(BIVN) – Efforts to maintain and restore the Kawaihae watershed will get a funding boost from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
U.S. Senator Brian Schatz (D-Hawai‘i) announced on Tuesday that NOAA will award $646,886 to the Kohala Center on Hawai‘i Island in order to help improve 8,500 acres within the West Hawai‘i Habitat Focus Area. Schatz is a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee.
“The funding announced today represents a chance to reverse the deterioration of the Kawaihae watershed by addressing the erosion and sedimentation caused by invasive plants, feral goats, and deforestation,” said Senator Schatz in a media release.
The Kohala Center will work with NOAA to improve 8,500 acres, erect 12 miles of fencing, remove over 1,000 feral goats, restore vegetation along a 10-acre riparian corridor using 2,000 native trees and shrubs, and install 20 sediment capture dams, Schatz says.
NOAA produced this video detailing efforts in West Hawai‘i Habitat Focus Area.
by Big Island Video News9:23 am
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STORY SUMMARY
KAWAIHAE, Hawaii - U.S. Senator Brian Schatz announced the funds from NOAA will help restore the area within the West Hawai‘i Habitat Focus Area.