Overview |
| The concept of watershed management relies on involvement from local stakeholders. Extension programs offered by Land Grant Universities in the region provide opportunities for agricultural producers and other interested parties in agriculturally-impacted communities to learn about their watershed, how their actions affect the watershed, and to adopt voluntary approaches for the improvement of water quality. In addition to educational programs, the Regional Water Quality Program provides a link between local stakeholders and state and federal agencies. This link can help facilitate cooperation and coordination among all levels of interest and regulation, and help to focus attention and limited resources on key issues. |
| Objectives |
- Identify key watersheds in need of improvement plans, and assist in the development of those plans where appropriate.
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- Provide information for making science-based decisions on watershed loadings and priority pollutants for the EPA's TMDL Program.
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- Help individuals and other stakeholders understand their role in contributing to water quality.
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| Progress |
| Land managers were seeking reliable management practices to reduce the risk of microbial and nutrient contamination of surface waters. Funds from the regional project led to cooperative research efforts on two specific topics to characterize the relationship between plant communities and water quality in the Waipa Stream watershed, Hawai’i and the potential effects of dog exercise areas on microbial quality of water. The research led to two graduate student theses and journal publications. The University of Nevada conducted studies of waste accumulations and water quality at a small, heavily used recreation area adjacent to Lake Tahoe, NV. Hawai’i evaluated the effects of feral pig activity on runoff and nutrient transport in forested watersheds. This initial data provides quantitative information on the effects of feral pigs on runoff and erosion in Hawaiian watersheds. The results of this study are being closely followed by the US military, watershed management groups, the Nature Conservancy and many others in Hawai’i, to guide future fencing and pig control activities. The project also involves many people and has the potential to yield results that will be applicable throughout Hawai’i and the Pacific islands. |
| Projects Funded |
| Mapping Hawaii's 319 non-point source pollution
projects |
| Award/Source: |
$5,000/CSREES |
| Investigator(s): |
Luisa F. Castro, University of Hawaii at Manoa |
| Abstract: |
Project web site |
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| Regional Approaches to Water Protection from Nonpoint Sources of Microbial Contaminants |
| Award/Source: |
$98,473/CSREES Southwest States & Pacific Islands Water Quality Program |
| Duration: |
Sept 1, 2003 - Sept 30, 2004 |
| Investigator(s): |
Mark Walker, University of Nevada;
Bob Atwill/Kenneth Tate - University of California at Davis;
Carl Evensen, University of Hawaii at Manoa |
| Abstract: |
PDF |
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| Development of a Spatial Decision Support System for Rangeland Watershed Management |
| Award/Source: |
$279,000, CSREES |
| Investigator(s): |
D. Phillip Guertin, University of Arizona |
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| Water Quality on California Rangelands |
| Award/Source: |
$570,000/CSREES |
| Investigator(s): |
Randy A. Dahlgren, University of California at Davis |
| Abstract: |
PDF, Project web site |
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| Natural Attenuation of Crytosporidium Parvum During Transport in Watersheds |
| Award/Source: |
$320,000/National Research Initiative |
| Investigator(s): |
T. Harter, University of California at Davis |
| Abstract: |
PDF |
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| Effects of Feral Pigs on Runoff & Water Quality in the ManoaWatershed |
| Award/Source: |
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| Investigator(s): |
Greg Bruland, Chad Browning, and Carl Evensen, University of Hawai’i, Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Management, College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources |
| Powerpoint: |
PDF |
