Opinion ID: 6319856
Heading Depth: 4
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: The office shall inform the public of the

Text: availability of the draft environmental assessment for public review and comment pursuant to section 343-3; (3) The agency shall respond in writing to comments received during the review and prepare a final environmental assessment to determine whether an environmental impact statement shall be required; (continued . . . ) 10  FOR PUBLICATION IN WEST’S HAWAI‘I REPORTS AND PACIFIC REPORTER  revocable permit[s]” constituted applicant action proposing the use of State land and, as such, required the preparation of an EA pursuant to HEPA. Thus, Petitioners contended that HEPA was violated (1) when the BLNR failed to order an EA before its 2014 continuation decision, and (2) when A&B and EMI continued to divert water without preparing an EA.15 Petitioners asked the circuit court to declare that HEPA had been violated, void the revocable permits, order the completion of an EA, and enjoin further diversion of water from the license areas, provided that (. . . continued) (4) A statement shall be required if the agency finds that the proposed action may have a significant effect on the environment; and (5) The agency shall file notice of the determination of the office. When a conflict of interest may exist because the proposing agency and the agency making the determination are the same, the office may review the agency’s determination, consult the agency, and advise the agency of potential conflicts, to comply with this section. The office shall publish the final determination for the public’s information pursuant to section 343-3. The draft and final statements, if required, shall be prepared by the agency and submitted to the office. The draft statement shall be made available for public review and comment through the office for a period of forty-five days. The office shall inform the public of the availability of the draft statement for public review and comment pursuant to section 343-3. The agency shall respond in writing to comments received during the review and prepare a final statement. The office, when requested by the agency, may make a recommendation as to the acceptability of the final statement. 15 Petitioners asserted—and the A&B and State Defendants admitted in their respective answers to Petitioners’ amended complaint—that no EA has ever been completed in connection with the revocable permits. 11  FOR PUBLICATION IN WEST’S HAWAI‘I REPORTS AND PACIFIC REPORTER  up to 8.4 million gallons per day could still be diverted to the County for the public health, safety, and welfare of existing customers served by East Maui surface-water diversions. 1. Petitioners’ Motion for Partial Summary Judgment and the A&B Defendants’ Cross-Motion for Partial Summary