Environmental permits and approvals strategy
Activity |
Status |
|---|---|
| Initial Community Assessment and Outreach |
Initial community outreach and sentiment survey completed; community engagement will continue throughout Project development |
| Permit Assessment |
The assessment of permits and the required land use approvals needed is complete |
| Title and Easement Review |
Title and easement review completed |
| Archaeological Resources |
Literature Review and Field Investigation (LRFI) completed. Archaelogical Inventory Survey (AIS) draft pending agency review. |
| Cultural Resources |
Preliminary assessment completed, Cultural Impact Assessment (CIA) and Ka Paʻakai Analysis is in process. |
| Biological Resources |
Desktop assessment completed; field survey to be conducted |
| Waters of the U.S. Delineation and Jurisdictional Determination |
To be conducted following selection by Hawaiian Electric Company |
| Phase I Environmental Site Assessment (ESA) |
Phase I ESA completed |
| Geotechnical and Soils Investigation |
Desktop geotechnical assessment (inclusive of site visits and consultation with local civil/geotechnical firms) completed; full geotechnical and soils investigation to be conducted following selection by Hawaiian Electric Company |
| Visual Resources |
Preliminary visual simulations and glint/glare study conducted. Updates to be conducted as design continues to be refined. |
| Traffic Impact Assessment |
A Traffic Impact Analysis Report (TIAR) has been completed. Multiple access points, a Construction Traffic Management Plan (TMP), and other best practices will be adopted based on the study. Upon completion of construction, the Project is only anticipated to require 4-5 vehicles per day to maintain operations over its lifespan. |
Based on these land use and zoning designations, the proposed solar and energy storage facility is a permissible use. No changes in the land use district or zoning classification are expected to be required for Project implementation.
|
State Land Use District: |
Agriculture |
|
Land Study Bureau Soil Classification: |
Classes D and E |
|
HRS Chapter 205 Important Agricultural Land Designation: |
No IAL designation |
|
County of Hawaiʻi Zoning District: |
Agricultural (A‐20a; ~78 percent) and Open (O; ~22 percent) |
|
Special Management Area (SMA): |
Not located in the SMA |
Based on a preliminary review, the following determinations have been made:
U.S. Federal
- Federal permits or approvals are not anticipated for project implementation
- Compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) is not anticipated
Hawaiʻi County
- County Plan Review
State of Hawaiʻi
- An Environmental Assessment (EA) or Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) are not anticipated – the Project does not “trigger” HRS Chapter 343
- Certain construction-related State permits may be required, including:
- National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit
- Noise Permit
- Compliance and coordination with the State Historic Preservation Division under HRS Chapter 6E is anticipated
Listing of anticipated Permits and Approvals
Anticipated Permit/Approval |
Authorizing Agency |
|
County Plan Review |
County of Hawaiʻi Planning Department |
|
HRS Chapter 6E Compliance (Historic Preservation Review) |
State Historic Preservation Division (SHPD) |
|
Grant of Access |
State of Hawaiʻi Department of Transportation (HDOT) Right‐of‐Way Branch |
|
National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) Permit |
State of Hawaiʻi Department of Health (DOH), Clean Water Branch |
|
Noise Permit |
DOH, Indoor and Radiological Health Branch |
|
Building and Electrical Permits |
County of Hawaiʻi Department of Public Works |
|
Grading, Grubbing, and Stockpiling Permits |
County of Hawaiʻi Department of Public Works |
|
Permit to Perform Work on State Highways |
HDOT District Office |
|
Permit for Work Within County Right‐of‐Way |
County of Hawaiʻi Department of Public Works |
|
FAA Filing of Notice |
Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) |