american samoa - University of Hawaii at Manoa Botany Department

The wall would be back-filled with native soil to reduce the visual impact of the concrete bags,as well as afford the opportunity to plant ifi, other wetland trees, and some fruit trees. Treeswould be planted immediately adjacent to the pond perimeter along a 20-foot wide buffer.Wetland and fruit trees would further enhance the attractiveness of the detention area andincrease wetland vegetation in the vicinity of the stream. Planting of the wetland and fruit treeswould be accomplished by the ASCC Land Grant Program.A coral trail within the detention pond would enable pedestrian access within the adjoiningresidential area, as well as access to nearby commercial and recreational areas.Option 2: Plant Native Riparian Trees Along Stream BanksOption 2 would focus more specifically upon the 600-foot stream segment (Figure 8-4). Alongthe north and south stream banks, the American Samoa Community College, Land GrantProgram should initiate the planting of ifi (Tahitian chestnut) fau, laufala, and falaga.However, no trees would be planted between the south stream bank and the existing bananaplantation.The establishment of Tahitian chestnut and other native riparian trees along the stream bankrepresents an important opportunity because these trees contains roots that can help stabilizethe soil along the banks of the stream segment. Propagated seedlings of these native trees mayalready be available at the ASCC Land Grant Program nursery.The ASCC Land Grant Program would encourage residents to participate in the planting ofthese trees along the north and south banks of the stream. ASCC Land Grant has considerableexperience with encouraging community participation through its Forestry StewardshipProgram. Colin Steele, director of the Land Grant Program, envisions that the establishment ofnative riparian trees and the related participation of residents can best be accomplished byproviding, at no charge, a total of 30 tree seedlings to each household along the stream.However, the “no charge” arrangement would be conditional to the resident’s agreement toplant the new trees within 30 feet of the stream bank (Steele, 1995). Consequently, randomriparian tree plantings would be made along the north and south sides of the 600-foot streamsegment.Comparative Benefits and ImpactsPPC’s evaluation of the two alternate restoration and enhancement strategies is summarized inTable 8-5.Option 1 provides a significant opportunity for stormwater detention opportunity, as well as thereduction of flood hazards and property damages. This option would also provide limitedenhancement of riparian vegetation in the vicinity of Sauino Stream. At the same time, thisproject would generate the loss of some limited subsistence agriculture and would require asignificant public expenditure for project implementation.Option 2 would significantly improve riparian vegetation, help stabilize stream banks, andreduce the transport of sediments into Pala Lagoon for a nominal project cost. This projectwould not impact adjoining residential land uses or subsistence agricultural production.American Samoa Wetlands/Streams Restoration and Enhancement PlanFebruary 2001, Sauino Stream, Page 8-9