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Objective 2 <br />Preserve and enhance the health and function of watersheds to promote water <br />recharge, improve water quality, and reduce runoff. <br />Policies <br />2.1 Engage in comprehensive watershed planning to protect all watersheds and identify priority <br />watershed areas to develop or complete watershed management plans and projects. <br />2.2 Address water best management practices and implement plans for non -point source discharges, <br />such as irrigation flows and agricultural or urban runoff. <br />2.3 Prioritize forest and land management above 2,500 to 3,000 feet elevation to ensure effective <br />groundwater recharge. <br />2.4 Within mauka areas of high rainfall/fog-drip belt, ground disturbing activities such as excessive <br />soil compaction and excessive removal of vegetative cover should be minimized and mitigated <br />consistent with management strategies that encourage the retention of existing forested and <br />pasture areas, reforestation, minimal coverage by impervious surfaces and other strategies that <br />encourage effective infiltration to groundwater. <br />2.5 Watershed management planning should recognize the ecosystem service value of watersheds <br />and open 'space to protect scenic vistas and aesthetic values; water recharge; carbon <br />sequestration; oxygen production; habitat enhancement and preservation; fire suppression and <br />fuel load management; soil conservation; preservation of cultural values; and the potential for <br />additional public access and recreational opportunities. <br />2.6 Maintain participation in the development and implementation of the Ocean Resources <br />Management Plan (ORMP), marine zoning plans, Marine Managed Areas (MMAs), or other <br />appropriate tools. <br />2.7 Partner with government, private and nonprofit agencies, communities, and other stakeholders to: <br />a) Implement a comprehensive conservation plan that identifies priority watershed areas for <br />habitat restoration and enhancement. <br />b) Review and designate forest, river corridors, and watershed areas into the conservation district <br />during State land use boundary comprehensive reviews. <br />c) Monitor nearshore water quality and impacts to reefs and marine environments and address <br />land -based sources of impacts. <br />d) Protect and restore wetlands and riparian corridors to ensure more pristine water quality, <br />decrease erosion, and increase sediment management, groundwater infiltration, <br />nutrient/pollutant uptake, soil moisture retention, stormwater abatement, and <br />cultural/community connections. <br />e) Develop reasonable standards to improve stream and coastal water quality monitoring and <br />encourage local communities to develop such projects. <br />2.0 Collaborative Biocultural Stewardship I County of Hawaii General Plan 44 <br />