru
noff
even
ts w
hen
the
bulk
of t
he p
ollu
tant
load
s ar
e tra
nspo
rted
from
coa
stal
w
ater
shed
s to
the
mar
ine
envi
ronm
ent.
App
endi
x E
- Gro
undw
ater
and
Sur
face
Wat
er A
naly
ses:
It
is in
tere
stin
g th
at d
ata
pres
ente
d on
the
pres
ent w
ater
leve
ls in
Wel
l 14
(priv
ate)
and
the
Kolo
a F
wel
l (C
ount
y) a
re s
ever
al fe
et lo
wer
than
thei
r orig
inal
leve
ls. R
ecen
t mea
sure
men
ts
indi
cate
that
bot
h of
thes
e w
ells
hav
e st
atic
leve
ls b
etw
een
22-2
6 fe
et a
bove
sea
leve
l (M
SL),
whi
le th
eir o
rigin
al le
vels
at t
he ti
me
of in
stal
latio
n w
ere
30.0
feet
MSL
(Wel
l 14)
and
25.
9 fe
et
MSL
(Kol
oa F
Wel
l). T
he W
ell 1
4 ba
ttery
was
inst
alle
d in
192
8, a
nd th
e Ko
loa
F w
ell w
as
inst
alle
d in
199
8 so
the
peiz
omet
ric h
ead
for t
he d
eep
aqui
fer u
nder
lyin
g th
e H
DF
site
may
hav
e de
crea
sed
from
30.
0 fe
et in
192
8 to
25.
9 fe
et in
199
8 to
22-
26 fe
et to
day.
Thi
s is
n't m
ay n
ot b
e re
leva
nt to
the
eval
uatio
n, b
ut it
is n
otew
orth
y. A
lso
note
wor
thy
is th
e es
timat
ed h
ydra
ulic
gr
adie
nt o
f the
sha
llow
aqu
ifer w
ater
tabl
e, a
ppro
xim
atel
y 35
feet
per
mile
, whi
ch w
ould
Mal
ama
Mah
a`ul
epu
Com
men
ts o
n D
EIS
for H
awai
i Dai
ry F
arm
s’ P
ropo
sed
Dai
ry O
pera
tion
5
prob
ably
resu
lt in
con
side
rabl
e gr
ound
wat
er m
ovem
ent u
nder
the
prop
osed
HD
F si
te if
the
allu
vial
soi
ls w
eren
't of
suc
h lo
w p
erm
eabi
lity.
Th
e re
port
iden
tifie
s 0.
8" o
f 24-
hour
rain
fall
as th
e th
resh
old
for r
unof
f pro
duct
ion
at th
e H
DF
site
, with
no
anal
ysis
pre
sent
ed to
sup
port
this
. Als
o, th
e re
port
pres
ents
som
e an
alys
is o
f the
30
-yea
r rai
nfal
l rec
ord
from
the
Mah
a`ul
epu
941.
1 ra
in g
age
loca
ted
near
the
proj
ect s
ite. T
he
resu
lts in
dica
te th
at d
aily
rain
fall
of 0
.8" o
ccur
s ap
prox
imat
ely
3% o
f the
tim
e, o
r 10
days
a y
ear
on a
vera
ge, i
n th
e pr
ojec
t are
a. T
he s
ame
anal
ysis
was
per
form
ed w
ith th
e sa
me
data
set a
nd
prod
uced
the
sam
e re
sults
. Not
e th
at th
e ra
infa
ll ev
ent d
epic
ted
in th
is re
port
on N
ovem
ber 2
3,
2015
as
5.95
inch
es a
t the
HD
F si
te w
as re
cord
ed a
s 4.
48 in
ches
at t
he M
aha`
ulep
u 94
1.1
rain
ga
ge s
tatio
n, a
nd th
is w
as th
e 11
th h
ighe
st d
aily
rain
fall
at th
is s
tatio
n in
ove
r 30
year
s of
re
cord
. Thi
s am
ount
of d
aily
rain
fall
is e
xcee
ded
only
0.1
5% o
f the
tim
e in
this
are
a.
In c
ontra
st to
the
use
of n
on-p
otab
le s
urfa
ce w
ater
pro
pose
d fo
r the
pro
ject
(ave
rage
of 1
.31
MG
D fr
om W
aitā
Res
ervo
ir), t
he p
otab
le w
ater
use
of 3
0,00
0 G
PD (f
rom
Wel
l 14)
see
ms
rela
tivel
y m
odes
t. Su
rface
wat
er fl
ows
mov
ing
thro
ugh
the
proj
ect s
ite a
re e
stim
ated
to b
e 7
times
larg
er th
an th
e am
ount
of g
roun
dwat
er m
ovin
g un
der t
he s
ite in
the
shal
low
aqu
ifer.
Cal
cula
tions
mad
e fo
r the
repo
rt re
sulte
d in
est
imat
es o
f ave
rage
sur
face
- and
gro
undw
ater
flow
ra
tes
leav
ing
the
mak
ai e
nd o
f the
HD
F si
te a
s 1.
81 M
GD
and
0.2
7 M
GD
, res
pect
ivel
y. O
f the
1.
81 M
GD
ave
rage
sur
face
wat
er fl
ow ra
te, r
ough
ly 0
.40
MG
D is
from
flat
land
s in
the
valle
y bo
ttom
, and
1.4
1 M
GD
is fr
om s
teep
land
s on
the
valle
y w
alls
. Of t
he 0
.40
MG
D o
f sur
face
w
ater
orig
inat
ing
from
the
flat l
ands
, app
roxi
mat
ely
0.31
MG
D is
sou
rced
from
the
557-
acre
HD
F fa
rm s
ite.
To e
xpan
d on
the
earli
er d
iscu
ssio
n re
gard
ing
nutri
ent l
oad
augm
enta
tion,
Mat
t Roe
sene
r, P.
E.,
perfo
rmed
com
puta
tions
usi
ng in
form
atio
n pr
ovid
ed in
App
endi
x E.
Bas
ed o
n th
e es
timat
es
pres
ente
d in
the
repo
rt fo
r N a
nd P
load
s ca
rried
in g
roun
dwat
er a
nd s
urfa
ce w
ater
as
wel
l as
the
proj
ecte
d ne
w N
and
P s
ubsi
dies
from
the
dairy
farm
, we
can
calc
ulat
e th
e ex
pect
ed
incr
ease
in n
utrie
nt lo
adin
g to
loca
l wat
erw
ays.
To
do th
is, t
he re
port
auth
or c
ompu
ted
the
tota
l N
and
P lo
ads
leav
ing
the
HD
F si
te a
t the
mak
ai b
ound
ary
base
d on
sev
eral
ass
umpt
ions
abo
ut
grou
ndw
ater
flow
, rai
nfal
l, ru
noff,
and
nut
rient
con
cent
ratio
ns in
sur
face
- and
gro
undw
ater
. His
ap
proa
ch w
as to
est
imat
e to
tal n
utrie
nt lo
ads
mov
ing
dow
nstre
am fr
om th
e H
DF
prop
erty
, the
n co
mpa
re th
em to
the
new
N a
nd P
sub
sidi
es. W
hile
this
app
roac
h is
def
ensi
ble
and
resu
lts in
us
eful
info
rmat
ion,
ther
e w
as n
o pr
esen
tatio
n of
the
incr
ease
in n
utrie
nt lo
adin
g fro
m th
e H
DF
prop
erty
alo
ne..
The
anal
ysis
pre
sent
ed in
the
repo
rt in
clud
ed s
urfa
ce- a
nd g
roun
dwat
er fl
ows
from
the
upst
ream
wat
ersh
ed a
rea
that
dra
ins
thro
ugh
the
HD
F si
te w
hich
resu
lted
in e
stim
ates
of
6.6
- and
8.4
-fold
incr
ease
s in
N a
nd P
, res
pect
ivel
y, le
avin
g th
e m
akai
bor
der o
f the
HD
F si
te.
By s
ubtra
ctin
g th
e flo
ws
and
nutri
ent c
ontri
butio
ns fr
om th
e w
ater
shed
are
a ou
tsid
e th
e H
DF
boun
dary
, the
ana
lysi
s re
sults
in 2
0-fo
ld in
crea
ses
(200
0%) i
n bo
th N
and
P lo
adin
g fro
m th
e H
DF
site
onl
y co
mpa
red
to e
xist
ing
cond
ition
s.
App
endi
x F
- Sur
face
Wat
er Q
ualit
y an
d M
arin
e A
sses
smen
t:
Mal
ama
Mah
a`ul
epu
Com
men
ts o
n D
EIS
for H
awai
i Dai
ry F
arm
s’ P
ropo
sed
Dai
ry O
pera
tion
6
Res
ults
of t
he s
urfa
ce w
ater
che
mis
try te
stin
g sh
owed
that
spa
tial d
istri
butio
n of
dis
solv
ed
nutri
ent c
once
ntra
tions
ess
entia
lly d
ispl
ayed
the
sam
e tre
nds,
with
the
low
est v
alue
s in
the
farth
est u
plan
d (m
auka
) sam
ple
stat
ions
, ele
vate
d va
lues
in th
e m
iddl
e st
ream
/ditc
h re
ache
s w
ithin
the
HD
F si
te, a
nd s
omew
hat r
educ
ed v
alue
s in
the
low
er re
ache
s ne
ar th
e st
ream
mou
th
(but
not
as
low
as
leve
ls a
t the
mau
ka s
tatio
ns).
Incr
ease
s in
exi
stin
g nu
trien
t con
cent
ratio
ns
with
in th
e H
DF
site
wer
e at
tribu
ted
to le
acha
te "s
ubsi
dies
" fro
m o
ngoi
ng o
r prio
r lan
d us
e. T
he
auth
ors
reas
on th
at b
ecau
se n
utrie
nt v
alue
s ne
ar th
e st
ream
out
let a
re s
imila
r to
the
valu
es
mea
sure
d at
the
mau
ka s
tatio
ns, c
once
ntra
tions
at t
he m
akai
sta
tions
are
the
sam
e no
w a
s th
ey
wou
ld b
e w
ithou
t the
nut
rient
leac
hate
sub
sidy
from
the
HD
F si
te. T
his
defie
s lo
gic
as a
sim
ple
mas
s ba
lanc
e w
ould
sug
gest
that
if th
e su
bsid
y is
rem
oved
from
the
equa
tion,
dow
nstre
am
conc
entra
tions
sho
uld
be re
duce
d.
Spat
ial t
rend
s in
turb
idity
and
Chl
orop
hyll
a le
vels
wer
e ge
nera
lly s
imila
r to
thos
e de
scrib
ed
abov
e fo
r ino
rgan
ic n
utrie
nts
(i.e.
low
est a
t hig
hest
sta
tions
, ele
vate
d in
mid
dle
HD
F re
ach,
lo
wer
at l
owes
t sta
tions
). Th
e re
port
stat
es th
at th
ese
para
met
er v
alue
s re
turn
ed to
"bas
elin
e lo
w le
vels
" bel
ow th
e da
iry s
ite, b
ut d
ata
pres
ente
d in
the
repo
rt do
not
sup
port
this
sta
tem
ent.
The
spat
ial t
rend
obs
erve
d fo
r FIB
leve
ls w
as g
ener
ally
incr
easi
ng c
ount
s m
ovin
g cl
oser
to th
e sh
orel
ine.
Man
y of
the
FIB
sam
ples
yie
lded
ver
y hi
gh c
ount
s fo
r bot
h En
tero
cocc
ous
and
Clo
strid
ium
Per
fring
ens.
The
hig
her v
alue
s w
ere
som
e of
the
high
est R
osen
er o
bser
ved
anyw
here
. Bec
ause
of t
he n
otab
le a
bsen
ce o
f hum
an re
side
nce
in th
e w
ater
shed
, the
aut
hors
no
ted
that
it is
cle
ar th
at s
ourc
es o
ther
than
hum
an p
rese
ntly
con
tribu
te to
the
high
FIB
cou
nts
here
, man
y w
ell a
bove
the
leve
ls o
f DO
H W
ater
Qua
lity
Stan
dard
s, a
nd R
osen
er a
gree
s al
thou
gh n
ot w
ith th
e un
subs
tant
iate
d co
nclu
sion
that
"nat
ural
con
ditio
ns" i
s th
e ca
use.
M
arin
e w
ater
qua
lity
test
ing
alon
g fo
ur tr
anse
cts
runn
ing
perp
endi
cula
r to
the
coas
tline
was
als
o co
mpl
eted
. Not
able
resu
lts in
clud
e Tr
anse
ct 3
(sta
rting
nea
r Wai
opili
Stre
am m
outh
) exh
ibiti
ng
"sub
stan
tially
hig
her"
val
ues
for a
ll di
ssol
ved
nutri
ents
, tur
bidi
ty, a
nd C
hlor
ophy
ll at
the
5- m
eter
(o
ffsho
re) s
tatio
n co
mpa
red
to a
ll ot
her t
rans
ects
. Thi
s in
dica
tes
wat
er q
ualit
y de
grad
atio
n ne
ar
the
stre
am m
outh
whi
ch is
not
sur
pris
ing.
How
ever
, val
ues
of th
ese
para
met
ers
wer
e si
mila
r to
thos
e fro
m th
e ot
her t
rans
ects
at t
he 1
0-m
eter
(offs
hore
) sta
tion.
The
aut
hors
con
clud
ed th
at
rapi
d m
ixin
g in
the
near
shor
e zo
ne q
uick
ly b
rings
ele
vate
d po
lluta
nts
dow
n to
bac
kgro
und
leve
ls. W
hile
this
may
be
true
unde
r mos
t con
ditio
ns, i
t is
uncl
ear h
ow fa
r offs
hore
this
mix
ing
zone
ext
ends
dur
ing
the
area
’s fr
eque
nt h
eavy
rain
fall/
runo
ff ev
ents
whe
n th
e bu
lk o
f the
po
lluta
nt lo
ad is
exp
ecte
d to
be
mob
ilized
and
tran
spor
ted.
A
ppen
dix
K -
Hyd
rolo
gic
Ass
essm
ent:
Th
is re
port,
pro
duce
d by
Gro
up 7
0 fo
r HD
F, re
pres
ents
sta
ndar
d en
gine
erin
g/de
sign
hyd
rolo
gy
anal
yses
, and
not
hing
con
tain
ed in
it w
as s
urpr
isin
g or
exc
eptio
nal.
The
repo
rt es
sent
ially
lays
ou
t the
hyd
rolo
gic
desi
gn c
riter
ia fo
r var
ious
dra
inag
e in
frast
ruct
ure
and
cons
erva
tion
prac
tices
to
be
inst
alle
d an
d/or
mai
ntai
ned
at th
e pr
opos
ed H
DF
prop
erty
. Tra
ditio
nal d
esig
n hy
drol
ogy
equa
tions
and
mod
els
wer
e us
ed to
com
pute
des
ign
disc
harg
e va
lues
whi
ch a
re p
rese
nted
in
the
repo
rt. T
he S
CS
Cur
ve N
umbe
r met
hod
was
use
d to
sim
ulat
e de
sign
sto
rms,
pre
dict
ing
Mal
ama
Mah
a`ul
epu
Com
men
ts o
n D
EIS
for H
awai
i Dai
ry F
arm
s’ P
ropo
sed
Dai
ry O
pera
tion
7
peak
runo
ff ra
tes
for v
ario
us s
torm
freq
uenc
ies
(2-y
ear t
hrou
gh 1
00-y
ear).
In c
ompa
ring
the
pre-
proj
ect a
nd p
ost-p
roje
ct h
ydro
logy
usi
ng th
is m
odel
, the
onl
y si
gnifi
cant
cha
nge
was
in th
e cu
rve
num
ber v
alue
to re
flect
a c
hang
e fro
m p
astu
re g
rass
con
ditio
ns fr
om "f
air"
to "g
ood"
fo
llow
ing
dairy
est
ablis
hmen
t. W
hile
this
may
see
m li
ke a
reas
onab
le a
ssum
ptio
n, o
ne w
onde
rs
if to
wha
t ext
ent a
ny p
ossi
ble
impr
ovem
ents
in s
oil a
nd g
rass
con
ditio
ns re
aliz
ed fr
om th
e pr
opos
ed ir
rigat
ion
and
ferti
lizat
ion
sche
dule
will
be o
ffset
by
the
tram
plin
g ef
fect
of h
undr
eds
of
cow
s co
mpa
ctin
g so
ils a
nd g
ener
atin
g ru
noff.
Soi
l com
pact
ion
was
not
add
ress
ed in
any
of t
he
DEI
S se
ctio
ns o
r app
endi
ces
that
wer
e re
view
ed.
The
pred
icte
d po
st-p
roje
ct p
eak
flow
s le
avin
g th
e H
DF
site
rang
e fro
m 1
,723
cfs
for a
2-y
ear
flood
to 1
1,05
4 cf
s fo
r a 1
00-y
ear f
lood
. It i
s ha
rd to
imag
ine
the
drai
nage
ditc
hes
runn
ing
thro
ugh
the
HD
F si
te c
onta
inin
g ev
en th
e 2-
year
floo
d flo
w, a
nd g
iven
the
larg
e vo
lum
es o
f ru
noff
that
can
be
gene
rate
d at
this
site
, the
re is
con
cern
abo
ut th
e po
tent
ial f
or s
igni
fican
t no
n-po
int s
ourc
e po
llutio
n oc
curri
ng. A
lso
nota
ble
are
Figu
res
8 an
d 9
whi
ch s
how
a s
mal
l are
a in
the
uppe
r, ea
ster
n po
rtion
of t
he H
DF
past
ure
drai
ning
to a
reas
out
side
of t
he H
DF
site
to a
n un
nam
ed d
rain
age
ditc
h. M
ost o
f the
pas
ture
are
a ap
pear
s to
dra
in to
the
two
cent
ral d
rain
s th
at
run
thro
ugh
the
leng
th o
f the
farm
pro
perty
. So
ils:
Soils
hav
e be
en c
hara
cter
ized
app
ropr
iate
ly in
the
cont
ext o
f the
pro
pose
d ac
tion.
The
DEI
S ap
proa
ches
soi
l man
agem
ent t
hrou
gh th
e U
SDA
NR
CS’
fram
ewor
k of
soi
l hea
lth. R
egar
dles
s of
he
rd s
ize,
the
dairy
will
be d
epen
dent
on
com
mer
cial
ferti
lizer
s. T
his
docu
men
t sho
uld
clar
ify
wha
t sou
rces
of c
omm
erci
al fe
rtiliz
ers
will
be u
sed.
Slo
w-re
leas
e fe
rtiliz
ers,
like
com
post
, sho
uld
be u
sed
to m
inim
ize
the
risk
of n
itrog
en, p
hosp
horu
s, a
nd o
ther
nut
rient
loss
es. S
ynth
etic
ch
emic
al fe
rtiliz
ers
are
gene
rally
mor
e la
bile
, and
pos
e a
grea
ter r
isk
to b
eing
lost
mor
e re
adily
to
the
atm
osph
ere
and
wat
er.
In s
ectio
n 4.
1.2,
the
DEI
S cl
aim
s th
at th
e pr
opos
ed a
ctio
n an
d ex
pand
ed h
erd
will
not i
mpa
ct
clim
ate
cond
ition
s at
a re
gion
al o
r glo
bal s
cale
. Whi
le it
is te
chni
cally
true
that
one
dai
ry a
lone
w
ill no
t alte
r the
clim
ate,
it d
emon
stra
tes
a m
isgu
ided
und
erst
andi
ng o
f clim
ate
scie
nce.
In th
e sa
me
way
that
all
cars
, but
not
one
car
, con
tribu
tes
sign
ifica
ntly
to c
limat
e ch
ange
, a s
ingl
e fa
rm
can
cont
ribut
e to
clim
ate
chan
ge w
ithou
t bei
ng a
sin
gle,
larg
e so
urce
of g
reen
hous
e ga
s em
issi
ons.
The
pro
pose
d ac
tion
cont
ains
ele
men
ts th
at m
ay b
oth
cont
ribut
e to
clim
ate
chan
ge
(e.g
. ent
eric
met
hane
em
issi
ons,
ele
vate
d so
il ni
trous
oxi
de e
mis
sion
s) a
nd h
elp
miti
gate
cl
imat
e ch
ange
(e.g
. inc
reas
ing
soil
carb
on s
tora
ge).
Sinc
e hi
gh d
ensi
ty ro
tatio
nal g
razi
ng h
as
not b
een
rigor
ousl
y st
udie
d w
ith re
spec
t to
its c
limat
e im
pact
s, it
is u
nkno
wn
whe
ther
the
dairy
w
ill be
a n
et c
ontri
buto
r of o
r sol
utio
n to
clim
ate
chan
ge.
App
endi
x C
– H
awai
i Dai
ry F
arm
s So
ils B
asel
ine
Nut
rient
Sta
tus:
So
il te
stin
g re
veal
ed tw
o im
porta
nt re
sults
: (1)
soi
l con
ditio
ns a
re h
ighl
y va
riabl
e in
spa
ce a
nd
(2) t
he s
oil i
n th
e pr
opos
ed p
roje
ct a
rea
is n
utrie
nt p
oor d
ue, i
n la
rge
part,
to a
his
tory
of
Mal
ama
Mah
a`ul
epu
Com
men
ts o
n D
EIS
for H
awai
i Dai
ry F
arm
s’ P
ropo
sed
Dai
ry O
pera
tion
8
inte
nsiv
e su
garc
ane
prod
uctio
n. T
hese
resu
lts a
re u
nsur
pris
ing
but h
ave
impo
rtant
impl
icat
ions
to
futu
re m
anag
emen
t. It
is v
ery
likel
y th
at p
rope
r pas
ture
man
agem
ent w
ill im
prov
e so
il co
nditi
ons
thro
ugh
the
man
agem
ent o
f veg
etat
ion
and
man
ure
inpu
ts.
Haw
aii D
airy
Far
ms
unde
rwen
t tw
o ro
unds
of s
oil t
estin
g, o
nce
in 2
014
and
agai
n in
201
5. T
he
mor
e co
mpr
ehen
sive
test
ing
in 2
015
prov
ides
inva
luab
le b
asel
ine
data
on
soil
nutri
ents
that
can
be
use
d to
dev
elop
nut
rient
man
agem
ent p
lans
as
wel
l as
to c
ompa
re c
hang
es o
ver t
ime
with
fu
ture
soi
l tes
ting.
R
egul
ar s
oil t
estin
g is
ess
entia
l to
mak
e th
e be
st in
form
ed d
ecis
ions
abo
ut n
utrie
nt m
anag
emen
t an
d to
avo
id e
xces
s fe
rtiliz
er o
r man
ure
appl
icat
ion
that
cou
ld re
sult
in lo
sses
to th
e en
viro
nmen
t. W
hile
the
DEI
S em
phas
izes
the
impo
rtanc
e of
soi
l hea
lth, i
t doe
s no
t exp
licitl
y ou
tline
the
step
s th
at w
ill ta
ken
rout
inel
y be
take
n in
the
futu
re to
mon
itor s
oil n
utrie
nts.
The
au
thor
s of
App
endi
x C
not
e th
at th
e hy
drol
ogic
repo
rt (T
NR
WE
2016
) ide
ntifi
ed o
pera
ting
skills
of
the
HD
F pe
rson
nel a
s a
prim
ary
chal
leng
e to
man
agin
g nu
trien
ts, a
nd th
is p
oint
of c
autio
n sh
ould
be
take
n in
to c
onsi
dera
tion.
The
aut
hors
of A
ppen
dix
C a
lso
offe
r rec
omm
enda
tions
re
gard
ing
nutri
ent m
anag
emen
t if t
he p
ropo
sed
actio
n w
ere
to b
e im
plem
ente
d.
App
endi
x D
– N
utrie
nt B
alan
ce A
naly
sis:
W
aste
man
agem
ent p
lans
wer
e pr
epar
ed w
ith b
est a
vaila
ble
loca
l gui
delin
es fo
r liv
esto
ck w
aste
m
anag
emen
t. Th
e D
EIS
plan
is to
follo
w b
est n
utrie
nt m
anag
emen
t pra
ctic
es, i
nclu
ding
im
prov
ing
the
effic
ienc
y of
nut
rient
app
licat
ions
thro
ugh
prop
er ti
min
g, p
lace
men
t, am
ount
, and
ki
nd o
f fer
tiliz
ers.
As
a fra
mew
ork,
thes
e co
nsid
erat
ions
are
abs
olut
ely
criti
cal f
or m
inim
izin
g en
viro
nmen
tal r
isks
from
nut
rient
man
agem
ent.
The
DEI
S re
ports
the
first
app
roxi
mat
ion
of
nutri
ent m
ass
bala
nce,
and
pro
mis
es to
upd
ate
the
calc
ulat
ion
with
mea
sure
d da
ta a
nnua
lly.
Whe
n w
ill th
is a
nnua
l mea
sure
men
t be
take
n an
d ho
w w
ill th
e re
view
ing
agen
cy e
nsur
e th
at th
e pr
omis
e is
kep
t by
HD
F, y
ear o
ver y
ear?
R
oadw
ays
and
Traf
fic:
Whi
le th
ere
will
be m
inim
al im
pact
s to
pub
lic s
ervi
ce s
uch
as p
olic
e, fi
re, l
ibra
ries,
etc
. the
re w
ill be
sig
nific
ant i
mpa
cts
due
to in
crea
sed
truck
traf
fic fo
r raw
milk
tran
spor
t as
wel
l as
for c
alve
s an
d m
atur
e co
ws
leav
ing
and
retu
rnin
g to
the
herd
. Th
e in
crea
se in
veh
icul
ar tr
ips
is re
lativ
ely
smal
l, bu
t the
num
ber o
f lar
ge tr
uck
trips
to th
e ar
ea a
nd a
lso
usin
g St
ate
and
Cou
nty
road
s is
si
gnifi
cant
: 2 ro
und
trip
truck
trip
s da
ily to
and
from
offs
ite ra
nche
s; tw
o ro
und
trip
milk
del
iver
ies
daily
, 4-5
roun
d tri
p sa
nd a
nd fe
ed tr
uck
deliv
erie
s m
onth
ly, f
ertil
izer
onc
e pe
r mon
th a
nd tw
ice
wee
kly
milk
del
iver
ies
to b
arra
ges.
(p. 4
-100
) C
ultu
ral P
ract
ices
and
Res
ourc
es:
The
Cul
tura
l Ass
essm
ent w
as c
ondu
cted
by
Scie
ntifi
c C
onsu
ltant
s, In
c. (V
olum
e 2,
H)
Mal
ama
Mah
a`ul
epu
Com
men
ts o
n D
EIS
for H
awai
i Dai
ry F
arm
s’ P
ropo
sed
Dai
ry O
pera
tion
9
Mis
take
s in
the
hist
ory
of th
e ar
ea in
clud
e C
apta
in C
ook’
s jo
urna
l ent
ry a
nd lo
g in
whi
ch h
e de
scrib
es e
ncou
nter
ing
nativ
es o
ff M
aha`
ulep
u th
e ev
enin
g be
fore
he
saile
d to
Wai
mea
whe
re
he w
as a
ble
to a
ncho
r and
land
- th
is is
not
acc
urat
e.
The
ahup
ua`a
of M
aha`
ulep
u w
as n
ot o
wne
d by
the
“Cro
wn”
unt
il it
was
sol
d to
Kol
oa
Plan
tatio
n. P
rince
ss V
icto
ria K
amam
alu
sold
it to
a H
ui o
f 49
nativ
e H
awai
ians
in 1
882
for
$10,
000.
Hui
mem
bers
’ sha
res
wer
e bo
ught
by
the
Plan
tatio
n an
d w
hen
2/3rd
wer
e ac
quire
d,
the
ahup
ua`a
was
par
titio
ned
with
the
rem
aini
ng n
ativ
e H
awai
ian
owne
rs h
oldi
ng la
nd o
utsi
de
the
valle
y, in
clud
ing
ridge
s an
d Aw
eow
eonu
i Val
ley
(Kau
a`i H
isto
rical
Soc
iety
Pap
er b
y R
ev.
John
Lyd
gate
). As
a g
roup
repr
esen
ting
Nat
ive
Haw
aiia
n in
tere
sts,
it is
dis
may
ing
that
no
publ
ic a
cces
s is
bei
ng
prov
ided
to s
ee, a
nd, f
or p
ract
ition
ers,
to u
tiliz
e, th
e na
tive
Haw
aiia
n ar
chae
olog
ical
site
s in
M
aha`
ulep
u Va
lley.
Eve
n ex
tend
ing
the
arch
aeol
ogic
al s
urve
y ar
ea o
nly
slig
htly
bey
ond
the
dairy
bou
ndar
ies
has
reve
aled
pet
rogl
yphs
and
an
agric
ultu
ral h
eiau
. O
ne o
f Mal
ama
Mah
a`ul
epuʻ
s go
als
has
been
to re
open
the
valle
y to
pas
t rec
reat
iona
l and
cu
ltura
l use
thro
ugh
man
aged
acc
ess
agre
emen
ts. H
opef
ully
, thi
s go
al is
stil
l atta
inab
le. A
ny
plan
s to
pro
vide
sch
ool t
ours
to th
e da
iry o
pera
tions
do
not b
alan
ce n
or m
itiga
te th
e lo
ss o
f fu
ture
acc
ess
to c
ultu
ral p
lace
s.
This
sec
tion
is m
eant
to b
e a
sum
mar
y of
the
Cul
tura
l Im
pact
Ass
essm
ent (
CIA
) con
tain
ed in
Ap
pend
ix H
. How
ever
, the
re is
no
such
sum
mar
y. In
stea
d, th
ere
is a
n ov
ervi
ew o
f the
Po
lyne
sian
set
tlem
ent i
n th
e H
awai
ian
Isla
nds
and
Kaua
i, in
form
atio
n th
at is
gen
eral
and
has
lit
tle to
do
with
Mah
a’ul
epu.
In a
ll of
two
page
s of
writ
ing,
ther
e is
app
roxi
mat
ely
one
shor
t pa
ragr
aph
of in
form
atio
n th
at is
rele
vant
to M
aha’
ulep
u. T
he s
umm
ary
shou
ld c
onta
in a
brie
f de
scrip
tion
of th
e C
IA in
clud
ing
wha
t a C
IA is
; how
man
y or
gani
zatio
ns a
nd in
divi
dual
s w
ere
cont
acte
d fo
r the
CIA
; how
man
y in
divi
dual
s an
d w
ho w
as in
terv
iew
ed fo
r the
CIA
; a b
rief
desc
riptio
n of
the
met
hodo
logy
of c
ondu
ctin
g th
e C
IA; a
des
crip
tion
of th
e cu
ltura
l pra
ctic
es,
cultu
ral s
ites,
etc
… id
entif
ied
durin
g th
e re
view
of p
rimar
y an
d se
cond
ary
sour
ces;
a li
st a
nd
desc
riptio
n of
the
cultu
ral p
ract
ices
, cul
tura
l site
s, e
tc…
iden
tifie
d du
ring
the
inte
rvie
w p
roce
ss;
and
an “a
naly
sis
of th
e po
tent
ial e
ffect
of a
ny p
ropo
sed
phys
ical
alte
ratio
n on
cul
tura
l res
ourc
es,
prac
tices
or b
elie
fs; t
he p
oten
tial o
f the
pro
pose
d ac
tion
to is
olat
e cu
ltura
l res
ourc
es, p
ract
ices
or
bel
iefs
from
thei
r set
ting;
and
the
pote
ntia
l of t
he p
ropo
sed
actio
n to
intro
duce
ele
men
ts
whi
ch m
ay a
lter t
he s
ettin
g in
whi
ch c
ultu
ral p
ract
ices
took
pla
ce.”
We
reco
mm
end
rew
ritin
g th
is s
ectio
n (p
p.4-
31-4
-32)
to c
lear
ly a
nd a
dequ
atel
y su
mm
ariz
e th
e w
ork
and
findi
ngs
of th
e C
ultu
ral I
mpa
ct A
sses
smen
t and
cor
rect
inac
cura
te in
form
atio
n.
Unf
ortu
nate
ly, t
he C
IA d
oes
not a
dequ
atel
y st
ate
its o
wn
findi
ngs
mak
ing
the
sum
mar
y fo
r the
D
EIS
diffi
cult.
Prob
able
Impa
cts
The
HD
F co
nsul
tant
iden
tifie
s tw
o im
pact
s re
late
d to
cul
tura
l pra
ctic
es a
nd re
sour
ces
in th
e C
IA.
Mal
ama
Mah
a`ul
epu
Com
men
ts o
n D
EIS
for H
awai
i Dai
ry F
arm
s’ P
ropo
sed
Dai
ry O
pera
tion
10
●Is
olat
ion
of c
ultu
ral r
esou
rces
from
thei
r set
ting;
and
●
Intro
duct
ion
of e
lem
ents
that
may
alte
r the
set
ting
in w
hich
cul
tura
l pra
ctic
es ta
ke p
lace
.
Wha
t do
thes
e tw
o im
pact
s m
ean
in th
e co
ntex
t of t
he C
IA c
ondu
cted
? W
hen
listin
g th
e is
olat
ion
of c
ultu
ral r
esou
rces
from
thei
r set
ting,
is c
onsu
ltant
refe
rring
to a
cces
s is
sues
that
are
ex
pres
sed
repe
ated
ly d
urin
g in
terv
iew
s? W
hen
listin
g th
e in
trodu
ctio
n of
ele
men
ts, i
s co
nsul
tant
re
ferri
ng to
the
impa
ct o
f con
tam
inat
ed s
urfa
ce a
nd g
roun
dwat
er a
ffect
ing
sprin
gs, p
onds
, di
tche
s, re
efs,
and
mar
ine
reso
urce
s—al
l cul
tura
l site
s th
at d
irect
ly a
ffect
cul
tura
l pra
ctic
es?
We
reco
mm
end
that
the
anal
ysis
of c
ultu
ral i
mpa
cts
spea
k di
rect
ly to
the
issu
es a
nd c
once
rns
voic
ed w
ithin
the
CIA
. Alth
ough
the
cons
ulta
nt id
entif
ied
and
inte
rvie
wed
som
e kn
owle
dgea
ble
inte
rvie
wee
s, th
ey d
id n
ot a
dequ
atel
y id
entif
y an
d an
alyz
e th
e cu
ltura
l im
pact
s ex
pres
sed
by
thos
e co
mm
unity
mem
bers
.
We
reco
mm
end
expl
icitl
y lis
ting
all t
he c
ultu
ral i
mpa
cts
in th
e co
ntex
t of t
he C
IA c
ondu
cted
, in
clud
ing
acce
ss a
nd c
onta
min
ated
sur
face
and
gro
undw
ater
as
it im
pact
s st
ream
s, p
onds
, sp
rings
, ree
fs, a
nd m
arin
e re
sour
ces
Shor
t-Ter
m C
ultu
ral I
mpa
cts
This
sec
tion
corre
ctly
sta
tes
that
Mah
a’ul
epu
ahup
ua‘a
has
and
is c
urre
ntly
use
d fo
r tra
ditio
nal
cultu
ral p
urpo
ses,
that
the
proj
ect a
rea
is n
ot in
clud
ed in
thes
e cu
ltura
l act
iviti
es, a
nd th
at th
ere
are
no s
igni
fican
t cul
tura
l site
s in
this
are
a. H
owev
er, t
he E
IS fa
ils to
add
ress
the
mai
n is
sues
ex
pres
sed
in th
e C
IA w
hich
con
stitu
te b
oth
shor
t-ter
m a
nd lo
ng-te
rm im
pact
s. T
he fi
rst i
s ac
cess
. The
CIA
did
not
iden
tify
whi
ch a
re th
e ac
cess
poi
nts;
how
do
prac
titio
ners
acc
ess
the
back
of t
he v
alle
y, th
e pl
atea
u, th
e pe
trogl
yph
rock
? O
ne c
ultu
ral p
ract
ition
er c
omm
unic
ated
that
he
was
den
ied
acce
ss to
a h
eiau
bec
ause
of t
he le
ase
with
Haw
aii D
airy
Far
ms.
Thi
s is
a d
irect
im
ping
emen
t on
the
right
of a
Nat
ive
Haw
aiia
n to
free
ly p
ract
ice
his
cultu
re a
nd c
onst
itute
s an
in
dire
ct im
pact
. Tho
ugh
the
heia
u is
not
with
in th
e bo
unds
of t
he p
ropo
sed
dairy
, acc
ess
to th
e he
iau
was
den
ied
base
d on
a le
ase
to th
e da
iry.
We
reco
mm
end
spel
ling
out c
lear
ly th
e in
dire
ct c
ultu
ral i
mpa
cts
of th
e pr
opos
ed p
roje
ct s
uch
as
acce
ss. I
n ad
ditio
n, m
easu
res
to m
itiga
te e
ach
cultu
ral i
mpa
ct s
houl
d be
incl
uded
with
in th
is
sect
ion
of th
e EI
S.
Long
-Ter
m C
ultu
ral I
mpa
cts
Agai
n he
re, t
he D
EIS
fails
to d
efin
e w
hat t
he im
pact
s or
miti
gatio
n ar
e. T
he fi
rst p
arag
raph
st
ates
: “Th
e pe
rcep
tion
of m
ost c
omm
unity
mem
bers
inte
rvie
wed
was
that
the
dairy
may
hav
e in
dire
ct a
nd d
irect
neg
ativ
e im
pact
s on
the
envi
ronm
ent i
n th
e ar
ea.”
Ther
e is
no
effo
rt he
re to
lis
t the
indi
rect
or d
irect
neg
ativ
e im
pact
s th
at c
omm
unity
mem
bers
hav
e sh
ared
with
the
cons
ulta
nt. T
he o
bjec
tive
of th
e C
IA is
to id
entif
y if
ther
e co
uld
be c
ultu
ral i
mpa
cts
rela
ted
to th
e H
DF
proj
ect a
nd if
so,
wha
t the
y ar
e. R
eadi
ng th
roug
h th
e in
terv
iew
s in
the
CIA
, it i
s cl
ear t
hat
Mal
ama
Mah
a`ul
epu
Com
men
ts o
n D
EIS
for H
awai
i Dai
ry F
arm
s’ P
ropo
sed
Dai
ry O
pera
tion
11
ther
e ar
e cu
ltura
l im
pact
s, h
owev
er n
eith
er th
e C
IA it
self
or th
e D
EIS
has
mad
e an
y ef
fort
to
clea
rly d
efin
e an
d ad
dres
s th
ose
impa
cts.
Afte
r sta
ting
in th
e fir
st p
arag
raph
that
the
com
mun
ity m
embe
rs a
re c
once
rned
abo
ut in
dire
ct
and
dire
ct n
egat
ive
impa
cts,
the
cons
ulta
nt c
oncl
udes
in th
e se
cond
par
agra
ph th
at “t
he
exer
cise
of n
ativ
e H
awai
ian
right
s or
any
eth
nic
grou
p re
late
d to
num
erou
s tra
ditio
nal c
ultu
ral
prac
tices
will
not b
e im
pact
ed b
y es
tabl
ishm
ent o
f the
dai
ry.”
In li
ght o
f the
firs
t sta
tem
ent,
the
seco
nd s
tate
men
t doe
s no
t mak
e se
nse.
How
can
you
con
clud
e th
at tr
aditi
onal
cul
tura
l pr
actic
es w
ill no
t be
impa
cted
by
esta
blis
hmen
t of t
he d
airy
whe
n th
e co
mm
unity
is te
lling
you
the
oppo
site
? Th
ere
is n
o re
al e
ffort
here
to id
entif
y, c
lear
ly s
tate
, and
add
ress
the
conc
erns
of
the
com
mun
ity.
The
CIA
sho
uld
clea
rly id
entif
y an
d lis
t all
dire
ct o
r ind
irect
impa
cts
to tr
aditi
onal
cul
tura
l pr
actic
es a
s gl
eane
d fro
m h
isto
rical
sou
rces
and
inte
rvie
ws.
The
CIA
doe
s no
t ade
quat
ely
do
this
(ple
ase
see
com
men
ts fo
r the
CIA
). Th
e D
EIS
does
not
cle
arly
and
ade
quat
ely
stat
e th
e im
pact
s. A
fter i
nclu
ding
a li
st o
f the
impa
cts,
the
DEI
S sh
ould
offe
r miti
gatio
n m
easu
res
for e
ach
impa
ct.
Dem
ogra
phic
and
Eco
nom
ic C
ondi
tions
: Th
e ba
sis
of th
e D
EIS
econ
omic
ana
lysi
s is
Haw
aii D
airy
Far
ms:
Soc
io-e
cono
mic
Con
ditio
ns,
Econ
omic
Impa
cts,
and
Fis
cal I
mpa
cts,
con
duct
ed b
y Pl
ash
Econ
Pac
ific
(PEP
) Inc
. May
, 201
6.
Not
e th
e co
nsul
tantʻs
dis
clai
mer
that
“As
a ge
nera
l rul
e, e
cono
mic
and
fisc
al im
pact
est
imat
es in
th
is re
port
are
accu
rate
with
in a
bout
25%
” (p.
1.V
ol 2
, I-3
) Th
e ex
istin
g de
mog
raph
ics
(soc
ial a
nd e
cono
mic
) of t
he K
oloa
-Poi
pu a
rea
are
adeq
uate
ly
cove
red
in th
is s
tudy
. The
Eco
nom
ic A
naly
sis
does
sta
te th
at “i
f nui
sanc
e im
pact
s w
ere
to o
ccur
, w
hich
is n
ot e
xpec
ted
– it
coul
d re
sult
in re
duce
d to
uris
m, s
ales
, em
ploy
men
t, sa
larie
s an
d w
ages
, pro
perty
val
ues
and
pers
onal
wea
lth.”
(Vol
2, I
II-8)
The
eno
rmou
s po
tent
ial e
cono
mic
lo
sses
are
not
val
ued.
Alth
ough
it m
ight
onl
y pr
ovid
e sm
all c
ompe
nsat
ion
for i
mpa
cts,
HD
F sh
ould
car
ry a
larg
e en
viro
nmen
tal i
nsur
ance
pol
icy.
In a
dditi
on, H
DF
coul
d es
tabl
ish
a so
cial
an
d en
viro
nmen
tal r
emed
iatio
n en
dow
men
t, pa
rtial
ly fu
nded
by
a po
rtion
of m
ilk s
ales
. Th
e ec
onom
ic a
naly
sis
sect
ion
of a
n EI
S is
requ
ired
to p
rovi
de a
cos
t ben
efit
anal
ysis
of a
pr
opos
ed p
roje
ct a
s th
e ba
sis
for d
eter
min
ing
econ
omic
and
fisc
al im
pact
s. T
he e
cono
mic
and
fis
cal i
mpa
cts
of H
DFʻ
s da
iry c
anno
t be
dete
rmin
ed b
ecau
se th
e EI
S do
es n
ot p
rovi
de b
asic
in
form
atio
n.
Wha
t is
the
pric
e pe
r gal
lon
that
HD
F ex
pect
s to
real
ize?
The
pric
e, e
ven
a ra
nge
of p
roje
cted
pr
ices
, at w
hich
HD
F m
ilk w
ill be
pur
chas
ed b
y th
e w
hole
sale
r/pro
cess
or is
not
dis
clos
ed in
this
“d
iscl
osur
e do
cum
ent.”
(Ta
ble
III-3
Eco
nom
ic Im
pact
s At
Ful
l Ope
ratio
ns)
Mal
ama
Mah
a`ul
epu
Com
men
ts o
n D
EIS
for H
awai
i Dai
ry F
arm
s’ P
ropo
sed
Dai
ry O
pera
tion
12
The
Tota
l Sal
es fo
r a h
erd
of 6
99 o
f $10
,121
,716
and
the
Tota
l Pro
fits
$1,
012,
172
can
not b
e su
bsta
ntia
ted
whe
n pr
ice
is “n
ot s
how
n to
avo
id d
iscl
osur
e.”
( Vol
2. A
ppen
dix
J Pa
rt 3
Tabl
e 11
1-3)
Usi
ng th
e in
form
atio
n pr
ovid
ed, t
he p
rice
of H
DF
milk
is $
6.62
per
gal
lon
or $
3.31
per
ha
lf ga
llon
-6 g
allo
n pe
r day
x 6
99 c
ows
= 4,
194
gallo
ns o
f milk
per
day
or 1
,530
,810
gal
lons
per
ye
ar d
ivid
ed in
to to
tal s
ales
of $
10,1
21,1
72.
Cur
rent
ly, a
t Big
Sav
e gr
ocer
y st
ore,
Kol
oa, a
gal
lon
of m
ainl
and
milk
is b
eing
sol
d fo
r $4.
99,
whi
le a
hal
f gal
lon
of M
eado
w G
old
milk
is b
eing
sol
d fo
r $4.
19.
Both
are
on
sale
. W
hile
som
e po
rtion
of t
he M
eado
w G
old
bran
d m
ilk m
ay h
ave
been
“gro
wn”
on
the
Big
Isla
nd, m
ost o
f tha
t m
ilk is
mai
nlan
d m
ilk th
at h
as b
een
re-p
aste
uriz
ed o
n O
ahu.
Pr
ice
is c
erta
inly
a fa
ctor
in p
eopl
e pu
rcha
sing
milk
from
big
box
reta
ilers
suc
h as
Cos
tco
whe
re
a ga
llon
of m
ilk c
osts
wha
t a h
alf g
allo
n of
Mea
dow
Gol
d m
ilk c
osts
. Ano
ther
seg
men
t of t
he
mar
ket b
uys
orga
nic
milk
. HD
F is
not
pro
duci
ng o
rgan
ic m
ilk.
In th
e ec
onom
ic a
naly
sis
ther
e is
no
disc
ussi
on o
f dem
and.
Pro
duct
dem
and
is g
ener
ally
a p
art
of e
cono
mic
ana
lysi
s. A
ppar
ently
no
mar
ketin
g st
udy
was
con
duct
ed. C
an H
DF
milk
com
pete
w
ith im
porte
d m
ainl
and
milk
? W
hat a
re H
awai
i con
sum
ers
willi
ng to
pay
for t
he “l
ocal
” milk
gr
own
at M
aha`
ulep
u? W
hat i
s th
e de
man
d fo
r loc
al, n
on o
rgan
ic m
ilk?
Wha
t is
the
trend
in
Haw
aii r
egar
ding
milk
con
sum
ptio
n?
Dem
and
is n
ot in
depe
nden
t of p
rice.
Put
ano
ther
way
, the
mar
ket f
or th
e m
ilk c
anno
t be
assu
med
to b
e a
perc
enta
ge o
f vol
ume
of m
ilk p
rese
ntly
impo
rted,
repa
steu
rized
, pac
kage
d an
d so
ld b
y M
eado
w G
old.
It
appe
ars
that
HD
F do
es n
ot h
ave
a m
ilk p
urch
ase
agre
emen
t in
plac
e. I
f HD
F ha
s to
pro
cess
an
d di
strib
ute
its m
ilk, t
he c
ost p
er g
allo
n w
ill in
crea
se.
Even
if th
e m
ilk is
not
shi
pped
to
ʻOʻa
hu, w
ill th
e co
st o
f HD
F m
ilk o
n Ka
uaʻi
be c
ompe
titiv
e? T
he fo
llow
ing
stat
emen
t ver
ifies
the
lack
of m
ilk p
urch
ase
agre
emen
t:“Ev
entu
ally
, a m
ilk p
roce
ssin
g pl
ant m
ight
be
built
in a
n ex
istin
g in
dust
rial a
rea
on K
auaʻ
i or ʻ
Oʻa
hu if
war
rant
ed. T
he p
lant
wou
ld p
rodu
ce fi
nish
ed m
ilk
pack
aged
for c
onsu
mer
s,an
d po
ssib
ly s
ome
milk
-rela
ted
prod
ucts
(e.g
., yo
gurt
and
chee
ses)
.” Vo
l. 2
Appe
ndix
J, I
-8 (p
. 62
2). T
he D
EIS
shou
ld b
e cl
ear a
bout
wha
t is
bein
g fa
rmed
. H
DF
has
been
neg
otia
ting
with
Dea
n Fo
ods
owne
r of M
eado
w G
old
Haw
ai`i.
A W
isco
nsin
Pu
blic
Rad
io s
tory
of F
riday
, Jan
uary
30,
201
5, s
tate
d “D
ean
Food
s is
clo
sing
dai
ry p
lant
s ac
ross
the
US.
“The
com
pany
, whi
ch is
bas
ed in
Dal
las
has
clos
ed 1
2 da
iry p
lant
s ar
ound
the
coun
try in
the
last
thre
e ye
ars.
Man
agem
ent s
tate
d th
at ʻ
Dea
n ha
s to
be
smal
ler t
o be
mor
e ef
ficie
nt a
nd s
tay
prof
itabl
e.” D
ean
blam
es h
ighe
r cos
ts fo
r raw
milk
and
tran
spor
tatio
n.”
The
DEI
S pr
ovid
ed c
onfli
ctin
g fig
ures
for h
ow m
uch
milk
may
be
prod
uced
. Vol
ume
1 st
ates
that
th
e su
pply
of l
ocal
milk
will
be in
crea
sed
by a
ppro
xim
atel
y 1.
5 m
illion
gal
lons
ann
ually
, a 5
0 pe
rcen
t inc
reas
e in
sta
tew
ide
milk
pro
duct
ion.
” (p.
4-5
0 ) T
he in
trodu
ctio
n to
the
DEI
S sa
ys m
ilk
prod
uctio
n w
ill in
crea
se b
y m
ore
than
1 m
illion
gal
lons
. Vol
ume
2, th
e H
ydro
logi
c As
sess
men
t
Mal
ama
Mah
a`ul
epu
Com
men
ts o
n D
EIS
for H
awai
i Dai
ry F
arm
s’ P
ropo
sed
Dai
ry O
pera
tion
13
auth
ored
by
Gro
up 7
0, s
ays
that
“At a
ste
ady
stat
e, p
rodu
ctio
n w
ith 6
99 c
ows
the
dairy
farm
will
prod
uce
roug
hly
1.2
milli
on g
allo
ns a
nnua
lly.”
(p. 6
93) T
he E
cono
mic
Stu
dy u
ses
the
high
est
figur
e fo
r ann
ual p
rodu
ctio
n fo
r 699
(or 2
000)
cow
s w
hen
it fo
reca
sts
antic
ipat
ed p
rofit
s.
The
dairy
will
not i
ncre
ase
stat
ewid
e m
ilk p
rodu
ctio
n by
50%
. The
201
5 St
atew
ide
Agric
ultu
ral
Land
Inve
ntor
y st
ates
that
“Bas
ed o
n da
ta p
rovi
ded
in A
ugus
t 201
5 by
the
DO
Aʻs
Milk
Con
trol
Prog
ram
, Haw
ai`ʻs
dai
ries
prod
uce
3.3
milli
on p
ound
s of
milk
mon
thly
or t
he e
quiv
alen
t of
appr
oxim
atel
y 38
0,00
0 ga
llons
per
mon
th.”
(p. 4
2) H
awai
iʻs p
rodu
ctio
n is
app
roxi
mat
ely
4,56
0,00
0 ga
llons
per
yea
r (12
tim
es 3
80,0
00).
The
refo
re a
n ad
ded
1.5
milli
on g
allo
ns w
ould
be
a 3
3% in
crea
se a
t mos
t. A
milli
on g
allo
ns w
ould
be
an in
crea
se o
f 22%
.
Inco
mpl
ete
Cos
t Ana
lysi
s M
any
of th
e co
sts
of o
pera
ting
this
dai
ry a
re n
ot d
iscl
osed
. Th
e on
ly e
xpen
ditu
res
disc
lose
d in
Ta
bles
III-
2, 3
, 4 a
nd 5
are
for c
onst
ruct
ion,
pay
roll
and
prop
erty
taxe
s. T
he fo
llow
ing
expe
nses
(e
ven
just
est
imat
ed) a
re n
ot s
tate
d:
●an
nual
land
leas
e, (d
oes
this
leas
e in
clud
e an
y ch
arge
for i
rriga
tion
wat
er o
r pot
able
w
ater
?)
●co
st o
f pur
chas
ing
the
initi
al c
ows,
●
estim
ated
cos
t of f
eed,
●
cost
of i
nsem
inat
ion
of th
e he
ifers
, ●
cost
of b
oard
ing
“rest
ing”
hei
fers
, ●
estim
ated
cos
ts o
f aux
iliary
per
sonn
el s
uch
as v
eter
inar
ians
, ●
cost
of c
onsu
ltatio
n fo
r mon
itorin
g,
●co
st o
f agr
icul
tura
l ins
uran
ce
It is
not
pos
sibl
e to
est
imat
e da
iry p
rofit
s w
ithou
t a fu
ll pi
ctur
e of
wha
t it c
osts
to o
pera
te. T
he
risin
g co
st o
f fee
d is
ack
now
ledg
ed to
be
a fa
ctor
in th
e cl
osin
g of
dai
ries,
and
feed
cos
t will
af
fect
HD
F to
o. O
n th
e Bi
g Is
land
, whe
re th
ere
are
two
rem
aini
ng d
airie
s, 4
0% o
f fee
d is
now
be
ing
grow
n lo
cally
. (St
atew
ide
Agric
ultu
ral I
nven
tory
, 201
5) A
n en
viro
nmen
tal d
amag
e su
it by
a
Kaua
i nei
ghbo
r (du
e to
dai
ry e
fflue
nt fl
ow in
to s
tream
and
oce
an) a
gain
st th
e M
oloaʻa
la
ndow
ner a
nd M
eado
w G
old
is a
noth
er fa
ctor
in th
e cl
osin
g of
the
Mol
oa`a
dai
ry.
Job
Bene
fits
The
num
ber o
f ful
l tim
e ne
w jo
bs th
at th
e da
iry w
ill ge
nera
te is
sm
all.
The
prim
ary
job
bene
fits
- bo
th d
irect
and
indi
rect
- ap
pear
to b
e du
ring
the
two
year
con
stru
ctio
n pe
riod
whe
n as
man
y as
36
jobs
(28
on K
auai
) are
pos
ited
to b
e cr
eate
d. H
owev
er, i
t doe
s no
t app
ear t
hat m
any
of
thes
e w
ill be
new
jobs
but
des
ign
and
cons
truct
ion
trade
wor
k pr
ovid
ing
a pe
riod
of e
mpl
oym
ent
for e
xist
ing
trade
peo
ple
and
supp
liers
. D
urin
g op
erat
ions
, the
dai
ry is
pos
ited
to p
rovi
de 5
farm
jobs
at h
erd
size
of 6
99 a
nd 1
0 at
her
d si
ze o
f 200
0 an
d 6
indi
rect
jobs
, 3 o
n Ka
uai,
3 on
Oah
u. T
he fi
ve jo
bs w
ill in
clud
e “a
farm
Mal
ama
Mah
a`ul
epu
Com
men
ts o
n D
EIS
for H
awai
i Dai
ry F
arm
s’ P
ropo
sed
Dai
ry O
pera
tion
14
man
ager
, a m
arke
ting/
com
mun
ity re
latio
ns p
erso
n, s
uper
viso
rs, s
kille
d an
d se
mi-s
kill
wor
kers
.” Ea
rnin
gs p
ropo
sed
rang
e fro
m $
40,0
0 (n
ot a
dequ
ate
to s
uppo
rt a
fam
ily o
n Ka
uai)
to $
115,
000
or m
ore.
The
stu
dy d
oes
not s
tate
wha
t the
se e
mpl
oyee
s w
ill do
, the
ir tra
inin
g le
vels
, whe
ther
th
ey w
ork
full
or p
art t
ime.
Th
e re
venu
e to
the
Cou
nty
and
the
Stat
e ap
pear
to b
e ne
glig
ible
. Tho
se to
the
Stat
e ar
e “o
ffset
” by
the
$1 m
illion
tax
cred
it fo
r im
prov
emen
ts o
n th
e la
nd d
esig
nate
d IA
L. H
ow lo
ng a
re th
ese
tax
cred
its a
pplic
able
? W
ill H
DF
real
ize
tax
bene
fits
if it
oper
ates
at a
loss
? Th
ese
unkn
owns
gre
atly
affe
ct th
e im
med
iate
and
long
term
via
bilit
y of
the
dairy
. U
lupo
no,
owne
r of H
DF,
is a
for p
rofit
bus
ines
s. U
lupo
no h
as b
een
clea
r tha
t the
y in
tend
and
exp
ect t
o be
fin
anci
ally
suc
cess
ful w
hile
ach
ievi
ng th
e go
al o
f inc
reas
ing
food
sel
f-suf
ficie
ncy.
Fr
om th
e fo
llow
ing
stat
emen
ts, i
t app
ears
that
it w
ill be
man
y ye
ars
befo
re H
DF
is p
rofit
able
: “At
fu
ll op
erat
ions
, with
her
d si
ze o
f 699
pro
fits
on d
irect
and
indi
rect
sal
es a
re e
stim
ated
at $
1 m
illion
per
yea
r and
$2.
9 m
illion
per
yea
r for
the
2000
Dai
ry.”
Furth
erm
ore,
“Th
is in
clud
es
estim
ated
pro
fits
of th
e D
airy
, its
sub
cont
ract
ors,
com
pani
es s
uppl
ying
goo
d an
d se
rvic
es to
the
Dai
ry a
nd to
the
fam
ilies
of th
e D
airy
wor
kers
.” (p
. III-
5)
Milk
Pro
cess
ing
by H
DF:
Fr
om th
e be
ginn
ing,
HD
Fʻs
publ
icly
sha
red
info
rmat
ion
abou
t the
pro
ject
incl
uded
the
stat
emen
t th
at a
milk
pur
chas
e ag
reem
ent w
ith M
eado
w G
old
(Dea
n Fo
ods)
was
imm
inen
t. T
wo
year
s la
ter,
does
HD
F ha
ve a
milk
buy
er?
Doe
s H
DF
have
a m
ilk p
roce
ssor
on
any
isla
nd?
Will
HD
F ha
ve to
est
ablis
h its
ow
n pr
oces
sing
pla
nt o
n Ka
uai o
r els
ewhe
re?
Ea
ch o
f the
se u
nans
wer
ed q
uest
ions
sig
nific
antly
affe
cts
the
prof
itabi
lity
of th
e da
iry a
nd th
e pr
ice
of th
e m
ilk to
con
sum
ers.
If H
DF
has
to u
nder
take
milk
pro
cess
ing
itsel
f, it
will
add
subs
tant
ially
to o
vera
ll op
erat
ing
cost
s. T
he p
rice
of th
e m
ilk is
a m
ajor
fact
or in
whe
ther
the
dairy
suc
ceed
s.
Milk
Pro
cess
ing
by H
DF
is c
onsi
dere
d bo
th a
n “a
ltern
ativ
e” (1
.7.4
.) an
d “a
n un
reso
lved
issu
e.”
How
ever
, milk
pro
cess
ing
by H
DF
is n
ot a
ctua
lly a
n al
tern
ativ
e in
the
prop
osed
loca
tion
with
the
on-s
ite o
pera
tions
of t
he d
airy
. If
HD
F ha
s to
pro
cess
thei
r milk
, the
pro
cess
ing
plan
t - w
heth
er
loca
ted
on K
auai
or O
ahu
- bec
omes
par
t of H
DFʻ
s op
erat
ions
and
can
not b
e as
sum
ed to
hav
e “n
o en
viro
nmen
tal i
mpa
cts.
” As
sess
men
t wou
ld b
e pa
rticu
larly
nee
ded
for a
Kau
ai p
roce
ssin
g pl
ant b
ecau
se “C
ount
y w
ater
, sew
age”
wou
ld b
e ut
ilized
. Nea
rby
busi
ness
es a
nd n
eigh
bors
w
ould
be
affe
cted
. Bui
ldin
g pe
rmits
, hea
lth in
spec
tions
and
, pos
sibl
y, a
Cou
nty
use
perm
it w
ould
be
need
ed.
Air
Qua
lity
and
Odo
r Im
pact
s:
Mal
ama
Mah
a`ul
epu
Com
men
ts o
n D
EIS
for H
awai
i Dai
ry F
arm
s’ P
ropo
sed
Dai
ry O
pera
tion
15
The
follo
win
g is
not
a n
eglig
ible
or i
nsig
nific
ant i
mpa
ct: “
For t
he c
onte
mpl
ated
her
d si
ze, o
dor
may
reac
h ap
prox
imat
ely
2,78
0 fe
et s
outh
of t
he H
DF
boun
dary
in th
e w
orst
-cas
e m
eteo
rolo
gica
l con
ditio
ns.”
(p. 4
-109
) W
hat a
re w
orse
-cas
e co
nditi
ons?
Any
day
whe
n th
e w
ind
patte
rn is
not
regu
lar t
rade
s of
less
than
10
mph
? Th
is c
an o
ccur
freq
uent
ly d
epen
ding
on
the
time
of y
ear a
nd a
tmos
pher
ic fl
uctu
atio
ns. T
his
indi
cate
s th
at w
ithin
½ m
ile o
f the
dai
ry,
whi
ch m
eans
at t
he M
aha`
ulep
u co
ast i
tsel
f and
alo
ng th
e co
asta
l tra
il an
d on
the
Gol
f cou
rse,
th
e da
iry s
mel
ls w
ill be
exp
erie
nced
. Vi
sual
and
Aes
thet
ic R
esou
rces
: Th
e da
iry s
ite is
vis
ible
from
pub
lic v
anta
ge p
oint
s. M
aha`
ulep
u Va
lley,
with
its
Ha`
upu
Mou
ntai
n ba
ckdr
op, c
an b
e se
en b
y pe
ople
in c
ars
at th
e ju
nctu
re o
f the
coa
stal
hau
l can
e ro
ad a
nd th
e M
aha`
ulep
u M
ill R
oad.
Wal
kers
vie
w th
e va
lley
from
the
trail
at th
e M
akau
wah
i Cav
e R
eser
ve.
The
use
of th
is tr
ail i
s en
cour
aged
by
two
self-
guid
ed tr
ail m
aps:
the
Poip
u Be
ach
Res
ort
Mah
a`ul
epu
Her
itage
Tra
il M
ap a
nd th
e M
akau
wah
i Cav
e R
eser
ve tr
ail m
ap.
(p. 4
-19)
O
ne o
f the
long
term
loss
es fr
om th
e da
iry a
s pl
anne
d is
the
visu
al e
njoy
men
t of v
iew
s fro
m
insi
de th
e va
lley.
Tho
se v
iew
s in
clud
e th
e on
es d
epic
ted
as V
iew
A,B
,C,D
, and
E o
n pa
ge 4
-20.
Th
ese
view
s ar
e go
ing
to b
e tra
nsfo
rmed
by
the
dairy
bui
ldin
gs, “
mob
s” o
f cow
s, fe
nces
, irr
igat
ion
pivo
ts, r
oadw
ays,
cow
pat
hs e
tc. –
the
foot
prin
t of t
his
inte
nsiv
e fo
rm o
f dai
ryin
g.
Allo
win
g th
e pu
blic
man
aged
acc
ess
to w
alk,
ride
hor
ses
and
non-
mot
oriz
ed v
ehic
les
on th
e ol
d ca
ne ro
ads
arou
nd th
e va
lley
perim
eter
wou
ld p
rovi
de s
ome
resi
dual
vis
ual p
leas
ure
and
heal
th
bene
fits,
as
wel
l as
acce
ss to
cul
tura
l site
s.
Flor
a an
d Fa
una:
Th
e st
udy
done
by
Ran
a Bi
olog
ical
Con
sulti
ng is
inco
rrect
. The
re is
fede
rally
des
igna
ted
criti
cal
habi
tat i
n tw
o ar
eas,
bot
h w
ithin
a m
ile fr
om th
e da
iry s
ite. T
he M
akau
wah
i Cav
e is
crit
ical
ha
bita
t for
the
ende
mic
Kol
oa b
lind
cave
spi
der a
nd b
lind
cave
am
phip
od.
Ove
r the
ridg
e fro
m
the
prop
osed
dai
ry is
the
Puka
moi
Hea
dlan
d w
hich
is a
lso
criti
cal h
abita
t for
thes
e ca
ve s
peci
es.
The
blin
d ca
ve s
peci
es o
f the
Mak
auw
ahi C
ave
syst
em a
re p
artic
ular
ly v
ulne
rabl
e.
Offs
ite H
erd
Man
agem
ent:
The
prop
osed
dai
ry s
ite in
the
DEI
S is
the
prim
ary,
but
not
the
only
, loc
atio
n of
the
dairy
sys
tem
. Tw
o au
xilia
ry ra
nche
s, lo
cate
d in
Kap
a`a
and
Om
aʻo,
as
wel
l as
the
pro
cess
ing
plan
t, ar
e al
l in
tegr
al to
this
dai
ry o
pera
tion.
The
acr
eage
and
cur
rent
her
d si
zes
of th
ese
ranc
hes,
thei
r pr
esen
t and
max
imum
her
d ca
paci
ties,
are
not
dis
clos
ed. T
he n
umbe
r of
anim
als
that
will
be
trans
porte
d an
d at
wha
t fre
quen
cy is
not
sta
ted.
The
siz
e of
the
cattl
e tru
cks/
traile
rs s
houl
d be
cl
early
sta
ted.
Whi
le th
e pr
ivat
ized
Mah
a`ul
epu
Mill
road
will
be u
sed
for p
art o
f tho
se tr
ips,
mos
t of
this
tran
spor
t will
occu
r on
Cou
nty
road
s an
d th
e St
ate
high
way
. Mal
e ca
lves
“will
beco
me
Mal
ama
Mah
a`ul
epu
Com
men
ts o
n D
EIS
for H
awai
i Dai
ry F
arm
s’ P
ropo
sed
Dai
ry O
pera
tion
16
part
of th
e of
the
beef
cat
tle h
erd.
” (p.
1-1
2) Is
this
cro
ssbr
ed d
airy
cow
goo
d ea
ting?
Wha
t will
ra
nche
r Bob
by F
aria
s be
cha
rgin
g pe
r hea
d?
Bur
ials
: M
any
loca
l res
iden
ts, i
nclu
ding
Mal
ama
Mah
a`ul
epu
mem
bers
, bel
ieve
the
buria
l of c
ows
in
Mah
a`ul
epu
Valle
y co
nstit
utes
a c
ultu
ral v
iola
tion.
The
des
igna
ted
loca
tion
for c
ow b
uria
l is
the
area
that
is c
lose
st to
arc
haeo
logi
cal s
ites,
bot
h kn
own
and
as y
et n
ot in
vent
orie
d. It
is
repu
gnan
t to
envi
sion
699
cow
bur
ials
in th
ree
to fi
ve y
ears
let a
lone
the
num
ber o
f cow
s th
at
wou
ld b
e bu
ried
with
a la
rger
her
d ov
er d
ecad
es.
Wha
t are
alte
rnat
ive
disp
osal
met
hods
for l
ives
tock
? Is
inci
nera
tion
poss
ible
, per
haps
at t
he
Gre
en H
awai
`i fa
cilit
y in
mau
ka K
oloa
? W
hat a
re H
awai
iʻs a
nim
al d
ispo
sal r
egul
atio
ns?
Arka
nsas
, for
inst
ance
, has
load
ing
and
site
lim
itatio
ns th
at p
recl
ude
bury
ing
anim
als
at th
e ba
se o
f a h
ill. H
DF
inte
nds
to b
ury
cow
s at
the
base
of M
t. H
a`up
u, th
e hi
ghes
t ele
vatio
n of
the
dairy
. D
ecom
mis
sion
ing
Dai
ry O
pera
tion:
D
ecom
mis
sion
ing
of th
e pr
ojec
t at t
he c
oncl
usio
n of
its
20 y
ear l
ease
will
nece
ssita
te
cons
ider
able
cos
ts. A
“sin
king
fund
” sho
uld
be e
stab
lishe
d th
at w
ill al
low
for e
ither
a c
ompl
ete
deco
mm
issi
onin
g an
d fo
r the
rem
oval
of t
he w
ind
farm
, or t
he re
plac
emen
t of t
he e
xist
ing
win
d to
wer
s. W
ithou
t a p
rope
r fun
d be
ing
avai
labl
e, th
is in
frast
ruct
ure
may
rem
ain
as a
per
man
ent
blig
ht o
n th
e M
aha`
ulep
u Va
lley
land
scap
e.
Failu
re to
Tak
e a
Har
d Lo
ok a
t Im
pact
s of
Spi
lls a
nd R
uptu
res:
O
ne o
f the
gre
ates
t env
ironm
enta
l con
cern
s as
soci
ated
with
the
proj
ect i
s th
e ris
k th
at H
DF
will
inad
verte
ntly
spi
ll an
imal
effl
uent
into
the
Mah
a`ul
epu
Valle
y w
ater
reso
urce
s. T
here
is a
n as
soci
ated
con
cern
that
HD
F an
d st
ate
agen
cies
will
fail
to re
spon
d qu
ickl
y an
d th
orou
ghly
to
such
a d
isas
ter.
Ther
e ha
ve b
een
a nu
mbe
r of r
ecen
t effl
uent
spi
lls th
at h
ave
deva
stat
ed ri
vers
an
d w
ater
way
s in
Am
eric
a an
d N
ew Z
eala
nd. E
ach
of th
ese
spills
has
had
ruin
ous
impa
cts
on
publ
ic h
ealth
with
in c
omm
uniti
es n
earb
y an
d en
viro
nmen
tal i
mpl
icat
ions
dow
nstre
am o
f the
spi
ll lo
catio
n. H
owev
er, H
DF
fails
to p
rovi
de a
mea
ning
ful a
naly
sis,
or m
ake
reas
onab
le fo
reca
sts
and
proj
ectio
ns, o
f the
pot
entia
l ris
ks o
f spi
lls o
f effl
uent
der
ived
from
HD
F’s
oper
atio
ns.
Acci
dent
s ha
ppen
and
pla
ns s
houl
d be
in p
lace
for t
heir
even
tual
ity.
Miti
gatio
n M
easu
res:
H
DF
faile
d to
Pro
perly
Ana
lyze
Miti
gatio
n M
easu
res,
or C
onsi
der T
erm
s an
d C
ondi
tions
to
Prot
ect t
he E
nviro
nmen
t. N
EPA
Req
uire
s Ag
enci
es to
Con
side
r Miti
gatio
n M
easu
res.
“[O
]mis
sion
of a
reas
onab
ly c
ompl
ete
disc
ussi
on o
f pos
sibl
e m
itiga
tion
mea
sure
s w
ould
un
derm
ine
the
‘act
ion-
forc
ing’
func
tion
of N
EPA.
With
out s
uch
a di
scus
sion
, nei
ther
the
agen
cy
Mal
ama
Mah
a`ul
epu
Com
men
ts o
n D
EIS
for H
awai
i Dai
ry F
arm
s’ P
ropo
sed
Dai
ry O
pera
tion
17
nor o
ther
inte
rest
ed g
roup
s an
d in
divi
dual
s ca
n pr
oper
ly e
valu
ate
the
seve
rity
of th
e ad
vers
e ef
fect
s.”
Beca
use
Mah
a`ul
epu
is o
ne o
f the
last
rem
aini
ng o
pen
spac
es o
n th
e so
uth
shor
e an
d is
be
love
d by
bot
h re
side
nts
and
visi
tors
it is
impo
rtant
that
bin
ding
miti
gatio
n m
easu
res
be
incl
uded
in th
e fin
al E
IS.
An e
nviro
nmen
tal r
emed
iatio
n bo
nd, m
onito
ring
regi
mes
with
gu
aran
teed
com
mun
ity in
volv
emen
t, or
eve
n a
“goo
d ne
ighb
or a
gree
men
t” ar
e ex
ampl
es o
f m
itiga
tive
mea
sure
s th
at w
ere
igno
red
by H
DF,
mos
t lik
ely
due
to c
onfid
ence
in th
eir e
xist
ing
mon
itorin
g m
etho
ds.
A
ltern
ativ
es:
The
alte
rnat
ives
ana
lysi
s is
inad
equa
te b
ecau
se it
is n
ot a
rigo
rous
exp
lora
tion
and
cons
ider
atio
n of
all
reas
onab
le a
ltern
ativ
es. T
he C
ounc
il of
Env
ironm
enta
l Qua
lity
regu
latio
ns
impl
emen
ting
NEP
A re
quire
that
an
agen
cy “r
igor
ousl
y ex
plor
e an
d ob
ject
ivel
y ev
alua
te a
ll re
ason
able
alte
rnat
ives
.” 40
C.F
.R. §
1502
.14(
a).
Whi
le a
n ag
ency
nee
d no
t con
side
r an
infin
ite
rang
e of
alte
rnat
ives
, it m
ust c
reat
e a
list o
f alte
rnat
ives
nec
essa
ry to
per
mit
a re
ason
ed c
hoic
e.
Mal
ama
Mah
a`ul
epu
does
not
bel
ieve
that
HD
F co
nsid
ered
a s
uffic
ient
rang
e of
alte
rnat
ives
in
the
DEI
S. T
he s
imila
rity
betw
een
and
amon
g th
e al
tern
ativ
es p
rese
nted
in th
e D
EIS
and
the
excl
usio
n of
sev
eral
via
ble
but u
nexa
min
ed a
ltern
ativ
es ig
nore
NEP
A's
man
date
that
an
EIS
pres
ent d
ecis
ionm
aker
s an
d th
e pu
blic
with
an
adeq
uate
"ran
ge" o
f alte
rnat
ives
. Thi
s fa
ilure
pr
even
ts th
ose
grou
ps fr
om m
akin
g an
info
rmed
ana
lysi
s an
d "r
easo
ned
choi
ce."
M
alam
a M
aha`
ulep
u fu
rther
bel
ieve
s th
at th
e D
EIS
as c
urre
ntly
dra
fted
does
not
sat
isfy
the
regu
lato
ry re
quire
men
ts fo
und
at 4
0 C
.F.R
. §15
02.1
4. T
hose
regu
latio
ns re
quire
an
agen
cy to
pr
esen
t "th
e al
tern
ativ
es in
com
para
tive
form
, thu
s sh
arpl
y de
finin
g th
e is
sues
and
pro
vidi
ng a
cl
ear b
asis
for c
hoic
e am
ong
optio
ns b
y th
e de
cisi
onm
aker
and
the
publ
ic."
40 C
.F.R
. §
1502
.14.
The
age
ncy
mus
t "de
vote
sub
stan
tial t
reat
men
t to
each
alte
rnat
ive
cons
ider
ed in
det
ail
incl
udin
g th
e pr
opos
ed a
ctio
n so
that
revi
ewer
s m
ay e
valu
ate
thei
r com
para
tive
mer
its."
40
C.F
.R §
150
2.14
(b).
Mal
ama
Mah
a`ul
epu
finds
that
the
Alte
rnat
ives
ana
lysi
s in
the
DEI
S fa
ils to
mee
t the
abo
ve
requ
irem
ents
. In
revi
ewin
g th
e m
atrix
of i
mpa
cts
to m
ultip
le re
sour
ces,
ther
e is
ver
y lit
tle
varia
tion
from
one
alte
rnat
ive
to th
e ne
xt, s
ugge
stin
g th
at e
ither
ther
e is
an
insu
ffici
ent r
ange
of
alte
rnat
ives
or a
n in
adeq
uate
ana
lysi
s of
impa
cts
pres
ente
d (o
r bot
h).
In a
dditi
on, t
he im
pact
s an
alys
is is
inco
nsis
tent
and
atte
ntio
n to
det
ail d
ispa
rate
am
ong
the
vario
us a
ltern
ativ
es, p
reve
ntin
g de
cisi
onm
aker
s an
d th
e pu
blic
from
eva
luat
ing
the
com
para
tive
mer
its o
f alte
rnat
ives
A, B
, and
C. S
uch
a cu
rsor
y an
alys
is ii
s ex
ceed
ingl
y un
help
ful t
o th
e de
cisi
onm
aker
s an
d to
the
mem
bers
of t
he g
ener
al p
ublic
who
are
tryi
ng to
dis
cern
the
cost
s an
d be
nefit
s of
the
vario
us a
ltern
ativ
es.
Mal
ama
Mah
a`ul
epu
Com
men
ts o
n D
EIS
for H
awai
i Dai
ry F
arm
s’ P
ropo
sed
Dai
ry O
pera
tion
18
Non
-Via
ble
Alte
rnat
ive:
Con
serv
atio
n C
onde
mna
tion
Afte
r con
duct
ing
a na
tura
l, cu
ltura
l, ag
ricul
tura
l, hi
stor
ical
and
recr
eatio
nal i
nven
tory
, Mal
ama
Mah
a`ul
epu
reco
gniz
ed th
at th
e en
tire
unde
velo
ped
ahup
ua`a
of M
aha`
ulep
u co
mpr
ises
a
cultu
ral l
ands
cape
. Agr
icul
ture
is p
art o
f tha
t his
tory
. Mal
ama
Mah
a`ul
epu
supp
orte
d th
e IA
L de
sign
atio
n fo
r the
val
ley
for t
hat r
easo
n an
d be
caus
e th
e G
rove
Far
m A
gric
ultu
ral M
aste
r Pla
n pr
opos
ed u
ses
that
wer
e co
mpa
tible
with
pre
serv
atio
n of
the
othe
r her
itage
reso
urce
s an
d ex
perie
nces
. Mal
ama
Mah
a`ul
epu
faile
d to
env
isio
n th
e us
e of
the
Valle
y la
nds
for a
n in
tens
ive
tech
nolo
gica
l agr
icul
tura
l ope
ratio
n an
d co
nsid
ers
this
a m
isus
e, in
com
patib
le w
ith th
e Ag
ricul
tura
l Mas
ter P
lan
inte
ntio
ns. T
he q
uest
ion
of w
heth
er th
e da
iry p
artia
lly o
r ent
irely
de
grad
es th
e la
nd, t
he s
tream
and
oce
an w
ater
s, a
nd th
e re
crea
tiona
l exp
erie
nces
of t
he
coas
tal a
rea
is th
e he
art o
f our
con
cern
abo
ut th
e pr
opos
ed p
roje
ct, n
ot a
gric
ultu
ral u
se p
er s
e.
Long
time
com
mun
ity d
esire
for p
rese
rvat
ion
is d
iscu
ssed
in th
e D
EIS
(p. 5
4) T
he S
tate
Le
gisl
atur
e R
esol
utio
n of
200
1, re
fere
nced
in th
e D
EIS,
onl
y su
ppor
ted
dial
ogue
to e
xplo
re
optio
ns fo
r con
serv
atio
n. It
did
not
stip
ulat
e go
vern
men
t ow
ners
hip.
Gov
ernm
ent o
wne
rshi
p is
on
e po
ssib
ility,
and
, eve
n in
that
eve
nt, l
and
coul
d no
t be
“take
n” w
ithou
t com
pens
atio
n.
No
land
owne
rʻs ri
ght t
o pl
an fo
r lan
d w
ould
be
abro
gate
d by
dis
cuss
ions
of p
ossi
ble
futu
re
optio
ns fo
r Mah
a`ul
epu.
Lan
dow
nerʻs
pla
nnin
g is
alw
ays
bala
nced
by
the
publ
ic ri
ght t
o pa
rtici
pate
in c
omm
entin
g on
any
pla
ns w
hich
requ
ire g
over
nmen
t rev
iew
/per
mitt
ing.
In
add
ition
, par
ks a
nd p
rese
rves
can
be
crea
ted
in m
ore
way
s th
an b
y em
inen
t dom
ain.
Inde
ed,
the
fede
ral g
over
nmen
t will
not c
reat
e an
y ki
nd o
f nat
iona
l par
k if
land
owne
rs a
re n
ot w
illing
se
llers
nor
par
tner
s.
Con
serv
atio
n an
d bu
sine
ss m
inde
d la
ndow
ners
can
hol
d pr
ivat
e ow
ners
hip
and
allo
w p
ublic
us
es th
roug
h co
nser
vatio
n ea
sem
ents
. (Th
ese
are
also
use
d to
per
petu
ally
pro
tect
agr
icul
tura
l la
nds.
)
Park
s al
so in
crea
se th
e ec
onom
ic v
alue
of s
urro
undi
ng la
nds.
The
Nat
iona
l Par
k Se
rvic
e re
cent
ly re
leas
ed a
stu
dy s
how
ing
that
the
valu
e of
Am
eric
aʻs
natio
nal p
arks
is 9
2 bi
llion
dolla
rs.
But a
ll ki
nds
of p
arks
add
val
ue to
com
mun
ities
by
incr
easi
ng v
isito
r spe
ndin
g fo
r ac
com
mod
atio
ns a
nd s
ervi
ces
near
by, b
y m
akin
g pe
ople
hea
lthie
r men
tally
and
phy
sica
lly, b
y in
crea
sing
nea
rby
prop
erty
val
ues,
by
offe
ring
educ
atio
nal e
xper
ienc
es a
nd e
ngag
emen
t and
in
the
case
of a
nat
ural
are
a pa
rk, a
llow
ing
open
land
to s
eque
ster
car
bon,
incr
ease
gro
undw
ater
, an
d fil
ter w
aste
wat
er.
Cem
etar
y:
If re
mov
ing
the
valle
y la
nds
from
the
IAL
desi
gnat
ion
wer
e to
be
cons
ider
ed a
s a
pote
ntia
l al
tern
ativ
e, th
en a
noth
er u
se fo
r the
val
ley
wou
ld b
e as
a g
reen
bur
ial c
emet
ery
and
sanc
tuar
y w
ith m
emor
ial f
ores
ts a
nd o
rcha
rds.
Mal
ama
Mah
a`ul
epu
Com
men
ts o
n D
EIS
for H
awai
i Dai
ry F
arm
s’ P
ropo
sed
Dai
ry O
pera
tion
19
Mah
a`ul
epu
is a
lread
y a
hist
oric
bur
ial a
rea,
par
ticul
arly
in th
e co
asta
l dun
es a
nd in
cav
es.
Som
e of
the
areaʻs
inhe
rent
pow
er c
omes
from
that
man
a. F
urth
erm
ore,
peo
ple
have
sca
ttere
d th
e as
hes
of fa
mily
mem
bers
alo
ng th
e co
ast a
nd in
the
ocea
n. W
hile
not
as
cost
ly a
s tra
ditio
nal
buria
ls, g
reen
bur
ials
are
a b
usin
ess.
Inde
ed, p
eopl
e w
ould
ver
y lik
ely
pay
for t
he o
ppor
tuni
ty to
be
bur
ied
at M
aha`
ulep
u, to
sca
tter f
amily
rem
ains
in th
e oc
ean
or to
com
mem
orat
e lo
ved
ones
w
ith a
frui
t or f
ores
t tre
e.
Agric
ultu
ral S
ubdi
visi
on:
The
use
of th
e va
lley
for a
gric
ultu
ral s
ubdi
visi
on s
houl
d ha
ve n
ot e
ven
been
pos
ited
beca
use
the
land
is d
esig
nate
d IA
L (Im
porta
nt A
gric
ultu
ral L
ands
). H
owev
er, a
s de
pict
ed, 4
5 ho
mes
and
37
1 ac
res
of d
iver
se a
gric
ultu
ral c
rops
wou
ld li
kely
gen
erat
e m
ore
jobs
than
the
dairy
. Al
tern
ativ
e Lo
catio
n fo
r the
Pas
ture
-Bas
ed D
airy
: Th
is a
ltern
ativ
e lo
catio
n pr
esen
ted
was
an
impo
ssib
ility
at th
e tim
e th
e D
EIS
was
bei
ng w
ritte
n.
Cou
nty
real
pro
perty
tax
reco
rds
show
that
the
alte
rnat
ive
parc
el (
972
acre
s in
Puh
i) w
as s
old
in 2
013.
To
sugg
est i
t as
an a
ltern
ativ
e si
te in
the
DEI
S sh
ows
disr
espe
ct fo
r the
pro
cess
. The
D
EIS
faile
d to
ana
lyze
sev
eral
oth
er p
arce
ls th
at c
ould
be
serio
usly
con
side
red
as a
ltern
ativ
es
and
are
owne
d by
Gro
ve F
arm
Co.
or i
ts s
ubsi
diar
ies,
(Mah
a`ul
epu
Farm
s, H
a`up
u La
nd
Com
pany
, Vis
iona
ry L
ands
). Fu
rther
mor
e, s
ites
not o
wne
d by
Gro
ve F
arm
cou
ld a
lso
have
bee
n co
nsid
ered
. N
othi
ng in
the
DEI
S de
mon
stra
tes
a co
ntra
ct th
at o
blig
ates
HD
F to
loca
te o
n G
rove
Far
m L
and.
If t
here
is
such
a fi
nanc
ial c
omm
itmen
t, it
shou
ld b
e di
sclo
sed
in th
e ec
onom
ic a
naly
sis
beca
use
a no
n-re
voca
ble
leas
e ag
reem
ent c
onst
itute
s a
sign
ifica
nt a
nnua
l ope
ratio
nal c
ost.
Why
was
land
ex
chan
ging
not
con
side
red
for s
tate
land
s up
coun
try fr
om H
anam
aulu
? W
hy w
ere
loca
tions
on
othe
r isl
ands
not
con
side
red?
Whi
le th
ese
alte
rnat
ives
mig
ht m
ean
shor
t-ter
m m
onet
ary
loss
es
for H
DF
and
perh
aps
Gro
ve F
arm
, lon
g te
rm re
loca
tion
to a
mor
e su
itabl
e si
te c
ould
be
cost
sa
ving
and
not
pre
sent
all
of th
e ne
gativ
e im
pact
s of
the
Mah
a`ul
epu
loca
tion.
The
Fin
al E
IS
need
s to
take
into
con
side
ratio
n ot
her r
easo
nabl
e lo
catio
ns b
oth
on K
auai
and
els
ewhe
re in
H
awai
i tha
t mee
t HD
F’s
acre
age
and
wat
er a
cces
s ne
eds.
N
o-Ac
tion
Alte
rnat
ive
This
crit
ical
sec
tion
of th
e EI
S is
sel
f-ser
ving
. Firs
t, no
agr
icul
tura
l alte
rnat
ives
to li
vest
ock
graz
ing
are
cons
ider
ed. L
ando
wne
r Gro
ve F
arm
pro
duce
d an
agr
icul
tura
l mas
ter p
lan
in 2
008
whi
ch p
ropo
sed
sign
ifica
ntly
mor
e ka
lo c
ultiv
atio
n (3
00-4
00 a
cres
) and
leas
ing
land
for a
var
iety
of
veg
etab
le a
nd fr
uit c
rops
. Cro
p cu
ltiva
tion
was
to b
e di
rect
ed b
y a
“mas
ter f
arm
er” a
nd
prod
uce
was
to b
e pa
ckag
ed a
nd d
istri
bute
d fro
m th
e ol
d Ko
loa
Mill
Site
. Con
tinui
ng to
wor
k to
fu
lfill
this
pla
n is
an
equa
lly v
alid
sta
tus
quo
alte
rnat
ive
to th
e da
iry.
Mal
ama
Mah
a`ul
epu
Com
men
ts o
n D
EIS
for H
awai
i Dai
ry F
arm
s’ P
ropo
sed
Dai
ry O
pera
tion
20
Furth
erm
ore,
the
assu
mpt
ion
that
rais
ing
cattl
e w
ould
elim
inat
e “s
peci
al p
rovi
sion
s fo
r man
agin
g ag
ricul
tura
l lan
d us
e, c
over
cro
ps a
nd ru
noff”
impl
ies
that
Gro
ve F
arm
, the
land
owne
r, w
ould
ne
ver e
mbr
ace
or re
quire
bes
t man
agem
ent p
ract
ices
of r
anch
ers.
Avo
idin
g N
RC
S st
anda
rds
wou
ld n
ot b
e po
ssib
le w
ith a
n in
crea
sed
num
ber o
f cat
tle in
the
valle
y.
Smal
ler H
erd
Size
An
othe
r im
porta
nt a
ltern
ativ
e is
the
impl
emen
tatio
n of
a s
mal
ler h
erd
size
. It m
ay b
e th
at th
e si
te
cann
ot re
spon
sibl
y su
ppor
t the
699
cow
s. T
he a
mou
nt o
f milk
that
sev
eral
alte
rnat
ive
herd
si
zes
wou
ld p
rodu
ce s
houl
d ha
ve b
een
incl
uded
, as
wel
l as
the
long
er p
erio
d th
e pr
ojec
t wou
ld
have
to a
ttain
pro
fitab
ility.
C
onve
ntio
nal F
eedl
ot:
The
conv
entio
nal f
eedl
ot d
airy
alte
rnat
ive
is h
ighl
y im
prob
able
. Thi
s ty
pe o
f ope
ratio
n is
cu
rrent
ly s
trugg
ling
on th
e Bi
g Is
land
and
els
ewhe
re. O
n th
e ot
her h
and,
sin
ce a
ny d
airy
op
erat
ion
wou
ld a
chie
ve th
e st
ated
pur
pose
of i
ncre
asin
g lo
cal m
ilk p
rodu
ctio
n, a
dai
ry h
erd
of
any
size
incl
udin
g a
smal
l fee
dlot
ope
ratio
n w
ith v
ario
us m
anur
e m
anag
emen
t tec
hniq
ues
such
as
met
hane
dig
estio
n, w
ould
be
an e
qual
ly p
ossi
ble
alte
rnat
ive.
R
evis
ed D
raft
EIS
It ha
s co
me
to th
e at
tent
ion
of c
omm
unity
mem
bers
and
Mah
a`ul
epu
stak
ehol
der g
roup
s th
at
HD
F ha
s m
odifi
ed th
e D
EIS
befo
re a
nd d
urin
g th
e 45
day
pub
lic c
omm
ent r
evie
w p
erio
d in
re
spon
se to
feed
back
from
the
revi
ewin
g ag
ency
. Thi
s cr
eate
s a
mov
ing
targ
et fo
r rev
iew
as
it is
im
poss
ible
to a
scer
tain
wha
t com
pone
nts
of th
e D
EIS
have
bee
n m
odifi
ed a
nd th
ereb
y de
crea
sing
the
usef
ulne
ss o
f pub
lic c
omm
ents
.
HD
F m
ust p
repa
re a
Rev
ised
Dra
ft EI
S to
allo
w re
view
ers
to c
omm
ent o
n an
un-
mod
ified
dra
ft.
Alth
ough
an
EIS
is p
repa
red
in tw
o ph
ases
(i.e
., a
draf
t and
fina
l pha
se),
the
draf
t EIS
mus
t ful
fill
and
satis
fy, t
o th
e fu
llest
ext
ent p
ossi
ble,
the
requ
irem
ents
est
ablis
hed
for a
n FE
IS. 4
0 C
.F.R
. §
1502
.9(a
). N
EPA
regu
latio
ns m
anda
te th
at “[
i]f a
dra
ft st
atem
ent i
s so
inad
equa
te a
s to
pre
clud
e m
eani
ngfu
l ana
lysi
s, th
e ag
ency
sha
ll pr
epar
e an
d ci
rcul
ate
a re
vise
d dr
aft o
f the
app
ropr
iate
po
rtion
.” Id
. The
DEI
S m
odifi
catio
ns p
rior a
nd d
urin
g th
e pu
blic
com
men
t per
iod
effe
ctiv
ely
unde
rmin
es “t
he tw
in g
oals
of e
nviro
nmen
tal s
tate
men
ts: i
nfor
med
dec
isio
nmak
ing
and
full
disc
losu
re” b
y de
priv
ing
the
publ
ic a
nd d
ecis
ionm
aker
s of
the
chan
ce to
und
erst
and
thos
e im
pact
s, a
nd to
revi
ew a
nd c
omm
ent o
n an
ana
lysi
s of
thos
e im
pact
s. T
hese
EIS
Rul
es a
re
codi
fied
unde
r cha
pter
200
of t
he H
awai
i Adm
inis
trativ
e R
ules
.
Con
clus
ion:
M
alam
a M
aha`
ulep
u be
lieve
s th
at d
efic
ienc
ies
in th
e D
EIS,
alo
ng w
ith o
ngoi
ng m
odifi
catio
ns to
th
e dr
aft,
frust
rate
info
rmed
pub
lic d
isco
urse
abo
ut th
e im
pact
s of
the
prop
osed
dai
ry o
pera
tion,
Mal
ama
Mah
a`ul
epu
Com
men
ts o
n D
EIS
for H
awai
i Dai
ry F
arm
s’ P
ropo
sed
Dai
ry O
pera
tion
21
prev
ent d
ecis
ionm
aker
s fro
m c
onsi
derin
g an
ade
quat
e ra
nge
of a
ltern
ativ
es a
nd m
akin
g an
in
form
ed c
hoic
e am
ong
alte
rnat
ives
, and
thus
vio
late
the
man
date
s of
NEP
A.
We
requ
est t
hat D
OH
rem
edy
the
defic
ienc
ies
desc
ribed
and
allo
w th
e pu
blic
to p
rovi
de
com
men
ts o
n th
e D
EIS
bef
ore
mak
ing
any
deci
sion
s ab
out t
he d
airy
ope
ratio
n.
Mal
ama
Mah
a`ul
epu
requ
ests
that
the
revi
ewin
g au
thor
ities
find
this
DEI
S in
com
plet
e an
d pr
emat
ure.
With
out i
nclu
ding
cha
nges
mad
e to
the
docu
men
t prio
r and
dur
ing
the
publ
ic re
view
, th
e pr
ojec
t is
not i
n co
mpl
ianc
e w
ith th
e en
viro
nmen
tal r
evie
w la
ws
of th
e St
ate
of H
awai
i. W
e re
ques
t tha
t the
DEI
S be
resu
bmitt
ed w
hen
the
mis
sing
info
rmat
ion
can
be in
clud
ed a
nd w
hen
the
abov
e-m
entio
ned
inco
nsis
tenc
ies,
om
issi
ons,
mis
stat
emen
ts, i
nacc
urac
ies,
and
oth
er
com
men
ts h
ave
been
ade
quat
ely
addr
esse
d.
Com
mun
ity p
artic
ipat
ion
is k
ey to
dev
elop
ing
a co
mpr
ehen
sive
EIS
and
we
appr
ecia
te th
is
oppo
rtuni
ty to
sha
re o
ur re
mar
ks. W
e lo
ok fo
rwar
d to
pro
vidi
ng th
ough
tful r
evie
w a
nd s
crut
iny
to
the
revi
sed
DEI
S do
cum
ent.
W
ith A
loha
, G
reg
Pete
rs
Exec
utiv
e D
irect
or,
Mal
ama
Mah
a`ul
epu
PO
Box
169
1 Ko
loa,
Haw
aii
9675
6
Mal
ama
Mah
a`ul
epu
Com
men
ts o
n D
EIS
for H
awai
i Dai
ry F
arm
s’ P
ropo
sed
Dai
ry O
pera
tion
January 3, 20
17 Greg Pe
ters Execut
ive Director
Malama Maha
‘ulepu P.O. Bo
x 1691 6
Subj
ect:
onmental Imp
act Statement
(EIS)
Response to Co
mment on Dra
ft EIS Dear M
r. Peters:
Thank you for
your input d
ated July ,
2016 on the
Draft E
IS. comm
ents. Pastora
l Rotational G
razing Dairy E
xamples
suitable farm
ing regions in
the United S
tates. Severa
l rotational g
razing dairy
containing ove
r 2,000 anima
ls. Successful
rotational gra
zing dairies al
so exist in
Maryland, No
rth Carolina,
and Missouri
. Numerous a
rticles and pu
blications on
rotational gra
zing dairies a
re cited in P
rogressive Da
iryman and o
ther industry
Natura
l/Cultural Env
ironment
The natural e
nvironment o
f Kauai is em
bodied by act
ive farming on
lands intende
d for agr
iculture. The
EIS addresse
s the existing
visual and ae
sthetic resour
ces of the
parks,
and conserva
tion lands in th
e mountains a
nd along the c
oast. The imp
ortant upu Mount
ains that surr
ound the proje
ct area to the
northeast.
The dairy site
is noMhu
lep limits f
or agricultura
l zoned lan
upu Mountains
surrounding t
he project.
Greg Peters, E
xecutive Direc
tor, Malama M
aha‘ulepu
January 3, 20
17 Page 2
of 12
The developm
ent and long-
ntende
d purpos
e of diversified
agriculture, f
ood productio
n and agricultu
ral self-
opportunity f
or Kaua‘i citiz
ens to reside
in an agricultu
ral community
. This is in co
ntrast to the
described
development
as quasi-
Dairy
-based
carryin
g capacity of th
e land.
Carrying capa
city is determ
ined by nutrie
nt inputs and
outputs.
standards of
the Natura
l Resources
Conservation
Service (NRC
S). determ
ining a nutr
t soils by
improving org
anic matter
infiltration a
nd improves
Components o
f a Nutrient M
anagement Pla
n developed f
or N
utri
ent
Bala
nce and
are included
in the N
utri
ent
Bala
nce
emplate the p
ossibility of ex
panding the h
erd in the
future.
pasture-
ld be require
d. The applic
ation proces
s for a Nati
onal Pollutan
t Discharge E
limination Sy
stem (NPDES
) pplicat
ion to expand
operations u
p to the
r e. In ge
neral, levels
in the alluvia
l layer are 3
0-feet t
-feet higher t
han the piezo
metric head o
f the 4.16 Hy
drol
ogy and 4
.17
contain furthe
r information o
n the analyses
.
Greg Peters, E
xecutive Direc
tor, Malama M
aha‘ulepu
January 3, 20
17 Page 3
of 12
Surface Water
and Nearshor
e Marine Wate
r Quality
Waiopili Ditch
agricul
tural lands bo
rdering the di
tdairy t
o actively ma
nage surface r
unoff, nutrient
s and suspend
ed sediments
, concerns abo
ut the potenti
al effects
of dairy operat
ions to ocean
beach recreati
on are not ant
icipated.
Complaints fro
m the public
citing the high
levels of ent
erococcus in
Waiopili Ditch
and public c
oncerns
-ershed a
nd the adjace
nt Waikomo
expression of
concern
-
-
The Part 1 Sa
nitary Survey
found no sig
nificant impa
ct to the ditc
h from any a
ctivity that co
uld be
noted that W
aiopili Ditch i
s a man-made
drainage ditc
h on private
a University of
California lab
oratory to mor
e definitively
determine the
source of the
fecal contamin
ation in
Sanitary Surv
e
-ple and
analyze nutri
ent and chemi
cal constituen
t levels in the
near-shore
tion of possib
le contam
ination source
s. State W
ater Policies
State Water qu
ality policies.
The minor co
ntributions of
nutrients fro
m episodic ra
infall anticipa
ted to ditch.
The rapid decr
ease
Greg Peters, E
xecutive Direc
tor, Malama M
aha‘ulepu
January 3, 20
17 Page 4
of 12
the surface an
Your commen
ts address sev
eral of the E
IS technical r
eports include
d in the appe
ndix. This re
sponse
addresses eac
h of your com
ments. We fu
rther direct y
ou to the resp
onses to EIS c
omments on t
he EIS
are included a
s addendum m
emoranda atta
ched to the rel
evant study.
-
(EIS . Rainf
all rates
and use of n
on-The st
udy
and after 2 da
ys of a signifi
cant rain even
t, ed by t
he thick k
ikuyu thatch c
reated by the
establishmen
t of “good” pas
ture condition
s. In term
s of nutrient
loading,
of 16.3 tons o
f DM per acre
per year, the
re is simply n
ot enough nitr
ogen nutrient
from manure
sources
(as- phosphor
-application o
f are rot
ated so over-a
pplication of n
utrients does
not occur.
– nt
. The EIS docu
ments the exi
sting conditi
ons of the nea
rshore marin
e environmen
t, including a
characterizati
on of the biot
ic environme
nt biologi
cal constitu
ater slevels o
f indicator bac
teria do not e
xtend beyond
the shoreline.
See EIS Sectio
n 4.17.3 Near
shor
e M
arin
e W
ater
s
terrigenous in
puts from the
Waiopili Ditc
h discharge, d
ue to the sub
stantial physi
cal mixing con
ditions in
a greater exte
nt for dispersi
on of the ditch
runoff inputs
i
–
he paddocks. -made and na
tural -
--site re
tention
Greg Peters, E
xecutive Direc
tor, Malama M
aha‘ulepu
January 3, 20
17 Page
of 12
runoff and pre
vent pollutant
s from reachin
g the on-
If the o
ff--
for surface r
unoff through
and from the
paddocks is
significantly
ity assessment
s in the DEIS,
-site and perco
late for use by
the crop.
Soils
Climate Impac
ts There
are no
the 2006
Intergovernme
ntal Panel on
Climate Chang
e (IPCC) Guide
lines for Natio
nal Greenhous
e Gas Invento
ries, as
dioxide equiva
lents (CO 2
CO 2. The IPCC
the rotatio
nal-grazed dai
ry operation a
nd See the
EIS Sections
4.19 and 4.26
for complete in
formation.
Tthe com
mitted herd
size of 699 m
ature dairy
estimated as
2,693 CO2e me
tric tons (2,96
9 U.S. tons) pe
r year. This is
equivalent
170 4-person
households.
from the conte
mplated futur
e herd size of
up to 2,000
mature dairy
2equiva
lent to -
estimates for
household e
nergy consum
ption include
s home ener
gy use,
. -term b
eneficial impa
ct of the grazi
ng fields is the
seques
tration of carb
on as CO 2
ich enhances s
oil quality, gra
ss production,
and ha
s the potentia
l to offset up to
one-third the
annual increa
se in CO2 produ
ction of an are
a. NRCS
Conservat
source, timing
, amounts, an
d placement o
f nutrients. Sp
ecific practice
s to brelease
fertilizers; nu
trient enhance
ment technolo
gies; and stabi
lized nitrogen
fertilizers.
Greg Peters, E
xecutive Direc
tor, Malama M
aha‘ulepu
January 3, 20
17 Page 6
of 12
–
monitored on
a regular basi
s. –
applica
tion is part of
the requir
-site ranches
is accounted
in the traffic
projections fo
r the EIS. EIS
Sections 4
, at acce
ptable -
surrounding a
rea. Deliver
Cultura
l Practices and
Resources
EIS process, th
e project
is subject to a
histE and
Chapter 13-
the proposed
project.
reports in
This includ
ed
generally eng
age the cul
tural communi
ty, telepho
ne inquiries an
d referrals. Ou
treach meetin
gs included in
dividual and s
mall group di
scussions, site
visits, and a
large group
meeting held
in
-depth person
al
entire valley
(including the
project area)
, as evidence
d by the infr
astructure in
the valley. Ea
rly 20th
century maps
also documen
t the extent of
thcurren
t project area
consisted of s
ugarcane land
s. Based on th
e research and
comments re
ceived from th
e
of the dairy.
plantation-
-30-10-
--
Greg Peters, E
xecutive Direc
tor, Malama M
aha‘ulepu
January 3, 20
17 Page 7
of 12
at the project
. Demog
raphic and Ec
onomic Condit
ions
property valu
es as a result
of dairy const
ruction
h‘ulep
or diminish p
roperty sales o
r property valu
es in the area.
Nuisance and
footprints of
typical dairies
found on the
mainland are
n-
grazing.
recreational a
ctivities, gues
ts in nearby re
sorts, or dimin
ish property s
ales or proper
ty values in th
e area.
Milk Business
and Processing
Unlike a conv
entional feedlo
t dairy facility
that must col
lect and store
all manure p
roduces until
future
disposal, the m
ajority of ma
nure from a p
astoral-
one- to three-
day period.
Without a dair
y in operation
, computer-
--half of
a mile) beyon
d the souther
n boundary. T
he closest
miles further
south, and th
e closest resid
ential and res
ort units are
1.3 miles bey
ond the poss
ible odor
e-1).
With applicat
ion at the mo
st impactful l
ocation, paddo
cks south of t
he taro farm,
the odor from
slurry
application ba
rely cross
Greg Peters, E
xecutive Direc
tor, Malama M
aha‘ulepu
January 3, 20
17 Page
of 12
th percentile i
s reduced to
potentially pe
rceiving the o
dor just 29
hours per year
.
– paddocks so
uth of the tar
o farm – the o
dor from
-third of a mile
. The odor iso
pleth for the
typical irriga
tion effluent e
xtends beyon
d the dairy far
m boundary ap
proximately 3
,070-feet (ove
r one-
-case
The comment
regarding me
thane produc
tion is addre
ssed earlier
in this respo
nse under th
e climate
subject.
Resources
The EIS addres
ses the existin
g visual and a
esthetic resou
rces of the da
iry site, and th
e potential imp
acts of
space, parks,
and conserva
tion lands in th
e mountains a
nd along the c
oast. The maj
ority of the pr
oject area
ands. D
airy farm stru
ctures pu Mou
ntains surrou
nding the proj
ect.
nearest cave o
f the K
ve Wolf
miles from t
he dairy farm
property. Th
ere is no
evidence of la
va tubes or ca
ves on the pro
perty, and no s
uch features h
ave been repo
rted for the ar
ea near
No cave inver
tebrate specie
into th
e referenc
organic matter
derived from
roots and oth
er decaying pl
ant debris, and
since nitrogen
ous and phos
phoric ll, can
be expected t
o expand the
food supply
in this oligotr
ophic subterra
nean ecosystem
.
Greg Peters, E
xecutive Direc
tor, Malama M
aha‘ulepu
January 3, 20
17 Page 9
of 12
ment healthy
beef cattle. R
anchers are e
xperienced
The availab
ility of calves
from a dairy s
uch as in or ex
pand a beef h
erd. Ra
nche
rs
. Section 4.26.
2 Potentia
l Sec
onda
ry E
ffect
s -
business and
operational g
oals. Section
4.20.2 Potent
ial S
econ
dary
Effe
cts docum
ents anticipate
d offsite trans
portation as u
p to one truck
contem
plated herd si
ze, Section 4.2
6.2 Poten
tial S
econ
dary
Effe
cts
site. The an
imal cemetery
is specifically
located on the
uphill side of
the farm,
in an area of
relatively flat
pasture. Site s
election crite
ria for the cem
etery paddock
included pro
tection
and distanced
more than
more than 20
feet from an
y buildings. W
ithin the
cemetery pad
dock, sited b
ased on soil s
uitability and
slope. square
feet is neede
d for the anim
al cemetery a
t the contempl
ated herd size
of up to 2,00
0 mature dair
y - to -a
cre paddock.
-off on to, an
d from, the
cemetery site.
overal
l deep, a
re designed to
accommodate
carcass
es of the con
templated her
d size. Individ
ual pits
be a minimum
of 2-feet
appropriate to
bury the carc
ass. Pits
lined Conser
vation Practic
e Standard,
, .
for a carcass to
decompose.
single layer a
nd at leas
t 2 feet of
organic mater
ial. Multiple l
ayers may be c
rea area
in the cemete
ry paddock m
ay be used a
s needed. Ba
sed encoun
tering g
cemetery padd
ock area
pits.
not be grazed
.
Greg Peters, E
xecutive Direc
tor, Malama M
aha‘ulepu
January 3, 20
17 Page 1
0 of 12
may also cons
ider procuring
and installing
an incinerato
r to use for m
anaging mort
ality on the far
m. – State a
nd to ensu
re no adverse
air quality imp
act from th
e incinerator
operations.
Dairy Decomm
issioning
In the event of
a future closu
re of the dairy
operations,
decommission
ing actions
as required in
comagricul
tural a
, comme
nt addresses d
ecommissionin
g a potential
is not relevant
to the propos
ed action.
Effluent Stora
ge Pond
for siting of th
e effluent stor
age ponds. Th
e EIS specifie
s the reg
ulatory requir
ements in Sec
tion 3.3.2.4 Eff
luen
t Sto
rage
Pon
ds-
--foot d
istance to the
nearest on-
protect agains
t seepage in
313. -year, 2
4-than th
is is simply not
required by r
egulators and
unreasonable
.
-year, 24-hour
storm event i
n the form of e
xtra guideli
nes. The sec
ondary conta
inment area a
nd berm esse
ntially provid
es an additio
nal 30 days
of – -ye
ar, 24 hour sto
rms. Mitigat
ion Measures
-Section
4.0 of the
EIS includes t
he presentati
on and
discussion of
mitigation me
asures to min
imize or avoid
potential imp
acts. Substan
tial mitigation
actions
itigation
measures
plemented to m
inimize or avo
id adverse effe
cts to the natu
ral and human
environment.
fits, costs, an
d risks of eac
h reasonable a
lternative
Of all the alte
rnative action
s and location
s considered,
the planned a
gricultural ope
rationdescrib
ed in EIS Sect
ion 2.3.4.
Greg Peters, E
xecutive Direc
tor, Malama M
aha‘ulepu
January 3, 20
17 Page 1
1 of 12
obj sugge
sted alternat
ive for ceme
tery criteri
a. These opti
ons the foo
d production
capacity of thi
s important a
gricultural land
, as designated
by the County
and State.
the
project object
ives and meet
ing each of th
e five Evaluati
on Criteria. T
he selected si
te represents
the best
option among
those conside
red. The alte
rnative locatio
n studied in t
he EIS is a va
lid representa
tion of
other siting op
tions availabl
e. Preliminar
y site screenin
g found other
locational opt
ions to have u
nsuitable
courses, neigh
boring uses, a
ccess and othe
r factors.
To provide a
meaningful
analysis, the
EIS evaluatio
n of other a
lternatives (n
o action, agri
cultural
subdivision, c
onventional f
eedlot) each i
ncluded quan
titative estima
tes of potent
ial uses and a
ssociated
impacts.
Draft EIS Cont
ent The pu
blication of th
e Draft EIS i
ncluded infor
mation neces
sary to meet
the content a
nd submittal
-the sam
e information o
n the same da
te. The m
odificati
The Waste Ma
nagement Pla
n is a technical
document tha
t
Your comment
, aloinal EIS
. .
Sincere
ly,
Je
Principal Plan
ner
Greg Peters, E
xecutive Direc
tor, Malama M
aha‘ulepu
January 3, 20
17 Page 1
2 of 12
cc: arms
Envi
ronmental Pla
nning Office
Ju
ly 2
4, 2
016
Dr.
Laur
a M
cInt
yre
Haw
aii D
epar
tmen
t of H
ealth
12
50 P
unch
bow
l St.
Hon
olul
u, H
awai
i 96
713
Dea
r Dr.
McI
ntyr
e:
The
Haw
ai’i
Farm
to S
choo
l and
Sch
ool G
arde
n H
ui w
hich
incl
udes
ove
r 168
sch
ool g
arde
ns,
21,5
77 s
tude
nts,
830
teac
hers
, and
30
acre
s of
land
, was
firs
t est
ablis
hed
in th
e fa
ll of
201
0 an
d cu
rren
tly in
clud
es th
e is
land
s of
Kau
a’i,
Oah
u, M
aui,
Lān
a‘i,
Mol
oka’
i, an
d H
awai’i.
H
FSSG
H’s
com
mitm
ent t
o ou
r K-1
2 yo
uth
incl
udes
pro
vidi
ng a
cces
s to
incr
easi
ng s
ourc
es o
f lo
cal f
oods
incl
udin
g m
ilk s
ince
loca
lly g
row
n fo
ods
are
muc
h le
ss li
kely
to lo
se th
eir n
utrit
iona
l va
lue
befo
re b
eing
con
sum
ed b
y ou
r res
iden
ts th
an im
porte
d fo
ods.
M
aui’s
last
dai
ry, H
alea
kala
Dai
ry, o
wne
d by
the
Bald
win
fam
ily, w
as p
urch
ased
by
Mea
dow
G
old’
s So
uthe
rn F
oods
Cor
pora
tion
cent
ered
in D
alla
s, T
exas
in 1
998
due
mai
nly
to in
crea
sing
co
sts
of fe
ed fo
r the
cow
s an
d pr
ice
com
petit
ion
from
the
mai
nlan
d, th
us le
avin
g on
ly o
ne lo
cal
dairy
left
in th
e st
ate
of H
awai’i.
With
the
redu
ctio
n in
acc
ess
to m
ilk p
rodu
ced
loca
lly, i
slan
d re
side
nts
have
hel
d th
e w
ish
that
eve
ntua
lly a
mod
el c
ould
be
pres
ente
d to
us
that
wou
ld re
turn
da
iry fa
rmin
g to
our
isla
nds
at a
cos
t tha
t wou
ld m
ake
the
indu
stry
pro
fitab
le to
run
and
affo
rdab
le fo
r dis
tribu
tion
to o
ur s
choo
ls a
nd o
ur s
uper
mar
kets
. W
e un
ders
tand
that
Kau
a‘i w
as
foun
d to
be
the
optim
al lo
catio
n fo
r a s
econ
d lo
cal d
airy
and
Mah
a‘ul
epu
valle
y w
as s
elec
ted
due
to it
s A
gric
ultu
ral L
and
desi
gnat
ion,
gro
win
g co
nditi
ons,
and
acc
ess
to re
quire
d op
erat
iona
l in
puts
. Th
e pr
opos
ed H
awai’i
Dai
ry F
arm
s fo
r Kau
a’i o
ffers
a m
odel
Haw
ai’is
resi
dent
s ne
ed. C
ows
will
be fe
d on
gra
ss, t
hus
redu
cing
cos
ts o
f im
porte
d fe
ed c
onsi
dera
bly.
As
gras
s-fe
d ca
ttle,
they
will
rota
te th
roug
h va
rious
pad
dock
s th
us a
ssur
ing
soil
nutri
ents
are
app
lied
even
ly a
nd th
e gr
ass
is
able
to g
row
and
be
mai
ntai
ned
as a
feed
sou
rce.
Atte
ntio
n to
the
mov
emen
t of t
he c
attle
and
pr
oper
dis
tribu
tion
of m
anur
e ar
e in
tegr
al to
this
mod
el. I
n ad
ditio
n, th
e “o
ffsite
pro
cess
ing
elem
ent w
ould
sig
nific
antly
redu
ce th
e ov
eral
l tim
e fo
r milk
and
milk
pro
duct
s to
get
from
farm
to
tabl
e.”
Thus
, the
mod
el re
spon
ds to
que
stio
ns o
f cos
t, nu
tritio
n, jo
b cr
eatio
n, a
nd in
crea
se in
the
pote
ntia
l for
our
chi
ldre
n to
see
farm
rela
ted
care
ers
as a
via
ble
mea
ns fo
r est
ablis
hing
thei
r ow
n ho
mes
her
e in
the
isla
nds
and
rais
ing
a fa
mily
. The
find
ings
of t
he E
IS d
emon
stra
te th
at
Haw
aii D
airy
Far
ms
will
be p
rote
ctiv
e of
the
envi
ronm
ent a
nd s
erve
as
a m
odel
for s
usta
inab
le
agric
ultu
re in
the
isla
nds.
Ple
ase
help
to s
uppo
rt th
e H
awai’i
Dai
ry F
arm
s’in
itiat
ive
whi
ch w
ill as
sist
us
in m
eetin
g th
e nu
tritio
nal n
eeds
of a
ll ou
r res
iden
ts b
y ex
pand
ing
acce
ss to
loca
l milk
an
d m
ilk p
rodu
cts.
S
ince
rely
, M
s. L
ehn
Huf
f, D
irect
or
Mau
i Sch
ool G
arde
n N
etw
ork
PO B
ox 4
58, H
aiku
, Haw
aii
9670
8 w
ww
.mau
isch
oolg
arde
nnet
wor
k.or
g (8
08) 2
50-8
323
msg
n@ha
wai
i.rr.c
om
January 3, 20
17 Ms. Leh
n Huff Directo
r Maui S
chool Garden N
etwork
P.O. Box 458
Haiku, Hawai‘
i 96708
Subj
ect:
Hawai‘i Dairy
Farms Final E
nvironmental
Impact Statem
ent (EIS)
Mhulep, K
loa District, K
aua‘i, Hawai‘i
Response to Co
mment on Dra
ft EIS Dear M
s. Lehn Huff:
Thank you for
your letter d
ated July 24,
2016 regardin
g the Hawai‘i
Dairy Farms
(HDF) Draft E
IS. We acknow
ledge your com
ments in supp
ort of the HDF
EIS. Your c
omment, along
with this res
ponse, will be
come part of t
he public reco
rd and
will be publis
hed in the Fin
al EIS. A copy
of the Final E
IS is included
on a compac
t disc w
ith this letter.
When publis
hed, the Final
EIS will be a
vailable on th
e OEQC
website whic
h you can acc
ess using the
following URL
, and search “
Hawaii Dairy
Farms”
: http://tinyur
l.com/OEQCKA
UAI. Thank
you for your p
articipation in
the environme
ntal review pro
cess. Sincere
ly, GROUP
70 INTERNAT
IONAL, INC.
Jeffrey
H. Overton, A
ICP, LEED AP
Principal Plan
ner cc:
Hawai‘i Dairy
Farms
Hawai‘
i State Depart
ment of Healt
h,
Environme
ntal Planning O
ffice
January 3, 20
17 Poipu B
ay Golf Course
2250 A
inako Street
Poipu, Hawai‘
i 96756
Subj
ect:
Hawai‘i Dairy
Farms Final E
nvironmental
Impact Statem
ent (EIS)
Respon
se to Comment
on Draft EIS
Dear :
letters receive
d July 25, 2016
Hawai‘
i Dairy Farms
(HDF)
Draft EIS.
Depar following resp
onses are offer
ed to your com
ments.
Economics
EIS, including
a fiscal impac
t assessment
revalues
as a result of
dairy implemen
tation or ope
rations. No no
ticeable odors
, flies, of prop
erty values ad
jacent to beef
cattle operat
ions ional a
ctivities,
Rainfall Data
Table 4.1-
l data for a pe
riod of nearly
70 -to-yea
r variations s
tatewide over
941.1 station
, sited at 80
cent 30-year
Poipu Bay Golf
Course
Hawai‘i Dairy
Farms Enviro
nmental Impac
t Statement
January 3, 20
17 Page 2
of 4
operational s
torage period
(HD-
Table 4.1-1
rded from a r
ain gauge
catacly
smic rainfall o
ccur. dairy c
ows. As detai
Rain
Gauge il
recorded reve
als a couple d
ays of no rain
fall – insigni
ficant rainfall
– to 9, 20
06 including a
3-–
including a 3-
Follow
ing NRCS guid
ance and bes
t practices, H
DF will not a
pply effluent
immediately b
efore, during,
or
Pasture
-locatio
ns in New Zea
land, and
-i‘i’s dec
lining dairy in
dustry, and
--
-reduce
s imp-suffici
ency and foo
d ndown
er to support f
arming and lo
cal food
conven
tional feedlot
dairy operatio
ns of Hawai‘i’s
past. Convent
ional feedlot d
airies collect a
ll manure from
-
-
Poipu Bay Golf
Course
Hawai‘i Dairy
Farms Enviro
nmental Impac
t Statement
January 3, 20
17 Page 3
of 4
on--
pasture-
le Federal an
d State enviro
nmental
standards.
Residential Ar
eas Severa
l criticisms of
HDF are
a conventional
feedlot dairy
-pollute
d runoff, is b
ased on wild
ly different a
ssumptions a
nd in som
ding agricultu
ral lands.
-
pastur-
-day period.
-
cows using ty
pical effluent
irrigation con
ditions
-r could
-
-1).
per ye
ar.
Poipu Bay Golf
Course
Hawai‘i Dairy
Farms Enviro
nmental Impac
t Statement
January 3, 20
17 Page 4
of 4
– –
-
-feet (over
one-
-case
Your Final EIS.
.
Sincerely,
Je
Princip
al Planner
cc: Hawai‘
i Dairy Farms
Hawa
January 3, 20
17 Roy Th
ompson, Pres
ident Poipu B
each Resort A
ssociation
P.O. Box 730
Poipu, Hawai‘
i 96756
Subj
ect:
Hawai‘i Dairy
Farms Final E
nvironmental
Impact Statem
ent (EIS)
Mhulep, K
loa District, K
aua‘i, Hawai‘i
Response to Co
mment on Dra
ft EIS Dear M
r. Thompson:
Thank you for
your input d
ated July 20,
2016 on the H
awai‘i Dairy F
arms (HDF)
Draft EIS. The
following res
ponses are off
ered to your c
omments.
Results of tec
hnical studies
and the find
ings of this
EIS show no
unmitigated
nuisances tha
t could affect
property val
ues as a resu
lt of dairy co
nstruction or
operations. N
o noticeable o
dors, flies, noi
se, waste or w
ater discharg
es will impac
t resort
or residential
areas. Odor
is a nuisance
impact that m
ay reach beyo
nd the
dairy boundar
ies but will b
e limited to a
djacent farm
and ranch lan
ds owned by
Mahaulepu F
arm, LLC, les
sor of the da
iry site, and w
ould occur fo
r limited and
infrequ
ent duration.
As such, the
dairy will not
adversely affe
ct residents, n
earby recreat
ional activitie
s, guests in n
earby resorts
, or diminish
property sal
es or proper
ty values in th
e area. EIS Se
ction 4.15 add
resses demog
raphic and ec
onomic
factors, with t
he complete re
port in Appen
dix J. Your c
omment, along
with this res
ponse, will be
come part of t
he public reco
rd and
will be publis
hed in the Fin
al EIS. A copy
of the Final E
IS is included
on a compac
t disc w
ith this letter.
When publis
hed, the Final
EIS will be a
vailable on th
e OEQC
website whic
h you can acc
ess using the
following URL
, and search “
Hawaii Dairy
Farms”
: http://tinyur
l.com/OEQCKA
UAI. Thank
you for your p
articipation in
the environme
ntal review pro
cess. Sincere
ly, GROUP
70 INTERNAT
IONAL, INC.
Jeffrey
H. Overton, A
ICP, LEED AP
Principal Plan
ner cc:
Hawai‘i Dairy
Farms
Hawai‘
i State Depart
ment of Healt
h,
Environme
ntal Planning O
ffice
Sier
ra C
lub
of H
awai
‘i, K
aua‘
i Gro
up |
PO B
ox 3
412,
Lih
ue, H
awai
‘i 96
766
| hi.s
ierr
aclu
b.or
g
Emai
led
corr
espo
nden
ce re
duce
s pap
er w
aste
. If y
ou d
o pr
int t
his l
ette
r, pl
ease
recy
cle.
Mah
alo.
M
ALA
MA
I K
A H
ON
UA
C
heri
sh th
e E
arth
Ju
ly 2
5, 2
016
[V
IA e
mai
l]
Jeff
Ove
rton
(HD
F@G
roup
70in
t.com
) G
roup
70
Inte
rnat
iona
l 92
5 B
ethe
l St.,
5th
Flo
or
Hon
olul
u, H
I 9
6813
La
ura
McI
ntyr
e (d
oh.e
po@
doh.
haw
aii.g
ov)
Stat
e of
Haw
aii,
Dep
artm
ent o
f Hea
lth
Env
iron
men
tal P
lann
ing
Off
ice
1250
Pun
chbo
wl S
tree
t H
onol
ulu,
HI
9681
3 R
E:
Com
men
ts o
n D
raft
Env
iron
men
tal I
mpa
ct S
tate
men
t (D
EIS
) for
Haw
aii D
airy
Far
ms’
Pr
opos
ed D
airy
Ope
rati
on
Alo
ha:
Than
k yo
u fo
r th
e op
port
unit
y to
com
men
ts o
n th
e ab
ove
refe
renc
ed D
EIS
. P
roje
ct O
bjec
tive
#2.
Ple
ase
cite
spe
cific
exa
mpl
es o
f “pr
oven
, sus
tain
able
pas
tora
l gr
azin
g sy
stem
s” th
at r
educ
e re
lianc
e on
fert
ilize
r an
d fe
ed.
Sinc
e th
e N
ew Z
eala
nd-b
ased
m
odel
is n
ot s
ucce
ssfu
l, w
here
are
the
succ
essf
ul m
odel
s fo
und?
C
arry
ing
Cap
acit
y. W
ith
rega
rd to
exp
andi
ng o
pera
tion
s fr
om 6
99 to
2,0
00 m
ilkin
g co
ws,
ple
ase
prov
ide
data
that
add
ress
es in
crea
sed
nutr
ient
load
s in
sur
face
wat
ers
and
the
likel
ihoo
d of
thos
e le
vels
impa
ctin
g ne
arsh
ore
mar
ine
reso
urce
s.
Gro
un
dw
ater
Dis
char
ge.
Plea
se e
xpla
in w
hy d
rain
age
of g
roun
dwat
er in
to th
e di
tche
s ru
nnin
g th
roug
h th
e lo
wer
por
tion
of t
he H
DF
site
wou
ld n
ot o
ccur
dur
ing
tim
es o
f hig
h ra
infa
ll.
Su
rfac
e W
ater
Con
tam
inat
ion
. T
he in
term
itte
nt s
trea
ms
and
agri
cultu
ral d
itch
es in
th
is w
ater
shed
con
tain
hig
h le
vels
of a
nim
al w
aste
pol
luta
nts.
Sin
ce th
e su
rfac
e w
ater
qu
alit
y is
alr
eady
deg
rade
d, p
leas
e ex
plai
n ho
w th
e pr
opos
ed d
airy
will
not
hav
e ad
diti
onal
im
pact
s.
Page
2
Haw
aii D
airy
Far
ms
DE
IS
July
25,
201
6 Pl
ease
pro
vide
add
itio
nal d
ata
for
mar
ine
wat
er q
ualit
y te
stin
g du
ring
per
iods
of h
igh
stre
amflo
w o
f Wai
opili
Str
eam
whe
re it
dis
char
ges
into
the
ocea
n. T
he n
ears
hore
wat
er
test
ing
data
stu
dy w
as in
suff
icie
nt.
Des
pite
35-
foot
buf
fers
aro
und
all w
ater
way
s on
sit
e, w
ith
stor
mw
ater
flow
s, m
anur
e pa
rtic
les
coul
d ru
n of
f int
o dr
aina
ge d
itch
es a
nd d
owns
trea
m.
Dur
ing
heav
y ra
infa
ll an
d ru
noff
eve
nts,
ple
ase
expl
ain
how
pol
luta
nt c
once
ntra
tion
s an
d lo
ads
will
not
incr
ease
dur
ing
thes
e pe
riod
s. L
arge
vol
umes
of r
unof
f, ra
ises
con
cern
s th
at
sign
ifica
nt n
on-p
oint
sou
rce
pollu
tion
can
occ
ur.
Cli
mat
e C
han
ge.
Live
stoc
k, s
uch
as d
airy
cow
s, a
re a
kno
wn,
larg
e so
urce
of g
reen
hous
e ga
s em
issi
ons
(met
hane
) and
will
con
trib
ute
to c
limat
e ch
ange
.
Soi
ls.
Wha
t ste
ps w
ill b
e ta
ken
on a
n on
goin
g ba
sis,
to m
onit
or s
oil h
ealt
h an
d so
il nu
trie
nts
and
impl
emen
t act
ions
for
man
agem
ent t
hat w
ill m
inim
ize
envi
ronm
enta
l ris
ks?
C
ult
ura
l Im
pac
t Ass
essm
ent (
CIA
).
The
CIA
doe
s no
t pro
vide
ade
quat
e in
form
atio
n re
late
d to
the
loss
of f
utur
e ac
cess
to c
ultu
ral p
lace
s an
d cu
ltura
l pra
ctic
es b
ased
on
the
conc
erns
voi
ced
by c
omm
unit
y m
embe
rs w
ho w
ere
inte
rvie
wed
. W
hat m
itig
atio
n m
easu
res
can
be ta
ken
to a
ddre
ss th
ese
impa
cts?
E
con
omic
Im
pac
ts.
Nui
sanc
e im
pact
s “c
ould
res
ult i
n re
duce
d to
uris
m, s
ales
, em
ploy
men
t, sa
lari
es a
nd w
ages
, pro
pert
y va
lues
and
per
sona
l wea
lth.
” T
he s
igni
fican
t po
tent
ials
for
econ
omic
loss
es a
nd m
itig
atio
n m
easu
res
wer
e in
adeq
uate
ly a
ddre
ssed
in th
e D
EIS
. Pl
ease
pro
vide
a d
etai
led
cost
ben
efit
ana
lysi
s of
the
prop
osed
pro
ject
as
the
basi
s fo
r de
term
inin
g ec
onom
ic a
nd fi
scal
impa
cts.
The
ana
lysi
s sh
ould
add
ress
pro
duct
dem
and
and
prov
ide
cons
iste
nt fi
gure
s fo
r ho
w m
uch
milk
may
be
prod
uced
. A
lter
nat
ives
An
alys
is.
Ther
e ar
e to
o fe
w a
lter
nati
ves
desc
ribe
d in
the
DE
IS d
espi
te
NE
PA’s
man
date
that
a r
ange
of a
lter
nati
ves
be p
rovi
ded
for
deci
sion
mak
ing.
Fu
rthe
rmor
e,
it w
as m
isle
adin
g to
incl
ude
the
972-
acre
Puh
i par
cel a
s an
alte
rnat
ive
loca
tion
bec
ause
G
rove
Far
m s
old
the
prop
erty
in 2
013.
Ple
ase
expl
ain
the
omis
sion
of o
ther
pot
enti
al
loca
tion
s fo
r da
iry
oper
atio
ns.
Page
3
Haw
aii D
airy
Far
ms
DE
IS
July
25,
201
6 D
raft
EIS
Not
in C
omp
lian
ce.
Due
to d
ocum
ent m
odifi
cati
ons
pres
ente
d to
rev
iew
ing
agen
cies
dur
ing
the
publ
ic c
omm
ent p
erio
d, th
e op
port
unit
y fo
r m
eani
ngfu
l and
acc
urat
e pu
blic
com
men
ts o
n th
e D
EIS
is u
nder
min
ed. T
he D
OH
sho
uld
requ
ire
HD
F to
res
ubm
it a
n in
tegr
ated
and
com
preh
ensi
ve W
MP
and
DE
IS w
here
in th
e D
airy
Pla
n is
con
sist
ent
thro
ugho
ut.
The
com
men
t per
iod
on th
e D
EIS
sho
uld
not b
egin
unt
il H
DF
has
resu
bmit
ted
com
plet
e, c
onsi
sten
t doc
umen
ts fo
r re
view
and
the
publ
ic h
as b
een
noti
fied.
Th
ank
you
in a
dvan
ce fo
r yo
ur c
onsi
dera
tion
. M
ahal
o,
R
ayne
Reg
ush
Exe
cuti
ve C
omm
itte
e M
embe
r O
n be
half
of th
e Si
erra
Clu
b K
aua'
i Gro
up
cc: M
arti
Tow
nsen
d, S
ierr
a C
lub
Haw
ai'i
Cha
pter
Dir
ecto
r
January 3, 20
17 Mr. Ray
ne Regush
Executive Com
mittee Membe
r Sierra
Club Kaua‘i Gro
up P.O. Bo
x 3412
, Hawai‘i 9679
6 Su
bjec
t: Hawai‘
i Dairy Farms
Final Environ
mental Impac
t Statement (EI
S)
Response to Co
mment on Dra
ft EIS Dear M
r. Regush:
Thank you for
your input d
ated July 25,
2016 on the H
awai‘i Dairy F
arms (HDF)
Draft EIS. The
following res
ponses are off
ered to your c
omments.
Pastoral Rotat
ional Grazing
Dairy Example
s Succes
sful pastoral
dairies exist a
t numerous lo
cations in New
Zealand, as w
ell as suitabl
e farming reg
ions in the U
nited States.
Several rotat
ional grazing
dairy operat
ions located
in Florida a
nd Georgia
operate succ
essfully, with
farms
containing ove
r 2,000 anima
ls. Successful
rotational gra
zing dairies al
so exist in
Maryland an
d North Car
olina, along
with Missouri
. Numerous
articles and
publications o
n rotational g
razing dairies
are cited in
Progressive D
airyman and
other industr
y news source
s. Dairy H
erd Size
For dairy ope
rations with 7
00 or more m
ature dairy co
ws, additiona
l regulatory
review and p
ermitting by t
he State Depa
rtment of Hea
lth would be
required. The
application pr
ocess for a Na
tional Pollutan
t Discharge El
imination Sys
tem (NPDES)
Concentrated
Animal Feedin
g Operation (
CAFO) permit
includes pub
lic notification
and inp
ut. At the disc
retion of HDF
, managemen
t may choose
to expand ope
rations
up to the ca
rrying capacit
y of the land
, which is est
imated to be
up to 2,000
produc
tive milking
dairy cows. P
ermit process
compliance w
ould be follo
wed at
such time HD
F may decide t
o pursue an ex
panded operat
ion. The mi
nor contributio
ns of nutrient
s from episod
ic rainfall anti
cipated to occu
r just 10 day
s annually fro
m dairy operat
ions will not a
dversely affec
t ocean water
quality
and the mari
ne environme
nt. The nearsh
ore area is a
highly mixed
environment
which activel
y disperses i
nputs within
several mete
rs from shore
. Comparing
nutrient const
ituents in sur
face water sa
mples taken
from the HD
F site and th
e agricul
tural ditches
down gradien
t to nutrients
sampled in t
he nearshore
ocean
water revealed
that indicator
bacteria were
substantially
lower in the o
cean than in
the ditch. The
rapid decrea
se is likely a
result of phys
ical mixing of
water masse
s and tox
icity from sal
ine water. In
any event, the
elevated level
s of indicator b
acteria
do not extend
beyond the s
horeline. Base
line water qua
lity data and t
he surface and
marine
water impact
report is inclu
ded in the EIS
as Appendix F
.
Mr. Rayne Reg
ush, Sierra Clu
b Kaua‘i Grou
p Hawai‘
i Dairy Farms
Environmenta
l Impact Statem
ent Januar
y 3, 2017
Page 2 of 5
There will be
ongoing natu
ral inputs to
Waiopili Ditch
contributed
from the over
all watershed
and the
agricultural la
nds bordering
the ditch dow
nstream of the
dairy. With the
measures bein
g taken by the
dairy to activ
ely manage su
rface runoff, nu
trients and su
spended sedim
ents, concerns
about the pot
ential effects
of dairy operat
ions to ocean
beach recreati
on are not ant
icipated.
Groundwater D
ischarge
There has been
no rainfall eve
nt that would
exceed the cap
acity of the eff
luent ponds si
nce rainfall ha
s been require
ment of conta
ining the 25-
year, 24-hour
rainfall even
t. Under the c
ommitted he
rd size of 69
9 mature
dairy cows, t
he ponds cou
ld hold an add
itional 45 per
cent volume; u
nder the conte
mplated herd
size of
up to 2,000
mature dairy
cows, the p
onds could h
old an additi
onal 12 perc
ent volume.
An emerge
ncy containme
nt berm has als
o been added
to the design
, providing add
itional capacit
y equivalent
to 30 days o
f effluent for
the potential
contemplated
herd size up
to 2,000 ma
ture dairy co
ws. For
additional info
rmation regar
ding rainfall a
nd other natur
al hazards, see
Draft EIS Secti
on 4.6.
The groundw
ater engineer
consulting to
HDF estimated
the potential
nutrients that
could leave t
he site
from HDF ope
rations as two
percent of nit
rogen (totalin
g 10,000 poun
ds per year),
and one per
cent of
phosphorus (
totaling 900
pounds per y
ear). This wo
uld not occu
r as chronic d
aily releases,
rather,
contributions
would be lim
ited to period
s of major ra
infall events t
hat exceed 0.8
inches. Such
rainfall
events are es
timated to occ
ur, on averag
e, 10 days ann
ually. No efflue
nt application
would be con
ducted
two days prio
r to, during,
and two days
after such w
eather events
per best ma
nagement pr
actice guideli
nes. The estim
ate of nutrient
s leaving the s
ite is the same
for both the
committed he
rd size of 699
mature
dairy cows an
d the contemp
lated herd siz
e of up to 2,00
0 mature dair
y cows.
To p-
or 3.5 times m
ore than the e
stimate of pot
ential nutrien
t throughput
from HDF. Ph
osphorus for
both domes
tic wastewate
r and landscap
e fertilization
in the region
is estimated to
be 1,260 pou
nds annually,
or 1.4 tim
es greater tha
n the potentia
l discharge fr
om HDF. The
nutrient input
s from domes
tic uses in th
e P
Accord
ing to TNWR
E (April 2016
), toward the
makai end of
the HDF site,
the groundwa
ter level in th
e alluviu
m is substanti
ally below the
manmade cha
nnel invert. T
his means tha
t groundwater
discharge fro
m the allu
vium into the c
hannels does
not occur at th
e makai end o
f the HDF site
. Waiopi
li Ditch Water
Quality
Complaints fro
m the public
citing the high
levels of ent
erococcus in
Waiopili Ditch
and public c
oncerns
watersheds. D
OH conducted
water sampli
ng within the W
aiopili Ditch a
nd areas upstr
eam, and initia
ted a series
of investigatio
ns into water
quality issue
s. The Sanitar
y Survey foun
d no significa
nt impact to
the ditch f
rom any activ
ity that could
be attributed
to the dairy.
Feral animal w
aste, decaying
organic debr
is and in
puts from exi
sting agricultu
ral operations
may all be c
ontributing fa
ctors in the i
ndicator level
s -made drainag
e on private
property, and
is not an inv
iting recreatio
nal body of w
ater utilized b
y people. The
Sanitar
y Survey can
be accessed
on the DO
H Clean Wa
ter Branch
website und
er “Library”
(http://health
.hawaii.gov/cw
b). Long-te
rm ocean wat
er quality mon
itoring has be
en initiated to
provide a bas
eline for the n
earshore ocea
n waters
. HDF will regu
larly sample a
nd analyze nu
trient and che
mical constitu
ent levels in t
he near-shore
Mr. Rayne Reg
ush, Sierra Clu
b Kaua‘i Grou
p Hawai‘
i Dairy Farms
Environmenta
l Impact Statem
ent Januar
y 3, 2017
Page 3 of 5
marine enviro
nment. Data f
rom the nears
hore water m
onitoring pro
gram will be m
ade available
to the
DOH CWB, da
iry neighbors
and the loca
l Kauai comm
unity, and w
ill allow for
evaluation of
possible
contamination
sources.
Climate Chang
e and Methane
Emissions
There are no
State or Fed
eral regulatio
ns for greenh
ouse gas emi
ssions from fa
rm operations
or small
businesses. H
owever, livesto
ck and agricu
lture as an in
dustry contri
butes to green
house gas em
issions, so
HDF engaged
a technical exp
ert to model
potential gree
nhouse gas (G
HG) emissions
based on the
2006 Intergo
vernmental P
anel on Climat
e Change (IPC
C) Guidelines f
or National Gr
eenhouse Gas
Inventories, as
no dair
y is currently
in operation. T
he GHG emissi
ons included m
ethane and ni
trous, convert
ed to carbon
dioxide equiva
lents (CO 2e) us
ing the IPCC’s
AR3 global w
arming potent
ial (GWP) that
relates the G
HG to CO 2. Th
e IPCC Parame
ters for Ocean
ic dairy cattle
in warm climat
es were selec
ted as most app
licable to the
rotational-gra
zed dairy oper
ation and con
ditions at HDF
. See the EIS S
ections 4.19 a
nd 4.26, and A
ppendix I
for complete in
formation.
The emissions
potential for
GHG at HDF w
ith the comm
itted herd siz
e of 699 milki
ng cows was e
stimated
as 2,693 CO2e
metric tons (
2,969 U.S. tons
) per year. Th
is is equivalen
t to the GHG g
enerated by 1
70 4-person
households. P
otential GHG e
missions from
the contempla
ted future her
d size of up to
2,000 milking
cows was esti
mated at 7,70
5 CO 2e metric
tons (8,493
U.S. tons) wh
ich is equiva
lent to 485 4
-person
households. G
HG estimates
for househol
d energy con
sumption incl
udes home en
ergy use, tran
sportation
and waste.
While the pre
sence of cows
may increas
e GHG, a long
-term benefici
al impact of th
e grazing field
s is the
sequestration
of carbon as C
O 2 captured by
the process o
f photosynthe
sis by the gras
s. According t
o recent
studies in the
Soil Science So
ciety of Amer
ica Journal, co
nverting form
erly tilled cro
pland to graze
d pasture
can drive subs
tantial accumu
lation of organ
ic carbons in s
oil, which enh
ances soil qua
lity, grass prod
uction,
and has the p
otential to offs
et up to one-th
ird the annua
l increase in CO
2 production o
f an area.
Operational p
ractices to pr
otect air qual
ity by reducin
g nitrogen em
issions will c
ome from gui
dance in
NRCS Conser
vation Practic
e Standard 5
90, Nutrient
Management.
Application
of nutrients
must be
adjusted to m
inimize negati
ve impacts of
GHG release
to the environ
ment through
adjustments
to the source
, timing, amou
nts, and place
ment of nutrie
nts. Specific p
ractices to be
utilized at HD
F include: slo
w release
fertilizers; nu
trient enhance
ment technolo
gies; and stabi
lized nitrogen
fertilizers.
Soils Monitori
ng Soils w
ill be monitore
d through the
process of nu
trient managem
ent, the practic
e of managing
the amount,
rate, source,
method of ap
plication, and
timing of p
lant nutrients
and soil am
endments. Th
e NRCS
Conservation
Practice Stan
dard 590 (re
ferred to as S
tandard 590)
, Nutrient Ma
nagement, ap
plies to
commercial fe
rtilizers, orga
nic by-produc
ts, waste wate
r, organic ma
tter, and irriga
tion water. Th
e timing
and applicatio
n of nutrients
should corres
pond as close
ly as practical
with plant upt
ake, soil prop
erties and
weather condi
tions. More info
rmation abou
t NRCS Standa
rd 590 can be
found in Draf
t EIS Section 3
.5.4.2. A Tech
nical Service
Provider kno
wledgeable in
NRCS Conser
vation Practic
es was retain
ed to work wi
th HDF te
chnical adviso
rs in determi
ning a nutrien
t balance for
the Mhulep
site. Applicat
ion of manur
e can be
beneficial to
soils by impro
ving organic m
atter, increas
ing infiltration
of water, and
improving th
e soils’ a
bility to suppo
rt pasture grow
th and root es
tablishment.
The Nutrient M
anagement Pla
n (NMP) devel
oped for HDF
includes requi
red component
s such as soil
tests and oth
er procedures
to monitor, m
aintain, or im
prove the phy
sical, chemica
l, and biologic
al condition o
f
Mr. Rayne Reg
ush, Sierra Clu
b Kaua‘i Grou
p Hawai‘
i Dairy Farms
Environmenta
l Impact Statem
ent Januar
y 3, 2017
Page 4 of 5
the soil. It is
important to
note that the
NMP is an ada
ptive managem
ent tool. Some
times describe
d as a “living,
breathing do
cument,” the
nutrient cond
itions are co
nstantly mon
itored and th
e NMP will b
e update
d as condition
s on the dairy
mature. The
results from s
oil testing, ma
nure testing, a
nd forage test
ing will be
utilized to up
date and infor
m the nutrient
management
process for HD
F. Access
to Cultural Pla
ces Based
on the AIS a
nd CIA techn
ical reports,
no significant
cultural resou
rces are locat
ed on the HD
F proper
ty. Access to ad
jacent proper
ties will conti
nue to be the
responsibility
of the land ow
ner, Mahaulep
u Farm, L
LC. Econom
ic Study
Results of tech
nical studies a
nd the finding
s of this EIS sh
ow no unmiti
gated nuisance
s that could af
fect proper
ty values as a
result of dairy
construction o
r operations. N
o noticeable o
dors, flies, noi
se, waste or
water discharg
es will impact
resort or resi
dential areas.
Odor is a nuisa
nce impact th
at may reach
beyond
the dairy boun
daries but wil
l be limited to
adjacent farm
and ranch land
s owned by M
ahaulepu Farm
, LLC, lessor o
f the dairy site
, and would oc
cur for limited
and infrequen
t duration. As
such, the dair
y will not
adversely affe
ct residents, ne
arby recreatio
nal activities,
guests in nea
rby resorts, or
diminish prop
erty sales o
r property valu
es in the area.
EIS Section 4.1
5 addresses de
mographic and
economic facto
rs, with
the complete re
port in Appen
dix J. Alterna
tives As a pa
rt of the EIS, a
lternatives we
re evaluated t
hat could attai
n the objectiv
es of the actio
n’s purpose an
d need, a
nd were comp
ared with env
ironmental be
nefits, costs, a
nd risks of ea
ch reasonable
alternative
against those o
f the proposed
dairy project.
Further discu
ssion of altern
atives can be f
ound in EIS Se
ction 6.
Of all the alte
rnative action
s and location
s considered,
the planned a
gricultural ope
rations of Haw
ai‘i Dairy
Farm is the o
nly approach t
hat achieves p
roject objectiv
es and meets
each of the fi
ve Evaluation
Criteria
described in E
IS Section 2.3
.4. Nutrien
t Balance Ana
lysis The m
odifications t
o the 2014 W
aste Managem
ent Plan were
submitted to
the Departm
ent of Health
“shortl
y before” the D
raft EIS was pu
blished two w
eeks later. Th
e Draft EIS an
alyzed the pro
ject elements,
includi
ng those summ
arized in the l
etter to DOH. T
he Waste Man
agement Plan i
s a technical d
ocument that
is not p
art of the EIS
or subject to p
ublic review a
nd comment. H
owever, all of
the nutrient in
formation is
addressed in t
he EIS as part
of the Nutrien
t Balance Ana
lysis.
Mr. Rayne Reg
ush, Sierra Clu
b Kaua‘i Grou
p Hawai‘
i Dairy Farms
Environmenta
l Impact Statem
ent Januar
y 3, 2017
Page 5 of 5
Your comment
, along with th
is response, w
ill become par
t of the public
record and w
ill be publishe
d in the
Final EIS. A co
py of the Final
EIS is include
d on a compac
t disc with this
letter. When p
ublished, the F
inal EIS wil
l be available o
n the OEQC we
bsite which yo
u can access u
sing the follow
ing URL, and s
earch “Hawa
ii Dairy Farm
s”: http://tiny
url.com/OEQC
KAUAI.
Thank you for
your participa
tion in the env
ironmental rev
iew process.
Sincerely,
GROUP 70 INT
ERNATIONAL
, INC.
Jeffrey
H. Overton, A
ICP, LEED AP
Principal Plan
ner cc:
Hawai‘i Dairy
Farms
Hawai‘
i State Depart
ment of Healt
h,
Environme
ntal Planning O
ffice
•
o
• •
January 11, 2
017 Carl J. B
erg, Ph.D.
Kaua‘i Chapte
r Chair
Surfrider Foun
dation PO Box
819 Waime
a, Hawai‘i 967
96 Su
bjec
t: Hawai‘
i Dairy Farms
Final Environ
mental Impac
t Statement (EI
S)
Response to Co
mment on Dra
ft EIS Dear D
r. Berg:
Thank you for
your input d
ated July 25,
2016 on the H
awai‘i Dairy F
arms (HDF)
Draft EIS. The
following res
ponses are off
ered to your c
omments:
The project p
urpose is to e
stablish a sust
ainable, pasto
ral rotational-
grazing dairy
farm to increa
se local milk
production, b
olster Hawai‘
i’s declining d
airy industry
, and re
duce reliance
on imported
milk from t
he mainland
United States
. The rotatio
nal-grazing da
iry system ut
ilizes 100 per
cent of all ma
nure on-site a
s natural
fertilizer to g
row grass. Th
is cost-effectiv
e method red
uces imported
fertilizer and
feed, a
nd minimizes
potential impa
cts to the env
ironment. The
dairy farm ut
ilizes a
viable approa
ch to use Imp
ortant Agricu
ltural Lands fo
r agricultural s
elf-sufficiency
and foo
d production.
HDF represe
nts a continued
commitment
by the landow
ner to suppor
t farming an
d local food
production, a
nd to aid in
the resurrect
ion of Hawai‘
i’s dairy indus
try. Oppon
ents to the da
i-based
expert
consultants by
using wildly
different assu
mptions and,
in several cas
es, incorrect
data. In most
cases, the as
sumptions ar
e based on p
oorly-managed
conventional
feedlot
dairy opera
tions on the
mainland. HD
F stands by
the environm
ental analyse
s conducted f
or the EIS, wh
ich uses reaso
nable and dili
gent processe
s to disclos
e all probable
impacts and
demonstrates
the dairy wil
l not create n
uisance
impacts down
stream or bey
ond surround
ing agricultur
al lands.
I. Br
ief R
espo
nse
Sum
mar
y
Waiopili Ditch
receives run
off from the la
rger 2,700-ac
re Valley
sub-waters
hed, including
the lands mau
ka and makai
of the propo
sed dairy. Th
e dairy
site represents
roughly 20 p
ercent of the
sub-watershed
, occupying ju
st 557 acres.
With rainfall
at slightly less
than 50 inc
hes annually
in Valley
, this region
is one of the dr
ier areas of the
island.
Carl Berg, Ph.D
., Kauai Chapte
r, Surfrider Fo
undation
Hawai‘i Dairy
Farms Enviro
nmental Impac
t Statement
January 11, 2
017 Page 2
of 11
The dairy has
been designe
d to minimize
impacts to s
oil and water
resources us
ing best mana
gement
practices from
the Natural
Resources Co
nservation Se
rvice (NRCS)
and other tec
hnical guidan
ce. NRCS
provides exte
nsive guidanc
e for agricultu
ral operations
to meet string
ent standards
including tho
se under
the Clean Wat
er Act. Nutrien
t managemen
t is a key tenet
, and the stand
ard for protec
tion of waterw
ays has
been applied
to the design
of HDF paddo
cks using fenc
ing to create la
rge setbacks f
rom drainages
. Details
of the setback
s and nutrient
management
are provided i
n the following
sections of thi
s response.
The shallow g
roundwater bo
dy in the allu
vium of
Valley has bee
n shown to be
hydrologicall
y discon
nected from
deep groundw
ater confined
in unweathere
d volcanics. T
hus nutrients
added by the
dairy o
peration will h
ave no impact
s to the County
drinking wat
er wells, the s
ource of potab
le water withi
n the dee
p volcanics.
As part of its o
n-going monito
ring of recrea
tional beaches
, the State
(DOH)
Clean Water Br
anch (CWB)
had not cond
ucted water qu
ality sampling
for either ne
arshore recre
ation Unit, a
s the remote
areas are on p
rivate lands.
Priority for H
awai‘i’s nearsh
ore water qua
lity monitorin
g goes to
public beache
s where the g
eneral public
recreates in n
umbers; area
s accessed acr
oss private la
nds are typ
ically not inclu
ded due to lim
ited funding.
II.
HDF has prepa
red an Enviro
nmental Impac
t St§11-20
0), to disclose
the potent
ial for environ
mental impac
ts for the plan
ned dairy farm
at the earlies
t practicable
time. HDF has
Enviro
nmental Impac
t Statements st
atute (HRS 343
) and guiding
rules. As stat
ed previously
, HDF has con
scientiously d
esigned the da
iry to minimize
impacts to so
il and water
resources us
ing best man
agement pra
ctices. Furthe
r detail is pr
ovided in the
Environmen
tal Impact
and in the foll
owing respon
se. HDF has co
llected initial
baseline
data on surfac
e waters, nea
rshore marin
e waters, and
shallow grou
ndwater withi
n the alluvium
, focused
on nutrient a
nd chemical c
onstituents. P
eriodic sampl
ing will be on
going. Results
will provide f
eedback to
the dairy man
agement team
regarding any
potential chan
ges to water qu
ality. Any de
tectable incre
ases in nutrie
nts can inform
modification
of the opera
tion’s nutrient
management.
Modific
ations to the t
iming and plac
ement of efflu
ent can be ma
de; the rate of
application c
an be changed
; differe
nt crops can b
e utilized to i
ncrease upta
ke by plants;
and the num
ber of cows c
an be change
d. Nutrien
t managemen
t is a dynamic
process that
is informed by
monitoring a
number of p
arameters; th
e ability
to monitor ne
arby water bo
dies for chang
es in nutrient
s is an additi
onal check tha
t provides da
ta that ca
n be made ava
ilable to the p
ublic. The Fi
nal EIS reflec
ts refinements
based on co
mment to the
Draft EIS. Th
is includes a
marine biotic
assessm
ent now contai
ned in Append
ix F of Volume
2; relevant find
ings from the a
ssessment are
contained
in this respon
se.
Carl Berg, Ph.D
., Kauai Chapte
r, Surfrider Fo
undation
Hawai‘i Dairy
Farms Enviro
nmental Impac
t Statement
January 11, 2
017 Page 3
of 11
III.
As a part of th
e EIS, alternat
ives were eval
uated that cou
ld attain the o
bjectives of th
e action’s pur
pose and
need, and wer
e compared w
ith environme
ntal benefits,
costs, and risk
s of each reas
onable altern
ative against
those of the pr
oposed dairy p
roject. Furthe
r discussion o
f alternatives c
an be found in
EIS Section 6
. A searc
h for potentia
l locations wa
s conducted du
ring the site s
election proce
ss, with the ev
aluation based
on loca
tion criteria e
stablished for
the dairy, as
well as trials
to evaluate gr
owth of grass
at locations
statewide. HD
F coordinated
with landow
ners of agric
ulturally-zone
d lands in th
e State, as we
ll as the
Department o
f Agriculture,
the Agribusin
ess Developme
nt Corporation
, and the Trust
for Public La
nd. The
Kaua‘i was
found to be t
he optimal lo
cation, as it
met all the o
perational
requirements
for pasture-ba
sed dairy.
One specific a
lternative
Kpevaluat
ed in the EIS. T
he potential si
te was further
from the coa
st and ocean,
however, the
site was evalu
ated as having
greater poten
tial impacts in
comparison t
o the
location, inclu
ding: steeper
slopes that wo
uld either requ
ire more site d
isturbance or
to not be use
d by dairy co
ws; higher ra
infall and low
er sunlight p
roduced lowe
r grass growt
h rates in the
statew
ide trials, thus
requiring gre
ater pasture a
rea to suppor
t the herd; an
d 26 percent o
f the site lies
in State C
onservation D
istrict and ther
efore is not zo
ned for agricu
lture. Further,
since the initi
al evaluation,
the lan
d has been con
tracted for sal
e and is no lon
ger available f
or use as a pa
sture-based da
iry. In resp
onse to comm
ents on the Dr
aft EIS, Ulupo
no Initiative a
gain searched
for agricultu
rally-zoned lan
d with p
otential long-
term availabi
lity that may
have become
available in t
he past few y
ears. Availabl
e ntly va
cated by Pione
er Seed Compa
ny are closer
to resort
and residentia
l area and ther
efore provide
no additional
benefit. Maui
lands being ph
ased from sug
arcane
to diversified
agriculture ha
ve uncertain
water availab
ility and there
fore do not m
eet the opera
tional criteria
. Thus the rec
ently conduct
ed search for
potential alt
ernate locatio
ns did not id
entify any ne
w proper
ty that meets t
he requiremen
ts for a pastur
e-based dairy.
Of all the alte
rnative action
s and location
s considered,
the planned a
gricultural ope
rations of Haw
ai‘i Dairy
Farm is the o
nly approach t
hat achieves p
roject objectiv
es and meets
each of the fi
ve Evaluation
Criteria
described in E
IS Section 2.3
.4. IV
.
Regulatory Ju
risdiction: Sec
tion 4.17 of th
e EIS identifies
the three pri
mary regulato
ry definitions
for the
surface waters
of
1.The Comm
ission on Wate
r Resource Ma
nagement (CW
RM) defines su
rface water hy
drologic units
to delinea
te and codify
surface water
resources in t
he State. As de
scribed in the
EIS, the HDF si
te is located
with relatively
low stream di
scharge”. The
HDF site is in
the bottom-
Valley, which
is fed by
There are no
perennial stre
ams
2.On the U.S
. Geologic Sur
vey quadrang
le map, the m
ain surface wa
ter that crosse
s the HDF site
is not named
.
Carl Berg, Ph.D
., Kauai Chapte
r, Surfrider Fo
undation
Hawai‘i Dairy
Farms Enviro
nmental Impac
t Statement
January 11, 2
017 Page 4
of 11
3.The USFW
S National We
tlands Invento
ry (NWI) assig
ned codes tha
t describe the
habitat type
presumed by t
he Inventory (
most informat
ion in the NW
I was derived
from aerial pho
tographs and
maps, n
ot field invest
igations; USFW
S, 2014). All o
f the water dit
ches on the pro
perty (and the
‘auwai
flooded) flowin
g water, in an
excavated cha
nnel. , and n
o native aqua
tic fauna is as
sociated
with the ditch
(Final EIS Vol
ume 5, Appen
dix E-E). Nativ
e aquatic faun
a are freshwat
er animals tha
t spend
their early la
rval stage in
the ocean an
d migrate int
o perennial s
treams. Migra
ting into inte
rmittent
streams is a d
eath sentence
, as such stre
ams do not pr
ovide sufficien
t habitat. As
stated in the
EIS, the
stream is clea
rly intermitten
t in the upper
reaches above
the project a
rea. flow w
hen there is si
gnificant runo
ff (e.g. from ra
in storms). An
alysis at the H
DF site by the
groundwater
engine
er demonstrat
es runoff occu
rs when rainf
all reaches or
exceeds 0.8 in
ches. Based o
n the 30-year
rainfall record
for the area, s
uch rainfall ev
ents are estim
ated to occur
approximately
three percent
of days,
or an average
of 10 days ann
ually (EIS Secti
on 4.17.4).
Classification
Under State W
ater Policy
The Final EIS h
as been clarifie
d to note that
HAR §11-54 do
es not classify
for protection
any flowing in
land waters
fall into Class
2 [HAR §11-54
-objecti
ve of Class 2 w
aters is to pro
tect their use f
or recreationa
l purposes, the
support and
propagation o
f aquatic
life, agricultu
ral and indust
rial water sup
plies, shipping
, and navigati
on....These wa
ters shall not
act as rece
iving waters f
or any discha
rge which has
not received
the best degr
ee of treatme
nt or control
compatible w
ith the criteri
a established
for this class .
. .” (EIS Secti
on 4.17.2 Surfa
ce W
ater
Qua
lity). The
HDF de
sign incorpor
ates the best d
egree of contr
ol to minimize
impacts to w
ater quality.
are included
in critical hab
itat establi
shed by the U
.S. Fish and W
ildlife Service
(USFWS) for e
ndangered spe
cies, HAR §11
-54-5.1(a)(iv)
states: flowing
waters whic
h have been
identified as
a unique or c
ritical habitat
for threatene
d or endang
ered species b
y the U.S. Fish
and Wildlife
Service” (emp
hasis added).
Monk seal cr
itical habitat
includes marin
e habitat defin
ed as the bott
om 10 meters
from shore o
ut to the 200 m
eter depth con
tour, and ter
restrial habita
t as 5 meters in
land. Freshwa
ters are not sp
ecified for mo
nk seal critica
l habitat.
Surfrider asse
rts that HDF
will exacerba
te the already
polluted con
ditions of Wa
iopili Ditch, an
d ignores
the technical
findings of HD
F’-based
expert consul
tants. Among t
he findings pr
ovided in the
Draft and Fin
al EIS docum
ents, it is imp
ortant to note
that estimate
d peak flow o
f stormwater
runoff will be
reduce
d (Final EIS Se
ction 3.3.2.3 D
rain
age
Impr
ovem
ents
). Proposed co
nditions inclu
de roughly 80
acres of mai
ntained draina
geways, veget
ated setbacks,
cow walkway
s topped wit
h soft, crush
ed, permeable
limesto
ne, and farm r
oads. A thick g
rass ground c
over for the p
asture area w
ill constitute t
he majority o
f the far
m: nearly 470
acres of the
557-acre site
. With organic
matter from
manure, the
predominate
ly Kikuyu
grass crop w
ill improve sur
face infiltratio
n of both rain
fall and irrigat
ion (EIS Volum
e 4, Appendix
5-A). Existin
g and propos
ed conditions
related to s
tormwater ru
noff and drai
nage are iden
tified in the
(Group 70, 2
016), containe
d in EIS
Volume 2 App
endix K. Thus
stormwater ru
noff down-gra
dient from th
e site will be r
educed from d
airy manag
ement of the H
DF site.
Carl Berg, Ph.D
., Kauai Chapte
r, Surfrider Fo
undation
Hawai‘i Dairy
Farms Enviro
nmental Impac
t Statement
January 11, 2
017 Page 5
of 11
The Kaua‘i Ch
apter of the Su
rfrider Found
ation Blue Wa
ter Task Force
began collect
ing water sam
ples in
Waiopili Ditch
near Makauw
ahi Cave Rese
rve in April 2
014. Complai
nts from the
public citing t
he high
levels of ente
rococcus in W
aiopili Ditch a
nd concerns a
bout the prop
osed dairy pr
ompted the St
ate of CWB)
Survey” of th
e
Research into
Watershed C
onditions
DOH C
WB conducte
d water samp
ling within th
e Waiopili Dit
ch and areas
upstream on f
ive dates from
Novem
ber 2014 thro
ugh March 201
5, and initiate
d a series of i
nvestigations
into water qua
lity issues. The
Sanitar
y Survey findi
ngs resulted i
n an expressio
n of concern b
y DOH CWB t
hat the numb
er of injection
wells a
nd cesspools i
n the adjacen
t Waikomo w
atershed, whic
h the wa
ters of the Wa
iopili Ditch.
The Sanitary
Survey found
no significan
t impact to the
ditch from an
y activity tha
t could be att
ributed to
the dairy. Fera
l animal waste
, decaying org
anic debris an
d inputs from
existing agric
ultural operat
ions may
Sampling
Marine
Research Co
nsultants, Inc.
(MRCI) cond
ucted water
quality surve
ys of surface
waters and t
he nearsh
ore marine en
vironment for
the EIS and t
o establish a b
aseline of exis
ting condition
s. Working in
conjun
ction with sam
pling by Tom
Nance Water
Resource Eng
ineers (TNWR
E) of groundw
ater in the are
a, baselin
e data was r
ecorded on g
roundwater, s
urface water,
and nearshor
e marine wat
er quality. Th
e rationa
le of the wate
r quality asse
ssment was to
determine the
contribution
of groundwate
r to the marin
e environ
ment down-gr
adient of the H
DF site, and to
provide a bas
eline of condi
tions prior to
dairy activitie
s. Combin
ing this infor
mation with e
stimates of ch
anges in grou
ndwater and s
urface water
flow rates and
chemic
al compositio
n that could re
sult from the p
roposed proje
ct provided a
basis from wh
ich to evaluate
potent
ial future effe
cts to the mar
ine environme
nt. The techni
cal reports pr
epared by MR
CI and TNWR
E are app
endices E and
F, respectivel
y, of the EIS (V
olume 2).
The State DOH
Water Qualit
y Standards
April 3
0 [HAR §11-5
4-5.2(b)]. Sam
pling was con
ducted during
the wet seas
on. However,
during the 9-
month period
of the baseli
ne data colle
ction, no sign
ificant rainfall
events occu
rred that resu
lted in
observable flo
w to the ocea
n. This is con
sistent with r
esearch by the
groundwater
engineer that
runoff
from the site w
ould be limited
to periods of
major rainfa
ll events that
exceed 0.8 inc
hes. Based on
the 30-
year rainfall r
ecord for the
area, such r
ainfall events
are estimated
to only occu
r approximat
ely three
percent of day
s, or an averag
e of 10 days a
nnually (EIS Se
ction 4.17.4).
Twelve survey
points were
established in
surface wate
rs: two up-gra
dient of the H
DF site; eight
sites in
ditches that tr
averse or bou
nd the HDF si
te; and two be
low the site. S
ix separate sa
mpling sessio
ns were
conducted fro
m October 20
14 to July 20
15. Sampling f
ocused on nu
trient and ch
emical consti
tuents identif
ied in HAR §11
-54-06 (b) of
the State DOH
Water Qualit
y Standards fo
r open coasta
l waters. Not a
ll sites ha
d water withi
n the channel
on some samp
ling dates; thi
s is reflected
as missing sam
ple sites in dat
a collecte
d by MRCI an
d displayed i
n Tables 1 a
nd 2 of the B
aseline Condi
tions report (
EIS Volume 2
, Append
ix F). At the
request of th
e DOH CWB,
MRCI added s
ampling for b
acteriological
components o
n three dates
during 2015.
DOH CWB als
o conducted b
acteriological
testing on two
dates sampled
by MRCI, and
on three
additional dat
es.
Carl Berg, Ph.D
., Kauai Chapte
r, Surfrider Fo
undation
Hawai‘i Dairy
Farms Enviro
nmental Impac
t Statement
January 11, 2
017 Page 6
of 11
Conclusions fr
om Sampling b
y DOH and HD
F The C
WB results o
f their bacte
riological surv
ey show a c
lear trend of
an increasin
g enterococci
concen
tration towar
ds the stream
mouth. The d
ense vegetati
on forms a can
opy over the
ditch segmen
t where
sampling site
s 11 and 12 ar
e located, blo
cking out a lar
ge portion of
sunlight to the
area. There is
also a
high degree of
turbidity in t
he area. It is b
elieved these
serve as a pro
tective barrie
r to the natura
l inactiv
ation of the in
dicator bacter
ia by sunlight,
thereby leadi
ng to elevated
concentration
s. MRCI c
oncluded that
bacteriologic
al sampling s
howed fecal i
ndicator bacte
ria (FIB) such
as entero
cocc
us,
clos
trid
ium
, in surface wa
ter samples an
d nearshore m
arine samples
showed no re
petitive patter
n: counts
were high and
variable with
in surface wate
r sites and be
tween times o
f sampling. As
no dairy cow
activities
existed during
the sampling
, the high lev
els of indicat
or bacteria a
re the result
of naturally o
ccurring
sources (feral
animals), as w
ell as other ex
isting land us
es. It is im
portant to no
te that huma
n-related sew
age poses the
highest hum
an health risk
. There are
limitations an
d issues surro
unding use of
FIB to determ
ine human hea
lth risks to ba
thers. Correlat
ions have n
ot been estab
lished betwee
n FIB concen
trations and
gastro-intestin
al (GI) illness
es at beaches
charac
terized by non
-point source
s of FIB. Extra
-enteric sourc
es of FIB have
been reporte
d to multiply
in environ
mental habita
ts (soil, sedim
ents, sand, pl
ants, algae) in
tropical as w
ell as tempera
te climates. It
should
be noted that
since extra-en
teric FIB mult
iplied in envir
onmental hab
itats, such as s
oil rather than
intestin
al habitats of
humans or a
nimals, these
bacteria are
not indicators
of fecal cont
amination. As
a result,
the numbers
of extra-enter
ic FIB in env
ironmental w
ater samples
are not relate
d to degree o
f sewage
contamination
or degree of a
nimal fecal co
ntamination (
Final EIS Volu
me 5, Appendi
x D-D).
V.
Beach Recrea
tion HDF ac
knowledges th
e photos subm
itted by you a
nd others sho
wing people w
alking near an
d wading the
stream. The E
IS states what
is cont
Waiopili Ditch
is a man-mad
e drainage on
private prop
erty, and is n
ot an inviting
recreational
body of
water. . .” The
accompanyin
g photos in the
Sanitary Surv
ey show the dit
ch in the vicin
ity of, and abo
ve, the
bridge. Photo
s provided by
commenters
to the DEIS sh
ow people on
the beach, as w
ell as people c
rossing
the channel on
foot nearest
the beach at a
point also ut
ilized by a com
mercial horse
-back riding o
peration
during its twi
ce-daily trail r
ides. The strea
m itself is not
utilized for re
creational pur
poses; the bea
ch is. Impact
s to Critical Ha
bitat and Enda
ngered Specie
s Your a
ssertions tha
t HDF will im
pact critical h
abitats in the
vicinity, as n
oted above, i
gnore the HD
F consult
ants’ findings
. Responses to
your specific
comments on
nutrients follo
w, however it
is important to
highlig
ht the findings
of the H
ydro
logi
c As
sess
men
t (Appe
ndix K to th
e EIS) that sho
w manageme
nt of the HDF
site will redu
ce estimated pe
ak flow of stor
mwater runof
f from th
e site. The Hyd
rologic Assess
ment show th
e calculated re
duction in runo
ff from storm
events, which
was
Ditch immedi
ately south of t
he project site
where flows
combine. For t
he 10-year st
orm event, pe
ak flow leavin
g the project s
ite will be red
uced by 257 c
ubic feet per
second (cfs); f
or the 25
-year storm e
vent, reduced
by 283 cfs; an
d for the 50-ye
ar storm even
t, reduced by
nearly 300 cf
s (Final E
IS Section 3.3
.2.3 Drain
age
Impr
ovem
ents
). There a
re no known c
aves or lava tu
bes found at o
r adjacent to t
he dairy farm
property. The
nearest cave o
f
Carl Berg, Ph.D
., Kauai Chapte
r, Surfrider Fo
undation
Hawai‘i Dairy
Farms Enviro
nmental Impac
t Statement
January 11, 2
017 Page 7
of 11
evidence of la
va tubes or ca
ves on the pro
perty, and no s
uch features h
ave been repo
rted for the ar
ea near
the HDF site. N
o cave inverte
brate species
will be affecte
d by the dairy
farm. As des
cribed in Chap
ter 3 and Sec
tion 4.17 Surfa
ce Water Reso
urces and Nea
rshore Marin
e Environmen
t, physica
l setbacks an
d vegetated f
ilter strips w
ill be used to
minimize pote
ntial runoff an
d to maintain
nutrien
ts on site for g
rowth of gras
s. It is importa
nt to recognize
the food supp
ly of the whol
ly saprophagi
c arthrop
ods is organic
matter deriv
ed from roo
ts and other
decaying pla
nt debris. Ni
trogenous an
d phosph
oric nutrients
will promote
plant growth,
so impacts of
nutrients - if
any at all - ca
n be expected
to expand
the food supp
ly in the oligo
trophic subter
ranean ecosys
tem (Final EIS
Volume 5, Ap
pendix C-C).
Long-term oce
an water qual
ity monitoring
has been initi
ated to provid
e a baseline fo
r the nearsho
re ocean
waters. HDF w
ill regularly sa
mple and ana
lyze nutrient a
nd chemical c
onstituent lev
els in the nea
r-shore
marine enviro
nment. Data f
rom the nears
hore water m
onitoring pro
gram will be m
ade available
to the
DOH CWB, da
iry neigh
contamination
sources.
HDF is coordi
nating with th
e U.S. Fish and
Wildlife Serv
ice and the Sta
te Departmen
t of Land and N
atural Resour
ces’ Division
of Forestry an
d Wildlife to
employ manag
ement techniq
ues so that fa
rm operations
will ha
ve no adverse
impacts on a
ny endangere
d species that
may access t
he HDF site, es
pecially Hawai
ian initiate
d in coordina
tion with USF
WS and DOFA
W prior to da
iry constructio
n and operat
ions, to ensure
that da
iry operations
would not re
sult in delete
rious impacts
to protected
wildlife. The E
SAPP will be
completed thr
ough further d
iscussion with
the agencies;
the current d
raft is append
ed to the Fina
l EIS in
Volume 2, App
endix L.
Impacts for Da
iry Cows and C
AFO Complian
ce Impact
s evaluated in
the EIS spec
ifically addre
ss your conc
erns regardin
g application
of manure a
s nutrien
ts. The rotati
onal-grazing
dairy system
utilizes 100 p
ercent of all
manure on-s
ite as natura
l fertiliz
er to grow gr
ass. This cost
-effective met
hod reduces
imported fert
ilizer and feed
, and minimize
s potent
ial impacts to
the environ
ment as it ut
ilizes manure
for the nutrie
nt resources
rather than
stockpiling it
as waste.
EIS Figure 4.1
6-1 and V
icin
ity displa
ys the volcani
c geological h
istory of the
area. -
permeable kar
st lavaalluvia
l material whi
ch generally ex
tends about 60
feet under the
surface. This
material is hig
hly weathered
lava co
mposed of da
rk brown to bl
ack silty clay a
nd clayey silt.
Research by t
he groundwate
r engineer on
wells drilled i
n the early 19
00s identified
records of sti
cky red, brown
, and purple c
lay layers fro
m 75- to
300-foot dept
h on the HDF
site. These lay
ers are essent
ially impermea
ble and functio
n as an aquicl
ude to separa
te shallow gr
oundwater in
the alluvium
from the gro
undwater con
fined within t
he underlying
volcani
cs. Furthe
r, the groundw
ater analyses
contained in t
he EIS was co
nducted by H
DF’s consultin
g groundwater
engine
er, who has
more than 50
years of ex
perience in w
ater quality re
search and w
ater resource
engine
ering in Haw
ai‘i. The EIS s
ummarizes th
e accompany
ing technical
report by Tom
Nance Water
Resour
ce Engineerin
g (TNWRE) in
Appendix E, w
hich describes
the four stud
ies that demo
nstrate that
there is comp
lete hydrologi
c separation o
f the shallow g
roundwater in
valley’s alluv
ial material fr
om the
Carl Berg, Ph.D
., Kauai Chapte
r, Surfrider Fo
undation
Hawai‘i Dairy
Farms Enviro
nmental Impac
t Statement
January 11, 2
017 Page 8
of 11
confined grou
ndwater in the
underlying v
olcanics. Grou
ndwater confi
ned within th
e underlying
volcanics
is the source o
f drinking wa
ter. Your c
haracterization
of the impac
ts to downstr
eam water fr
om manure a
nd effluent ir
rigation ignor
es section
s of the EIS th
at explain con
version of urin
e and manure f
rom cows into
nutrients use
d by both the
Kikuyu grass
forms an exce
edingly thick
thatch that is
certain to atte
nuate, if not c
ompletely blo
ck, surface ru
noff. Further, a
s discussed in
the soils
and agronom
ic analysis in
cluded as EIS
Section 4.3 S
oils, t
indication of
low or poor i
nfiltration, wh
ich refers to
the ability of
water and eff
luents to ente
r the soil profile
rather
than entry thro
ugh the soil su
rface. Soils cl
assified as poo
rly drained of
ten exhibit ana
erobic conditi
ons. Anaerobic
conditions ty
pically result
in higher rate
s of denitrific
ation, which
is the conver
sion of nitrat
e and nitrite
to gaseous for
ms. This
essentially re
duces the po
tential for nit
rate impacts o
n waterbodie
s. With reduc
ed movement
of water
through the s
oil profile, the
mobility of n
utrients such
as potassium
and phosphor
us is also red
uced. Soil
types at the H
DF site are kn
own to adsorb
and retain lar
ge amounts of
phosphorus.
In this way,
drained” soils
may represen
t less risk of n
itrate and nitr
ite leaching
drained” soils (
EIS Section 4.3
.2 Existin
g Co
nditi
ons -
Soi
ls). Poorly
drained soils
typically hav
e low hydrau
lic conductivi
ty. Valley
shows a hydr
aulic conductiv
ity on the ord
er of 10.5 – 5
0 feet per da
y. This repres
ents the rate
of ground
water travel
through soil.
This is much
slower than t
he rate typica
l of more perm
eable volcanic
-
time for the r
emedial prope
rties of soil a
nd associated
bacteria to de
nitrify nitrate
s and render
potential
contaminants
inert. Regula
tors at the Sta
te and nationa
l level recogn
ize the value
of manure as
a source of na
tural fertilizer
, as well as
the ability of
manure to in
crease organic
matter in so
ils and impro
ve carbon seq
uestration (EI
S Section
4.3.2 Lo
ng-T
erm
Im
pact
s an
d M
itiga
tion
– So
ils). HDF
will employ
managemen
t practices
specifically de
signed to mi
nimize enviro
nmental risk w
hile utilizing
100 percent o
f manure on-s
ite to provid
e 70 percent o
r more of the
herd’s feedsto
ck as locally-g
rown pasture
grass. The po
tential maxim
um herd size
has consistent
ly been repres
ented as the n
umber of cow
s that reflects
the carrying c
apacity of the
land as guide
d by the resul
ts of the nutri
ent analysis. H
DF is commit
ted to establi
shing a herd
of up to 699
mature dairy
cows to dem
onstrate the p
asture-based
system as an
econom
ically and env
ironmentally
sustainable m
odel for Hawa
i‘i. Precision
agricultural te
chnology that
monito
rs cows’ healt
h, grass produ
ctivity, and ef
fluent managem
ent will be us
ed to ensure e
nvironmental
health
and safety, as
well as best m
anagement pra
ctices, and he
lp determine
the ultimate c
arrying capaci
ty of the l
and. With pro
ven success at
a herd size of
699, HDF will
contemplate th
e possibility o
f expanding th
e herd in
the future.
The distinction
between the
herd sizes and
permit differ
ences is expla
ined in the EI
S Section 2.4
Plan
ned
. During the
public scopin
g meeting, pa
rticipants
expressed an
interest in und
erstanding imp
acts of the com
mitted herd s
ize of up to 69
9 mature dair
y cows,
Administrativ
e Rules (HAR)
§11-200-7 exp
licitly states in
part that a gro
up of actions
shall be treat
ed as a
single action
when: . . . th
e actions in q
uestion are e
ssentially ide
ntical and a
single statem
ent will
adequately ad
dress the imp
acts of each i
ndividual actio
n and those o
f the group o
f actions as a
whole.
Carl Berg, Ph.D
., Kauai Chapte
r, Surfrider Fo
undation
Hawai‘i Dairy
Farms Enviro
nmental Impac
t Statement
January 11, 2
017 Page 9
of 11
Therefore, th
e probable im
pacts of the p
otential conte
mplated herd
size are also
analyzed and
clearly
identified in t
he Draft and F
inal EIS.
Calculations o
f Nutrients
A significant p
ortion of the E
IS and its tech
nical appendi
ces are dedica
ted to explain
ing how nutrie
nts are
cycled throug
h a pasture-ba
sed dairy. Nu
trient managem
ent is the prac
tice of manag
ing the amoun
t, rate, source
, method of ap
plication, and
timing of plan
t nutrients and
soil amendme
nts. The NRCS
Conservation
Practic
e Standard 5
90 (referred
to as Standa
rd 590), Nutr
ient Managem
ent, applies t
o commercia
l fertiliz
ers, organic
by-products,
waste water,
organic matte
r, and irriga
tion water. T
he timing an
d applica
tion of nutrie
nts should cor
respond as cl
osely as pract
ical with plan
t uptake, soil
properties an
d weathe
r conditions.
The nutrient
calculations u
sed by the g
roundwater en
gineer to dete
rmine the po
tential quantit
y of nutrien
ts that may le
ave the site ar
e based on the
nutrient mas
s balance for t
he farm includ
ed in his repo
rt (Appen
dix E). The m
ass balance w
as prepared
by the HDF t
echnical servi
ce provider a
nd utilizes th
e Cornel
l Net Carbohy
drate and Pro
tein System (
CNCPS) mode
l, which acco
unts for farm
specific anim
al, environ
mental and di
etary inputs to
determine its
manure produ
ction and nutr
ient excretion
estimates.
Surfrider’s nu
trient calculat
ions do not ac
count for the
agronomic de
mand of the cr
op, the deplet
ed soils,
and the atten
uation of nutr
ients in both
the Kikuyu
thatch and du
ring moveme
nt through so
ils. The
calculations d
o not acknow
ledge the phy
sical setbacks
at HDF, design
ed to exclude
cows from w
aterways
35-feet from
each bank, fo
r a total of 7
0 feet. Wheth
er the calcula
tions acknow
ledge that ru
noff is
generated wit
h only rainfall
in excess of 0.
8 inches, avera
ging 10 events
per year, is d
oubtful.
The experienc
e of tHe is
considered on
e of the foremo
st experts in t
he field, and h
is calculations
employ his de
cades of dedic
ation to
HDF stands b
y the findings
presented in t
he Final EIS an
d Appendix E.
Impact
s of Nutrient L
oading into Co
astal Waters a
re not Fully Pr
esented
To address th
e comments to
the Draft EI
S, HDF engag
ed MRCI to s
urvey the ma
rine biotic co
mmunity
structure and
provide bas
eline docume
ntation of ex
isting conditi
ons. The typ
ical weather
and sea
conditions in
the area are c
haracterized a
s a high ener
gy environme
nt due to fre
quent tradew
inds and
long-period oc
ean swell, wh
ich rapidly mi
x the water co
lumn. This tra
nslates to rou
gh water cond
itions consid
ered dangerou
s for human re
creation and d
uring periods
of exceptional
ly calm wind a
nd waves. The
survey
was conducte
d during such
a period in No
vember 2016
, to allow for s
afety as well
as for visibility
within
the water.
The open coa
stal exposure
to long-perio
d south swells
and tradewin
d-generated s
eas are reflect
ed in the
survey findin
gs. There is es
sentially no b
iotic communi
ty structure in
the area whe
re the ditch w
ater flow
meets the oce
an, as the flow
mixes with oc
ean water con
sistently subj
ected to subst
antial wave act
ion and
current flow t
o the west. Ph
ysical forces o
f water movem
ent are maxim
al, resulting in
an environme
nt too harsh f
or substantial
reef developm
ent. A semi-em
bayment crea
ted seaward o
f a submerged
basaltic shelf
is bou
nded by disti
nct shallow
dikes that foc
us wave ener
gy. Within th
e central are
a of this sem
i-embay
ment are expa
nsive sand fla
ts. Biotopes –
areas of unifor
m environme
ntal condition
s that provide
a living
place for a sp
ecific assembl
age of plants
and animals -
were docum
ented and de
scribed for th
e -1 (Volum
e 2).
Carl Berg, Ph.D
., Kauai Chapte
r, Surfrider Fo
undation
Hawai‘i Dairy
Farms Enviro
nmental Impac
t Statement
January 11, 2
017 Page 1
0 of 11
The hardy pio
neering coral
Poci
llopo
ra m
eand
rina
occurs throu
ghout the ne
arshore zone
with a hard
bottom
. Areas with a
hard bottom
and sheltered
from wave eff
ects had a 10-
to 20-percent
cover consisti
ng of addi
tional common
coral species
(Porites l
obat
a and P. compr
essa
, and Mon
tipor
a pa
tula
and M. c
apita
te).
A well-establi
shed coral com
munity was id
entified in a sm
all area shelte
red from dest
ructive waves
by a protect
ive lava extru
sion approxim
ately 0.3 mile
s south of the
ditch terminus
. The corals w
ithin this area
are com
posed of the
most common
components o
f most Hawa
iian reefs. Du
e to the dista
nce from the
discharge poin
t (approximat
ely 2,000 feet
, or 0.3 mile),
nutrient or bio
logical inputs
from the ditch
would
be diluted to b
ackground ma
rine levels and
create no imp
act. Furthe
r, MRCI addre
sses the effec
t of elevated n
utrients on co
rals in its rep
ort, included
in A Bas
elin
e As
sess
men
t of M
arin
e Bi
otic
Com
mun
ity S
truc
ture
off
Mah
aule
pu, K
auai
, Haw
aii (Appe
ndix F-1, Volu
me 2 of
the EIS). MRC
I reviewed pu
blished scient
ific research r
elated to pote
ntial effect of
nutrient subsi
dies on
reef corals. M
RCI notes Kin
sey (1991) ob
served that it
is incorrect to
jump from th
e observation
that coral
reefs do well
under low n
utrient condi
tions to the
conclusion tha
t coral reefs
require low n
utrient
environments.
Atkinson and
Falter (2003)
states nutrien
t input to cora
l Great B
arrier Reef in
Australia sho
w corals flour
ish in high nut
rient environ
ments. An em
pirical examp
le that de
monstrates th
e inaccuracy
of the assump
tion that elev
ated nutrient
s always resu
lt in negative
are loc
ated in a mixe
d marine envir
onment simila
r to that of
For dai
ry operations
with 700 or m
ore mature da
iry cows, addit
ional regulato
ry review and
permitting b
y the Sta
te Departmen
t of Health w
ould be requ
ired. The app
lication proce
ss for a Natio
nal Pollutant
Discha
rge Eliminatio
n System (NP
DES) Concent
rated Animal F
eeding Opera
tion (CAFO) p
ermit include
s public
notification an
d input. At the
discretion of
HDF, managem
ent may choos
e to submit an
application to
expand
operations up
to the carryin
g capacity of t
he land, which
is estimated to
be up to 2,00
0 productive
mature dairy c
ows. Permit pr
ocess complia
nce would be
followed at su
ch time HDF m
ay decide to p
ursue an expa
nded operatio
n. VI
.
The source o
f high fecal in
dicator bacter
ia (enterococ
ci) levels wit
hin Waiopili S
tream has no
t been
determined. S
urfrider point
s to HDF; how
ever, DOH CW
B in its Sanita
ry Survey dete
rmined there
is no signific
ant impact to W
aiopili Ditch f
rom any activ
ity that can b
e attributed to
the proposed
dairy. In fact,
DOH C
WB expresse
d concern tha
t impacts coul
d be from on-
site disposal s
ystems (OSDS
) in the adjace
nt are dis
charged from
the 2,238 OS
DS (including
1,600 cesspoo
ls that provid
e no treatmen
t) and the 12
0 private
wastewater
treatment sys
tems in the re
gion. Sources
of FIB may b
e due to extra
-enteric sourc
es. Additio
nal testing is
underway by
DOH CWB w
ith U.S. Geolo
gical Survey
Pacific Island
Water Scienc
e Center
staff and by th
e University of
California at B
erkeley.
HDF has fully
disclosed th
e potential im
pacts from co
nstruction an
d operations,
and has deta
iled its
minimization
practices. Two
types of setb
acks will be e
stablished to p
rotect water q
uality of surfac
e water
and downstre
am areas. A p
hysical setbac
k to keep cow
s and manure
from ditches
and drainage
ways will
be created wit
h paddock fen
cing set 35 fee
t back from th
e top of bank
of drainage w
ays on site. Ve
getation
within the set
backs will act a
s filter strips o
n both sides o
f the drainagew
ays to capture
and retain nu
trients
for forage gr
owth on the s
ite. Additiona
l setbacks res
trict liquid eff
luent applicat
ion within 50
feet of
waterways. Ad
ditional setbac
ks to protect w
ater resource
s include no ef
fluent applicat
ion or grazing
within
Carl Berg, Ph.D
., Kauai Chapte
r, Surfrider Fo
undation
Hawai‘i Dairy
Farms Enviro
nmental Impac
t Statement
January 11, 2
017 Page 1
1 of 11
1,000 feet fro
m the neares
t County well
, and 20 feet
from the taro
farm. HDF wil
l follow all reg
ulatory
guidance.
HDF prepare
d the EIS to s
hare the detai
led and thoug
htful planning
put into desi
gning a worl
d-class,
environmental
ly sound dairy
suitable to ou
r island enviro
nment. HDF’s
goal to furthe
r food self-su
fficiency
by reinvigorat
ing throug
h establishm
ent of a finan
cially and
environmental
ly sustainable
, pastoral rota
tional-grazing
dairy will prov
ide more than
one-million g
allons
Your comment
, along with th
is response, w
ill become par
t of the public
record and w
ill be publishe
d in the
Final EIS. A co
py of the Fina
l EIS is includ
ed on a compa
ct disc with th
is letter. Whe
n published, t
he Final
EIS will be a
vailable on th
e OEQC websi
te which you
can access u
sing the follo
wing URL, an
d search
http://tinyurl
.com/OEQCKA
UAI. Thank
you for your p
articipation in
the environme
ntal review pro
cess. Sincere
ly, GROUP
70 INTERNAT
IONAL, INC.
Jeffrey
H. Overton, A
ICP, LEED AP
Principal Plan
ner cc:
Hawai‘i Dairy
Farms
Hawai‘
i State Depart
ment of Healt
h,
Environme
ntal Planning O
ffice