HB343

Expands water pollution control to include wetlands and isolated wetlands in Hawaii.

This bill amends Hawaii Revised Statutes to enhance water pollution control by including wetlands and isolated wetlands within the definition of "state waters." It mandates the director of health to delineate all wetlands, determining whether they are isolated or part of the waters of the United States. The bill also prohibits the discharge of pollutants into state waters without compliance with relevant regulations or permits. The changes respond to the Supreme Court's decision in Sackett v. Environmental Protection Agency, which limited the federal definition of "navigable waters.