Watershed protection funds sufficient, DLNR says

Although the Legislature failed to pass bills this session to fund the state’s watershed protection initiatives by collecting a fee imposed on nonrecyclable bags or increasing taxes on expensive real estate transactions, the Department of Land and Natural Resources said it is satisfied with the level of funding lawmakers did choose to provide.

"Our plan was to look for whatever source of funding we can, whether it be long term or short term, and we are actually extremely pleased by the support of the Legislature for the upcoming budget for the next two years," DLNR Deputy Director Esther Kia­‘aina said Monday.

The biennial budget, which House and Senate members approved Tuesday, allocates $3.5 million in general funds and $5 million in capital improvement project funds for watershed protection in the 2014 fiscal year, and $2.5 million in capital improvement project funds for 2015, Kia­‘aina said.

Lawmakers also earmarked $1.5 million in 2014 and $2 million in 2015 for fencing projects to preserve watershed areas, and $750,000 in each of the next two fiscal years to aid the efforts of the Hawaii Invasive Species Council.

"When we add all of this together, we come out to $10.75 million (for fiscal year 2014), which is basically around the threshold we had been seeking," Kia­‘aina said.

Watershed areas work to supply aquifers and streams with fresh water by soaking up rainwater and cloud moisture like a sponge and allowing it to trickle down into the ground.

Deforestation, invasive species and destruction by animals such as feral pigs prevent watersheds from doing their job.

Kia‘aina said the budgeted funds would help the department protect about 40,000 acres of watershed land, or nearly half of its 90,000-acre goal.

Gov. Neil Abercrombie announced in November 2011 a plan to double the state’s protected watershed areas by 2021 at a cost of $11 million a year. Lawmakers last year considered imposing a bag fee to cover the estimated cost but killed the measure and instead agreed to provide DLNR with more than $5 million.

Abercrombie, in his State of the State address this year, reiterated his commitment to fund watershed protection and proposed an increase in the conveyance tax on high-end property transactions as well as a statewide 10-cent fee for single-use checkout bags as ways to do it.

"I thank the Legislature for providing funding last session," Abercrombie said during the January speech, "but what we need is a sustainable and ongoing source of funding."

Even though the governor’s proposals didn’t go through, Kia­‘aina said DLNR benefited from pleading its case before the Legislature to spread the word about the need to protect the state’s freshwater supply.

"I have optimism that we can actually be in control over the issue and safeguard our water supply for the future," she said. "But it’s going to require commitment by the state of Hawaii on funding it, and … educational awareness to the public that this is a need and it needs to be supported."

Kia‘aina said the approved CIP funding for fiscal years 2014 and 2015 will cover priority projects such as protecting 1,000 acres of watershed land in the Koo­lau Mountains from feral pig destruction; constructing protective barriers and restoring native and endangered species in the remote forests in Hawaii island’s Kohala and Kau districts; reforesting 9,000 acres on the northeast south slopes of Hale­akala, where more than 90 percent of native forests have been lost to grazing; and protecting 3,000 acres in the Ala­kai area of Kauai, which acts as critical watershed for the Wai­mea district.

Hoofed animal control, invasive species management and eradication, and reforestation "all have to be done simultaneously to ensure that the watershed is protected," she said.

Kia‘aina said the department plans to work next session to secure general funds and additional CIP funds for the 2015 fiscal year.