12.07.2015 Views

american samoa - University of Hawaii at Manoa Botany Department

american samoa - University of Hawaii at Manoa Botany Department

american samoa - University of Hawaii at Manoa Botany Department

SHOW MORE
SHOW LESS
  • No tags were found...

You also want an ePaper? Increase the reach of your titles

YUMPU automatically turns print PDFs into web optimized ePapers that Google loves.

Chapter ElevenFUSI WETLANDLOCATIONFusi Village is loc<strong>at</strong>ed along the southwestcoast <strong>of</strong> the Island <strong>of</strong> Tau (Figure 11-1).The Fusi wetland is loc<strong>at</strong>ed immedi<strong>at</strong>elyupland <strong>of</strong> Tau Harbor and the primaryshoreline vehicular trail along the westcoast <strong>of</strong> Tau (Figure 11-2). Past studiessuggest th<strong>at</strong> this site comprisesapproxim<strong>at</strong>ely 1.45 acres <strong>of</strong> wetland(Biosystems Analysis, 1993).WETLAND HYDROLOGYSources <strong>of</strong> Surface Run<strong>of</strong>f to the Fusi WetlandField observ<strong>at</strong>ions by Pedersen Planning Consultants in November 1999 discovered th<strong>at</strong> thereare no streams th<strong>at</strong> discharge to the wetland. Available topographic maps also confirm th<strong>at</strong> nostream or surface w<strong>at</strong>er bodies are connected hydrologically to the Fusi wetland.However, limited surface w<strong>at</strong>er (less than one cfs) was observed entering the north side <strong>of</strong> thewetland via sheet flow drainage from the steeper slopes east <strong>of</strong> the wetland. In addition,conditions within one or two ponded w<strong>at</strong>er areas within the wetland suggested the possiblehydrologic connection to a fresh-w<strong>at</strong>er spring.The Fusi wetland is situ<strong>at</strong>ed within a few hundred feet <strong>of</strong> the shoreline and nearshore w<strong>at</strong>ers.However, no hydrologic outlet was detected during the survey. One west Tau resident alsoconfirmed th<strong>at</strong> no outlet was present (Sega, 1999).Stormw<strong>at</strong>er Discharges and Rel<strong>at</strong>ed Flood PotentialThere is no significant flood potential in the vicinity <strong>of</strong> the Fusi wetland. The entire Island <strong>of</strong>Tau was mapped by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) in May 1991 toidentify potential 100-year flood plain areas. Available flood insurance r<strong>at</strong>e maps indic<strong>at</strong>e th<strong>at</strong>the entire island is zone “x”. This design<strong>at</strong>ion signifies areas th<strong>at</strong> are loc<strong>at</strong>ed outside <strong>of</strong> the500-year flood plain. Consequently, potential stormw<strong>at</strong>er discharges within the Fusi wetlandand adjoining residential area are not anticip<strong>at</strong>ed.American Samoa Wetlands/Streams Restor<strong>at</strong>ion and Enhancement PlanFebruary 2001, Fusi Wetland, Page 11-1

Hooray! Your file is uploaded and ready to be published.

Saved successfully!

Ooh no, something went wrong!