US Army Corps of EngineersBUILDING STRONG®

Ala Wai Watershed Project:GIS as a Planning Tool for Multi-Objective Watershed Planning

Cindy BargerProject Manager, Civil WorksU.S. Army Corps of EngineersHonolulu District

Erin NaughtonGIS AnalystCH2M HILL

September 23, 2009

BUILDING STRONG®

USACE Priority Missions

Protecting the Waters of the U.S.Cost-share Programs with Non-Federal Sponsors to Support:►Watershed Planning►Navigation►Flood Damage Reduction►Ecosystem Restoration

BUILDING STRONG®

USACE Watershed Perspective

Consider the sustainability of future watershed resources, specifically taking into account environmental quality, economic development & social well-being. (ER 1105-2-100)

BUILDING STRONG®

Environmental Operating Principles(ER 1105-2-404)

Strive to Achieve Environmental Sustainability. Consider Environmental Consequences.Seek Balance & Synergy.Accept Responsibility.Mitigate Impacts.Understand the Environment.Respect Other Views.

Photo Courtesy of USFWS

Photo Courtesy of Bishop Museum

BUILDING STRONG®

USACE 12 Actions for Change

1. Integrated, Comprehensive & Systems-based Approach.

2. Risk-based Concepts in all Phases.

3. Continuously Reassess & Update Policy & Standards.

4. Employ Dynamic Independent Review.

5. Employ Adaptive Planning & Engineering Systems.

6. Focus on Sustainability.

7. Review & Inspect Completed Works.

8. Assess & Modify Organizational Behavior.

9. Effectively Communicate Risk.

10. Establish Public Involvement Risk Reduction Strategies.

11. Manage & Enhance Technical Expertise & Professionalism.

12. Invest in Research.

BUILDING STRONG®

USACE Planning ProcessMILESTONES

◄ Feasibility Scoping Meeting/Baseline Conditions Report

◄ Alternatives Formulation Briefing Report

◄ Draft/Final Feasibility & NEPA Study

BUILDING STRONG®

Community

State

County

Collaborative Planning Partners

BUILDING STRONG®

Watershed Planning Disciplines

Photo Courtesy of NRCS

Soil Scie

ntists

Soil Scie

ntists

BotanistsBotanists

EcologistsEcologists

Hydrologists

Hydrologists

Architects

Architects

Landscape Landscape ArchitectsArchitects

EngineersEngineers

ClimatologistsClimatologists

Oceanographers

OceanographersMarine Marine Biologists

Biologists

Fisheries Biologists

EducatorsEducators

Public Public Relations/Outreach

Relations/Outreach

EconomistsEconomists

Social ScientistsArchaeologists

Archaeologists

Cultural Cultural Practioners

Practioners

Geographers

Geographers

Chemists

ChemistsGeologists

Geologists

HistoriansHistorians

PlannersPlanners

COMMUNITYCOMMUNITY

BUILDING STRONG®

Ala Wai Project Goals & Objectives

Improve the overall quality of the Ala Wai watershed, from the crest of the Ko`olauMountains to the nearshore waters, while minimizing the risk of flood damages to the public.► Flood Risk Management► Water Quality► Recreation► Stakeholder Involvement

► Ecosystem Restoration► Water Supply► Infrastructure Maintenance

Sponsors: USACE, State Department of Land & Natural Resources (DLNR), City & County Environmental Services (ENV).

BUILDING STRONG®

Population: 143,000Size: 12,000 acresStreams & Waterways:

Perennial Streams: 3Canals: 2

Economic Base:8% Gross State Product – $3.6B11% Civilian Jobs in State12% State & County Tax Revenue72,000 visitors/day1,600 businesses

Public Schools: 21Private Schools: 5Universities: 2Potential Flood Damage:

2,000 properties within 100 yr floodplain

Water Quality: ImpairedTrashPesticidesNutrients

MetalsBacteria

Suspended Solids

Ala Wai Watershed Project

BUILDING STRONG®

Consideration for Collaborative Planning

Planning ConsiderationsAvoiding Paralysis by AnalysisShared Purpose Goal & ObjectiveClear Roles & ResponsibilitiesCommunication of Process & Information

GIS ConsiderationsWhat do we have or know?What do we need? What’s the priority?Did we look everywhere or are there data gaps we need to consider?Communication of Process & Information

BUILDING STRONG®

Ala Wai GIS Goals & ObjectivesProvide & Enhance Collaborative Team Abilities.Sustainable Solution with Long-term Potential.Utilize Publicly Available Data.► Accessible Online through Local

& Regional ArcGIS Services.

Maintain SDSFIE Compliant Project Data Geodatabase.Build Solution that Utilizes ArcGIS Server Technology.

BUILDING STRONG®

Data Management

Aerial PhotographyAerial PhotographyArchaeological ResourcesArchaeological ResourcesBiological SurveysBiological SurveysCommunity Concerns & CommentsCommunity Concerns & CommentsCultural InventoryCultural InventoryGeotechnical EvaluationGeotechnical EvaluationEconomic ConsiderationsEconomic ConsiderationsHazardous, Toxic and Radioactive Hazardous, Toxic and Radioactive Waste Inventory (HTRW)Waste Inventory (HTRW)Historical InfrastructureHistorical InfrastructureHydrology & Hydraulics ModelingHydrology & Hydraulics ModelingLand UseLand Use

LIDARLIDARNative Hawaiian Historical Native Hawaiian Historical ConsiderationsConsiderationsPotential Management MeasuresPotential Management MeasuresProperty OwnershipProperty OwnershipPublic Utilities and InfrastructurePublic Utilities and InfrastructureRecreational ActivitiesRecreational ActivitiesSea Level Rise Modeling Sea Level Rise Modeling Sensitive or AtSensitive or At--Risk CommunitiesRisk CommunitiesSoil MappingSoil MappingStorm Drain InventoriesStorm Drain InventoriesStream Inventories/AssessmentsStream Inventories/AssessmentsWater QualityWater Quality

Bringing together many data formats, subject Bringing together many data formats, subject areas, and data sources, including but not areas, and data sources, including but not limited to:limited to:

BUILDING STRONG®

Ala Wai GIS Challenges

Maintain Data Integrity & Continuity.Establishing USACE Infrastructure & Technical Certification Requirements.Out-of-the-box Solution with Little to No Initial Customization.Creating Feature Classes from Data not Traditionally thought of Spatially.Wide Audience of Potential Users with Broad Range of Technical & Scientific Savvy.Source Data is in Multiple Formats, Projections, Completeness, Vintages, etc.

BUILDING STRONG®

What’s Next?Sort out the GIS Infrastructure Requirements.Create Proof-of-concept Site.Continue Data Preparation, Consolidation, and Organization.Complete Stream Inventory Data Collection.Create Consistent Repeatable Processes to Move Forward.

BUILDING STRONG®

Wish List

Create Customization of Site to Include Create Customization of Site to Include Modeling Capabilities.Modeling Capabilities.Develop an Application that Supports Develop an Application that Supports Data Sharing, Education, & Knowledge Data Sharing, Education, & Knowledge Transfer.Transfer.Ensure the Solution is SUSTAINABLE Ensure the Solution is SUSTAINABLE and RESILIANT Longand RESILIANT Long--term.term.

BUILDING STRONG®

MahaloMahalo!!

Ala Ala WaiWai Watershed ProjectWatershed Projectwww.alawaiwatershed.comwww.alawaiwatershed.com

Cindy S. BargerCindy S. BargerU.S. Army Corps of EngineersU.S. Army Corps of Engineersee--mail:mail: Cindy.S.Barger@usace.army.milCindy.S.Barger@usace.army.mil

Erin Erin NaughtonNaughtonCH2M HillCH2M Hillee--mail:mail: Erin.Naughton@CH2M.comErin.Naughton@CH2M.com

Photo Courtesy of Robert Barger