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Shared Vision Planning Approach to West Maui Watershed Plan

Published Jan. 29, 2016
Collaboration and Public Participation Center of Expertise

Collaboration and Public Participation Center of Expertise

ALEXANDRIA, VIRGINIA.   In November 2015, the Institute for Water Resources’ (IWR) staff Michelle Haynes and Hal Cardwell supported, organized and led multiple stakeholder and public meetings as part of POH's Shared Vision Planning approach to the USACE-State of Hawaii West Maui ‎Watershed Plan. The watershed study is supported by a state-federal interagency team who coordinates funded activities relevant to coral reef and watershed health in West Maui.   The study is also supported by a local stakeholder working group, state officials, elders from the communities, private landowners, and others.

‎The team from IWR conducted individual meetings on the plan with the largest landowner in the study area, Maui Land and Pineapple, as well as with the County of Maui, in order to relay study progress.  One new item of note included the recent USACE-supported sediment transport survey work in the basin.

A technical working group meeting updated researchers from USGS, State Department of Aquatic Resources, University of Hawaii and EPA on recent work in the basin.  The public meeting featured talks on recent study progress as well as an open house featuring visioning sessions and information booths from seven local watershed initiatives. Finally the working group provided refinements to metrics for the watershed study, inputs to the public engagement strategy, and secured near term commitments on activities from NOAA, USGS, EPA, UH, the State and local partners.

The West Maui Watershed Planning project is an example of the work conducted under the Collaboration & Public-Participation Center of EXpertise (CPCX).  Recognizing the value and need for collaboration, partnering, and public participation in water resources decision making, the Corps created the CPCX located at IWR.  Its mission it to help Corps staff anticipate, prevent, and manage water conflicts, ensuring that the interests of the public are addressed in Corps decision making. The CPCX achieves this by developing and expanding the application of collaborative tools to improve water resources decision making. Key tasks include training, research, and the application of collaborative process techniques and modeling tools which can and should be used proactively to prevent and minimize conflicts, rather than just employed once conflict emerges.  To view the latest issue of Collaboration Corner, CPCX’s informative newsletter, please visit: http://www.iwr.usace.army.mil/Portals/70/docs/cpc/Newslder/CPPCoP_Newsletter_2015_Oct-Nov.pdf

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For more information, visit IWR www.iwr.usace.army.mil

www.iwr.usace.army.mil/cpc