Hilo Bay Watershed Advisory Group
Water Quality Monitoring Program
Page 1 of 6
PROJECT SUMMARY
The Hilo Bay Watershed Advisory Group (HBWAG) proposes to develop a water quality
monitoring program relieving the burden of government and seeking to fill a gap between
state and county agencies. It is the desire of the HBWAG to collect base flow (ambient) and
storm flow water quality data that can serve as baseline measurements for the Hilo Bay
watershed. The purpose is to identify pollutants that may need application of Best
Management Practices (BMPs) to bring suspect waters into compliance with current water
quality standards. Without adequate baseline data for this watershed, it is difficult to
determine sources of pollution and to recommend remediation solutions. Additionally, the
water quality monitoring, if maintained through and after the BMPs, will allow the
community to evaluate the effectiveness of the remediation actions and to determine if the
waters have come into compliance with state water quality standards.
The Mission of the HBWAG is: ?To bring the community together to understand and protect
the ecology of the Hilo Bay Watershed?. This mission has been achieved through successful
partnerships with the University of Hawaii at Hilo (UHH), USDA Natural Resources
Conservation Service, The Big Island Resource Conservation and Development Council
(BIRC&DC), The Pacific Aquaculture and Coastal Resources Center (PACRC), the Hawaii
County Department of Water Supply (DWS), Hamakua Soil and Water Conservation District
(SWCD), and the NOAA Mokup?papa Discovery Center. A list of accomplishments is
included in Attachment B. This community-based organization was formed during the public
input process phase of the Hilo Bay Watershed Project Public Input Final Report in July,
2003 to address the United States Environmental Protection Agency?s (USEPA) list of
impaired waters in the Hilo Bay Watershed. The group consists of volunteers who, through
partnerships, outreach, and personal commitment, address watershed and water quality
issues. The fiscal sponsor for the HBWAG is the Big Island Resource Conservation and
Development Council, a registered 501c3 non profit in the State of Hawaii
.
The Hawaii
County Department of Planning will be the entity submitting the grant proposal to Coastal
Zone Management (CZM) for its consideration.
This proposed project addresses the following Management Goals and Strategic Actions
detailed in Tables 5 and 7 of the Ocean Resources Management Plan (ORMP).
From Table 5: Water Quality Monitoring Project Results Indicators for Management
Goals and Strategic Actions under Perspective 1
Management Goals and Strategic Actions
WQ Monitoring Results Indicators
Improve coastal water quality by reducing
land-based sources of pollution
?
Reduce soil erosion from upland
forest ecosystems and conversation
lands
?
Reduce pollutant loads from
residential, agricultural, and
?
The number of identified
disturbances that create pollution
and BMPs recommended
?
The number of identified locations
of under treated sewage from
Hilo Bay Watershed Advisory Group
Water Quality Monitoring Program
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commercial uses in priority
watersheds
residential agricultural or
commercial contributions to non-
point sources
Protect beaches, wetlands, and coastal
communities from shoreline erosion and
other coastal hazards
?
Develop and implement a
comprehensive and integrated
shoreline policy that addresses the
impacts of chronic and episodic
coastal hazards
?
Quantity of stressors and BMPs
recommended in final report to
minimize hazards
Improve and ensure maintenance and
appropriate use of environmental
infrastructure
?
Repair leaking sewers in priority
watersheds
?
Reduce the number of individual
wastewater disposal systems in the
coastal environment
?
Number of identified inappropriate
wastewater disposal methods and
locations
From Table 7: Water Quality Monitoring Project Results Indicators for Management
Goals and Strategic Actions under Perspective 3
Management Goals and Strategic Actions
WQ Monitoring Results Indicators
Apply integrated and place-based
approaches to the management of natural
and cultural resources
?
Develop integrated natural and
cultural resources planning process
and standardized tools
?
Build capacity for community
participation in natural and cultural
resources management
?
Establishment of HBWAG and
partnerships that were formed over
4 years creates decision making
process which was non-existent in
the past
?
WQ Monitoring provides data sets
that will lead to identification of
environmental problems within
watershed
?
Cooperative decision making
between new partnerships using
credible data will enhance cultural
and natural management
The HBWAG water quality monitoring program will link directly with these specific
management goals and strategic actions by assessing the current conditions and using the
results indicators listed above towards remediation. The budget for the project is $5020.
Hilo Bay Watershed Advisory Group
Water Quality Monitoring Program
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NARRATIVE PROJECT DESCRIPTION
The objective of the water quality program is to identify potential sources of pollution
entering streams and rivers in the Hilo Bay watershed, and to recommend mitigation of the
pollution through community awareness and/or working with residents, local, and
government agencies. A report of the findings shall be shared with the community and stake
holders via the HBWAG website and monthly outreach meetings held at the Mokup?papa
Discovery Center in downtown Hilo.
The need for this type of research was highlighted in the Hilo Bay Watershed-Based
Restoration Plan prepared two years ago by the Environmental Center at the University of
Hawaii at Manoa, which listed multiple tasks with recommended projects addressing water
quality, watershed management, and much needed research to identify the level of
impairment in the bay and rivers. However, the plan was not implemented because of
insufficient or non-existent water quality data regarding pollution within the watershed.
Additional literature searches and inquiries regarding pollution issues within the watershed
confirm that insufficient water quality data exists for the Hilo Bay watershed and because of
this pollutant sources cannot be identified. This project attempts to fill this gap.
This project will sample numerous stream waters in an effort to reflect the overall water
quality of the watershed and in determining if the specified parameters for inland waters meet
the established criteria. Finding waters with levels exceeding the criteria will be noted and
the proper agency notified. Improving coastal water quality will require an examination of
the source or potential sources in non-point source situations followed by BMP
implementation(s) with further sampling. This project will sample specific sites and note
those exceeding the criteria. It does not implement BMPs, however, the HBWAG will
support and track progress of any BMPs implemented as a result of this project. Similarly, if
inappropriate wastewater disposal methods are observed, those will be documented and
reported. Integrating these credible data with the on-going Breakwater Water Quality Study
and Beaches (HDOH) program will provide validation and potentially identify areas where
further research is needed.
One powerful tool for integrating place-based approaches is through dialogues and
discussions within the community. The HBWAG has such a tool in place through a
partnership with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). The
HBWAG presents a monthly lecture at the Mokup?papa Discovery Center in downtown Hilo
addressing various water quality and watershed topics with time set aside for questions,
answers, and talking story. Ideas and concerns are shared in this friendly, welcoming
environment. Building capacity for community participation is facilitated and encouraged
through volunteering for on-going projects; e.g., beach cleanups, wastewater stenciling, grant
writing.
Our proposed monitoring project plans to measure: Nitrate + Nitrite, Ammonium, Total
Phosphorus, Total Nitrogen, Total Suspended Solids, and Turbidity. Samples will be taken
in accordance with a Quality Assurance Plan using standard method guidelines and accepted
practices in accordance with the Hawaii Department of Health (HDOH) and the
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Water Quality Monitoring Program
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Environmental Protection Agency(EPA). The samples will be tested at UHH Marine Science
Laboratories on the University of Hawaii at Hilo campus. The samples will be collected by a
HBWAG 2 person (see attached resumes for primary investigators) team bi-monthly over a 6
month period. Accessible stream sites will be pre-determined and the sampling will be done
at random dates so as to preclude bias to the maximum extent possible. That is, specific
dates each month shall be selected and samples taken regardless of weather. Each stream
will be tested at an upper and lower site. The table below provides a summary of the
streams, number of sites, parameters to be measured, and the cost for each sample analysis.
Table of Streams and number of sites.
Stream No.
Sites
Nitrate
+
Nitrite
Ammon
ium
Total
Phosph
orus
Total
Nitrogen
Total
Suspend
Solids
Turbidity
Honoli?i 2
$5
$5
$5
$5
$5
$5*
Pauka?a 2
$5
$5
$5
$5
$5
$5*
P?k?hae 2
$5
$5
$5
$5
$5
$5*
Wailuku 2
$5
$5
$5
$5
$5
$5*
Kaumana Springs
Source
1 $5 $5 $5 $5 $5 $5*
Waiakea Pond
Upper Reach
1 $5 $5 $5 $5 $5 $5*
Alenaio 2
$5
$5
$5
$5
$5
$5*
Waiakea 2
$5
$5
$5
$5
$5
$5*
* - In Kind (Reference Budget)
This program will provide several benefits to the community:
?
Hilo Bay watershed has two ephemeral streams deemed ?impaired? and listed in
303(d)/305(b) report by HDOH to the USEPA without specific impairment
parameters defined and without scientific data to support the listing. This project
shall provide data towards substantiating whether the impairment exists.
?
The community will benefit through the collection of water quality data using sound
scientific methods that can substantiate whether the impairment exists.
?
The data shall serve as a basis for future comparisons as population growth occurs
and allow for environmental impacts to be assessed.
?
The development and implementation of BMPs will commence once specific
problems are identified and corrective action agreed upon by the stakeholders.
?
An informed community can better serve themselves and help government in making
decisions regarding water quality.
The HBWAG water quality monitoring program will be performed during the six
month period from January 1, 2008 to June 30, 2008 or sooner if funds become available. It
is anticipated that further funding will be sought to continue the monitoring program with
possible expansion to the wider county/State. This will be accomplished via the Hawaii
Hilo Bay Watershed Advisory Group
Water Quality Monitoring Program
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Association of Conversation Districts building upon their current yearly water quality
program. A summary report of this program will be generated and distributed to partners and
archived to the HBWAG website.
BUDGET & PARTNERSHIPS
The following table provides a detailed list of the work to be accomplished, the role of each
partner, and an estimated cost for performing those tasks required to implement the Water
Quality Monitoring Program. The Pacific Aquaculture and Coastal Resources Center has
partnered with HBWAG to provide staff for consulting on water quality data presentation
and analysis, issues, and a computer for storing data plus working space for meetings. The
Hawaii County Planning Department will act as liaison between agencies and stakeholders
and will provide maps, consultation, and other information regarding land use and
development. Copying services will also be supplied by the Planning Department. The local
HDOH staff has agreed to consult with HBWAG regarding test sites and methods. The
fiduciary sponsor, Big Island Resource Conservation and Development Council will oversee
the funds and provide financial reports
Hilo Bay Watershed Advisory Group
Water Quality Monitoring Program
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PROJECT BUDGET
AGENCY/ORGANIZATION TASK HOURS/$
RATE/HOUR
HI County Planning
Staff to provide consulting,
maps, and stakeholder liaison,
copy service for presentation
materials & reports
BI
RC&DC
Staff to oversee funds,
generate financial reports
HBWAG
Volunteers to collect samples
(32 Hr/month) for 6 months
192 $18
Turbidity Equipment
HOCH
2100P
(includes
shipping + tax)
$880
UHH Analytical Laboratory
Analyses (720 Samples*)
Lab University Rate for
testing
$3600
Sample bottles
Nalgene 1 liter/1 case(24)
Sample containment
Cooler + ice
$42
Meeting Space
1 Per Month
6
$25
Meetings (1 per month)
HBWAG, DOH, PACRC
personnel
24 $18
Writer (QA plan + report)
Write QA Plan + report
24
$18
Fuel expense to/from sites
Estimate 12 days $20.00 per
day
$240
Lunch (2 persons/day)
$5 per person x 12 days
$120
Processing of photo
surveillance of sites
HBWAG volunteer
6
$18
HBWAG
Volunteer does turbidity test
(14 test/month)x six month
$5
Total
Formatted: Centered
Deleted: PROJECT BUDGET
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