The KBAC Watershed Data Base and Information System (WDBIS) is a significant undertaking by the KBAC program. This project is intended to support the goals of KBAC, and to provide an informational resource that helps KBAC improve water quality, reduce pollution, and inform the community of water quality issues.

Information is a key in today's society to justify decisions. To adequately make decisions, KBAC is utilizing both paid and volunteer services to collect data needed to evaluate and identify water quality problems. Using this information, KBAC will take actions to improve the conditions of the watersheds' streams, beaches, and near shore ecosystems.

The WDBIS Strategic Plan presents a conceptual design for a computing system that communicates information using the Internet. The data collected, stored, analyzed, and published in the final WDBIS will be used to 1) educate the public on the importance of the protecting the watershed, 2) assess water quality problems, and 3) to substantiate the actions of KBAC.

To meet these goals the implementation of the WDBIS is described according to three (3) major objectives.

    Data Collection - The process of collecting information.

    Establish a Computing, Communication, and Data Management System- Create an information system to store, manage, and distribute data.

    Enable Information Retrieval and Use. - Create accessibility to data for use by KBAC, its contractors, educators, students, and the community.

The process of collecting data is the most critical task for creating an information system that operates in support of KBAC initiatives. The use of Global Positioning System (GPS) equipment provides for geographically accurate data collection that is heavily supplemented with additional field survey data and government records. Cooperation with the Windward Community College provides the facilities for installing a computing technology that advances the education on water quality issues. Internet communications provide the medium for KBAC to publicize its activities and to publish it's findings.

Recommendations include the use of the Windward Community College to host the WDBIS, and to commit to using the college as a focal point for educating the community. This would require that KBAC fund the acquisition of resources needed to create and operate the WDBIS. Personnel should be hired, and computing equipment needs to be purchased. KBAC should then use the Internet to communicate to the community through a KBAC web page, and by installing computing equipment in the community. Funding for continued data collection and acquisition is also recommended for building a comprehensive information resource.

The WDBIS is a significant contribution of KBAC. Benefits are achieved from the system through its ability to facilitate education, communication, information gathering, and problem solving.

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