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american samoa - University of Hawaii at Manoa Botany Department

american samoa - University of Hawaii at Manoa Botany Department

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<strong>at</strong>e maps prepared by FEMA suggest th<strong>at</strong> residential properties along the east and west banks<strong>of</strong> the Asili Stream segment could be flooded from a 100-year storm event. FEMA alsoindic<strong>at</strong>es th<strong>at</strong> culvert underne<strong>at</strong>h the Route 1 bridge is capable <strong>of</strong> containing flows from a 100-year storm event.Surface W<strong>at</strong>er QualityDuring its November 1999 survey, PPC represent<strong>at</strong>ives informally met with Mr. Tago, avillage m<strong>at</strong>ai and member <strong>of</strong> the Fono. Mr. Tago reported th<strong>at</strong> a significant amount <strong>of</strong>sediment is discharged from Asili Stream during and following storm events. He believes th<strong>at</strong>turbid surface w<strong>at</strong>er discharges are due, in part, to erosion occurring in upland areas <strong>of</strong> thevillage th<strong>at</strong> are used for the production <strong>of</strong> various subsistence crops.From October 1995 through May 1996, ASEPA conducted a w<strong>at</strong>er quality monitoring program<strong>at</strong> selected streams in Asili, Leone and Afono. This program was aimed <strong>at</strong> gaining a betterunderstanding <strong>of</strong> the source <strong>of</strong> sediments th<strong>at</strong> impact surface w<strong>at</strong>er quality in the selectedstreams.Along each stream, weekly samples were obtained from stream loc<strong>at</strong>ions th<strong>at</strong> were adjacent todeveloped lands, a plant<strong>at</strong>ion, and undeveloped lands. W<strong>at</strong>er samples were subsequentlyanalyzed to determine concentr<strong>at</strong>ions <strong>of</strong> total suspended solids (TSS), turbidity, total nutrients,and total phosphorus.D<strong>at</strong>a obtained from this w<strong>at</strong>er quality monitoring program did not detect any significantdifference in w<strong>at</strong>er quality between the three types <strong>of</strong> st<strong>at</strong>ions along Asili Stream.Consequently, it remains unclear whether or not upstream plant<strong>at</strong>ions are contributing anysignificant amounts <strong>of</strong> eroded soil m<strong>at</strong>erial into Asili Stream.VEGETATIONNovember, 1999 SurveyArt Whistler <strong>of</strong> Isle Botanica conducted a botanical survey <strong>of</strong> the Asili Stream segment onNovember 10, 1999. The walk-through survey was made within the stream banks from st<strong>at</strong>ion1+00 and st<strong>at</strong>ion 10+00 (Figure 10-2). Mr. Whistler was part <strong>of</strong> a three-person field surveyteam organized by Pedersen Planning Consultants th<strong>at</strong> observed wetland veget<strong>at</strong>ion, habit<strong>at</strong> foraqu<strong>at</strong>ic fish and invertebr<strong>at</strong>es, stream hydrology, as well as land uses within and adjacent to thewetland. His observ<strong>at</strong>ions are summarized in the following paragraphs.The veget<strong>at</strong>ion <strong>of</strong> Asili Stream was comprised <strong>of</strong>plants growing along the stream banks. One exceptionis the small “island” along the west stream bank th<strong>at</strong> issitu<strong>at</strong>ed immedi<strong>at</strong>ely upstream <strong>of</strong> the most upstreamhome in Asili Village. The “island” was covered withdense herbaceous veget<strong>at</strong>ion domin<strong>at</strong>ed by vao lima(T-grass). Less amounts <strong>of</strong> Malay ginger (Costusspeciosus) and taamu (giant taro) were interspersedwith banana trees and laup<strong>at</strong>a (Macaranga harveyana). Taamu (giant taro, Alocasia macrorrhiza)The edge <strong>of</strong> subsistence plant<strong>at</strong>ions were adjacent to the stream banks in the vicinity <strong>of</strong> st<strong>at</strong>ions9+00 and 10+00. This area was domin<strong>at</strong>ed by plant<strong>at</strong>ion trees and weeds th<strong>at</strong> are notcharacteristic <strong>of</strong> wetlands.American Samoa Wetlands/Streams Restor<strong>at</strong>ion and Enhancement PlanFebruary 2001, Asili Stream, Page 10-6

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