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Water Resources <br />A warmer ocean and more acidic ocean stresses <br />reef ecosystems from increased rainfall and runoff <br />containing sewage, pesticides, and fertilizers. <br />Rising sea surface temperature,, also associated <br />with increasing storm intensity., can cause similar <br />damage. This impacts fish populations, the food <br />web in marine ecosystems, and the communities <br />who depend on them. Hawaii is impacted not only <br />by global ocean acidification, but also coastal <br />acidification resulting from localized land -based <br />pollution, such as runoff and cesspools." <br />Further., wastewater and water line segments as <br />well as on -site disposal systems are exposed to sea <br />level rise. Saltwater intrusion from sea level rise into <br />shallow coastal aquifers impacts potable water <br />supply from shallow coastal groundwater wells and <br />underground infrastructure. Underground <br />infrastructure may become corroded and <br />contaminate freshwater and nearshore waters. The <br />General Plan promotes One Water strategies in the <br />Public Utilities section. <br />Agriculture and Native Ecosystems <br />Extended droughts can have cascading effects on <br />native ecosystems, the economy, agriculture, and <br />public health. Drought reduces stream flow, which <br />decreases the water available to support stream <br />and wetland habitats, agricultural irrigation, <br />cultural practices, and aquifer recharge and <br />freshwater supplies. 1-7 Rain -fed fields and pastures <br />are the most vulnerable to drought impacts in <br />Hawaii. If droughts persist, irrigated areas can <br />become vulnerable as well.18 Additionally, higher <br />temperatures and drought degrade native forests <br />through increasing tree mortality and accelerating <br />grass invasion. Together, these factors can reduce <br />the cover of high -quality forest and heighten <br />vulnerability to fire impacts. Future drying with <br />climate change will shift speak fire risk to higher <br />elevations, endangering native forests mauka. <br />Freshwater ecosystems are especially vulnerable <br />to drought. Stream wildlife is adversely impacted <br />by reductions in stream flow through the limited <br />availability of freshwater habitat, loss of <br />hydrological connectivity, and impaired water <br />quality. Reduced surface water and groundwater <br />inputs into nearshore environments may also have <br />negative impacts on organisms in brackish and <br />marine environments. Groundwater -dependent <br />ecosystems, including fish ponds, anchialine <br />pools, and coastal springs, are culturally and <br />ecologically significant systems that are affected by <br />drought and exacerbated by unsustainable water <br />use. Longer and more frequent droughts increase <br />the demand for potable and non -potable water for <br />municipal and agricultural uses. Water supply from <br />County, private, and individual systems will be <br />impacted by drought conditions and increased <br />water use to support residents', agriculture, <br />ranching, and tourism. Improving water <br />infrastructure and conservation by increasing <br />water storage capacity, reducing leakages from <br />water systems, providing backup water systems, <br />using stormwater to recharge groundwater <br />aquifers, integrating groundwater -dependent <br />ecosystem needs in sustainable water yield <br />analysis, and conducting education and outreach <br />activities are some of the key pre -drought <br />management actions needed in a changing <br />climate. The Collaborative Biocultural <br />Stewardship section of the General Plan promotes <br />balanced and resilient approach to managing land <br />and resources. <br />Critical Infrastructure <br />Severe rainfall events., compounded by flooding <br />and landslides, jeopardize critical infrastructure, <br />communities, and coastal ecosystems. Runoff and <br />flooding are some of the most disastrous impacts <br />16 State of Hawaii, Ocean Acidification Action Plan 2021 - 2031 (2021) <br />https://dlnr.hawaii.gov/dar/files/2021/09/State of Hawaii CIA Action Plan.pdf <br />17 COHJ, Multi -Hazard Mitigation Plan (2020) https://www.hawaiicounty.gov/departments/civil-defense/multi-hazard-mitigation-plan-2020 <br />18 Frazier, A.G.; Giardina, C.P.; Giambelluca, T.W.; Brewington, L.; Chen, Y.-L.; Chu, P.-S.; Berio Fortini., L.; Hall, D.; Helweg, D.A.; Keener, V.W.; et al., <br />(2022). A Century of Drought in Hawaii: Geospatial Analysis and Synthesis across Hydrological, Ecological, and Socioeconomic Scales. Sustainability <br />2022#4 141 12023. https://doi.org/10.3390/sul4l9l2O23 <br />3.0 Addressing Climate Change for Island -Wide Health I County of Hawaii General Plan <br />62 <br />