There are advantages to having nondeployed Army Chinook helicopters on Oahu.

That was demonstrated Dec. 5 when one of the big CH-47s was used to deliver 22 loads of fencing — nearly 200,000 pounds — into the Koolau Mountains as part of a watershed protection effort.

More than 7 miles of fencing will be put up to protect 1,000 acres of native forest in summit areas of the Koolaus from feral pigs and goats that cause water loss.

The steel fencing was sling-loaded by the Chinook helicopter from Schofield Barracks to staging areas in a remote area of the Poamoho section of the Ewa Forest Reserve, the Army said.

"The Chinook’s capabilities allowed us to haul 17 times more material per trip than the contracted aircraft is able, saving time and money," said Kapua Kawelo, a biologist with the Army’s Natural Resources Program. "As an added bonus, the soldiers were able to exercise their sling-load skills."

The Army said the fencing project is being led by the state Department of Land and Natural Resources, with support from the Army and other members of the Koolau Mountain Watershed Partnership.

According to the Army, the majority of the project’s $1 million cost is being provided by the state’s "The Rain Follows the Forest" initiative. The Army said it is providing $300,000 and the U.S. Forest Service is providing $250,000.

"The Rain Follows the Forest" is the state’s plan to replenish Hawaii’s source of water.

A report on the program said hotter, drier conditions and damaged watersheds are escalating costs and conflicts over water.

Half of Hawaii’s forests have been lost, and alien species such as feral pigs and goats trample and devour vegetation, leaving bare ground that increases runoff.

Without vegetation and forest cover, most of the islands’ rainfall would quickly run off unused into the ocean, according to the state. Instead, the forest buffers the impact of heavy rain, which are then stored in underground reservoirs.

The state in June provided $3.5 million in general funds, and $5 million in general obligation bond funding for watershed protection.

"Protecting priority watersheds from damage caused by hoofed animals is the first priority of the ‘Rain Follows the Forest’ program," said Marigold Zoll, who is with the DLNR’s Division of Forestry and Wildlife. "Fencing is the most feasible way to prevent these animals from trampling and devouring vegetation and reducing the spread of non-native invasive species."

Over the next year, the Army said it will construct nearly 2 miles of the more than 7-mile fence, with a contractor completing the remainder.