Source: UNIVERSITY OF ARIZONA submitted to NRP
SOUTHWEST STATES & PACIFIC ISLANDS (REGION 9) WATER RESOURCE PROGRAMS
Sponsoring Institution
National Institute of Food and Agriculture
Project Status
COMPLETE
Funding Source
OTHER GRANTS
Reporting Frequency
Annual
Accession No.
0220568
Grant No.
2009-51130-06048
Cumulative Award Amt.
$1,695,000.00
Proposal No.
2010-03598
Multistate No.
(N/A)
Project Start Date
Sep 1, 2009
Project End Date
Feb 28, 2014
Grant Year
2010
Program Code
[110.B]- Regional, Place-Based Water Resource Proposals
Recipient Organization
UNIVERSITY OF ARIZONA
888 N EUCLID AVE
TUCSON,AZ 85719-4824
Performing Department
Agri & Biosystems Engineering
Non Technical Summary
This project will deliver multi-state and tribal programming to address regional and/or multi-regional water resource concerns common to the twelve states, Pacific islands, and tribally-controlled community colleges in US EPA Region 9: Arizona, California, Hawaii, Nevada, America Samoa, Northern Marianas, Micronesia, Guam, Marshall Islands, Palau, and Din? College. The geographic area encompassed within the region is tremendously diverse in climate, soil, geography, ecosystems, and ethnicities. While the range of physical and cultural settings presents profound challenges for developing regional water programs, the Southwest States & Pacific Islands Water Program has identified themes and associated activities that collectively focus the strengths of each partner on specific water resources issues common to the region. The objectives are to: (1) Integrate research, extension, and education efforts to address regional or multi-regional water resources issues, (2) Build capacity within Region 9, (3) Strengthen coordination and communication with our stakeholders, and (4) Foster and implement outcomes that improve people's lives. We will build on our previous coordination efforts and activities of the past six years [http://ag.arizona.edu/region9wq] to promote integrated programming efforts to expand the knowledge base and affect behavior change which will lead to the protection of human health and improvement or protection of regional water resources. Expected Results. The education programs conducted will raise awareness, provide skills and demonstrate technologies to change behavior. Surveys are a foundation for program planning, including identifying gaps in educational materials and awareness and understanding of water resources. Integrated research will support best management practices development. Professional Development will increase capacity for the water quality coordinators conduct project activities. The Student Assistant Program will increase student retention in mathematics and science. At the high school level, students will remain enrolled and will be engaged in water quality as a potential career. At the undergraduate level, students will be more inclined to choose mathematics and science majors. At the graduate level, students will become part of the next generation of scientists and managers who work with water quality. In addition, a significant number of students in our region are members of underserved and under-represented populations. Promoting applications for grants and other support is expected to result in an increased number of submissions from staff and faculty at LGIs within the region. The Mini-grant program will empower new faculty and staff to participate in regional partnerships, and encourage increased leveraging of CSREES funding. Identifying regional CSREES research will ensure that the results of projects are made available to the general public, including stakeholders in resource management agencies. Inter-regional collaborations will ensure that regional successes are shared to improve program efficiencies and promote synergistic activities.
Animal Health Component
10%
Research Effort Categories
Basic
(N/A)
Applied
10%
Developmental
90%
Classification

Knowledge Area (KA)Subject of Investigation (SOI)Field of Science (FOS)Percent
1116099302010%
1116099303010%
1120210302010%
1120210303010%
1126099302010%
1126099303010%
9030210302010%
9030210303010%
9036099302010%
9036099303010%
Knowledge Area
112 - Watershed Protection and Management; 111 - Conservation and Efficient Use of Water; 903 - Communication, Education, and Information Delivery;

Subject Of Investigation
0210 - Water resources; 6099 - People and communities, general/other;

Field Of Science
3020 - Education; 3030 - Information and communication;
Goals / Objectives
The goal of the Southwest States & Pacific Islands (Region 9) Water Program (SSPIWP) is to promote delivery of multi-state and tribal programming to address regional and/or multi-regional water quality concerns. Specific objectives are to: (1) Integrate research, extension, and education efforts to address regional or multi-regional water resources issues; (2) Build capacity within Region 9; (3) Strengthen coordination and communication with our stakeholders (clients, agencies and partners, and members of the National USDA-CSREES Water Program); and (4) Foster and implement outcomes that improve people's lives. Outputs by Objective. Output 1.1 Conduct mini-grant process. Output 1.2: Prepare eXtension materials for existing Communities of Practice. Output 1.3: Incorporate research and extension efforts into curricula for formal and informal education and outreach. Output 2.1: Promote professional development through survey of needs followed by training revolving around needs. Output 2.2: Develop student support. Output 2.3: Develop "How to" grant development support materials for states, tribes, and territories that receive little USDA funding. Output 3.1: Conduct on-going assessments to identify gaps in essential information and resources and initiate processes for the development and incorporation of new materials and information. Output 3.2: Link and leverage CSREES-funded projects into regional programs and expand the geographic impact of project successes and investments. Output 3.3: Employ websites, regional needs assessments or surveys, Regional Advisory Committees, and LOGIC models to improve regional coordination and evaluate the effectiveness of regional programs and approaches. Output 3.4: Continue to develop and distribute regional publications that articulate our strengths and accomplishments. Output 3.5: Promote and encourage cross-regional activities. Output 4: Continue to build upon the strong foundation developed since 2002 to provide education and programming that directly and indirectly improve the quality of life for many within the region.
Project Methods
The SSPIWP conducted a mini-grant program to provide seed-grants or leverage for concurrent or subsequent grant submissions. Money will be set aside each year to encourage exploratory efforts, specifically targeting groups and individuals who do not receive funds directly from this program currently. We will contribute to the appropriate communities of practice available through extension.org. We will develop curricula, which will be peer-reviewed and made available in a variety of formats, including traditional printed materials and in curricula available using the e-Xtension network. The regional projects also provide practical examples that can be used to illustrate concepts in theoretical, formally offered classes. The Project will also try to coordinate educational outreach activities with the soil and water conservation districts where appropriate (e.g., materials, surveys, conferences, and workshops). The SSPIWP will develop and conduct relevant training for the Team as well as other faculty and staff in their institutions to empower and promote their Team members and build capacity. This project will work with kindergarten through high school students, youth at risk, 4-H youth in out-of-school time programs, and college students using mentors, summer internships, and demonstration projects and explore collaborations with other federal agencies to create joint student internships where field work could be part of a student's science education. The SSPIWP will produce "How to" grant development support materials for county and tribal extension faculty and members of the Team. The assembled packet of materials will be distributed via e-mail, hard copy, and Internet. The SSPIWP will 1) continue maintaining a website with up-to-date information on the SSPIWP, its projects, and selected news and events; 2) produce institutional fact sheets, and regional popular press stories and news releases (and for other NIWQP-funded projects based in the Southwest States and Pacific Island Region) that we post on the website and make available for distribution to stakeholders at trainings and meetings; and 3) communicate results and collect feedback from the regional project team. Project design, planning, assessment, and budgeting will be carried out by developing LOGIC models that focus on stakeholder outcomes. The use of LOGIC models and SMART (Specific, Measurable, Audience-directed, Realistic and Time-bound) objectives drive the project design, assessment, and reporting phases of the process allowing projects to measure their impacts and successes. A Reporting and Assessment Coordinator will provide regional leadership for program planning, implementation, and evaluation. Each year, the Executive Committee will assess progress towards specific performance outcomes from focus area reports based on their reports. In addition, stakeholder priorities, leveraging opportunities, and the extent of regional engagement from individual institutions will be used to reorient individual budgets.

Progress 09/01/09 to 02/28/14

Outputs
Target Audience: Community college professors; Elementary students; Elementary-school teachers; Environmental/Water quality specialists; Extension Specialists & Agents; Farmers; General public; Government agency professionals; Graduate students; High-school students; High-school agricultural teachers; High-school teachers; Onsite wastewater treatment professionals; Pacific-island, small-scale piggery operators; Turfgrass growers; Undergraduate students; Water resources management personnel; Watershed advisory groups Changes/Problems: Nothing Reported What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided? Farmer training through demonstrations; Univ of Connecticut provided training to our Regional Team on Mash-ups; Onsite wastewater system education for practitioners; teacher training; Farmer Field School program; Compost demonstration trials; Hosting the Dry Litter Technology Summit & Workshop; Training top government officials on rainwater harvesting safety and "bob" tank usage to provide a safer source of drinking water How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest? Peer-reviewed Extension publications; Popular press; Newspaper Articles; One-on-one face-to-face interactions; Web pages; Community meetings; Water festivals; Classroom presentations; College curricula; Focus groups; On-farm demonstrations; Seminars; Conferences; Posters; What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals? Nothing Reported

Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals? This project was successful on many levels through building team capacity and cohesiveness and fostering collaborations within and beyond our team. We enhanced our regional web page and currently have links to all state, island, and tribal institutions with projects and educational resource information. The accomplishments for each objective are as follows: (1) Integrate research, extension, and education efforts to address regional or multi-regional water resources issues: The regional project was successful in integrating research, Extension, and education efforts across the region. We had a mini-grant program that focused on solving regional issues (animal manure & waste management, drinking water & human health, water conservation & agricultural water management, and watershed management). The project took 10 disparate Land Grant Institutions (LGIs) and helped us realize how much we had in common and how we could capitalize on using the strengths of various LGIs to assist the others. Examples of success stories are: (a) collaborations between University of Nevada-Reno and Dine College led to summer internships from 2008 until 2011that engaged students in field sampling exercises that produced information about the quality of unregulated water supplies in 11 Chapters of the Northern Navajo Nation. Students produced datasets, which were in varying states of completion and organization following the four years of partnership and field methods training. They are now working with their partners to obtain permission to release the information presented in the thesis for publication and use by federal agencies involved in improving treated water supply availability on the Navajo Nation. (b) Collaborations across Arizona, California, and Nevada focused on the evaluation of recycled water quality and impacts to the environment and society. Additionally, funding from this work supported the evaluation of public values among various stakeholder groups on the importance of recycled water reuse and perceptions related to enhanced use of recycled water for potable reuse (direct and indirect). The collection of presentations, reports, and publications generated from this funding have built a strong platform for continued Outreach and Extension of water quality concepts and information transfer related to sustainable water management and alternative options to traditional water reuse. (c) The dry litter technology was implemented across the Pacific islands (Federated States of Micronesia, Palau, Marshall Islands, American Samoa, and Northern Mariana Islands). This technology addresses the common practice of washing down piggery stalls into nearby drainage areas that feed into mangroves, aquifer recharge zones, and streams. (2) Build capacity within Region 9: This was an important objective of our regional project. We literally "found" 5 Pacific island Land Grant Institutions and were able to help them address issues germane to their islands. Often this was accomplished by collaborations with faculty, staff, and other resources at the "bigger" LGIs. There was at least one sabbatical that lead to leptospirosis research work on Hawaii which hadn't had much focus prior to that sabbatical. The regional project was able to use resources from the national facilitation grants (Volunteer WQ Monitoring, Mash-ups, evaluation) and help our individual states increase their own capacities. It can't be stated strongly enough the impact that this program had on the Pacific Islands. Here is another example of the impact the project had: Now that the model farm infrastructure is complete, we now have a venue for training and providing hands-on learning opportunities for youth and adults that emphasis conservation of our natural resources. Within only a month of the completion of the model farm, the Tinian High School decided to bring back the Agriculture curriculum to the school. This curriculum has not been offered at the High School for over 5 years. Furthermore, the Career and Technical Education Coordinator from the Public School system looks forward to modeling other programs after this system, replicating the model farm in other schools within the CNMI. Lastly, this demonstration farm has opened up the opportunity to apply for funding to develop a Sustainability curriculum for the High School that can incorporate videos, photographs, and activities showcased at the model farm. (3) Strengthen coordination and communication with our stakeholders (clients, agencies and partners, and members of the National USDA-CSREES Water Program): This objective occurred on a more local basis than on a regional basis. For instance, the College of the Mariana Islands worked closely with their Natural Resource Conservation Service professionals to change policy to get the dry-litter piggery waste system to be a technology eligible to receive EQIP cost sharing. The Federated States of Micronesia stated: Collaborations and linkages with other agencies, EPA and Agriculture, NGOs, and working with youth and student participants, households, communities, and voluntary group such as the Piggery Advisory Council (PAC) increase visibility of the USDA-NIFA Water Quality Program as many people of different walk-of-life were impacted. The regional funding support making possible such impacts as increase awareness, actual use of first-flush system, and increased collaboration. More than 500 youths were impacted with awareness and increase knowledge in water quality. Many of the youths who participated in water quality activities have gone to high school and college. We have worked with the EPA Offices in all of the island states in the FSM through which in recent months have installed. (4) Foster and implement outcomes that improve people's lives: Examples of success stories include: (a) affordable water storage is a problem in the Pacific islands. A regional project assessed a water storage option, "bob" tank. Results of this project produced a highly favorable response to the usefulness and acceptability of the bob tanks for various uses. The response to the bob tanks was so favorable that while in the process of determining the practical and logistical process of importing the tanks, local business people asked if they could import these tanks for retail sales. With the assistance of the project team, an entrepreneurial system of supply was initiated. Thus this project went beyond its original goals and created a sustainable supply system for the introduced tanks that supports local entrepreneurs and gives residents access to affordable water storage. (b) Leptospirosis is a bacterial disease spread by the urine of pigs, dogs, and rodents. With local and international partners, American Samoa produced a brochure in both Samoan and English describing leptospirosis, how it is transmitted, and how to best avoid becoming infected. In addition, signs have been posted near streams warning of the possibility of the stream water being contaminated with the bacteria. Awareness has been growing due to the regional project.

Publications

  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2009 Citation: Rock, C.M., K. Uhlman, S. Eden, E. Westfall, and F. Solop (2009) Status of Generation, Reuse and Recharge of Treated Wastewater in Arizona; Evaluation of Programs, Data Sources and Utilization Opportunities. USDA-CSREES National Water Conference, St. Louis, Missouri; February 8-12, 2009.
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Under Review Year Published: 2014 Citation: Castro, Luisa. Reducing the Risks of Schools and Science Curricula as Potential Pathways for Spreading Invasive Species in Hawaii. College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources, University of Hawaii at Manoa, Honolulu, Hawaii. Manuscript in preparation.
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Under Review Year Published: 2014 Citation: Castro, Luisa, Glen Fukumoto, and Linda Cox. Adoption of the Dry Litter Technology by Farmers in American Samoa. College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources, University of Hawaii at Manoa, Honolulu, Hawaii. Manuscript in preparation.
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2011 Citation: Castro, Luisa F., Robert L. Mahler, Drew M. Brauer and Carl I. Evensen. 2011. Water Issues in Hawaii: A Survey of Changes in Public Attitudes Over Five Years. College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources, University of Hawaii at Manoa, Honolulu, Hawaii.
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2011 Citation: Dunkell, Dashiell O., Gregory L. Bruland, Carl I. Evensen, Mark J. Walker. 2011. Effects of Feral Pig (Sus scrofa) Exclusion on Enterococci in Runoff from the Forested Headwaters of a Hawaiian Watershed. Water Air Soil Pollution. 221: 313326.
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2011 Citation: Ragosta Guy, Carl Evensen, ER. Atwill, Mark Walker, Tamara Ticktin, Adam Asquith, Kenneth W. Tate. 2011. Risk factors for elevated enterococcus concentrations in a rural tropical island watershed. J. Environmental Management. 92: 1910-1915.
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2011 Citation: Dunkell, Dashiell O., Gregory L. Bruland, Carl I. Evensen, Creighton M. Litton. 2011. Runoff, sediment transport, and effects of feral pig (Sus scrofa) exclusion in a forested Hawaiian watershed". Pacific Science. 65(2): 175-186.
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2011 Citation: Morton, SL, A Shuler, J Paternoster, S Fanolua, and D. Vargo. Coastal eutrophication, land use changes and Ceratium furca (Dinophyceae) blooms in Pago Pago Harbor, American Samoa 2007-2009. Chinese Journal of Oceanology and Limnology, Vol. 29 No. 4 p. 790-794. 2011.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2010 Citation: Lau C, L Smythe, E. Fearnley, S Craig, and P Weinstein. Climate Change, Flooding, and Leptospirosis: Fuelling the Fire? Climate Change, Health, and Ecology Conference. Sept 1-3, 2010. Uppsala, Sweden. doi:10.1016/j.trstmh.2010.07.002.
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2012 Citation: Lau C, C Skelly, LD Smythe, SB Craig, and P Weinstein. Emergence ofnew leptospiral serovars in American Samoaascertainment or ecological change? BMC Infectious Diseases, 2012, 12:19. doi: 10.1186/1471-2334-12-19.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2012 Citation: Rock, C.M., J.E.T. McLain, T. Thomure, I. Pepper, K. Lansey, and C. Choi (2012) Approaches to Maintain Consistently High Quality Recycled Water in Storage and Distribution Systems. AZ Water Annual Meeting, Glendale, Arizona; May 2-4, 2012.
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Awaiting Publication Year Published: 2013 Citation: Rock, C.M., D. Gerrity, and F. Solop (2013) Survey of Statewide Public Perceptions Regarding Water Reuse in Nevada. in prep.
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2013 Citation: Ajibode, O., C.M. Rock, I. Pepper, J. McLain, K. Bright, and C.P. Gerba (2013) Impact of Residence Time and Water Age on Microbial Growth and Re-Growth in Recycled Water Distribution Systems. Wat. Reuse Desal., doi: 10.2166/wrd.2013.088.
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2012 Citation: Rock, C.M., D. Gerrity, and F. Solop (2012) Survey of Statewide Public Perceptions Regarding Water Reuse in Arizona. Journal of Water Supply: Research and Technology - AQUA IWA, 61: 506517.
  • Type: Other Status: Published Year Published: 2012 Citation: Rock, C.M., J.E.T. McLain, C. Graf, C. Scott, and S. Megdal (2012) Arizona Blue Ribbon Panel on Water Sustainability. Arizona Cooperative Extension, #AZ1567. http://cals.arizona.edu/pubs/water/az1567.pdf.
  • Type: Other Status: Published Year Published: 2012 Citation: Rock, C.M., J.E.T. McLain, and D. Gerrity (2012) Water Recycling FAQs. Arizona Cooperative Extension, #AZ1568. http://cals.arizona.edu/pubs/water/az1568.pdf.
  • Type: Other Status: Published Year Published: 2012 Citation: Rock, C.M., J.E.T. McLain, and D. Gerrity (2012) Common Terminology of Water Recycling. Arizona Cooperative Extension, #AZ1569. http://cals.arizona.edu/pubs/water/az1569.pdf.
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2011 Citation: McLain, J.E.T., C.M. Rock, K. Lohse, and J. Walworth (2011) False Positive Identification of E. coli in Treated Municipal Wastewater and Wastewater-Irrigated Soils. Can. J. Microbiol., 57: 775784.
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2012 Citation: Ma, Bin, Wang, Jiaojiao, Xu, Minmin, He, Yan, Wang, Haizhen, Wu, Laosheng, Xu, Jianming. 2012. Evaluation of dissipation gradients of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in rice rhizosphere utilizing sequential extraction procedure Environmental Pollution, 16:413-421.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2011 Citation: Fukumoto,G.K., L.J. Duponcheel, L. Rechelluul, J. David, J. Phillip, M. Walker, B. Rippy, D. Vargo, L.F. Castro. 2011. Na Wai Ola & Waters of Life: Protecting and Preserving Water Resources in the Pacific. 2011 National Water Conference, Washington, D.C.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2010 Citation: Wiles, P., C. Tuitele, F. Laititi, B. Rippy, E. Vaouli, L. Hirata, A. Peters, J. Womack and G. Fukumoto. 2010. Pigs we can live with. 2011 National Water Conference, Washington, D.C.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2012 Citation: Fukumoto, G.K., B. Rippy, J. Womack, L.J. Duponcheel, L. Rechelluul, J. David, J. Phillip and L. Castro. 2012. Adoption of the Dry Litter Technology for Small-�scale Piggeries in the Pacific. 2012 National Water Conference, Portland, OR.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2013 Citation: Harmon, James, Jonathan Deenik, Glen Fukumoto, Russell Yost, Linda Cox. 2013. Composting to Improve Water Quality and Sustainable Food Production in Pohnpei, Federated States of Micronesia. UHM Student Research Symposium, April 2013.
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Under Review Year Published: 2014 Citation: Harmon, J., J.L. Deenik, G. Fukumoto, L.J. Cox and M. Thorne. 2013. The Feasibility of Composting Pig Waste to Improve Water Quality and Sustainable Food Production in Pohnpei. J of Agriculture, Food Systems and Community Development.
  • Type: Other Status: Published Year Published: 2012 Citation: Farrell-Poe, K., J. Garrett, and D. Long. 2012. What you should know when you re having your septic system inspected for the Transfer of Ownership Program. UA Extension publication, AZ1554. Tucson, AZ: UA. [http://cals.arizona.edu/pubs/water/az1554.pdf]
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2013 Citation: Deenik, J. 2013. Techniques in Compost Production and Use in Pohnpei. Pohnpei State Food and Environment Summit: Piggeries, Composting, Water Quality and Food Security, Pohnpei, FSM, July 2013, 30 pax.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2011 Citation: Castro, L. F. Southwest States & Pacific Islands: Collaboration Across a Vast Region. Poster presented at 2011 National Water Conference, Washington, D.C.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2012 Citation: Presented at the Water Resources Research Center (WRRC) Seminar: Fall 2012 on Water Issues in Hawaii: A Survey of Public Attitudes and Behavior in 2004 and 2010. October 3, 2012. Honolulu, Hawaii. Attended by 25 participants.
  • Type: Other Status: Published Year Published: 2011 Citation: Fukumoto, G.K. and J. David. 2011. Piggery Assessment of Majuro Atoll, Republic of the Marshall Islands, April 2011. Report of findings.
  • Type: Other Status: Published Year Published: 2011 Citation: Fukumoto, G.K. and J. Phillip. 2011. Piggery Assessment of Pohnpei Island, Federated States of Micronesia, June 2011. Report of findings.
  • Type: Other Status: Published Year Published: 2010 Citation: Fukumoto, G.K. and L. Rechelluul. 2010. Piggery Assessment of Palau, Republic of Palau-, June 2010. Report of findings.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2012 Citation: Walker, Mark, Allison Abicht, Ben Trustman, Scott Fennema, and Laurel Saito. 2012. Evaluating long-term seasonal influences on water quality in an urban/rural arid watershed with natural and anthropogenic water inputs. Poster presentation at 2012 Land Grant and Sea Grant National Water Conference, Portland, OR.


Progress 09/01/10 to 08/31/11

Outputs
OUTPUTS: (1) "Assessing Water Storage Options for Tropical Islands". Obj: introduce and evaluate Relief International's "bob" tank for use in island settings where affordable water storage is needed. Method: tanks were imported from the manufacturer and set up on two Pacific islands. Tanks were introduced to government officials, local business people, residents and college officials and feedback was obtained. Evaluation based on practicality, durability, cultural acceptability, affordability, sustainability of supply and logistical acquisition. (2) "Water Quality of Rural Unregulated Water Sources on the Navajo Nation". Obj: document the continued usage of unregulated water sources for domestic purposes by the Navajo public areas impacted by uranium industries resulting in environmental degradation. Community forum was conducted to receive feedback about the quality of the community's drinking water and help identify unregulated well water sampling locations. Dine College student interns and a graduate student participated in Summer Environmental Research Prgm to test waters and document results. (3) "Contaminant Fate and Transport in the Environment, Evaluation and Recommendations for the Safe Application of Reclaimed Water in the Southwest". Obj: improve the fundamental understanding of the factors that affect the fate and transport of pollutants from reclaimed wastewater in soil and water, identify BMPs to reduce the adverse impact of water reuse, and promote safe application of reclaimed wastewater in agriculture and landscapes. (4) "Alternative Waste Management Solutions for Small-scale Piggery Operations". Documented water quality parameters of fresh water systems and marine ecosystems in FSM and Marshall Islands. Presented results of water quality monitoring to regulatory and community advisory groups. Conducted community workshops and field day demonstrations on composting and the dry litter technology in FSM and Palau. On Guam, worked with local farmer to convert pig farm operation to a dry-litter system. On FSM, formed a voluntary advisory council for Pohnpei State to address piggery and health-related issues. A strategic plan was developed with components addressing piggery waste management and public health issues related to contamination and pollution to water sources. Also assisted in the completion of a piggery impact assessment which included a survey of 50 piggeries in Pohnpei and 5 rivers with samples taken from above contaminated areas (watershed and above dwellings)and in the contaminated zone (community). (5) "Preliminary Study of Microbial Water Quality Related to Produce Safety in Recirculating Aquaponic Vegetable Production". Participated in research study and publication addressing indicator microbes in aquaponic water as this emerging production system faces unique challenges with regard to food safety. PARTICIPANTS: Individuals that worked on the project: Barbara Klein, Dine College; Perry H. Charley, Dine College; Evonne Manybeads, Dine College; Joni Nofchissey, Dine College; Susan Randolph, research student, Vassar College; Laosheng Wu, Univ of California-Riverside; Carl Evensen, Univ of Hawaii; Luisa Castro, Univ of Hawaii; Glen Fukumoto, Univ of Hawaii; Trish Macomber, Univ of Hawaii; Manual Dugies, Univ of Guam; Don Vargo, American Samoa Community College; Jim Currie, College of Micronesia-FSM; Jackson Phillip, College of Micronesia-FSM; Jina David, College of the Marshall Islands; Lawerence Duponsheel, Northern Marianas College. Partner Organizations & Collaborators: UC Davis, US Salinity Laboratory, California Golf Association, California Turfgrass Foundation, Southern California Metropolitan Water District; Dr. Yong Yu (Postdoc), Dept. of Environmental Sciences, Univ. of California, Riverside; Dr. Robert Green, California Poly-Tech University, Pomona, CA; Mr. Yin Liu (Student), UC Riverside Extension, Riverside, CA; Dine College: Math, Science & Technology - Public Health (Dr. Mark Bauer, Janel Hendricksen); Emeritus Chief Justice Robert Yazzie; Scott Fennema, Graduate Student, Natural Resources and Environmental Sciences Department, College of Agriculture, Biotechnology and Natural Resources, Univ of Nevada, Reno; Univ of Arizona: Channah Rock, Ph.D., Water Quality Extension Specialist and Assistant Professor; Soil, Water, and Environmental Science Department; Karletta Chief, Ph.D., Assistant Professor & Extension Specialist, Department of Soil, Water, and Environmental Sciences; Cove Chapter Officials and Senior Citizens Center; National Center for Atmospheric Research, Boulder, CO, Kirk Jalbert, PhD.; Univ of Colorado: Michael Hannigan, PhD.; Ricardo Piedrahita, Masters Student; Northern Arizona Univ: Dr. Amy Whipple, PhD., Evolutionary Ecology Assistant Researcher, Merriam-Powell Center for Environmental Research; U.S. Dept of Energy, Office of Legacy Management: SM Stoller, Dr. Joseph Waugh, PhD.; Ann Riederer, ScD, AAAS Science and Technology Policy Fellow Office of Research and Development U.S. Environmental Protection; Arnold J. Clifford, Consulting Geo-Botanist, Beclabito, NM; Land Grant Office, Tsaile Campus, Dine College; Susan Randolph, Vassar College, Poughkeepsie, New York; Ethan Allen, Director for STEM with the Pacific Resources for Education and Learning; Dr. Samuel Chan at Oregon State Univ; Hui o Koolaupoko, a community watershed group on Windward Oahu about their 319 grant to develop a Hawaii Rain Garden Manual; O. Thomas Arthur Co-Leader, Trainer and Facilitator of Bob Tank project; Jon Naugle Collaborator Technical Director, Relief International; Eddie Macomber Technical Specialist; Jina David Land Grant Water Quality Extension Agent, Majuro, RMI; John Zedkaia Land Grant 4-H Extension Agent, Majuro, RMI;Hog Farmers, youth(students), Dept of Lands and Natural Resources, USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service, members of the general public, CNMI soil and water conservation Districts, Univ of Hawaii. TARGET AUDIENCES: Turfgrass growers; Water resources management personnel; Environmental/water quality specialists; All residents of American Samoa; American Samoa Dept. of Health; American Samoa Environmental Protection Agency; farmers, Extension agents, local agency departmental and government heads, directors of non-government organizations; students, and the general public. PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: (1) Water Quality Coordinator for Dine College was replaced with Dr. Barbara Klein. (2) One-year, no-cost extension requested and granted. Termination date of the project is now August 31, 2013.

Impacts
(1) "Assessing Water Storage Options for Tropical Islands". This project went beyond its original goals and created a sustainable supply system for the introduced tanks that supports local entrepreneurs and gives residents access to affordable water storage. (2) "Water Quality of Unregulated Wells on the Navajo Nation". Interns gained valuable knowledge and skills in data gathering, management, research techniques/methodologies, risk assessment and risk communication. Through the listening sessions, communities had better understanding of their water resource issues and are taking sustainable actions. (3) "Contaminant Fate and Transport in the Environment, Evaluation and Recommendations for the Safe Application of Reclaimed Water in the Southwest". Confirmed computer simulation model, Enviro-Gro, can be successfully used to design and evaluate recycled water application without compromising turfgrass quality. Model can be used to schedule recycled water irrigation to minimize pollutant leaching to groundwater No immediate ecological risk is expected from the recycled effluents that were evaluated. However, estrone, octylphenol and carbamazepine in sludge samples indicated significant ecotoxicological risk to human health. Therefore, appropriate treatment of sewage sludge is required before its application. (4) "Alternative Waste Management Solutions for Small-scale Piggery Operations". Community awareness of the impacts of piggeries on water quality parameters in seven stream systems and five coastal marine sites on FSM and at five well sites on Marshall Islands. This was the first time that regulatory laboratories in these islands engaged in quantification of surface, ground and coastal waters impacted by piggeries. On FSM, the strategic plan included that all piggeries will have an appropriate waste treatment system. Three dry litter systems have been started with one of the systems being installed at the College of Micronesia-FSM National Campus in Pohnpei. Through the Pohnpei Advisory Council, the Japan Embassy donated two wood chippers. On the Northern Mariana Islands, the first dry litter system has attracted attention of new NRCS leadership: district conservationist (who has promoted the dry system), Regional Director out of Hawaii (who came to Tinian specifically to view the system), and Western Regional Chief out of Washington DC. The dry litter work in the Marianas may result in creating standards for these systems under EQIP. (5) "Preliminary Study of Microbial Water Quality Related to Produce Safety in Recirculating Aquaponic Vegetable Production". Aquaponic produce and fish have been shown to be consistently safe. Increasing stakeholder awareness of the state of the scientific issues regarding indicator organisms in an aquaponic setting allows all participants to make informed decisions, and learning and employing Good Agricultural Practices.

Publications

  • Brauer, Drew M., Robert L. Mahler, Luisa F. Castro, and Carl I. Evensen. April 2012. Priority Drinking Water Issues in Hawaii. Journal of Extension. 50(2).
  • Chou, H., L. Wu, L. Zeng, A. Chang. 2012. Evaluation of solute diffusion tortuosity factor models for variously saturated soils,Water Resour. Res.48: W10539.
  • Fox, B.K., C.S. Tamaru, J. Hollyer, L.F. Castro, J.M. Fonseca, M. Jay-Russell, and T. Low. 2012. A preliminary study of microbial water quality related to food safety in recirculating aquaponic fish and vegetable production systems. College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources, University of Hawaii at Manoa, FST-51.
  • Lau CL et al. 2012. Leptospirosis in American Samoa 2010: Epidemiology, environmental drivers, and the management of emergence. Am. J. Trop. Hyg., 86(2): 309-319.
  • Shi, X., Chen, W., Zhang, F., and Wu, L. 2012. Simulating Bromide Transport from Soil to Overland Flow: Application and Evaluation of Interfacial Diffusion-Controlled Model. J. Hydrol. Eng. 17:628-634.
  • Sunia, SF and D Vargo. 2012. Electrical Conductivity and Major Cation Concentrations in Municipal Water from Tutuila Island, American Samoa. Tech. Rpt. No. 57. Oct. At: http://www.ctahr.hawaii.edu/adap/ASCC_LandGrant/technical_papers.asp.
  • Tamaru, Clyde S., Bradley Fox, Jim Hollyer, Luisa Castro, and Todd Low. 2012. Testing for Water Borne Pathogens at an Aquaponic Farm. College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources.
  • Yu, Y., Wu, L. 2012. Analysis of endocrine disrupting compounds, pharmaceuticals and personal care products in sewage sludge by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry; Talanta. 89:258-263.


Progress 09/01/09 to 08/31/10

Outputs
OUTPUTS: Many of the subcontracts were slow to be finalized due to forces external to the Project Director. Also, this is the first year that we provided for only baseline funding (to get to regional and national meetings (two per year) for 7 of the 11 institutions. In the past, the Program provided each state, island, and tribal institution funds to support individual projects, as well as travel. Each institution was represented at the National Land and Sea Grants Water Conference held at Hilton Head, SC, Feb. 21-25. The second face-to-face meeting will be July 19-21 at Maui, HI (our regional geographic center). Each institutional water quality coordinator is also participating on local watershed committees, water advisory groups, state agency committees, and institution water committees.**As a consequence of earlier work accomplished in American Samoa, the American Samoa Community College Water Quality Coordinator (Don Vargo) participated in 3 workshops hosted by the NOAA Coral Reef Conservation Program to develop place-based, local coral reef management priorities. Their earlier Region 9-supported study of stream water quality proved helpful in identifying possible sources of land-based pollution affecting the fringing reef.**Regional partnership with Coca Cola and the National 4-H Foundation led to 8 rainwater demonstration projects in Arizona involving 4-H youth. 4-H curriculum has been developed and is being reviewed and will be published by the end of the summer.**Each of the four regional projects are now reporting on the National Water Exchange Impact Reporting website. For many of the subcontracts, there is less than five months of work to report. We made progress in the Hawai'i survey to be conducted by Region 10. Luisa Castro edited the Hawaii 2010 Water Survey and submitted to Bob Mahler for mail out to Hawaii residents.**Palau is a member of the animal waste management regional project. Here is Palau's report: Dry Litter Demonstration/Water Education Campaign. This quarter environmental science classes were conducted at Belau Modekngei High School to 18 students (9 & 10th grades). The classes were conducted three days a week for three weeks. Following topics were presented to the students: Rainwater catchment maintenance, H2S water testing (fecal coli form of water testing) and Swine waste management. A field trip to the Palau Community College-Cooperative Research Extension (PCC-CRE) Research station was conducted during the final day of class. The students were able to learn basics on tissue culture, insects/biological control, food technology, and the dry litter waste management. The same program was conducted in Emmaus High School for 20 students (10th grade) for a week. Topics such as rainwater catchment maintenance, watersheds, and water testing activity were presented to the students. At the Palau's Independence Day celebration, the dry litter demonstration was displayed and about 200 people had a chance to visit it. On a separate educational tour to PCC-CRE Research station about 30 Kayangel people and 20 Aimeliik Head Start kids, parents and staff had a chance to tour the Dry Litter Demonstration. PARTICIPANTS: Individual Participants: Marnie Carroll, Dine College. Executive Director of Dine Environ'l Institute & Water Quality (WQ) Coordinator, involved in obtaining and analyzing water samples from unregulated water supplies; Luisa Castro, Univ. of Hawaii, Ass't WQ coordinator; Jim Currie, College of Micronesia-FSM. V.P. Coop. Research & Education Service & WQ coordinator; Jina David, College of the Marshall Islands, co-WQ coordinator; Manny Duguies, Univ. of Guam, ANR program leader & WQ coordinator; Lawerence Duponcheel, Northern Marianas College, Aquaculture/Agriculture extension agent & WQ coordinator; Carl Evensen, Univ. of Hawai'i. Extension specialist, Regional Agency Liaison, & WQ coordinator involved in Leptospira and feral pig research projects; Sharon Fanolua, American Samoa Community College, research assistant & co-WQ coordinator; Kitt Farrell-Poe, Univ. of Arizona, State WQ coordinator, Region 9 water quality coordinator; Janine Lane, Univ. of Arizona, Ass't to WQ coordinator and assists Regional Agency Liaison; Amlet Kalemen, College of the Marshall Islands, WQ extension agent & co-WQ coordinator; Diane Myazoe-deBrum, College of the Marshall Islands, Dean & co-WQ coordinator; Leilanie Rechelluul, Palau Community College, Extension agent & WQ coordinator; Don Vargo, American Samoa Community College, co-WQ coordinator; Mark Walker, Univ. of Nevada, Reno, Associate professor & WQ coordinator involved in obtaining and analyzing water samples from unregulated water supplies, detecting Leptospirosis in water, and survivability of Leptospirosis in passive composting systems; Laosheng Wu, Univ. of California, Riverside. Professor, CE water management specialist, Interim director of the University of California Center for Water Resources, & WQ coordinator involved in reclaimed wastewater use research ** Partner Organizations: Arizona Dept of Environmental Quality; EPA, Region 9; USDA NRCS, American Samoa (AS) Government Water Advisory Group; USDA Forest Service, AS Government Water Advisory Group; AS EPA, AS Government Water Advisory Group and collaborator on piggery waste management; Dept of Marine and Wildlife Resources, AS Government Water Advisory Group; National Park Service, developing a stream water quality monitoring protocol; AS Dept. of Education (we mentor students conducting science fair experiments on water quality issues); Guam Waterworks Authority; NRCS Pacific Islands region ** Collaborators & Contacts: Peter Craig, PhD, National Park Service, Chief Biologist, NPSA, Pago Pago, AS; Anne Brasher, PhD, US Geological Survey, Water Science Center. Moab UT; Leslie Hay Smith, PhD, National Park Service, Inventory and Monitoring Program, Hawai'i National Park, HI; Douglas Fenner, PhD, Coral Reef Ecologist, DMWR, Pago Pago, AS; Ephraim Temple, CES aquaculture agent, Pago Pago, AS; Lauren Wetzell, Marine Science Instructor, AS Community College, Pago Pago, AS; Western Pacific Tropical Research Center (AES) ** Training & Professional Development: 3 master's students, 1 high school student summer internship. TARGET AUDIENCES: * K-12 students (solar distillation demonstrations; water quality fairs; dry litter demonstrations; summer internships) * Private Well Owners * Navajo Nation users of unregulated water supplies * Public Health Workers (water sampling for Leptospira) * NRCS & other technical service advisors, farmers directly (Leptospira survival rates in passive composting) * Pig owners (American Samoa effort to educate owners of regulations) * Irrigation managers, agencies regulating and/or monitoring the use of reclaimed water * Watershed managers (feral pig studies) PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: Nothing significant to report during this reporting period.

Impacts
New rainwater 4-H curriculum especially designed for grades 5-8 is now available. ** Eighteen 9th and 10th graders and 50 children, their parents, and staff members increased their knowledge and awareness in the areas of tissue culturing, insects/biological control, food technology, and the dry litter waste management during their tour at the Palau Community College-Cooperative Research Extension (PCC-CRE) research station. The high school students were given Pre-test on the topics to be presented in class and the results showed that majority of the students had no knowledge about the topics at all. Thus at the end of the program, a Post-test was given to them again and the result showed that the students did gain awareness and knowledge about the topics discussed. ** 200 people had a change to visit the PCC-CRE research station and gained some knowledge and awareness of the new innovation that conserves water as well as protect the environment from animal waste contaminants.

Publications

  • No publications reported this period