Minutes: September 13,
2000
Kailua
Bay Advisory Council
Hale Kuhina #102
September 13, 2000
http:// www.kbac-hi.org
I.
CALL TO ORDER
Acting Chair Mark Heckman called the meeting to order at 6:55 pm. There was a quorum.
A. Introductions: Everyone in attendance introduced himself or herself.
B. Attendance:
1. Board members present: Scott Derrickson, Jeffrey Harris, Mark Heckman, Benjamin Kama, Toby Rushforth and Christine Woolaway. Board members excused: Christopher Winn and Donna Wong.
2. Contractors: Maile Bay and Ramsay Taum
3. CSF: Judy Nakamura.
4. Guests: Jim Andrews, Robert Bourke, Shannon Kroll, Stephen Kubota, Joseph Ryan, Michael Ward, Wendy Wiltse, and Shannon Wood.
II.
COMMUNITY INPUT
A. Jeff Harris – On September 16th fourteen sites will be targeted for clean-up. “Get the Drift and Bag It” has been an annual event where volunteers have come together to clean up the beaches and boaters have targeted underwater clean-up.
B. Bob Bourke – Two key waterbodies in the Kailua watershed, Kawainui Marsh and Kaelepulu Pond and Stream, are not presently listed on the State’s list of “Water Quality Limited Segments”. He believes that everyone on our committee appreciates that these waters are the primary receiving bodies for non-point source pollution and that these waters feed directly into Kailua Bay. However, without this designation as a “Water Quality Limited Segment” it is very difficult to obtain matching Federal funding for pollution prevention work. The next “re-classification” period is in 2002. He suggested that KBAC use some of the data that has been collected in the watershed to substantiate an early application to the DOH to make sure that these water bodies are included as a WQLS.
C. Stephen Kubota - Ahupua’a Action Alliance, noted that the recently adopted Koolaupoko Development Plan uses the ahupua’a model, and identifies special management areas in the plan. He also noted that the City needs a budget to implement the plan. He proposed a stream conference. He noted that the Waiahole (Water Allocation Rights - public trust doctrine) and Ka’upulehu (access) decisions - have been issued by the Hawaii Supreme Court. Finally, he noted that DOH has an RFP out due 10/27/00 with funds earmarked for the Ko’olaupoko region. Later in the meeting, Mr. Kubota noted that KBAC needs to consider how it can work on the Section 309 grant as a community partner, especially with matching funds. The State Dept. of Health Clean Water Branch (CWB) is soliciting proposals from organizations interested in performing watershed assessments and developing watershed restoration or protection plans for the watershed regions of (1) Koolaupoko, Oahu (2) Nawiliwili, Kauai and (3) South Molokai, Molokai. The Koolaupoko project will be eligible for up to $150,000. This funding will support a water quality assessment based on existing data, public input, field observations, and possible collection of minimal new water quality data. To be eligible, projects must demonstrate specific plans for managing and implementing a water quality assessment of the streams within the Koolaupoko regions and their major tributaries in order to better understand the sources and activities that contribute to the existing poor water quality in the region. The projects shall also develop watershed restoration or protection plans to address the sources and activities identified as the major contributors to water pollution problems. The plans shall include input and involvement of the community and major stakeholders. The CWB must receive six copies of the proposals by 4:00 pm Friday, October 27, 2000. Contact Charles DeMesa at 586-4309 for more information.
D. Wendy Wiltse – (EPA) noted that Section 303(d) will be revised by the year 2002. Therefore, the Dept. of Health is soliciting nominations. However, to be nominated, data needs to be obtained for the segment.
E. Joseph Ryan – Waimanalo resident, provided recent statistics from June-August 2000 on the amount of polluted water pumped from Wing King Reservoir: though nearly 1 million gallons have been pumped, the water level remains the same – the source appears to be fed by a spring. He also reported that 2 tons of solid waste have gone to Mr. Chin’s property in Waikane from Unisyn’s tank of solid food wastes.
III. ADMINISTRATIVE BUSINESS
A. Maile M. Bay – Director
Chair Heckman introduced KBAC’s new Director, Maile M. Bay.
B.
Ramsay Taum – Volunteer Coordinator’s report
a.
Develop and deliver training/community
outreach materials tailored to Ko’olaupoko
b.
Coordinate with networks of volunteer
organizations
c.
Find New Avenues for community volunteerism
d.
Participate in community outreach /public
education efforts
As reported previously, there was approximately a 10% response to the survey assessment. All responses have been tabulated and stored in excel format. Responses will assist in maintenance and development of programs and services offered via the VWQM Program. On-going follow-up conversations and calls continue with non-respondents and or contacts that were not on original mailing list.
a.
Develop and deliver training/community
outreach materials tailored to Ko’olaupoko
b.
Coordinate with networks of volunteer
organizations
c.
Find new avenues for community volunteerism
d. Participate in community outreach /public education efforts
e.
Attend to other duties assigned by the
Executive Director
Pursuant to the last council meeting, it was recommended that this grant project be executed by a consultant and be included in the RFP project. However, there is a STRONG possibility that this project can be included in the proposed Ko’olaupoko Water Quality Assessment Project. (Item C below)
a. Community Education
and Awareness
b. Baseline Data Collection
c. Develop Community and/or Watershed Level Assessment
d. Collaborate with State, Federal and Local Agencies
The Ko’olaupoko Water Quality Assessment Project intends to build upon the work of the Council and the Volunteer Water Quality Monitoring Program and responds to the need for meaningful water quality monitoring data.
Under the supervision and guidance of a technical and science advisory team made, a team of four (4) to six (6) paid research assistants will monitor water quality in the Ko’olaupoko watershed for a period of no less than one-year. The technical and science advisory team will be made up of interested university and college faculty members based in Ko’olaupoko.
Research assistants (RA) staff will measure turbidity, nutrients, chlorophyll, oxygen and fecal coliforms collecting samples at least twice a month from eight (8), yet to be determined locations within the Ko’olaupoko watershed. With the guidance of the volunteer-technical and science advisory team, RA’s will develop and document the protocols and methodologies for each measure. They will compare regions of the water shed that are heavily impacted by anthropogenic activities with regions that are less heavily impacted to better understand the relationship between anthropogenic activities and water quality in the watershed and surrounding areas. The study design will incorporate opportunities for volunteer monitoring efforts to benefit from and participate in the project both in the near and far term.
The parameters selected for this study are guided by and remain sensitive to scientific and regulatory issues identified by the State Department of Health (DOH) and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) regarding “impacted” water bodies in Ko’olaupoko. Furthermore, the methodologies being selected are of sufficient rigor to meet both DOH and EPA standards and may contribute substantially to the eventual development of determining total maximum daily limits for the parameters of interest. The conduct of this monitoring program is seen as a preliminary step in fulfilling the goals of the consent decree and should serve as a step off point to secure state and federal funding to continue this program in the future and expand the water quality monitoring.
Following are additional points included the preliminary proposal before the Council:
· Duration: 12-month water-sampling project.
· The project is a partnership with academic community and interested community agencies and organizations.
· Project Type: Watershed Inventory; Condition and Trend Analysis (wadeable/non-wadeable waters); Nonpoint Source Impact Assessment
· Project will attempt to:
· Produced meaningful data.
· Identify current/ present ecological conditions and how they change over time.
· Select sites that have unique ecological, social and economic values that need attention (i.e. protections, restoration, etc.)
· Identify impaired/threatened waters that the Council should make a priority.
· Identify potential causes and threats?
· Assist the Council in identifying possible measures to mitigate impacts.
· Project will be monitoring the presence of the following: Dissolved Oxygen, Nitrates, Phosphates, Coliforms, and Chlorophyll.
· Projected Annual Operating Budget: $59,000.00. This estimated budget includes project administration, staffing, lab equipment and supplies, chemicals. * (Does not include management fees or costs related to the contracting of employees via alternate employment agency; i.e. Altres). Note: Funds for this project are included in the current Volunteer Water Quality Monitoring Program budget and can be supplemented by the DOH grant (i.e. $10,000)
· Costs related to project include
· Student manpower (estimated: $8.00/hr x 6 students / 15 hrs/wk.) cost of equipment & chemicals (see attached estimates)
· Recovery/recharge costs for lab equipment repairs resulting from normal use (as required)
· Project Administration (VC compensation)
· Staff
· Plan to Hire four-six part time hires: Student Interns/Research Assistants
· Discussions with Altres and Student Internship Offices complete. Follow-up to commence subject to approval.
· Project Management/Administration provided by KBAC VC
· Project Office: 45-270 William Henry Rd., Kaneohe, HI
· Supervision, Study Design, Lab Analysis and Accountability to be provided by Volunteer Faculty Committee
· Lab Use & Time: Volunteer staff at HPU and in-kind contribution by HPU.
· Eight (8) sites to coincide with USGS sites or with other existing sites designated and recommended by community groups or agencies engaged in monitoring efforts in Ko'olaupoko. (i.e. NRCS, Dept of Agriculture, DOH; H ACD, etc. )
· Study design acknowledges EPA, State DOH interests in TMDL’s; Need for Unified Watershed Assessment; Needs for user-friendly database; Ko’olaupoko Sustainable Communities Plan.
· need to consider how to make the data user friendly
· how to provide the information on a web based concept
· how to present the information because it “cannot be everything to everybody”
· how to provide the training for volunteers, not just student interns
· how to coordinate with various grade schools who would like to partner with this effort
· need to include this in educational efforts for implementation
· how to include Windward Community College and how and where to sample (we need to talk with the community)
It was noted that the student interns can become champions for the effort and can work with community volunteers.
The VC will continue going out to get the community concerns.
The Council wants broad-based community involvement and may select the sites.
a. Develop and deliver training/community outreach materials tailored to Ko’olaupoko
b. Coordinate with networks of volunteer organizations
c. Find New Avenues for community volunteerism
d. Participate in community outreach /public education efforts
Exploring partnerships and collaborations on the following:
Ko’olaupoko Stream Restoration Symposium or Conference – Early Spring 2001
Ahupua’a Resource Management Conference – summer 2001
Shoreline Cleanups – Waimanalo Community with Hui Malama o ke Kai.
Volunteer Water Quality Monitoring Training/Certification Program – Carl Evensen (HAPPI)
Action requested: VC is to talk with Lynn Nakagawa at the State Costal Zone Management Program, Office of Planning, Dept. of Business, Economic Development and Tourism.
C. Review fall timeline
There needs to be a criteria on how we evaluate the proposals before funds can actually be released. Chair Heckman has tasked the Director to do the following in the next four months: 1) the creation of an initial Master Plan and a first draft budget to achieve that Master Plan; 2) the creation, execution and completion of an RFP and contract to finish the Technical Review Report by the end of the year; 3) review of the above report with suggested actions for the Board such that the first round of implementation projects and/or further technical studies can be requested by the beginning of the year; 4) review of the Volunteer Water Quality Program and coordination of the program with the Master Plan; 5) review and completion of the Organizational Plan; and 6) review and RFP for creation of a non-profit status for KBAC.
The educational aspect and Dr. Max Alam’s report needs to be integrated into the RFP for the Technical Report which could be used as a management tool. The Director has been tasked to contact Dr. Alam to inform him of KBAC’s needs and how we’re going to utilize his report. KBAC would prefer that the community clean the water instead of KBAC cleaning the water.
Chair Heckman asked the members if he covered the important elements and they all agreed. The Technical plan RFP needs to consider Dr. Alam’s work and an educational component for implementation. It needs to be a management tool and a planning document.
Suggested timeframe/tasks proposed:
· interview top three proposals
· accept proposal by end of October 2000
· release draft – December 2000
· out to the community – January 2001
· KBAC selects themes – February 2001
D. Strategic Plan
Member Rushforth reiterated that the Strategic Plan is not written in stone and that KBAC has created an initial document that will continue to evolve as we gain experience. Chair Heckman asked all of the members to forward the edits to have the document completed by the end of September. It was noted that this is a “working document” and can be amended from time to time accordingly.
A motion was made by member Harris, seconded by Rushforth, to accept the Strategic Plan as long as the edits do not significantly change the agreed upon intent. Member Derrickson suggested correctly formatting the Hawaiian words. It was unanimously approved.
E. Organizational Infrastructure – At the next meeting the Board will aim to finish the document. It was also noted to be a working document like the Strategic Plan, above.
IV. MEETINGS for the rest of the quarter - Meetings will be held at Windward Community College at 6:45 pm on:
October 18, 2000 - Hale Alakai #102
November 8, 2000 - Hale Alakai #102
December 13, 2000 - Hale Alakai #102
V. ADJOURNMENT
The meeting was adjourned at 8:45 p.m.