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American Heritage Rivers |  |
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American Heritage Rivers Keystone ProjectHanalei River - 1Hanalei River Sediment Study Project Summary The Hanalei River originates at Mt. Wai'ale'ale, the highest point on the island of Kauai. Along its 16 -mile route it collects runoff from both natural and agricultural sources. During rain events, freshets and runoff from agricultural land deliver large amounts of sediment into Hanalei estuary and Bay. For most of its lower elevation, the streambed is soft mud. Anecdotal reports from community elders describe a rocky river bottom. The Hanalei River provides habitat for all five native Hawaiian gobys ('o'opu), a native shrimp, snail, limpet and several coastal marine fishes. A comprehensive study of the sediment and its sources in the Hanalei River watershed has never been done. The Hanalei Heritage River Program, in cooperation with the US Geological Survey, proposes to design and implement a sediment load and budget study in the Hanalei River watershed. Project Benefit A sediment study of the Hanalei River watershed will identify sources of sediment that may be detrimental to the native fisheries and coastal marine ecosystem. Once identified, the Hanalei Heritage River Program will work with Federal, State and private landowners to reduce sediment load. Current Partnerships
Project Stage/Status US Geological Survey has considered this proposal, provided cost estimates and is willing to be the technical lead for this project. They currently maintain a real time gauging station upstream of the Hanalei Wildlife Refuge and a crest stage gage at the Hanalei Bridge. Some historic sediment data is available. Cost Estimate: $50,000 is required to design, program and purchase sampling equipment. $80,000 ($40,000 per year for two years) is needed to collect and analyze data. Current Funding Sources None Resources Needed Funding for design, purchase, set up and execution of project Champion Agency: Department of the Interior, U.S. Geological Survey Champion Partners: Hawaii Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR) Political Support Senator Daniel Inouye Other Initiatives Supported EPA Watershed Initiatives Grant (HHR is tentatively one of two nominations from Hawaii by Governor Ben Cayetano) River Navigator Jan Surface, Watershed Coordinator, Hanalei River - 2Hanalei River Riparian Corridor Protection Project Summary While the upper watershed is under Federal and State ownership, the lower mile of the Hanalei River is privately held. Existing land use and zoning restrictions do not encourage protection of vistas, wetland, and best management riparian practices. Most of the goals of the Hanalei Community (as established by the Five Year Action Plan 2000) can be realized by providing a protected riparian corridor and protected vistas up to the ridge line. This would facilitate vista protection, water quality protection, access, and instream biota protection. We propose to do this through zoning, easements, and possibly outright purchase. This proposal is identical to the Keystone project proposal submitted in 2000. Project Benefits There is no greater benefit than the long-term preservation of the visual and natural resources that remain attached to the Hanalei River and valley. If the program were to accomplish this one thing it would be an astounding success for which future generations would be forever grateful. Current Partnerships The HHR, through an internship with Duke University, completed an inventory and assessment of the Hanalei watershed including development of a Geographical Information System (GIS) database and a written report. Among items inventoried were the important scenic vistas, wetlands and instream resources. The State Department of Land and Natural Resources is cooperating with a Long Term Ecological Monitoring Program of the Hanalei River. Project Stage/Status The Land Trust is in discussion with landowners to consider options for protection of the riparian corridor and vistas that would best meet the needs of the landowners. HHR participated in the General Plan Update for specific scenic view protection. Cost Estimate: The local Land Trust is currently developing cost estimates for those lands that might need to be purchased. Current Funding Sources None identified Resources Needed Lead agency or organization to coordinate land acquisition Proposed Project Partners Kauai Land Trust (lead) Champion Partner: US Fish & Wildlife Service Political Support Senator Daniel Inouye Other Initiatives Supported Not Applicable River Navigator Jan Surface, Watershed Coordinator, Hanalei River - 3Hanalei River Cutoff Repair Project Summary In 1995 the Hanalei River jumped its bank and re-entered the main riverbed downstream of the sole intake that provides water to the Hanalei Wildlife Refuge's taro fields and impoundments. It is agreed that time is of the essence in addressing this issue, as at any time the entire river could move into the cutoff and the refuge would be without water. The HHR has provided a forum for agencies, water users and community to determine the best way to resolve this problem. The conclusion was that a non-invasive repair of the bank, allowing for a bypass flow and floodwater to overtop the recreated bank, was the best solution. There has also been discussion of removal of riparian invasive vegetation (hau bush) for long-term maintenance of the area. Project Benefits The need for immediate attention is well documented, as the removal of water from this refuge would severely negatively impact the refuge's primary purpose, the support of four species of endangered Hawaiian waterbirds. Current Partnerships
Proposed Project Partners Same as above Project Stage/Status Since the first Keystone proposal, US Fish & Wildlife Service has contracted with Ducks Unlimited to design a long-term repair for the River Cutoff. Ducks Unlimited is currently evaluating long-term solutions. One option is a temporary repair of the cutoff with a relocation of the water intake for the Hanalei Wildlife Refuge. It continued to be important that the taro farmers, HHR and the community be kept involved in all stages of discussion and implementation of the repair. Hanalei Heritage River program received a grant from National Fish & Wildlife Foundation to do hau bush removal trials. The project will be completed in December, 2002. Cost Estimate: $250,000 to $500,000 Current Funding Sources US Fish & Wildlife Service is funding engineering design through an MOU with Ducks Unlimited. Resources Needed Once design is complete, repair will need to be funded Champion Agency: U.S. Department of the Interior, Fish & Wildlife Service Political Support Senator Daniel Inouye Other Initiatives Supported Not Applicable River Navigator Jan Surface, Watershed Coordinator, Hanalei River - 4Hanalei Watershed Master Plan Project Summary The Hanalei Heritage River proposes to develop a Hanalei Watershed Management Plan, to include the entire watershed from the mountains to the sea, including Hanalei Bay. The first step is an inventory and assessment of the existing resources. The second step is to project a number of potential future scenarios. The third and final step will be to develop a 5 - 50 year management plan for the entire watershed. Key to the success of this project is the cooperation and participation of the US Fish & Wildlife Service's Hanalei Wildlife Refuge. This refuge occupies a key position in the center of the valley, and management decisions made for this refuge affect the entire valley and community. The HHR needs funding and process framework for a watershed management plan. The most obvious source is the FWS Comprehensive Conservation Planning (CCP) program, currently scheduled for Kauai in 2007. Project Benefits The initiation of the CCP will further the National Wildlife Refuge System Improvement Act of 1997. The Hanalei Heritage River program and the friends of the other two Kauai refuges have identified management plans as a major priority for the Kauai Complex of refuges. Not the least of the benefits will be to assure community involvement with the ongoing and long-term management of the Hanalei Wildlife refuge, a component not in place at present. The rationale for moving the CCP forward is:
Current Partnerships
Project Stage/Status Since this Keystone project was first proposed, US Fish & Wildlife Service regional office is holding firm on the 2007 start date for their Comprehensive Conservation Planning program due to limited planning staff at the regional level. The FWS has recently appointed a new Kauai Complex Refuge Manager and biologist for Hanalei, which presents a renewed opportunity to complete this keystone. The FWS has hired Dr. Leigh Fredrickson (University of Missouri) to do a bird count study on the Hanalei Wildlife Refuge. Preliminary field reconnaissance for this study was begun in summer 2002. NRCS is planning a Cooperative River Basin Study for the Hanalei watershed, pending funding in October 2003. The USGS installed a satellite telemetry relay station and a rain gage at its new gauging station in the Hanalei River. The HHR, with the help of a highly qualified intern from Duke University, completed an inventory and assessment of the Hanalei watershed including development of extensive GIS database. This will help the CCP (or other planning processes) to get a quick start when it is initiated. The State Department of Land and Natural Resources is giving HHR technical assistance with a Long-Term Ecological Monitoring Program of the Hanalei River. Cost Estimate: For CCP: $300,000 to $500,000 over a three year period Resources Needed Three year funding commitment for watershed planning effort Champion Agency: Department of the Interior, U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service Champion Partners Department of Agriculture, Natural Resource Conservation Service Political Support Senator Daniel Inouye Other Initiatives Supported US Fish & Wildlife Service's Comprehensive Conservation Planning program River Navigator Jan Surface, Watershed Coordinator,
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