Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 33, Number 9, 1 September 2016 — Mānā Plain groups seek water monitoring [ARTICLE]

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Mānā Plain groups seek water monitoring

Community groups on Kaua'i are suing Agribusiness Development Corporation and the state Department of Health for allegedly failing to comply with the Clean Water Act. The lawsuit claims ADC let its permit for a 40-mile drainage ditch system expire and that the Heahh Department has condoned the lapse while the two entities try to hammer out a memorandum of agreement for monitoring water quality. The Mānā Plain drainage ditch system passes agricultural land, a landfill, a wastewater treatment plant and populated areas before emptying into popular West Kaua'i beaches near Kekaha and Waimea. Earthjustice is representing the groups, whieh include Na Kia'i Kai, Surfrider Loundation and Pesticide Action Network. They say ADC hasn't been sampling or monitoring the water and the lawsuit's intent is to return to regulatory oversight, with pollution monitoring and public reporting. ■