HAR §13-170-2. Formulation of the Hawaii water plan

(a) The commission shall formulate an integrated program for the protection, conservation, and management of the waters of the state. This program, with such amendments, supplements, and additions as may be necessary, shall be known as the Hawaii water plan. The Hawaii Water Plan shall serve as a continuing long-range guide for water resource management. The contents of the Hawaii water plan shall consist of the following elements: (1) Water resource protection; (2) Water use and development; (3) State water projects; and (4) Water quality. (b) The Hawaii water plan shall be directed toward the achievement of the following objectives: (1) The attainment of maximum reasonable-beneficial use of water. (2) The proper conservation and development of the waters of the state; (3) The control of the waters of the state for such public purposes as navigation, drainage, sanitation, and flood control; (4) The attainment of adequate water quality as expressed in the state water resource protection and water quality plans; and (5) The implementation of the water resources policies expressed in chapter 174C, HRS. (c) In preparing the Hawaii water plan each county shall be divided into sections which shall conform as closely as practicable to hydrologic units. The plan shall describe and inventory the following information within each designated hydrologic unit: (1) All water resources and water systems. (2) All present uses. (3) Sustainable yield. (The sustainable yield shall be determined using the best available information and shall be reviewed periodically. Where appropriate the sustainable yield may be determined to reflect seasonal variation.) UNOFFICIAL COMPILATION 170-5 (4) Potential threats to water resources. (5) Instream use and protection program for the surface watercourses in the area. (d) Respective portions of the water resource protection plan, water quality plan, state water projects plan, and the water use and development plans of each county, shall be developed together to achieve maximum coordination and consistency. The development of the Hawaii water plan or any portion thereof shall proceed in coordination with and with attention to the Hawaii state plan described in chapter 226, HRS. (e) The Hawaii water plan and its constituent parts, except for the water quality plan, shall be adopted by the commission not later than July 1, 1990. The commission shall receive the water quality plan from the department of health as soon as possible, and incorporate this part in the Hawaii water plan. [Eff. MAY 27 1988] (Auth: HRS §174C-8) (Imp: HRS §§174C-5, 174C-31, 174C-32)