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EPA TO HOLD PUBLIC HEARINGS ON PROPOSED OCEAN RESEARCH PERMIT FOR CARBON DIOXIDE TEST OFF KAUAI

Release Date: 5/2/2002
Contact Information: Mike Ardito, U.S. EPA, (415) 972-3081, ardito.michael@epa.gov

     Public Comment Period Extends to June 14
                               
     SAN FRANCISCO -- The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency will hold two public hearings regarding an international consortium's request for a research permit to conduct a two- week experiment injecting carbon dioxide into the ocean about four nautical miles offshore from Nawiliwili, Kauai.

     The first public hearing will be held Tuesday, May 21 in Honolulu from 4 to 6 p.m. and 7 to 9 p.m. at the Washington Middle School cafeteria, 1633 South King Street.  The second public hearing will be held Wednesday, May 22 in Lihue on Kauai from 4 to 6 p.m. and 7 to 9 p.m. at  the Chiefess Kamakahelei Middle School cafeteria, 4431 Nuhou Street.

     The EPA is holding the hearings to receive written and oral comments concerning the proposed research permit, which is described in a public notice in the legal advertising section of three Hawai'i newspapers today and a press release issued March 14.  In response to the large number of comments received so far, the EPA has extended the public comment period to June 14.  Further information and instructions on how to comment at the public hearing or to the EPA, may be found on the EPA's website at https://www.epa.gov/region09/water/kauai/ or by contacting Allan Ota at the EPA at 415-972-3476.

     The research application and other relevant documents are available for public review during regular working hours at the following designated repositories: the EPA's Pacific Islands contact office in Honolulu (contact telephone number 808-541-2710); and Lihue, Kauai Public Library (contact telephone number 808- 241-3222).  Copies of the environmental assessment can be reviewed at these additional repositories:  Wailuku, Maui Public Library (contact number 808- 243-5766); Lahaina, Maui Public Library (contact number 808-662-3950);  Hilo Public Library on the Big Island (contact number 808-933-8888); Kailua-Kona Public Library on the Big Island (contact number 808-327-4327); and the EPA's Region 9 office in San Francisco (contact number 415-972-3476).