    [From the U.S. Government Printing Office, www.gpo.gov]

                                                       Revisable Final Draft

                      United States
                      Department
                      of Agriculture

                                                                                 10

                                                                                  n

                      Natural Resources
                      Conservation Service

                      Pacific Basin Area

                                                       MANAGEMENTPLAN
                                                       FOR
                                                       UGUM WATERSHED

                                                       TERRITORY OF GUAM

                                                       SEPTEMBER 1995

                 QH
                 541.5
                 .E8
                 M36
                 '99,

                                                     Revisable Final Draft

                    United States
                    Department
                    of Agriculture

                    Natural Resources
                    Conservation Service

                    Pacific Basin Area

                                                     MANAGEMENT PLAN
                                                     FOR
                                                     UGUM WATERSHED

                                                     TERRITORY OF GUAM

                                                     SEPTEMBER 1995

                     United States                        Revisable Final Draft
                     Department
                     of Agriculture
        11@15                                             MANAGEMENTPLAN
                                                          ta,
                                                          FOR
                                                          UGUM WATERSIMI),
        (@P          Natural Resources
        1i
         "I          Conservation Service

                     Pacific Basin Area
                                                          TERRITORY OF GUAM

                                                      US Department of Commeme
                                                NOAA Coastal Services Center Library
                                                       2234 South Hrallbc=n Aveimue
                                                        Cilarleston, SC 20405-2413

                                                          Sponsored by:

                                    Southern Guam, Soil and Water Conservation District

                                  Guam Bureau of Planning, Coastal Management Program

                                            Guam Environmental Protection Agency

                                                          Prepared by:

                                            United States Department of Agriculture
                                            Natural Resources Conservation Service
                                                  Pacific Basin, Agana, Guam

                                                       SEPTEMBER 1995

                           All programs and services of the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) prohibits discrimination in its
                           programs on the basis of race, color, nation origin, sex, religion, age, disability, political beliefs and marital and
                           familial status. Not all prohibited bases apply to an programs. Persons with disabilities who require alternative
                           means for communication of program information (braille, large print, audiotape, etc.) should contact the USDA
                           Office of Communications at (202) 720-5881 (voice) or (202) 720-7808 (TDD).

                           To file a complaint, write the Secretary of Agriculture, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Washington, D.C. 20250,
                           or call (202) 720-7327 (voice) or (202) 720-1127 (TDD). USDA is an equal employment opportunity employer.

                This document was funded in part by
               the National Oceanic and Atmospheric                ORR
                Administratioin, Office of Ocean and
                Coastal Resource Management, and
                  the Guam Coastal Management
                   Program, Bureau of Planning,
               Government of Guam, through NOAA
                     grant award NA470ZO311

                                                                NEW 0@ C

                                                REVISABLE FINAL DRAFT

                                                MANAGEMIENT PLAN FOR

                                                   UGUM WATERSHED

                                                  TERRITORY OF GUAM

                                                        Sponsored by:
                                     Southern Guam, Soil and Water Conservation District
                                   Guam Bureau of Planning, Coastal Management Program
                                            Guam Environmental Protection Agency

                                                         Prepared by:
                                            United States Department of Agriculture
                                            Natural Resources Conservation Service
                                                 Pacific Basin, Agana, Guam

                                                       September 1995

                                                          Summary
                    This document describes a series of management plans for the Ugurn Watershed,
                    Territory of Guam. Four alternative management scenarios were developed during
                    planning, including the Future Without a plan or no action scenario, the Maintenance
                    scenario, the Improvement scenario, and the Reserve scenario. Scenario 2 or 3 are most
                    recommended, the maintenance scenario will implement sufficient reactive controls to
                    maintain the resources at the present level into the future. The improvement scenario has
                    a proactive approach, and looks for prevention of natural and socioeconomic resource
                    problems through the implementation of regulatory controls and conservation practices.
                    The manaaement plans were based on the assumptions for resource needs and future
                    growth in the area. The plans are general in nature and serve as a foundation and
                    recommendations for all future planning and projects in the watershed. The awareness of
                    the need to consider all resources and there interactions forms the background of the
                    management plans, provides the impetus for ecosystem understanding and is the bases of
                    all recommendations. The sponsors objectives of maintaining water quality while
                    providing for the use of the watershed into future have been met. The different scenarios
                    fulfill the objectives to different degrees. The most highly recommenced plan is the use
                    of proactive control of the problems and solution to maintain and improve the natural
                    resources in the watershed

                                        TABLE OF CONTENTS

                      SUNRAARY
                      TABLE OF CONTENTS
                           List of Tables, List of Figures, Appendices
                      WATERSHED AGREEMENT

                 1.   INTRODUCTION                                          I
                           Purpose, Study Methodology, Participation

                 ii.  PROJECT SETTING / WATERSHED DESCRIPTION               6
                           Location, Climate, Geology, Soils, Water, Land Ownership,
                           Land Use, Cultural Resources, Ecosystems, Socioeconomic

                 III. WATERSHED PROBLEMS AND OPPORTUNITIES                  20
                           Existing Problems
                           Opportunities

                 IV.  SCOPING OF CONCERNS                                   28
                           Public Concerns

                 V.   FORMULATION OF SCENARIOS                              34
                           Formulation Process
                           Forecasting / Assumptions
                           Methodology for Planning / Philosophy

                 VI.  SCENARIO DESCRIPTIONS                                 37
                           Scenario I - No Action
                           Scenario 2 - Maintenance
                           Scenario 3 - Improvement
                           Scenario 4 - Reserve

                 VII. SCENARIO EFFECTS ON THE ECOSYSTEMS AND RESOURCES 49
                           Comparison of Scenarios
                           Risk and Uncertainty

                 Vill. RECONDAENDATIONS                                     62
                           Management Measures
                           Supporting Programs

                 IX   CONSULTATION AND PUBLIC PARTICIPATION                 69

                      LIST OF PREPARES                                      71
                      REFERENCES                                            72

                     LIST OF TABLES

                     A      EVALUATION OF IDENTIFIED CONCERNS                                      29
                     B      SOIL EROSION - CONTARISON OF SCENARIOS                                 53
                     C      SUMMARY AND CONTARISON OF ALTERNATIVE SCENARIOS                        59

                     LIST OF FIGURES

                     I .    Ugum Watershed Locator Map, Guam.                                      5
                     2.     Soils of the Ugum Watershed, Guam.                                     8
                     3.     Slope Classes, Ugum Watershed, Guam.                                   9
                     4.     General Land Ownership, Ugum Watershed, Guam.                          I I
                     5.     Ecosystems, Ugum Watershed, Guam.                                      15
                     6.     Fires within the Ugum Watershed, Guam, 1979 - 1985.                    24
                     7.     Photos of Fire Scars, Southern Guam.
                     8.     Areas Best Suited for Dwellings within the Ugurn Watershed, Guam.      35

                     APPENDICES

                     A      Public Concerns
                     B      Public Meeting
                     C      Regulatory Framework
                     D      Technical Reports

                                                                       Agreement No. 68-9251-5-224

                                              COOPERATIVE AGREEMENT
                                                     BETWEEN THE
                         BUREAU OF PLANNING, GUAM COASTAL MANAGEMENT PROGRAM
                                                        AND THE
                                   UN= STATES DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
                                   NATURAL RESOURCES CONSERVATION SERVICE
                                             (PACIFIC BASIN AREA OFFICE)
                        This AGREEMENT is made this -@06 day of            Z6c -
                  19-M, by and between the Bureau of Planning, Guam Coastal Management Program,
                  an agency of the Govenunent of Guam, on behalf of the Territory of Guam, (hereinafter
                  referred to as "GCMP") and the United States Department of Agriculture, Natural
                  Resources Conservation Service(Pacific Basin Area Office), (hereafter referred to as
                  "NRCS11).

                        WHEREAS, GCW intends to engage the professional services of NRCS to provide
                  assistance to GCMP; and

                        W'MIEAS, NRCS has communicated an interest in providing such service;

                        VirMESSETH, GCMP and NRCS deem it mutually advantageous to cooperate in
                  this undertaking and in consideration of mutual covenants hereafter set forth, agree as
                  follows:

                        SECTION 1. PURPOSE:

                        1.1    To develop a Watershed Management Plan for the Ugum
                               Watershed supported by baseline resource information
                               which will address the integrity of the Ugum River
                               watershed, and the condition of the stream and marine
                               systems, with minimal environmental impact from
                               development

                        1.2    The Management Plan will. address water quality and
                               non-point sources of pollution as wall as ecologic
                               conditions as outlined in Attachment A - Work Task
                               Description.

                        1.3    The final product will be a Management Plan based on
                               technical reports and the series of GIS produced maps

                Page 2 of 7
                Cooperative Agreement between
                 GCMP and NRCS

                               generated during the resource assessment. The final
                               draft of the Management Plan will be provided to the
                               Bureau of Planning, Guam Coastal Management Program
                               by September 30, 1995.

                        SECTION IL SCOPE OF SERVICES

                        2.1    NRCS intends to fulfill its obligations as stated in
                               this agreement and agrees to perform all of the ser-
                               vices in connection with the project as outlined in
                               Attachment A - Work Task Description.

                        SECTION M.           AGREEMENT TERM

                        3.1    The agreement term shall commence upon the signature of the Governor
                               and continue until September XY, 1995.

                        3.2    This agreement may be amended as agreed to in writing by the parties
                               hereto, and shall be executed at least thirty (30) days in advance of the
                               effective date of the amendment.

                        3.3    NRCS cannot make commitments in excess of appropriated funds
                               authorized by law and administratively madeavailable. If NRCS cannot
                               fulfill the obligations because of appropriations, this agreement will
                               automaticaRy terminate and GCMP will proportioncdly reimburse NRCS for
                               its share of the cost incurred but not billed before the termination.

                        3.4    This agreement may be terminated by either party hereto by written notice
                               to the other party, if it is determinedthat the project is not being carried out
                               in compliance with the terms of this agreement Such written notice shall
                               be issued at least forty (40) days in advance of the effective date of the
                               termination.

                        SECTION IV.          COMPENSATION FOR SERVICES

                        4.1    GCMP will compensate NRCS the sum of Forty Seven Thousand Dollars
                               ($47,000) for services performed as outlined in Attachment A - Work Task
                               Plan.

                        4.2    NRCS shall be compensated by progress payments based upon

                Page 3 of 7
                Cooperative Agreement between
                GCMP and NRCS

                              satisfactory performance of services as set forth in the
                              Work Task Plan - Attachment A.

                               (a) preliminary schedule for completion of increments:

                                    Twelve Thousand dollars ($12,000.00).

                              (b)   Upon receipt of second quarterly report and outline of management
                                    plan:

                                    Twelve Thousand dollars ($12,000.00).

                               (c)  Upon receipt of third quarterly report and listing of potential
                                    conflicts between land- uses currently proposed for the watershed:

                                    Twelve Thousand dollars ($12,000.00).

                               (d)  Upon receipt of the final draft Management Plan:

                                    Eleven Thousand dollars ($11,000.00).

                       4.3    Fmal payment shall be made upon satisfactory delivery and acceptance
                              of all services as herein specified and performed under this Agreement.
                              Prior to the final payment, and as a condition precedent thereto, NRCS
                              shall execute and deliver to the GCMP a release, in a form approved by the
                              Government, of claims against the Government of Guam arising under and
                              by virtue of this Agreement.

                       SECTION V. NRCS AGREES:

                       A.     That there shall be no employee benefits occurring from this agreement,
                              such as:

                              S. 1 Insurance coverage provided by the government of Gua3n;

                              5.2 Participation in the government of Guam retirement system;

                              5.3 Accumulation of vacation leave or sick leave.

                       B. That there shall be no withholding of taxes by the Government of Guam.

                Page 4 of 7
                Cooperative Agreement between
                 GCMP and NRCS

                       C.     To submit billings on a quarterly basis beginning January 1995 to GCMP
                              on Form NRCS-FW-l 5, Bill, for actual costs incurred and the bill shall be
                              sent to the following address:

                                     Bureau of Planning
                                     Attw Director
                                     P.O. Box 2950
                                     Agana, Guam 96910

                       SECTION VI. GCNP AGREES TO PROVIDE THE FOLLOWING SUPPORT
                              SERVICES OR EQUIPMENT:

                       6.1.   To provide assistance in getting participation by other Goverrunent of
                              Guam agencies.

                       6.2.   To provide NRCS with any mapping, photographic or GIS information
                              resources which exist in GCMP, or which can be obtained by GCMP,
                              necessary for the completion of this project.

                       SECTION V11. SCOPE OF AGREEMENT:

                       This agreement supersedes any and all other agreements, either oral or in writing,
                between the parties hereto with respect to the retairunent of NRCS by GCN[P and
                contains all of the covenants and agreements between the parties with respect to such
                retainment in any manner whatsoever. Each party to this agreement acknowledges that
                no representation, inducements, promises or agreements, orally or otherwise, have been
                made by any party, or anyone acting on behalf of any pcuty, which are not embodied
                herein, and that no other agreement, statement, or promise not contained in this
                agreement shall be valid or binding.

                       SECTION VM. RESPONSEBUM OF NRCS:

                       NRCS shall be responsible for the professional and technical accuracy of all work
                and materials furnished under this agreement. NRCS shall, without additional cost to
                GCNP, correct or revise all errors or deficiencies in their work.

                       SECTION IX. ASSIGNMENT OF AGREEMEMr-,

                       NRCS may not assign this agreement or any sum becoming due NRCS under the
                provisions of this agreement, without the prior written consent of GCUP.

                  Page 5 of 7
                  Cooperative Agreement between
                  GCIAP and NRCS

                         SECTION X. GENERAL COMPLIANCE WITH LAWS:

                         10-1. GCMP and NRCS shall be required to comply with an Federal and
                  Territorial laws and ordinances applicable to the program or activities conducted under
                  this agreement.

                         10.2. The program or activities conducted under this agreement will be in
                  compliance with the nondiscrimination provisions contained in Titles VI and VII of the
                  Civil Rights Act of 1964, as amended: the Civil Rights Restoration act of 1987 (Public Law
                  100-259): and other nondiscrimination statutes:             namely, Section 504 of the
                  Rehabilitation Act of 1973, Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, and the Age
                  Discrimination act of 1975. The will also be in accordance with regulations of the
                  Secretary of agriculture (7 CFR- 15, Subparts A & B), which provide that no person in the
                  United States shall on the grounds of race, color, national origin, age, sex, religion,
                  marital status, or handicap be excluded bom participation in, be denied the benefits of,
                  or be otherwise subjected to discrimination under any program or activity receiving
                  federal financial assistance from the Department of Agriculture or any agency thereof.

                         10.3.    No member of/or delegate to Congress, or resident commi gi         n r, shall
                  be admitted to any share or part of this agreement, or to any benefit arising from it.
                  However, this clause does not apply to this agreement to the extent that this agreement
                  is made with a corporation for the corporation's general benefit.

                         SECTIONM. ACCESS TO RECORDS AND OTHER REVIEW:

                         11. 1. GCMP shall provide NRCS or the Comptroller General or their authorized
                  representatives access to and the right to examine all records, books, papers, or
                  documents related to this agreement.

                         11.2. NRCS shall maintain all accounting records and other evidence pertaining
                  to costs incurred and to make such materials available at their respective office at all
                  reasonable times during the contract period and for three (3) years from the date of the
                  final payment under the contract, for the inspection by the government of Guam.

                         SECTION XII. INDEM41TY:

                         NRCS agrees to save and hold harmless GCUF, its officers, agents,
                  representatives, successors and assignees and other governmental agencies from any
                  and a.U suits or actions of every nature and kind, which may be brought for or on account
                  of any injury, death or damage arising or growing out of the acts or omissions of NRCS,
                  NRCS's officers, agents, servants or employees under this agreement.

                    Page 6 of 7
                    Cooperative Agreement between
                    GCUP and NRCS

                           SECTION)MI. MODIFICATIONS:

                           This agreement may be amended as agreed to in writing by GCN4P and NRCS.
                    Any modification of this agreement will be effective only if it is in writing signed by the
                    party to be charged.

                           SECTION MV. TERMINATION:

                           Either of the parties hereto, may, by written notice to the other, terminate this
                    agreement in whole or in part at any time, either for convenience or default. Written
                    notice shall be sent at least thirty (30) days in advance of the effective date of the
                    termination. Upon such termination, all briefs, reports, summaries, completed work and
                    work in progress, and such other information and materials as may have been
                    accumulated by NRCS in performing this agreement shall, in the manner and to the
                    extent determined by GCMP, become the property of and be delivered to GCMP. If the
                    contract is terminated by NRCS, or by GCM[P for cause, prior to its completion, NRCS will
                    be paid the reasonable value for services performed that are acceptable to GCN[P.

                           SECTION XV. SEVERABLE PROVISIONS:

                           If any provision of this agreement shall be deemed by a court of competent
                    jurisdiction to be invalid, then such provision shall be deemed stricken from the
                    agreement and the agreement shall be enforce according to its valid and subsisting
                    terms and provisions.

                           SECTION XVI. GOVERNING LAW-

                           The validity of this agreement and of any of its terms or provisions, as well as the
                    rights and duties of the parties to this agreement shall be governed by the laws of
                    Guam.

                           SECTION XVU. EFFECTIVE DATE OF AGREEMENT:

                           This agreement shall take effect upon the date it is signed by the Governor of
                    Guam and the date of this agreement shall be the date upon which the Governor affixes
                    his signature.

              Page 7 of 7
              Cooperative Agreement between
              GCMP and NRCS

                  IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have entered into this agreement on the
              dates indicated by their respective names.

              U.S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE    BUREAU OF PLANNING
              NATURAL RESOURCES                 GOVERNMENT OF GUAM
              CONSERVATION SERVICE:
              (PACIFIC BASIN AREA OFFICE)

              JOAN B. PERRY                     MICHAEL J. CRUZ V
              DIRECTOR                          ACTING DIRECTOR
              DATE:                             DATE: ) 2.4 q jr, 4
              AUTHORITY: S@il Conservation Act
              16 U.S.C. �590a-g (1982 & Supp. 1989)     CLEARED PE-)
              CERTIFIED FUNDS AVAILABLE:        CLEARED      I   "AEVIEW.-

              CARMELIN(C. BLAS                  tVANNI T. SGAMBELLURI
                                                 ir
              Certifying Officer                 irector, Bureau Of Budget
                                                And Management Research (BBMR)
              Date:                             Date:   rjEr 2 q 1994
                          5lOlE50900ZF104-230
              Account No.:
              DocumentNo.: C50900009

              Vendor No.:
              Amount:  $47,000.00

                                                    RNA' 'W'U'l
              APPROVED AS TO FORM:                        2

              DONALD PAUI=, Acdting            OZLFADA
              A77ORNEY GENERAL                           ROFGUAM
                                                  P
            xax_@-                                         2t7

                  /:ix-@OAF@z                        DEC 3 0 In
              Date:                             Date:                  TTE 7 CE ! U E D

                                                                        :D, E C 110 19 9

                   Cooperative Agreement Between Bureau of Planning
                   and Natural Resources Conservation Service

                   WATERSHED MANAGEMENT PLAN

                   ATTACHMENT A

                   WORK TASK DESCRIPTION

                   Work Task

                   Develop a Watershed Management Plan for the purpose of maintaining the
                   natural resources including water quality in the Ugum Watershed.

                   rime Frame: The Natural Resources Conservation Service will provide to
                   the Bureau of Planning the final draft of the Management Plan by September
                   30, 1995.

                   Background

                   The major objective of the project is to provide a watershed management
                   plan supported by baseline resource information which will address the
                   integrity of the Ugum River watershed, and the condition of the stream and
                   marine systems, with minimal environmental impact from development.

                   The Ugum Watershed Management Plan is a portion of the Ugurn Watershed
                   Project. The Ugum Watershed Resource Assessment, will be completed by
                   January 1995. The resource inventory data collected will be incorporated
                   into and be used as the baseline information to develop the Watershed
                   Management Plan.

                   Task Procedure

                   1.   Develop a Plan of Work(POW); detail the assignment of duties and
                        projected dates of completion, the POW is a dynamic planning tool
                        that can be modified as needed.

                   2.   Identify problems; the identification of resource problems in the
                        planning area.

                   3.   Determine objectives; identify and agree on the objectives of the
                        sponsors and land owners to be achieved through the planning
                        process.

                   4.   Inventory resources; planning area is inventoried so the problems and
                        opportunities are defined and current resource conditions are
                        established.

                   5.    Analyze resource data; the resource data from step 4 is analyzed to
                         clearly define the resource conditions and any problems associated
                         with their use.

                   6.    Formulate alternatives; alternatives that will achieve the objectives,
                         solve problems, and take advantage of opportunities to improve or
                         protect resource conditions are formulated.

                   7.    Evaluate alternatives; evaluation of the alternatives to determine their
                         effect in addressing the objectives and resource problems. This step
                         will include an evaluation of the potential effects on social, economic,
                         and environmental concerns.

                   The Management Plan will address water quality and non-point sources of
                   pollution as well as ecologic conditions including:

                         Sediment load at infiltration chambers and the
                         water treatment plant on the Ugum River.

                         Degradation of stream bank and ravine environment.

                         Erosion of agricultural lands.

                         Alternative management systems to be used in development of
                         private lands.

                         Sediment deposition in the lagoon.

                         Guidelines for chemical uses in the Watershed.

                         Protection of high value cultural and biological resources.

                         Public participation.

                         Treatment of the upper watershed.

                         Impact of wildfires.

                   The final product will be a Management Plan based on the technical reports
                   and the series of Geographical Information System (GIS) produced maps
                   generated during the resource assessment. The plan will require an
                   interdisciplinary approach of several areas of expertise to include; work
                   organization and management, hydrology/watershed management, civil
                   engineering,
                   biology, soils, geology, GIS, forestry/agroforestry, erosion control,
                   conservation/agronomy, and economics to evaluate conditions, project risk
                   of various future developments, and recommend management options.
                   Future implementation proposals will be suggested.

                                       ATTACHMENT B - SPECIAL PR         OVISIONS

                 The signatories agree to comply with the following special provisions which are
                 hereby attached to this agreement.

                 1. Drug-Free Workglace

                 By signing this agreement, the sponsors are providing the certification set out below.
                 If it is later determined that the sponsors knowingly rendered a false certification, or
                 otherwise violates the requirements of the Drug-Free Workplace Act, the Service, in
                 addition to any other remedies available to the Federal Government, may take action
                 authorized under the Drug-Free Workplace Act.

                 Controlled substance means a controlled substance in Schedules I through V of the
                 Controlled Substance Act (21 U.S.C. 812) and as further defined by regulation (21-
                 CFR 1308.11 through 1308.15);

                 Conviction means a finding of (including a plea of nolo contendere) or imposition of
                 sentence, or both, by any judicial body charged with responsibility to determine
                 violations of the Federal or State criminal drug statutes;

                 Criminal drug statLite means a Federal or non-Federal criminal statute involving the
                 manufacturing, distribution, dispensing, use, or possession of any controlled
                 substance;

                 Employee means the employee of grantee directly engaged in the performance of work
                 under a grant, including: (i) All direct charge employees; Oi) All indirect charge
                 employees unless their impact or involvement is insignificant to the performance of
                 the grant; and, (iii) Temporary personnel and consultants who are directly engaged in
                 the performance of work under the grant and who are on the grantee's payroll. This
                 definition does not include the workers not on the payroll of the grantee (e.g.,
                 volunteers, even if used to meet a matching requirement; consultants or independent
                 contractors not on the grantee's payroll; or employees of subrecipients or
                 subcontractors in covered workplaces).

                 Certification:

                 A. The sponsors certify that it will or will continue to provide a drug-free workplace
                 by:    (a) Publishing a statement notifying employees that the unlawful manufacture,
                        distribution, dispensing, possession, or use of a controlled substance is
                        prohibited in the grantee's workplace and specifying the actions that will be
                        taken against employees for violation of such prohibition;

                        (b) Establishing an ongoing drug-free awareness program to inform employees

                        about -

                                (1) The danger of drug of abuse in the workplace;

                                (2) The grantee's policy of maintaining a drug-free workplace;

                                (3)   Any available drug counseling, rehabilitation, and employee
                                assistance programs; and

                                (4) The penalties that may be imposed upon employees for drug abuse
                                violations occurring in the workplace;

                        (c) Making it a requirement that each employee to be engaged in the
                        performance of the grant be given a copy of the statement required by
                        paragraph (a);

                        (d) Notifying the employee in the statement required by paragraph (a) that, as
                        a condition of employment under the grant, the employee will -

                                (1) Abide by the terms of the statement; and

                                (2) Notifying the employer in writing of his or her conviction for a
                                violation of a criminal drug statute occurring in the workplace no later
                                than five calendar days after such a conviction;

                        (e) Notifying the Service writing, within ten calendar days after receiving notice
                        under paragraph (d)(2) from an employee or otherwise receiving notice,
                        including position title, to every grant officer or other designee on whose grant
                        activity the convicted employee was working, unless the Federal agency has
                        designated a central point for the receipt of such notices. Notice shall include
                        the identification number(s) of each affected grant;

                        (f) Taking one of the following actions, within 30 calendar days of receiving
                        notice under paragraph (d)(2), with respect to any employee who is so
                        convicted -

                                (1) Taking appropriate personnel action against such an employee, up
                                to and including termination, consistent with the requirements of the
                                Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended; or

                                (2) Requiring such employee to participate satisfactorily in a drug abuse
                                assistance or rehabilitation program approved for such purposes by a
                                Federal, State or local health, law enforcement, or other appropriate
                                agency;

                        (g) Making a good faith effort to continue to maintain a drug-free workplace

                        through implementation of paragraphs (a), (b), (c), (d), (e), and (f).

                         (h) Agencies shall keep the original of all disclosure reports in the official files
                        of the agency.

                 B. The sponsors may provide a list of the site(s) for the performance of work done
                 connection with a specific project or other agreement.

                 11. Certificati.Qn Regarding Lobbying (7) CFR 3018) (Applicable if this agreement
                 exceeds $100,000) - The sponsors certify to the best of their knowledge and belief,
                 that:

                 (1) No Federal appropriated funds have been paid or will be paid, by or on behalf of
                 the sponsors, to any person for influencing or attempting to influence an officer or
                 employee of an agency, Member of Congress, and officer or employer of Congress,
                 or a Member of Congress in connection with the awarding of any Federal contract, the
                 making of any Federal contract, the making of any Federal grant, the making of any
                 Federal loan, the entering into of any cooperative agreement, and the extension,
                 continuation, renewal, amendment, or modification of any Federal contract, grant,
                 loan, or cooperative agreement.

                 (2) If any funds other than Federal appropriated funds have been paid or will be paid
                 to any person for influencing or attempting to influence an officer or employee of any
                 agency, a member of Congress, an officer or employee of Congress, or an employee
                 of a Member of Congress, in connection with this Federal contract, grant, loan, or
                 cooperative agreement, the undersigned shall complete and submit Standard Form -
                 LLL, "Disclosure Form to Report Lobbying," in accordance with its instructions.

                 (3) The sponsors shall require that the language of this certification be included in the
                 award documents for all subawards at all tiers (including subcontracts, subgrants, and
                 contracts under grants, loans, and cooperative agreements) and that all subrecipients
                 shall certify and disclosure accordingly.

                 This certification is a material representation of fact upon which reliance was placed
                 when this transaction was made or entered into. Submission of this certification is a
                 prerequisite for making or entering into this transaction - imposed by Section 1352,
                 Title 31, U.S. Code. Any person who fails to file the require certification shall by
                 subject to a civil penalty of not less than $ 10,000 and not more than $ 100,000 for
                 each such failure.

                 Ill. Certificat@ion Regard i ng_Deba rment. Suspension, and Other Responsibility Matters -
                  Primary Covered Transactions, (7 CFR 3017).

                 (1) The sponsors certify to the best of its knowledge and belief, that it and its
                 principals:

                         (a) Are not presently debarred, suspended, proposed for debarment, declared
                         ineligible, or voluntarily excluded from covered transactions by any Federal
                         department or agency;

                         (b) Have not within a three-year period preceding this proposal been convicted
                         of or had a civil judgment rendered against them for commission of fraud or a
                         criminal offense in connection with obtaining, attempting to obtain, or
                         performing a public (Federal, state or local) transaction or contract under a
                         public transaction; violation of Federal or State antitrust statutes or commission
                         of embezzlement, theft, forgery, bribery, falsifation or destruction of records,
                         making false statements, or receiving stolen property;

                         (c) Are not presently indicted for or otherwise criminally or civilly charged by
                         a governmental entity (Federal, State or local) with commission of any of the
                         offenses enumerated in paragraph (1)(b) of this certification; and

                         (d) Have not within a three-year period preceding this application/proposal has
                         one or more public transactions (Federal, State or local) terminated for cause
                         or default.

                  (2) Where the primary sponsor is unable to certify to any of the statements in this
                  certification, such prospective participant shall attach an explanation to this
                  agreement.

                  IV. Clean Air and Water Certification

                  (Applicable if this agreement exceeds $ 100,000, or a facility to by used has been the
                  subject of a conviction under the Clean Air Act (42 U.S.C. 1857c-8(e)(1)) or the
                  Federal Water Pollution Control Act (33 U.S.C. 1319(C)) and is listed by EPA, or is not
                  otherwise exempt.)

                  The project sponsoring organization(s) signatory to this agreement certifies as follows:

                         (a) Any facility to be utilized in the performance of this proposed agreement
                         is        is not____, listed on the Environmental Protection Agency List of
                         Violating Facilities.

                         (b) To promptly notify the Assistant State Conservationist (Administration)
                         prior to the signing of this agreement by the Service, of the receipt of any
                         communication from the Director, Office of Federal Activities, U.S.
                         Environmental Protection Agency, indicating that any facility which he
                         proposes to use for the performance of the agreement is under consideration
                         to be listed on the Environmental Protection Agency List of Violating Facilities.

                         (c) To include substantially this certification, including thus subparagraph (c),
                         in every nonexempt subagreement.

                                            CLEAN AIR AND WATER CLAUSE

                         (Applicable only if the agreement exceeds $100,000, or a facility to be used
                         has been the subject of a conviction under the Clean Air Act (42 U.S.C. 1857c-
                         8(c)(1) or the Federal Water Pollution Control Act (33 U.S.C. (1319(c)) and is
                         listed by EPA or the agreement is nit otherwise exempt).

                  A. The project sponsoring organization(s) signatory to this agreement agrees as
                  follows:

                         (1) To comply with all the requirements of section 114 of the Clean Air Act as
                         amended (42 U.S.C. 1857, et seq., as amended by Public Law 91-604) and
                         section 308 of the Federal Water Pollution Control Act (33 U.S.C. 1251 et.
                         seq., as amended by Public Law 92-500), respectively, relating to inspection,
                         monitoring, entry, reports, and information, as well as other requirements
                         specified in sectio 114 and section 308 of the Air Act and the Water Act,
                         respectively, and all regulations and guidelines issued thereunder before the
                         signing of this agreement by the Service.

                         (2) That no portion of the work required by this agreement will be performed
                         in a facility listed on the Environmental Protection Agency List of Violating
                         Facilities on the date when this agreement was signed by the Service unless
                         and until the EPA eliminates the name of such facility or facilities from such
                         listing.

                         (3) To use their best efforts to comply with clean air standards and clean
                         water standards at the facilities in which the agreement is being performed.

                         (4) To insert the substance of the provisions of this clause in any nonexempt
                         subagreement, including this subparagraphs A. (4).

                  B. The terms used in this clause have the following meanings:

                  (1) The term "Air Actu means the Clean Air Act, as amended (42 U.S.C. 1857 et
                  seq., as amended by Public Law 91-604).

                  (2) The term "Water Act" means Federal Water Pollution Control Act, as amended
                  (33 U.S.C. 1251 et seq., as amended by Public Law 92-500).

                  (3) The term "clean air standards" means any enforceable rules, regulations,
                  guidelines, standards, limitations, orders, controls, prohibitions or other requirements
                  which are contained in, issued under, or other requirements which are contained in,
                  issued under, or otherwise adopted plan as described in section 11 O(d) of the Clean
                  Air Act (42 U.S.C. 1 857c-5(d)), an approved implementation procedure or plan under
                  section 111 (c) or section 111 (d), respectively, of the Air Act (42 U.S.C. 1857c-6(c)
                  or (d)), or an approved implementation procedure under section 11 2(d) of the Air Act

                  (42 U.S.C. 1857c-7(d)).

                  (4) The term "clean water standards" means any enforceable limitation, control,
                  condition, prohibition, standard, or other requirement which promulgated pursuant to
                  the Water Act or contained in a permit issued to a discharger by the Environmental
                  Protection Agency or by State under an approved program, as authorized by section
                  402 of the Water Act (33 U.S.C. 1342), or by a local government to ensure
                  compliance with pretreatment regulations as required by section 307 of the Water Act
                  (33 U.S.C. 1317).

                  (5) The term ncompliance" means compliance with clean air or water standards.
                  Compliances shall also mean compliance with a scheduled or plan ordered or approved
                  by a court of competent jurisdiction, the Environmental Protection Agency or any air
                  or water pollution control issued pursuant thereto.

                  (6) The term "facility" means any building, plant, installation, structure, mine, vessel
                  or other floating craft, location or site of operations, owned leased, or supervised by
                  a sponsor, to be utilized in the performance of an agreement or subagreement. Where
                  a location or site of operations contains or includes more than one building, plant,
                  installation, or structure, the entire location shall be deemed to be a facility except
                  where the Director, Office of Federal Activities, Environmental Protection Agency,
                  determines that independent facilities are colocated in one geographical area.

                  V. Assurance and Com[)Iiance

                  As a condition of the grant or cooperative agreement, the recipient assures and
                  certifies that is in compliance with and will comply in the course of the agreement
                  with all applicable laws, regulations, Executive Orders and other generally applicable
                  requirements, including those set out in 7 CFR 3015, 3016, 3017 and 3018 which
                  hereby are specifically set forth herein.

                  VI. Examinations of Records

                  Give the Service or he Comptroller General, through any authorized representative,
                  access to and the right to examine all records, book, papers, or documents related to
                  this agreement. Retain all records related to this agreement for a period of three years
                  after completion of the terms of this agreement in accordance with the applicable
                  OMB Circular.

                                                         INTRODUCTION

                     1.     INTRODUCTION

                            Purpose
                     The purpose of the Ugum Watershed Project is to maintain and protect surface and
                     ground water quality on a watershed - wide basis. The project is divided into three
                     phases: 1) the Resource Assessment; 2) the Management Plan; and 3) the implementation
                     of the Demonstration Projects.

                     The Ugum Watershed Project is a cooperative watershed project sponsored by the
                     Southern Guam Soil and Water Conservation District (SWCD), the Guam Bureau of
                     Planning (BOP) Coastal Management Program, and the Guam Environmental Protection
                     Agency (GEPA) with technical assistance provided by the US. Department of
                     Agriculture, Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), formerly the Soil
                     Conservation Service (SCS).

                     This study is the Ugum Watershed Management Plan. The purpose of this Management
                     Plan is to provide management guidelines based on the documentation of the existing
                     condition of the Ugum Watershed compiled in the Resource Assessment, Ugum
                     Watershed, Guam (DeMeo et al., 1995).

                     The Ugum River is a major source of potable water for southern Guam and in light of
                     proposed development of the area will benefit from a management plan. The Ugum
                     Watershed Management Plan is an interdisciplinary, interagency management plan to
                     address the interrelationship of the resources and maintain the integrity of the Ugum
                     River Watershed. This management plan provides the basis for action necessary to
                     maintain Ugum River water quality and quantity required for operation of the Public
                     Utilities Agency of Guam (PUAG) water facility, and protect or enhance ecosystem
                     values and functions that may be affected by projected commercial, agricultural, and
                     residential development in the watershed. The management plan discusses issues related
                     to surface water quality and quantity, soil erosion, wildfires, and loss of wildlife habitat
                     as well as other ecological conditions and concerns.

                     The scope of the Ugum Watershed Project is long range and comprehensive. The
                     management plan will project present conditions and problems twenty years into the
                     future and suggest management measures. The total watershed approach will be applied
                     to assess current and potential future conditions, address identified problems, and
                     determine treatment and management needs to protect surface and ground water quality
                     and quantity.

                                                          INTRODUCTION

                              Study Methodology
                       This Management Plan is an interagency plan to control non-point source (NPS)
                       pollution and the natural resource base in the Ugum Watershed. The Management Plan
                       discusses the actions to prevent or reduce NPS water quality problems identified in the
                       Ugum Watershed Resource Assessment. The natural resources studies contained in the
                       Assessment included ground surveys and inventories, field studies, aerial photo
                       interpretation, remote sensing, Geographical Information, System (GIS) mapping and
                       analysis, and consultations with area experts and scientists.

                              Participation
                       The Guam Bureau of Planning (BOP) Coastal Management Program has provided
                       leadership in sponsoring the Ugum Watershed Management Plan. The Southern Guam
                       SWCD has also provided leadership in coordinating with USDA - NRCS, which
                       provided technical and planning assistance and prepared the Management Plan document.

                       An interagency team called the Ecosystem Based Assistance Team (EBAT) provided the
                       technical reports for the management plan. The Ecosystem Based Assistance Team
                       included seven members; from NRCS Pacific Basin, Reed Sims (soils/geology/wildlife),
                       Jay Cobb (engineering), Robert Wescom (forestry/vegetation/wildlife), and Robin
                       DeMeo (planning/coordinator/writing); from Hawaii NRCS Robin White (hydrology);
                       from GEPA Randy Sablan (wetlands); and Dr. John Brown (economics) with the
                       University of Guam. Each member provided technical reports based on the Assessment
                       for this management plan.

                       The Guam Bureau of Planning, Coastal Management Program is also sponsoring a
                       section 6217 Coastal Nonpoint Source (NPS) pollution project to determine the
                       recommended Best Management Practices (BMP's) or NRCS conservation practices.
                       The recommended BMP's will address resource problems in rural areas of Guam,
                       including the nonpoint source pollution problems found in the Ugum Watershed.

                       The GEPA is sponsoring a related project of BW Demonstration Projects
                       implementation in the Ugum Watershed. Demonstrations of up to eighteen USDA
                       NRCS conservation practices will be implemented over the next two and a half years in
                       the Ugum Watershed by the NRCS with the landowners cooperation.

                       An Ugum Watershed Steering Committee was formed among all sponsors to discuss
                       project progress and to direct the decision making process. The Steering Committee
                       members are the Southern Guam Soil and Water Conservation District, Guam
                       Environmental Protection Agency, the Guam Bureau of Planning, Coastal Management
                       Program and the United States Department of Agriculture, Natural Resources
                       Conservation Service. A Guam Watershed Committee is in the process of being created,
                       and the above agencies have agreed to participate in the larger committee covering the
                       island. The potential for the Guam Watershed Committee is to act as an interagency
                       committee to share project information in cooperative island resource planning.

                                                                  2

                                                         INTRODUCTION

                      Others supporting the watershed planning efforts and providing technical assistance or
                      information included:

                      Public Utility Agency of Guam (PUAG) - The PUAG is responsible for all public water
                         production and supply on Guam. The PUAG provided access to the Ugurn Treatment
                         Plant and technical information about the water in the river and throughout the
                         treatment process.
                      Guam Department of Agriculture, Division of Forestry and Soil Resources - is generally
                         responsible for urban and rural forestry on Guam and provided support and trees for
                         reforestation and windbreak projects for this project.
                      Water and Energy Research Institute (WERI) - is a research institute associated with the
                         University of Guam and provided technical support and expertise on the hydrology
                         and geology of the study area.
                      University of Guam - Marine Lab - Provided information on coral reef life and studies
                         of lagoon sedimentation, and down stream biota.
                      Guam Department of Agriculture, Division of Aquatics and Wildlife - Provided
                         information on the animal species and the preferred habitat.
                      United States Geologic Survey (USGS) - Provided historical hydrology information of
                         the Ugum River.
                      The University of Guam, Guam Department of Land Management, The Territorial
                         Planning Council, the Village Mayors of Talofofo and Inaranjan, the Land Owners,
                         US Army Corps of Engineers, Bureau of Planning, and developers - general project
                         area information.

                      Within the Ugum Watershed there are other projects, studies and related efforts. The
                      inventory of the wetlands and analysis of the functions and hydrologic effects within the
                      watershed is being conducted by Dr. Galt Siegrist of the Water and Energy Research
                      Institute, University of Guam. Another project has been started by the Guam Department
                      of Agriculture, Division of Forestry and Soil Resources of planting forest trees on the
                      badlands on the public lands within the Ugum Watershed. And another study is being
                      conducted which is gathering baseline data in connection with fresh water resources
                      within the Ugum and other watersheds of southern Guam by Guam Department of
                      Agriculture, Division of Aquatics and Wildlife.

                      The implementation of the Ugum. Watershed Management Plan will depend heavily on
                      the coordinated effort of all Ugum landowners and all local and federal agencies. The
                      landowners have primary responsibility in care and management of the valuable natural
                      resources in the Ugum Watershed. Sustainable development for economic gain and
                      natural resource management for conservation are compatible goals achievable through a
                      united effort.

                      Several local and federal agencies have responsibilities and jurisdiction over either the
                      development or the natural resource use in the watershed. The following is a brief partial

                                                                3

                                                           MTRODUCTION

                      listing of some of the agencies and the areas of responsibilities that may effect the future
                      of the Ugum Watershed.

                      The Guam Environmental Protection Agency has regulatory responsibility over all
                          environmental quality issues including nonpoint and point sources of pollution in the
                          watershed. These responsibilities extent from water quality monitoring and road
                          construction permitting, and from wetland protection to erosion control.

                      The Guam Bureau of Planning has authority to manage and develop a plan for the
                          territory. The Bureau of Panning, Coastal Management Program is responsible for
                          the coastal waters and reefs, and the Nonpoint Source Pollution Control Program.

                      The United States Department of Agriculture, Natural Resources Conservation Service
                          has responsibility to provide technical assistance to the landowners on a voluntary
                          bases. As part of this effort there are certain programs available for the specific areas
                          of assistance.

                      Guam Department of Land Management has responsibility over the ownership and
                          regulation of use of real property. This agency also has authorities on the most
                          appropriate use of land and orderly growth.

                      United States, Army Corps of Engineers has regulatory responsibilities over for wetlands
                          permitting and determination on non agricultural lands.

                      Guam Department of Public Works has responsibilities and authorities on the highway
                          and transportation plan for the territory, right of way improvements and
                          requirements, and storm water disposal and drainage systems.

                      Public Utilities Agency of Guam manages the water resources to ensure safe drinking
                          water for Guam.

                      Guam Department of Agriculture has programs to conserve, develop and maintain the
                          agricultural sector. The Division of Aquatics and Wildlife has responsibilities in the
                          conservation of the natural resources and protection of the endangered resident and
                          wildlife species.

                      The Territorial Land Use Commission is a body appointed by the legislature the reviews
                          requests fro rezoning, wetland permits, and certain development projects.

                      The Territorial Planning Council heads the territory's comprehensive master planning
                          effort.

                                                                  4

                       The Ugum Watershed

                               Guam, Mariana Islands

                                          Philippine Sea                                                                                       J
                                                                                                                                          0

                                                                                                                 Dad  do

                                                                       A9 n

                                                                                  Yona                                         Pacific Ocean

                                        r   Agat

                                                                                    10fol

                                                                                                        Ugum Watershed
                                                                                                Total area wlthin Watershed: 19 square km, 1878 ha
                                                                                                          Total length of streams: 3 7 km

                                                                                  rojon

                                                                                                         1 0 1 2 3 4 5 5 KILOMETERS

                                                                                  Map prepared by USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service, Pacific Basin Office
                                                                                                         Source: USGS Quad Maps of Guam
                                                                                                     Projection: Modified Azimuthal Equidistant
                                                                                                                   April. 1995

                     Figure 1. Ugum Watershed locator map, Guam.

                                                           PROJECT SETTING

                       11.    Project Setting

                              Location
                       The Territory of Guam is located in the Western Pacific, in the Marianas Islands chain.
                       Guam is the largest and the southernmost of the Marianas Islands. The Island of Guam is
                       approximately 6, 100 kilometers west - southwest of Hawaii and 2,600 kilometers east of
                       the Philippines. Guam is located at latitude 13 degrees 28 minutes North and longitude
                       144 degrees and 45 minutes East (Tracey et al., 1964). The island is about 48 kilometers
                       long and is 6 to 19 kilometers wide, lies generally on a north - south axes. The total area
                       is 54,908 hectares, or about 549 square kilometers.

                       The Ugum Watershed is located in southern Guam directly south of the Talof6fo and
                       Fena Watersheds (Figure 1). The Ugum Watershed stretches from Mount Bolanos that
                       rises to 378.5 meters and forms the western limits of the watershed to the Talof6fo River
                       near the Pacific Ocean in the east. Mount Bolanos includes the headwaters of the Atate
                       and Bubulao river systems which flow into the Ugum River.

                       The Ugum Watershed covers an area of approximately 18.9 square kilometers (7.33
                       square miles, 4,691 acres) of rolling hills with areas of very steep slopes. The 37
                       kilometers of rivers and streams in the Ugum Watershed flow from the mountains to sea
                       level where the Ugum River drains into the Talofofo River only 1,303 meters (4,275
                       feet) inland from the Talofofo Bay.

                               Climate
                       The island of Guam has a warm tropical humid climate generally influenced by the
                       northeast trade winds. Precipitation on Guam averages from 2,159 to 2,921 mm. (85 to
                       115 inches) per year. Approximately two-thirds of the annual rainfall occurs during the
                       rainy season, July through November. Approximately 68 - 73 percent of the total annual
                       rainfall, runs directly off into the ocean (Ward et al., 1965). The wet season frequently
                       has periods of short duration heavy rainfall (Bureau of Reclamation, 1985).

                       The Intertropical Convergence Zone that passes over the island seasonally brings with it
                       disturbances that can become tropical storms or typhoons. The storm frequency during
                       the rainy season is commonly high. The yearly difference in frequency and intensity of
                       typhoons are attributed to El Nino / Southern Oscillation variations (Guard and Lander,
                       1993). Widespread flooding often follows the heavy rainfall from typhoons and intense
                       local storms. The heavy rainfall and strong winds create severe erosion, land slips and
                       sedimentation of stream and coastal zones.

                                                                    6

                                                           PROJECT SETTING

                              Geology
                      The Ugurn Watershed is located in southern Guam, south of the Talofofo fault zone.
                      The structural province of south Guam, the Bolanos block, is formed by east-dipping
                      Miocene volcanic rocks, of fan-shaped Umatac formation (Tracey et al., 1964). The
                      Ugurn Watershed is the drainage system that empties the Ugum and Bubulao Rivers,
                      from Mount Bolanos to the Talof6fo River. The Ugum. River flows into the Talofofo
                      River approximately 3/4 of a kilometer from Talof6fo Bay. The Ugurn River valley was
                      created by lineaments stretching from Talofofo Bay to Merizo. Along the lineaments
                      many smaller faults in the volcanic rocks pass into long joint zones (Tracey et al., 1964).
                      The structural lines show as a series of knobs and ridges crossing topographic trends or
                      as fine fissures.

                      The Ugum Watershed consists of the volcanic uplands of steep dissected slopes east of
                      the mountain summits, and the gently sloping foothills cut by the major streams. The
                      watershed has a small area of limestone on the plateaus over the flood plain near the
                      mouth of the Ugum River, where it joins the Talofofo River.

                              Soils
                      The Ugum Watershed includes nine major soil series with 26 different soil phases or
                      mapping units (Figure 2). These mapping units group soils according to properties that
                      affect land use and management, such as slopes (Figure 3). Some map units are made up
                      of two or more major soils; these are soil associations or soil complexes and may include
                      miscellaneous areas such as Badlands. The soils in the Ugum area are represented by the
                      Agfayan, Akina, Atate, Inarajan, Pulantat, Sasalaguan, Togcha, and Ylig Series,
                      sometimes intricately interwoven, and the Badland land type, for further information
                      consult the Soil Survey of Territory of Guam (Young, 1988).

                      Soils in the Ugurn Watershed are derived chiefly from volcanic rock. This rock is a
                      mixture of highly compressed and heated volcanic ash and sand, which weathers down to
                      clay-sized particles as it becomes soil. The parent material, called saprolite, is nearly as
                      erodible by water as the soils that it develops. The soils have high clay content (from 45
                      to 90 percent) and very low soil pH. These volcanic clays have low bulk density,
                      roughly the same as water, which has a density of I gram per cubic centimeter (Young,
                      1988). The low bulk density of the soils means that they are highly sensitive to water
                      erosion, and that once particles are in suspension, they will remain in suspension
                      indefinitely. When water dislodges and carries the particles, they are not likely to settle
                      out as would, for instance, coral sand particles which are more dense. At the Ugurn
                      Water Treatment Plant, a flocculant is required to force the clay particles out of
                      suspension.

                      The year-round microbial and biological decomposition of soil organic matter provides
                      for rapid depletion of this valuable resource from the soil. Since volcanic soils and
                      minerals are inherently low in nutrient-holding capacity and available water-holding
                      capacity (Sanchez, 1976), soil organic matter is critical to sustained plant growth.

                                                                    7

                                         Ugum Watershed
                                                                        Soils
                                                           Island of Guam

                                                                    +                                                 +

                                                                                                   40                                                         14
                                                                                                                                                                                                         416
                                                                 17                                                                                                                          Is

                                                                                                  Is                                                                                                2
                                                                            48

                                                                                                                   9                               49
                                                                                                      40       IQ                        Is     41
                                                                                                                                                       Is

                     32OWN                                                                                 49                                 Is

                                                                             4
                                                                                                   35

                                                                                            III

                                                                                      117

                                                                                                                                                                                                             LOCIUM

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        300

                                                                                                                                                                       LEGEND                                                       0
                  + BMW                                                                                                +                                                      Soil Map Ung Boundary
               4200011                                                                                             46000                                                      River
                                                                                                                                                                              Shoreline                                             Mcp
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   In coop

                                                                                                                                                                                                                             Soils recomp4

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      M@
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 ove base
               Figure 2. Soils of the Ugum Watershed, Guam.

                                     Ugum Watershed
                                                       Slope Classes
                                                     Island of Guam

                                                                                                                                                                                    V22

                    J20DON

                                                                                                                                                       LEGEND

                                                                                                                                                             Watershed Boundary
                                                                                                                                                                                                            300
                                                                                                                                                             River
                                                                                                                                                             Shoreline                                   0

                                                                                                                                                             Slope Class Boundary
                                                                                                                                                             1  0 to 3 percent slopes                    Mcp Pr
               420DON                                                                                                                                        2  3 to 7 percent slopes                   (n coopet
                                                                                                                                                             3  7 to 15 percent slopes                  Soft lecor
                                                                                                                                                             4  15 to 30 percent slopes                   c4ass sP1
                                                                                                                                                             5  30 to 60 percent stop es
                                                                                                                                                                                                          MOM
                                                                                                                                                             6  over W percent slopes                 Cie based

              Figure 3. Slope classes, Ugum Watershed, Guam,

                                                          PROJECT SETTING

                              Water
                      The Ugum Watershed has abundant surface water resources and limited ground water
                      resources. The Ugurn Watershed has approximately 36.8 kilometers (23 miles) of rivers
                      and streams within the 18.9 square kilometer (7.3 square mile) drainage area. The
                      watershed is made up of volcanic basaltic-andesitic rocks except for a small area near the
                      mouth of the watershed close to the coast which is limestone. The groundwater within
                      the basaltic-andesitic rocks is not easily exploitable with the low hydraulic conductivity
                      of only 0.0432 centimeters per hour (0.034 feet per day) in the Malojloj area. (Mink,
                      1976). This value is more than a thousand times less than the conductivity of
                      argillaceous limestone (Mink, 1976). The groundwater which does occur within the
                      volcanic soils drains into the streams and rivers through seepage and flows eventually
                      into the ocean. For this reason, surface water is the major source of all water for use in
                      the southern portion of Guam.

                      The Ugum surface water has been studied for almost 30 years as a source of drinking
                      water for the south and as a supplement to the northern groundwater sources. The PUAG
                      Ugum water facility and treatment plant has been fully operational since November 1992
                      to tap this important source. The Ugum River water treatment plant is relied upon as the
                      sole source of water for its distribution area. It is currently the primary source of water
                      for the Ipan area of Talofofo village, and all of Inarajan, Merizo and Umatac villages.
                      There are plans to expand the distribution of Ugum River water to include the Talofofo
                      village center and areas along the cross island highway towards Agat to relieve dry
                      season pressure on the Fena reservoir (Personnel communication, Terry Johnson,
                      PUAG). The Ugum water plant can produce a maximum of 4 million gallons of potable
                      water per day (Mgd) in the rainy season.

                      The Ugurn River is not capable of providing for the 4 Mgd diversion at all times. Based
                      on the low flow year of 1983, the diversion of 4 Mgd is possible only 64 percent of the
                      time (GNT, 1989). A minimum downstream flow of 2 cfs is required by GEPA in the
                      permit for the PUAG Ugum River water plant to maintain downstream biota and to
                      minimize the environmental impacts to the levels of the natural low flows of the river.

                      The Ugum River water plant is currently being used as a sole source instead of the being
                      used as the intermittent source that it was designed to be. This can lead to pressures upon
                      PUAG to violate the minimum conservation streamflow of 2.0 cfs at the Ugum River
                      diversion dam in order to maintain continuous water service to the areas supplied by the
                      Ugum River water plant. These pressures can only increase as the area supplied by the
                      plant are expanded.

                              Land Ownership
                      Land ownership in the watershed is approximately 70 percent (1,329 hectares) private
                      and 30 percent (574 hectares) publicly owned (Figure 4). The public lands are in the
                      headwater areas of the upper Bubulao and Atate River systems and are owned by the
                      Government of Guam (29 percent), and the U.S. Naval Reservation (2 percent). The

                                                                   10

                                   Ugum Watershed
                                        General Land Ownerships
                                                    Island of Guam

               +34M                                        +                                           +

                                     DOD
                                 Naval          Uxi

                                                                                             Privaiely Oumed Land

                 3200M                    c0VcUU            d                                          +

                                                                                                 U_

                                              Bolana

                                                    Cons            n
                                                           Ross     0                                                                                 LEGEND                              LOCO"
                                                                                                                                                                                                          300
                                                                                                                                                         Watershed Boundary
               + x0com                                     +                                                                                             Ownership Boundary                            0
            42MON                                                                                                                                        River
                                                                                                                                                         Shoreline
                                                                                                                                                         Road                                       Map prepc
                                                                                                                                                                                                   in cowerah

                                                                                                                                                                                                      Modified
                                                                                                                                                                                                 are based on

            Figure 4. General land ownerships, Ugum Watershed, Guam.

                                                          PROJECT SETTING

                      Bolanos Conservation Reserve makes up a majority of the public land holdings, all of the
                      Government of Guam land, (545 hectares). The U.S. Naval Reservation land is a narrow
                      portion of Fena Reservoir land (only 30 hectares) within the Ugum Watershed
                      boundaries on the northwest comer.

                              Land Use
                      The ownership of the headwater areas by government and the designation as conservation
                      reserves protects these areas and the resources they hold from development, helping to
                      maintain the health of the watershed and water quality. The headwater habitat of the
                      watershed is vital to maintaining water quality and water quantity. The public lands area
                      are generally steep, with slopes greater than 60 percent. The majority of the vegetation is
                      savanna grassland, which covers generally from the mountain tops to the ravine forest
                      along the bottom of the ravine surrounding the streams.

                      All of the privately owned lands are zoned "Agriculture" at present, or "Intensity 2"
                      under the I Tano'- ta Plan. The exception to this is the "Dan Dan Estates and Country
                      Clubs" land, which is zoned as a "Planned Unit Development" (PUD) for a proposed
                      resort at present or "Intensity 3 " under the I Tano'-to Land Use Plan.

                      The Dan Dan Estates project is in "approved, not constructed" status. The Dan Dan
                      Estates and Country Clubs proposed project plans for three 18 hole golf courses with
                      dwellings, restaurants and supporting structures. Approximately a third of the 213
                      hectare development project falls within the Ugurn Watershed boundaries. The location
                      of this project is in the headwater area in the back of the Ugurn Watershed, bordering the
                      south side of the Ugum River and the Bolanos Conservation Reserve. The rest of this
                      project development lies to the south of the Ugurn Watershed in the Dan Dan area.

                      Only 7 hectares of land is presently being actively farmed, as interpreted from the 1993
                      aerial photos. Field locations are shifted in response to soil productivity. Farming is
                      seasonal, typically in the early dry season. Many land owners have an interest in
                      increasing the amount of agriculture land in production. Presently, there are attempts to
                      subdivide and sell agricultural parcels within the Ugurn Watershed. Typical crops
                      include watermelon, beans and cucumber.

                      The lands within the Ugum Watershed have been more heavily used for agriculture in the
                      near past than at present. During the 1960's and 1970's much of what is known as the
                      Bubulao Ranch was used for grazing cattle and water buffalo (carabao), also pigs were
                      raised. Aquaculture ponds were constructed and freshwater Macrobrachiurn shrimp
                      cultivated for about five years during the same period. Many agricultural crops were
                      grown at the ranch including pineapple, watermelon, beans, taro, cucumber and other
                      melons.

                      Tourism is also present in the watershed both at Talofofo Falls, on the Ugum River and
                      the jeep tours of the wild lands. The Talofofo Falls has approximately 4,500 visitors a

                                                                   12

                                                            PROJECT SETMG

                      year to this spectacular waterfall. The Jungle River trip has two daily boat tours up the
                      Ugum River from Talofofo Bay to share a taste of "traditional" Chamorro life. The
                      Safari Tours take tourists on jeep trails into the Upper Bubulao area to view the native
                      ravine forests and wildlife of Guam.

                      There are many other recreational uses of the watershed including hunting wildlife,
                      gathering fruits and betel nut, fishing and swimming. Another recreational use of the
                      watershed is off-road vehicle excursions.

                      The off-road vehicle use of this area has increased in recent years. The most obvious
                      indicator of this increased is the number of roads in the watershed. From the 1975 aerial
                      photos almost 33.6 kilometers of roads were documented (almost all unimproved) in the
                      watershed. By 1993 the total roads had more than doubled to more than 68.8 kilometers.
                      A large part of the increase is attributed to the off-road recreational use due to the nature
                      of the roads' patterns, which are often in clusters and circular. This activity poses a threat
                      to maintaining the vegetative covered by the increase in erosion from these highly
                      traveled areas.

                      Fire in the Ugum Watershed is related to human activity. There is evidence (Raulerson,
                      1978) that the fires which occur in this area are started by hunters. The savanna
                      grassland is burnt so the deer are attracted to the new shoots or as a means to exit an
                      otherwise difficult area to walk. The fire frequency records from the Fire Prevention
                      Division of Forestry Resources at the Department of Agriculture have been utilized with
                      the GIS system to map and record historic burning patterns. The fire frequency for the
                      period record, 1979 through 1985, documented a total of 138 fires in the Ugum.

                      The fire hot-spots in the Ugum Watershed are the headwaters area of the Atate River
                      with 8 fires, the area between Dan Dan and Talofofo Falls had 24 fires, the south middle
                      Ugum River area west of NASA had 8 fires, and the headwaters of the Bubulao River
                      had 12 fires during the period of record.

                      Fire has the effect of assisting the savanna grassland to rejuvenate and spread by burning
                      the ravine forest which cannot easily compete with the invading grassland. An increase
                      in soil erosion from newly burnt areas can be expected, especially if rains fall shortly
                      after the fire.

                              Culturai Resources
                      Prehistoric land use of the Ugum River area has been documented by Dye, Price, and
                      Craib, 1978 in Archaeological and Historical Reconnaissance Survey of the Ugum River
                      Valley, Guam, Marianas Islands. The survey of an area approximately 43 hectares (107
                      acres) surrounding the Ugum and Bubulao Rivers revealed eight areas of prehistoric
                      activity. Historic land use has not been documented for the period from Spanish contact
                      (1521) to World War 11. The Ugum Valley was utilized by Japanese soldiers as a place

                                                                    13

                                                           PROJECT SETTING

                      of refuge during and after the War. Shoichi Yokoi, a Japanese sergeant, lived unnoticed
                      for 28 years in the Ugum valley, hiding in a cave near Talofofo Falls.

                      Other historic and prehistoric sites have been located in the Ugum. Watershed as noted by
                      the Government of Guam, State Historic Preservation Office.

                              Ecosystem Descriptions
                      Ecological systems within the Ugum Watershed describe the organization and
                      interactions of communities of living things with their environment. For planning and
                      management purposes the watershed was divided into four ecosystems; Ravine Forest,
                      Savanna/Badlands, Wetlands, and Riparian Areas (Figure 5). The ecosystems each have
                      unique processes and characteristics. The delineation of ecosystem boundaries by
                      dominant vegetation, and hydrology, as well as changes to energy flow and ecological
                      processes as a result of human intervention are indicators of ecological health.

                                      Ravine Forest

                      The Ravine Forest Ecosystem comprises areas with a predominance of woody perennial
                      vegetation, and covers 837 hectares or 44% of the Ugurn Watershed. Components of this
                      ecosystem are found in both large contiguous blocks as well as isolated batches of
                      forested areas. The ravine forest ecosystem is common along stream channels and all
                      slope classes. The term "ravine forest" refers to its frequent occurrence in ravines and on
                      steep slopes.

                      Relative to other ecosystems on Guam, the ravine forests are rich with both native and
                      introduced flora. Although relatively low growing, the vertical structure of the ravine
                      forest provide a range of micro-climates that encourage species diversity.

                      Past human activities have introduced many non-native plant species into the ravine
                      forest ecosystem, including the Areca catechu, the betel nut palm. As a result of repeated
                      human-induced and natural disturbances the ravine forest of southern Guam is a
                      secondary forest type as indicated by the widespread presence of Hibiscus tiliaceus,
                      Areca catechu, and Cocus nucifera. The original forest vegetation of southern Guam
                      cannot be discerned.

                      Where the ravine forest borders savanna grasslands periodic wildland fires affect species
                      composition of the ravine forest. Early secondary vegetation dominate and Miscanthus
                      floridulus (swordgrass) is often a dominant species in the understory.

                      The ravine forests of southern Guam occur on all soil mapping units within the planning
                      area, except Sasalaguan clay. Plant litter on the soil surface absorbs the energy of
                      raindrops and intercepts surface flow. Organic matter and biological activity in the upper
                      soil horizons increases the water holding capacity of the soil and plays an important role
                      in the storage and release of soil water into the Riparian ecosystem and the streams.

                                                                   14

                                       Ugum Watershed
                                                               Ecosystems
                                                          Island of Guam

                                                                                                                                                                                                                      .......... ...

                                                                                                                                                                            LEGEND

                                                                                                                                                                                                                         LOCUM
                                                                                                                                                                                   Watershed Boundary
                                                                                                                                                                     ................ River
                                                                                                                                                                                   Road
               +                                                                                                                                                                   Trail
            42000M                                                                                                  460001A                                                        Shoreline
                                                                                                                                                                                   Ravine Forest
                                                                                                                                                                                   Savanna Grassland                                MCP prep
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   in cooperodi
                                                                                                                                                                                   Riparian Area
                                                                                                                                                                                   Wetland and Open Water                              Mocified
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 cre bmed on

            Figure 5. Ecosystems, Ugum Watershed, Guam.

                                                           PROJECT SETTING

                                      Savanna Grasslands
                      The savanna grasslands ecosystem comprises 777 hectares or 41% of the Ugum
                      Watershed with a predominance of grasses and ferns. Highly eroded barren areas that
                      support little to no vegetation (badland complexes) are included in this ecosystem. This
                      ecosystem occurs on all soil mapping units within the planning area, except Pulantat clay.
                      Components of this ecosystem are found in both large contiguous blocks as well as
                      isolated batches of grasslands. The savanna grasslands are common along ridgetops and
                      all slope classes. Periodic wildfires maintain this ecosystem in a early successional state.

                      The grassland communities are dominated by only a few species including Miscanthus
                      floridulus (swordgrass), Dimeria chloridifiormis, and Pennisetum polystachyon. Periodic
                      wildland fires favor grass species that can rapidly resprout and dominant the site before
                      wind disseminated seed becomes established.

                      If wildland fire is excluded for a few years, woody shrubs and trees, including Casuarina
                      equisetifolia may slowly become established in savanna plant communities. The woody
                      component is often destroyed once a wildland fire occurs.

                      It is generally accepted that the savanna ecosystem is a result of repeated disturbance
                      through land clearing and the periodic burning that has occurred since before the Spanish
                      colonization of Guam. Ecological succession resulting in an orderly process of
                      community development involving changes in species structure and community
                      processes with time is disrupted by the periodic burning, resetting the ecosystem
                      development back to the earliest pioneer stage. Regrowth of the grassland plant
                      community is usually rapid (within months). The cycle of vegetative growth and burning
                      does not permit a stabilizing of the ecosystem processes. High temperatures cause
                      organic matter to be decomposed faster than it is accumulated. Site quality in the
                      savanna has declined as a result of repeated burning. The soil surface has been
                      compacted by rains following the removal of vegetative cover and litter, resulting in a
                      decrease in the rate of water penetration. The ash is susceptible to being wind blown out
                      of the ecosystem, and susceptible to leaching and erosion by rainwater.

                      The badland scarps associated with the savanna are the result of the extreme effects
                      associated with frequent burning of the savanna and high rainfall. Soils within the scarps
                      are extremely low in pH approximately (4.2), calcium, phosphorous, and organic matter.
                      Even plant species adapted to harsh savanna sites, such as Miscanthusfloridulus, Dimeria
                      chloridiformis, and Gleichenia linearis, cannot survive in the extreme conditions found
                      within the badland scarps.

                                      Riparian Ecosystem
                      The riparian ecology is closely linked to the watershed morphology in that the associated
                      riparian plant communities follow an organized stream system from the upper watershed
                      to the sea. Riparian ecosystem processes are influenced by the movement of open water
                      in streams as well as subsurface flow from adjacent ecosystems. The riparian ecosystem

                                                                    16

                                                          PROJECT SET71NG

                      extends 15 meters on stream orders 2 and 3, and 30 meters on stream orders 4 and 5 to
                      either side of stream channels, and comprises 159 hectares or 9% of the Ugurn
                      Watershed. The riparian ecosystem is located along the lower slopes, soils which have
                      eroded from the upper slopes are intercepted by the physical presence of vegetation in the
                      riparian zone. This results in an accumulation of soil in the riparian zone.

                      The riparian plant communities in the Ugum are longitudinal zoned with plant
                      communities similar to wetland and ravine forest ecosystems found in the higher stream
                      orders near the coast. Hibiscus tiliaceus, Cocus nucifera, and Barringtonia racemosa and
                      other species which are adapted to periodic inundated and waterlogged soil conditions are
                      commonly associated with riparian zones nearer the coast. The width of the riparian
                      ecosystem is widest near the coast where the influence of the stream extends well beyond
                      the stream channel.

                      In the upper watershed where volume of flow is much less, the savanna grassland
                      vegetation often dominates, and the width of the riparian ecosystem is much narrower.

                                     Wetland Ecosystem
                      Wetland ecosystems are those areas that are inundated by surface or ground water with
                      frequency sufficient to support a prevalence of vegetative or aquatic life that requires
                      saturated or seasonally saturated soil conditions for growth and reproduction. Wetlands
                      generally include swamps, marshes, mangroves, natural ponds, surface springs, estuaries
                      and similar such areas.

                      Wetlands are present on 117 hectares or 6% of the watershed within the ravine forest,
                      savanna grasslands, and riparian ecosystems. Wetlands plant communities are dependent
                      upon a constant source of water in their substrate. Within the Ugum watershed, wetlands
                      include marshes, bogs, and springs. For the purpose of this report, running water (lotic)
                      communities associated with streams are included in the wetland ecosystem.

                      The vegetation of wetland plant communities is strongly influenced by soils which are
                      waterlogged either frequently or seasonally. Plants existing within this ecosystem are
                      adapted to cope with waterlogged conditions. The wetland communities associated with
                      savannas are often dominated by a few grass and sedge species, including Pancicum
                      maximum, Phragmites karka, and Rhynchospora spp. In the ravine forest, wetland flora
                      may include woody trees including Hibiscus tiliaceous and Barringtonia racemosa.

                      Wetland ecosystems serve as a highly productive interface between terrestrial and open
                      aquatic systems, providing beneficial functions to both, and facilitating the flow of
                      energy, water and nutrients between them.

                      Wetland ecosystems that are surrounded by savanna plant communities can be affected
                      by wildland fires during drought periods. The higher moisture content with the wetland
                      plant communities usually result in lower combustion of above ground biomass and

                                                                   17

                                                          PROJECT SETTING

                      rarely does a wildland fire completely consume the wetland plants. The net result of
                      these energy exchanges is that large quantities of energy is stored as soil organic matter
                      and in plant biomass (above and below ground).

                      Nutrient cycling in a wetland ecosystem differs from both the ravine forest and savanna.
                      Nutrients can enter the wetland ecosystem as either eroded sediment or as dissolved
                      minerals in subsurface flow from ecosystems above the wetland. Because of the hydric
                      nature of the soils, anaerobic soil conditions exist during periods of saturation which may
                      result in slow decomposition of organic matter, and higher levels of organic matter in the
                      soil than either the ravine forest or savanna ecosystems. The organic matter can serve as
                      a storage of nutrients.

                              SocibEconomic
                      The population of the Territory of Guam has grown at a high rate in the last twenty
                      years. Guam's resident population in 1990 was 133,152. The annual rate of growth over
                      the last census interval (1980 to 1990) was 2.27 percent. This was up from a growth rate
                      of 2.2 percent during the 1970 to 1980 census interval (Guam Business News, 1994).

                      If the population growth rate of 2.27 percent per year is projected, the 1995 population is
                      approximately 145,660 residents. The population in 2015, the end of the projected
                      planning period, would be an estimated 233,400 island residents.

                      The projected growth rate of the island, as stated in the I Tano-ta, The Land Use Plan for
                      Guam by the Territorial Planning Council, is an estimated 2.85 percent annual growth
                      rate over the next twenty years. This would result in a total population of approximately
                      263,000 permanent residents in the year 2015 (Flores et al., 1993).

                      Currently, Guam's economy is driven by tourism, the most important source of the
                      island's outside income. The U.S. military is the second most important source of outside
                      income and a major source of employment. Non-military Federal expenditure also
                      provides significant amounts of off-island income.

                      Investment from off-island is another important source of income. Construction, often
                      driven by outside investors is a highly variable component it tends to be the most cyclical
                      component of the economy. Transportation and shipping also contribute to off-island
                      income.

                      In December 1994, the total island employment was 66,460 persons. The private sector
                      employed 46, 100 persons or 69.4 percent of the filled jobs on-island. Government
                      employed 20,360 persons or 30.6 percent of the filled jobs on-island. Thebreakdownof
                      the public sector employment was: 6,930 persons in Federal Government employment
                      and 13,430 persons in Territorial Government employment. The Government of Guam
                      is by far the largest single employer on the island (Department of Labor, 1995).

                                                                   18

                                                         PROJECT SETTING

                      Private sector employment was divided into eight categories. The largest private sector
                      category is retail trade. It employed 12,930 persons or 19.4 percent of the island's
                      payroll. The second largest category was services with an employment of 12,380 or 18.6
                      percent of the island's payroll. The service sector was dominated by hotel employment.
                      The sixth largest category was wholesale trade. It employed 2,060 persons or 3.1
                      percent. Government, services, retail and wholesale trade together accounted for 71.8
                      percent of the island's payroll. Thus , the importance of government, including the
                      military, tourism and trade are clearly evident.

                      The third largest employment category in the private sector was construction. In
                      December, 1994, construction provided employment for 8,820 persons or 13.3 percent of
                      the jobs on-island. Construction is the most cyclical component of Guam's economy.
                      Employment in the construction industry peaked in 1991 at 12,060 persons. At that time,
                      it accounted for 18.2 percent of the island's employment. Many of the construction
                      workers on Guam are H-2, temporary workers from Asia, but the economic activity
                      generated by off-island investment and its associated construction activities plus military
                      construction projects has strong influences on the overall boom and bust cycles on Guam.

                      The fourth largest category was transportation and public utilities with 4,980 jobs or 7.5
                      percent of payroll. This reflects Guam's active tourism trade and its role as a regional
                      transportation center. The fifth largest category of private sector employment was
                      finance, insurance and real estate with 2,760 persons employed or 4.1 percent of payroll.
                      Manufacturing, primarily food preparation and printing, employed 1,910 persons or 2.9
                      percent of the island's payroll. Finally, the smallest component of the private sector was
                      Agriculture. It employed 260 persons or about 0.4 percent of the island's jobs
                      (Department of Labor, 1995).

                                                                  19

                                                  PROBLEMS AND OPPORTUNITIES

                      Ill. WATERSHED PROBLEMS AND OPPORTUNITIES

                      The Ugum Watershed is in a fairly undisturbed state at present with no or few permanent
                      structures and little activity in the watershed. Even with this low level of disturbance and
                      the near pristine nature of the watershed there are natural resource problems. The major
                      problems and opportunities prioritized in public meetings, reported in the Ugum
                      Watershed Resource Assessment, and defined by the Ugum Ecosystem Based Assistance
                      Team, include:

                             Soil Erosion - Loss of productivity and deterioration of the soil resource base
                             due to excessive erosion, often from roads.

                             Fire - Loss of vegetative cover and increased erosion due to frequent wildfire in
                             the savanna grassland.

                             Water Quality and Quantity - Decrease in surface water quality due to the
                             increased sedimentation in the streams and near shore waters. Decrease in
                             available water quantity in the Ugum river due to changing vegetative cover and
                             possible changes in the hydrologic cycles.

                             Fish and Wildlife Habitat Protection - Decrease in wildlife habitat due to the
                             changing vegetative cover in the watershed, changing land use and wildfire,

                             Existing Problems

                                    Soil Erosion

                      Soil erosion is the major problem to be dealt with in the watershed. It is the primary
                      factor affecting sedimentation and water quality in the Ugum River and its tributaries.
                      Erosion occurs naturally on all soils, and at accelerated rates on tropical volcanic soils.
                      Young (1988) describes typical erosion rates that can be expected on each of the soil
                      types (series) on Guam. It should be noted that the erosion rates described are not
                      necessarily natural, but reflect historical human influences on the particular soils.

                      The term erosion is defined as the detachment of soil and rock particles by water, wind
                      and gravity. Erosion is occurring throughout the drainage area of Ugum Watershed. The
                      degree of erosion varies greatly from place to place and varies with vegetative cover.
                      The erosion rates are greatly influenced by human activities.

                      Soil erosion in the Ugum Watershed effects the productivity of the land and also
                      negatively impacts the quality of the water in the stream and the coastal areas.
                      According to the extensive soil erosion study, complied in the Ugum Watershed

                                                                 20

                                                     PROBLEMS AND OPPORTUNITIES

                       Resource Assessment, DeMeo et al., 1995, the soil erosion levels on the savanna
                       grassland, badlands, and unimproved roads are excessive.

                       The major sources of erosion recognized in the Ugum Watershed Resource Assessment
                       are: (1) sheet and rill, (2) road surface, and (3) stream channel. Sheet and rill erosion and
                       road surface erosion account for a majority of the total erosion in the watershed. The
                       sloped road surface erosion rate is reported as 27 times that of the ravine forest, this is
                       the highest rate within the watershed (DeMeo et al., 1995). The badland erosion is the
                       second highest at 20 times the erosion of the ravine forest. However, the greatest total
                       amount of erosion is from the savanna grassland, 48 percent of the total erosion in the
                       watershed due to the high rate and the large area (42 percent of the watershed) in
                       grassland (DeMeo et al., 1995).

                       Roads in the Ugum Watershed and its surrounding watersheds are usually found along
                       the ridges, with steep connecting roads that cross the streams between. The Akina soil
                       series occupies many of these ridges. Young (1988) reported a sustainable soil loss rate
                       of 6.8 metric tonnes per hectare per year for this soil; the sustainable rate is low because
                       the soil is generally less than 100 centimeters deep. This rate was determined for the
                       Akina series under grassland vegetative cover. DeMeo et al. (1995) used the Universal
                       Soil Loss Equation (Wischmeier and Smith, 1965) to estimate a current erosion rate of
                       70 tonnes per hectare per year occurring in the Savanna Grassland ecosystem; this
                       estimate shows that some degradation of the soil and the ecosystem is already occurring.
                       One hectare of road surface, exposing bare soil or saprolite (highly weathered volcanic
                       sedimentary rock), and running up and down a slope in the watershed was estimated to
                       erode at a rate of 729 tonnes per year. If the current trend of doubling the steep road
                       surface area within the watershed during the period 1975-1993 continues for the next 20
                       years, sediment yield to the Ugum River from this source will be over 15,000 tonnes per
                       year by 2015, as compared with the 1993 level of 7560 tonnes. The roads connect
                       naturally occurring badlands, exposing these areas to accelerated erosion. Uncontrolled
                       use of the roads and badlands for recreational driving purposes accelerates erosion rates
                       and prevents revegetation of sensitive areas. Many of the recreational vehicle drivers are
                       unaware of the consequences of their actions, and prefer starting new trails to following
                       existing ones.

                       Roads that currently follow the contour and thus do not provide channels for flowing
                       water nevertheless erode at a rate much higher than soil with vegetative cover. DeMeo,
                       et al (1995) estimated erosion from one hectare of level road surface to be 169 tonnes per
                       year, as opposed to 70 tonnes for grasslands and 27 tonnes for typical areas of ravine
                       forest. None of the roads observed in the watershed included drainage ditches or other
                       water-redirection devices. There is no master road plan for the watershed, and without
                       proper planning and design, similar statistics will be generated for future road expansion.

                       Agricultural clearing currently accounts for 25 to 40 hectares per year within the Ugum.
                       Watershed. These fields are on slopes of less than 7 percent. Residue is left on the
                       surface, and weed control is accomplished by light use of chemicals such as the product

                                                                     21

                                                     PROBLEMS AND OPPORTUNITIES

                       Roundup@. Plowing does not follow the contours. At an estimated 45 tonnes per
                       hectare per year, the soil lost from agricultural fields is currently 1, 100 to 1, 800 tonnes.
                       We project that 200 to 500 agricultural homestead lots will be developed within the next
                       20 years, and that all of the land on these half-hectare lots will be cleared for cropping,
                       with small areas set aside for home development. These lots will probably be set up in
                       areas with less than 15 percent slopes. Potential erosion from agriculture could increase
                       to 60 tonnes per hectare per year given the likelihood of steeper slopes on some of the
                       lots. If 200 lots are settled and cleared, the amount of soil eroded from agricultural land
                       will increase to 6000 tonnes per year, a three-fold increase from current estimates. Water
                       quality will show corresponding degradation in the Ugum subwatershed, where the lots
                       are most likely to go in,

                       During golf course and residential subdivision construction, large areas of disturbed soils
                       are exposed, usually for short periods, during which soil erosion increases to levels
                       similar to those for level and sloping roads. The volume of sediment carried to wetlands
                       and open water is greatly increased during each rain event, resulting in plugs which
                       damage stream habitat and wildlife populations. It is common for construction sites on
                       Guam to stand bare for extended periods due to funding shortages, sudden downturns in
                       the Asian economy, infrastructure delays or equipment breakdown. Some sites are
                       abandoned for months or years. By Guam law, attention is given to erosion prevention
                       during active construction with such measures as silt fencing. However, these measures
                       require periodic maintenance. Abandoned sites do not receive this maintenance, and
                       erosion will increase before volunteer vegetative cover can stabilize the soil. The silt
                       fencing observed in the past three years at construction sites by the authors has been
                       improperly installed in most cases, and has not been an effective barrier.

                       One result of erosion is biomass loss due to root loss. In every hectare of soil in the top
                       15 centimeters, there are 22.5 metric tonnes of organic matter for each percentage point
                       of reported organic matter content. This would amount to 180 tonnes for each hectare of
                       Akina soil with a healthy grassland cover, assuming 8 percent organic matter, the middle
                       of Akina's range. By contrast, a hectare of badland or severely eroded Akina soil might
                       contain just over I percent organic matter, or 23 tonnes, a difference of more than 150
                       tonnes per hectare. Disturbed savanna soils lose organic matter by about 5 percent per
                       year in tropical Africa (Sanchez, 1976). Burning or clearing the vegetation removes the
                       replenishment source, and soil organic matter content will decline. Often, clearing
                       operations remove the upper layer of soil, accelerating organic matter loss.

                       If we consider that badlands or exposed soils in the watershed erode at an average rate of
                       547 tonnes per hectare per year - about 5 centimeters off the surface by sheet erosion -
                       and that the top layer of soil has the highest percentage of organic matter, 10 to 40 tonnes
                       can be lost each year from each hectare of this ecosystem if adequate grass cover is not
                       maintained.

                       Local residents have noted an increase in sedimentation of the river, the bay and the coral
                       reef over the years because of NPS pollution. When the soil becomes unproductive due

                                                                      22

                                                     PROBLEMS AND OPPORTUNITIES

                       to erosion the vegetation type changes often from forest to savanna grassland, or from
                       savanna grassland to badlands. The ecology of the land changes also with less species
                       diversity and wildlife habitat is often negatively impacted. In stream aquatic habitat is
                       changed, the coastal reef can be smothered, and fish population decline (Rogers, 1990).

                       Sedimentation of the coastal reefs affects the corals photosynthetically, physically, and
                       chemically. The reduction in quantity and quality of solar radiation will affect the
                       growth and distribution of the corals (Richmond, 1993).

                       The affects of erosion and sedimentation are accumulative in that over time the impacts
                       from these processes are magnified and continue to worsen.

                                       Fire

                       The wild land fire problem relates to other problems such as changes in vegetative types,
                       loss of soil organic matter, lessening of soil productivity, loss of forest lands, loss of
                       wildlife habitat, increased erosion, increased sedimentation and changes in aquatic life of
                       the rivers.

                       Fires are a growing problem in the Ugum Watershed. Wild land fires in the watershed
                       are largely intentionally started, whether for hunting and food-gathering access or from
                       carelessness or recreation. The sum of all fires within each square kilometer in the
                       watershed for the period 1979 through 1985 (see Figure 6, data from Government of
                       Guam, Department of Agriculture's, Fire Prevention) shows clear "hot spots" where road
                       access is easiest, especially near the Dandan area in the Ugum and Upper Ugum
                       subwatersheds. The historic data indicates an average fire frequency of 160 hectares
                       (400 acres) per year, or an approximate burning of all the savanna grassland within the
                       watershed every five years.

                       The total kilometers in unimproved roads increased by more than 100 percent in the 18
                       year period from 1975 till 1993 in the watershed. There were 33.6 kilometers of
                       unimproved roads in 1975, and 63.4 kilometers of unimproved roads in 1993 in the
                       watershed.

                       Wild land fires usually occur in the Savanna Grassland ecosystem. The ecosystem is
                       dominated by buncligrasses. These areas are fire-prone during the dry season from
                       February to May; during late dry-season fires, the leaf litter that protects the soil surface
                       is usually burned off. The clay particles of these soils, derived from highly weathered
                       volcanic tuff (sandstone) parent material, typically aggregate into silt- or sand-sized
                       particles. At the soil surface, these particles are easily lifted and transported by storm
                       runoff. Water channels through burned-over areas were clearly visible several weeks
                       after a fire in 1995, along the ridge separating the Bubulao and Ugum Rivers. The slope
                       at the observation site was less than 7 percent. Steeper slopes could lose a portion of the
                       surviving vegetation simply through scouring, because the water channels are not
                       interrupted or blocked by vegetative or other barriers. The photos (Figures 7 a,b,c,d)

                                                                     23

                                                                   Ugum Watershed
                                                                      Cumulative Fires, 1979-1985
                                                                                                  Island of Guam

                                  340MM                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  . . ....
                                                                                                                                                            . . . . . . . . . . . .
                                                                                                                                                                 . . . . . . . . . . . .
                                                                                                                                                                           . . ... ........ ........
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          . ...... ... .

                                                                                                   Xx-@.
                                                                                                                                                                         K,  mi -   Xx
                                                                                                                                                0

                                  32000M

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       ..........
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       ..........
                                                                                                                                                0                                                                                           .......

                                                                                                                    ...... ..                   ...... ............
                                                                                                                    .... ...................
                                                                                                                                                . .....................
                                                                                                                    ..... .....
                                                                                                                    ..... .....
                                                                                                                                                ............................
                                                                                                                    ...............
                                                                                                                      ..................
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              LEGEND
                                                                                                                                                ...........
                                                                                                                    ....                           .... ..

                                                                                                                                                ........ ..
                                                                                                                    .......                     ......................                                                                                                                                                                                                  LOCAT*h
                                                                                                                    .......... .. .........     I.........
                                                                                                                    ............ ....................
                                                                                                                    ............                .. ....I.............
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                                                                                                                    ............                ....................
                                                                                                                    ...........                 ....................
                                                                                                                                                . .. . .......                                                                                                                    -Watershed Boundary                                                                                                   3W
                                                                                                                                                ............
                                                                                                                    .........                   ....... .........
                                                                                                                    .........                   ....... .........
                                                                                                                                                ............                                                                                                                                            River
                                                                                                                    ........ ................
                                                                                                                    .......                     ................
                                                                                                                    ........ ................
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        Road                                                                                        0
                                                                                                                    ......                      ...........
                                                                                                                    ......                      .....I....
                                                                                                                    ......                      ...........
                                                                                                                    .... ............
                                  30DOOM                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               Shoreline
                                                                                                                                                                                                       +
                                                                                                                                                                                                 4500M
                       42000M
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      Map prep-
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  Each block shows the                                                                                    in cooper
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  number of fires within
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  one square kilometer                                                                                                    D!
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  over period of record.                                                                                 Modified Az
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 are based on th

                      Figure 6. Fires within the Ugum Watershed, Guam, 1979-1985.

                                                     PROBLEMS AND OPPORTUNITIES

                       show the ground cover one day, one month, two months, and five months after fires in
                       1995 in Southern Guam. The rills and water channels were relatively clear even five
                       months after a fire; no recent erosion was evident at time of observation, nor was there
                       any evidence that the soil would be stabilized before onset of the wet season two to four
                       weeks later. The only protection pioneer grasses afforded the site was 60-75 percent
                       protection from raindrop impact.

                       The swordgrass-dominated savanna vegetation is a fast growing pioneer community.
                       Because of the high rate of soil erosion under this vegetative cover, the ravine forest late-
                       successional community does not easily reestablish. When fires occur near the edge of
                       the ravine forest, some of the fringe plants are destroyed, creating a transitional edge
                       effect which is maintained by a conservatively estimated fire repeat cycle of 5 years. The
                       ravine forest cannot be expected to expand without the exclusion of fire.

                               Opportunities

                                      Water Quality and Quantity
                       The water resources within the Ugum River Watershed are sufficient in quantity and
                       quality to provide for partial fulfillment of our island's needs. Water quality and quantity
                       are affected by the increase in sedimentation and decrease in vegetative cover in the
                       watershed. The watershed acts as a catchment basin which funnels most of the
                       precipitation that falls in the area to the mouth of the watershed. The construction of the
                       treatment plant has allowed for utilization of some of these water resources. The
                       maintenance and preservation of the water quality and quantity into the future is the
                       stated objective of the sponsors and the aim of this study.

                       Water quality is critical on an island since resources are limited. The Government of
                       Guam and GEPA have placed a high priority on protecting the islands water quality at
                       the source (Flores/Barrett, 1993). The surface water quality of Guam is of generally high
                       quality. The parameters of concern for the Ugum River are mainly the turbidity of the
                       water and the presence of harmful microorganisms. After storms the high turbidity of
                       the surface water is the biggest problem facing treatment plants on Guam. Turbidity is a
                       measure of the clarity of the water and an indicator of the presence of suspended organic
                       and inorganic soil particles or sediment. The PUAG Ugum River water treatment plant
                       laboratory results for raw water turbidity averaged about 5 nephelometric turbidity units
                       (NTU) for the first three months of 1994.

                       The other area of general concern for water quality is microorganism contamination, the
                       past water samples from the Ugum River have very low levels of fecal coliform bacteria
                       (GNT, 1989). The amount of fecal coliform is used as an indicator for the presence of
                       potentially harmful bacteria.

                                                                    25

                                                  PROBLEMS AND OPPORTUNITIES

                      Housing or road construction, overgrazing by livestock and other human activities form
                      breaks in the riparian buffers. This creates undesirable paths which can channel storm
                      runoff laden with sediment directly into the Wetland and Open Water Ecosystem without
                      the benefit of vegetative filtering and particle capture. The soils throughout the Ugum
                      Watershed have at least 40 percent clay content, and once suspended in moving water,
                      clay particles are too light to settle out. A break in the riparian buffer is, therefore, a
                      direct sediment conduit from the highly eroding roads, badlands and burned-over
                      grasslands to Talofofo Bay and the surrounding coral reefs.

                      An opportunity exists with the implementation of this plan, to halt the degradation to the
                      watershed, start restoring the damaged ecosystems, and minimize future effects of human
                      activities. Thus insuring the continued high water quality, and a possible increase in
                      water supply for future generations.

                                    Fish and Wildlife Habitat Protection

                      Wildlife habitat is impacted by fires, erosion and changes in vegetative cover. The
                      objectives of this section are to describe the wildlife habitats based on the various
                      vegetation types and plant communities. The possible existence and distribution of the
                      different wildlife species within the watershed in relation to the ecosystems and habitats
                      will be discussed. The value and importance of the existing wildlife and habitats to the
                      maintenance of water quality will be examined. Possible management recommendations
                      for the Best Management Practices for the wildlife and the habitats are examined for
                      future management of the watershed.

                      The ecological importance of the various ecosystems and habitats to the maintenance of
                      the wildlife populations and the health of the watershed are well understood. However,
                      there have been few comprehensive studies of wildlife or biology in the Ugum study
                      area. These include Raulerson et al. (1978), Biological Study of the Potential Ugum
                      Dam Site, and the Division of Aquatic and Wildlife Resources of the Department of
                      Agriculture has various studies of the specific wildlife of this area. At present there is an
                      ongoing study by the Marine Lab, University of Guam (UOG), on the impacts to aquatic
                      organisms by the installation of the Public Utilities Agency of Guam (PUAG) Treatment
                      Plant on the Ugum River. The Raulerson et al. (1978) study inventoried the aquatic
                      organisms and terrestrial flora and fauna of the Ugum River and the Bubulao River area.

                      The two dominant wildlife habitats in the watershed are ravine forest and savanna
                      grassland ecosystems (Fosberg, 1960). Within these two dominant habitats are two more
                      specialized areas, those of the aquatic habitats (Figure 9) and agricultural land.

                      Historically there were few native species on Guam due to its natural isolation from other
                      land masses. The introduction of animal and plant species by people has, through
                      competition and predation, diminished the native species in number and variety. The
                      introduced brown tree snake has had a devastating impact on the native bird and bat
                      populations.

                                                                 26

                                                  PROBLEMS AND OPPORTUNITIES

                      The wildlife sighted during ground surveys within the Ugum Watershed include pigs, eel
                      in the rivers, shrimp and fish, as well as the birds: Black Francolin, the island swiftlet,
                      and Blue-breasted Quail. Deer and water buffalo signs were also identified. There were
                      numerous invertebrates and skinks sighted.

                      The Ugum Watershed can be considered one of the remaining relativity pristine
                      undisturbed areas on the island of Guam. At present there are no permanent structures in
                      the watershed except at Talof6fo Falls and at the Public Utilities Agency of Guam, Ugum
                      River Water Treatment Plant. The ravine forest is large and contiguous, supplying
                      potential habitat to many threatened and endangered species. The wetlands are prime
                      habitat for the Common Moorhen.

                      A specialist from the Division of Aquatic and Wildlife Resources, Department of
                      Agriculture stated that the habitat is ideal for many of the wildlife species on Guam and
                      probably home to some of the uncommon or rare species (Wiles, 1994).

                      The Marine Lab at UOG is conducting a study of the in-stream biota to determine
                      variations in species from before and after the PUAG treatment plant operations started
                      in November 1992. The results are as yet inconclusive; however there are some
                      indications that the species diversity has changed. There appears to be more brackish
                      water species living below the PUAG weir now (Smith, 1994). The reduced downstream
                      flow volume may be causing a change to a more brackish aquatic habitat.

                      The possible impacts to the coastal marine habitat and species is another area of concern.
                      The sediment plume into Talofofo Bay is often visible and is well known. The plume
                      deposits sediment and nutrients on the fringing reef, inhibiting coral growth and
                      zooxanthallae activity. Under these conditions, coral colonies fail.

                      The watershed acts as an interrelating ecosystem in which ecological activities and
                      human interventions affect the watershed environment and quality. Virtually every
                      change that occurs benefits some wildlife species and harms others (Wenger, 1984).
                      Often the ecological impacts are far reaching. For example, fire on the upland savanna
                      will promote new growth of the grassland encouraging deer and carabao grazing.
                      Another effect of fires is the increased susceptibility to soil erosion, which adds to
                      sedimentation in the rivers and streams, possibly covering the coastal reef with silt. The
                      importance of the ravine forest and riparian ecosystem as wildlife habitat and as a
                      stabilizing agent within the watershed cannot be over-stated. The ravine forest acts as a
                      filter for rain, erosion, sediment and chemicals, diminishing nonpoint source pollution.

                                                                 27

                                                      SCOPING OF CONCERNS

                     IV. SCOPING OF CONCERNS

                     The scoping process to identify the significant issues to be addressed or considered in the
                     development of the Ugum Watershed Management Plan was begun soon after the
                     planning commenced and continues through the planning process. Comments were
                     obtained from government agencies and from interested groups and individuals. The
                     scoping process included meetings with individuals, telephone contacts, correspondence,
                     and group meetings.

                     The inventory and forecasting phases of this study identified a broad range of
                     socioeconomic and environmental factors that were of primary concern in the watershed.
                     During the initial stages of the planning, in the Resource Assessment, the data was
                     gathered on the status of these resource concerns. Two public and agency meetings were
                     held to afford the affected publics the opportunity to participate in the planning and
                     scoping process. Twenty-six environmental, economic, social, and cultural concerns
                     were expressed during these meetings. The nominal group technique was used at the
                     public meeting to prioritize the concerns. A complete listing of the prioritized concerns
                     is given in the Appendix A of this plan.

                     The following, Table A, Evaluation of Identified Concerns, lists all the resource concerns
                     identified during the public meeting scoping process, the sponsors concerns and the
                     problems identified by the EBAT planning team, and their degree of concern and
                     significance to decision making for the project.

                     Potential effects on the four major concerns as defined by the Ecosystem Based
                     Assistance Team are discussed during the development of the alternative scenarios and in
                     the effects section of this report. The remaining concerns are evaluated only generally
                     for impacts from the potential future scenarios. Many of the concerns over lap and are
                     closely related, therefore most of the concerns are dealt with to some degree in the
                     scenario description and effects sections. The remaining concerns are briefly defined and
                     discussed as to impacts from the project area.

                                                                28

                                                        SCOPING OF CONCERNS

                                    TABLE A - EVALUATION OF IDENTIFIED CONCERNS

                          Environmental, Economic, Social                Degree of Concern and Significance
                                and Cultural Concerns                             to Decision Making

                      Soil Erosion                                                        High
                      Fires                                                               High
                      Water Quality and Quantity                                          High
                      Fish and Wildlife Habitat Protection                                High
                      Off Road Vehicle Impact                                             High
                      Sedimentation of Streams                                            High
                      Sedimentation of Coastal Waters and Reef                            High
                      Pesticides and Fertilizer Use                                       High
                      Development of Agricultural Use                                     High
                      Impact of Development                                               High
                      Land Use Conflicts                                                  High
                      Infrastructure Development Needs                                    High
                      Road Building and Grading                                           High
                      Wetland Protection                                                Medium
                      Threatened and Endangered Species                                 Medium
                      Cultural Resources                                                Medium
                      Water Rights                                                      Medium
                      Water Pressure                                                    Medium
                      Security of PUAG Intake Facility                                  Medium
                      Access to Public Lands                                            Medium
                      Interagency Coordination                                          Medium
                      Suitable Commercial Activities                                    Medium
                      Capturing Excess Water                                            Medium
                      Beautification of Watershed                                         Low
                      Regulation for Protecting the Resources                             Low
                      Access to Private Land                                              Low
                      Health Effects of Cattle Grazing                                    Low
                      Water Availability for Agriculture                                  Low
                      Flooding                                                            Low
                      Illegal Fishing and Hunting                                         Low
                      Affect of Recreation on Water Quality                               Low
                      Monitoring Development in Dan Dan Area                              Low

                                      High - Considered in the analysis of alternatives.
                                      Medium - Affected by some alternative solutions.
                                      Low - Consider, but not significant.

                                                                   29

                                                         SCOPING OF CONCERNS

                      The first four concerns from the Evaluation of Identified Concerns - Table A, are defined
                      and discussed at length in the scenario descriptions and the effects section, these four
                      major concerns have been the focus of this report, and include many of these other
                      concerns. It is recognized that all of the natural resources and socioeconomic resources
                      interact and should be addressed as a whole. It is beyond the scope of this management
                      plan to solve in detail many of the concerns, however as much as possible from the
                      general natural resource conservation context of this plan each concern is addressed.

                      Off road vehicle impact - high
                      The off road vehicle impact in the watershed is considered high due to the fact that one
                      of the highest rates of erosion is from the fast expanding kilometers of unimproved roads.
                      The increase in recent years of the number and use of off road vehicles contributes to the
                      erosion and sedimentation problems, the fire problem and the destruction of the wildlife
                      and their habitat. All of these impacts are associated with the water quality.

                      Sedimentation of streams, coastal waters and reefs - high
                      The sedimentation of the streams, coastal waters and reefs is of high concern and has
                      been disc ussed in detail under the soil erosion problem and with the water quality
                      opportunity.

                      Pesticide and fertilizer use - high
                      The potential effects of using pesticides and fertilizers on environmental quality is of
                      high concern in the watershed. At present levels of use there has not been a problem. In
                      the future the potential for increased agricultural use of the land will necessitate the need
                      of conservation practices such as agrochemical mixing stations.

                      Development of agriculture use - high
                      The development of agriculture and its economical viability within the Ugum Watershed
                      is of high concern to the land owners. Several factors are involved in support of
                      agriculture development is the agriculture zoning in the watershed, however this may
                      change. Other areas of needed development are the use of water and a road system to get
                      in and out of the watershed.

                      Impact of development - high
                      The impact and potential adverse effects of rapid development of hotels, golf courses,
                      and condominiums within the Ugum Watershed to agricultural use is of concern to land
                      owners. The potential loss of the area for agriculture use if rezoning is allowed, could
                      change the agricultural lands into commercial development. This is not only of concern
                      from the land owners and farmers but from a resource conservation and water quality
                      prespective, also.

                      Land use conflicts - high
                      The potential land use conflicts within the Ugum watershed include many aspects. The
                      conflicts between preservation and exploitation of land use are present. Conflicts of
                      access to land parcels and use of water also need to be resolved.

                                                                    30

                                                       SCOPING OF CONCERNS

                      Infrastructure development needs --Wgh
                      The infrastructure development needs (roads, water, sewer, electrical, etc.) within the
                      Ugum Watershed will need to addressed. Without planning of infrastructure it is more
                      likely to result in uncontrolled growth and possible pollution of the waters in the Ugum.

                      Road building and grading - high
                      The adverse effects of road building and grading within the Ugum Watershed are of
                      concern for the water quality. The road maintenance (grading) meets with restrictions
                      from EPA, this leads to less maintenance being completed. Properly designed roads with
                      drainage systems and covered surfaces for minimizing the erosion is the preferred
                      method. The planning and development of a complete road system in the Ugum would
                      help to solve these problems and allow for the revegetation of some of the highly erosive
                      roads which are not utilized.

                      Wetland protection : medium
                      Wetland protection is a major resource concern not only because of the protected status
                      of this resource, but also due to the potential hydrologic effects in the watershed.
                      Wetlands are water storage areas for the slow release of water into the river system when
                      times of drought. The wetlands are also the wildlife habitat of many threatened and
                      endangered species. Wetlands are federally and locally protected areas.

                      Threatened and endangered species - medium
                      The threatened and endangered species in the watershed are of concern partly due to the
                      lack of information on what species are present in the watershed. It is recommended that
                      the further studies be conducted on the existence of the threatened and endangered
                      species in the watershed, and that surveys for these species be a part of every
                      development effort and included in a detailed EIS..

                      Cultural resources - medium
                      Historic cultural resources are present in the watershed and the few studies which have
                      been completed in parts of the watershed have been recorded and mapped. Most areas
                      have not been studied, and a detail survey for cultural resources is recommended as part
                      of every development effort and a detailed EIS.

                      Water pressure - medium
                      Water pressure for domestic and agricultural use is a concern due to the low pressure of
                      the past. At times of low rain fall the supply of water into and out of the Ugum treatment
                      plant drops, this in turn lowers water pressure. As the demand for water rises with
                      population increases the need for larger water storage facilities, more intake from the
                      river when the water is at high enough levels, or a water reservoir may need
                      investigation.

                      Security of the PUAG intake facility - medium
                      Maintaining the security of the water intake site at the PUAG Ugum. treatment plant is of
                      concern. The water from this plant provides water for most of southern Guam. The
                      plant itself is closely monitored and therefore poses very little threat of contamination.

                      Access to public lands - medium
                      Access to public lands within the Ugum watershed is a concern found in the scoping
                      process. The back third of the watershed is Government of Guam, Conservation
                      Reserve. The access to the public lands is the same as all of the watershed there is no
                      improved road infrastructure and access is limited due to crossing of private lands.

                                                                  31

                                                       SCOPING OF CONCERNS

                      Interagency coordination - medium
                      Coordination amongst government agencies for the implementation of the Ugum
                      Watershed Project is of major concern. It is recognized that the work of managing the
                      watershed resources will take the involvement and commitment of many Government of
                      Guam and Feral agencies. The structure of coordination and willingness of the Agencies
                      to participate are areas of future need.

                      Suitable commercial activities - medium
                      Commercial activities that are suitable within the Ugum Watershed must be determined
                      in the context of the management plan and the infrastructure and natural resource needs,

                      Capturing excess water - medium
                      The potential for capturing excess water in the Ugum Watershed in the form of a
                      reservoir or larger and more holding tanks is the concern as the water need increases in
                      the future of the area.

                      Beautification of the watershed - low
                      How can the island beautification program be extended to the Ugurn watershed. This
                      concern was brought up at one of the public meetings. The idea of creating a park like
                      atmosphere and beautifying the watershed with planting of trees and flowering plants
                      would help to promote this area as a tourist and recreation destination.

                      Reputation for the protecting the resources - low
                      Special land use regulations are needed to protect the natural resources and values of the
                      Ugum watershed. The public is concerned for the protection of the resources and
                      realizes that regulations may posse the best options.

                      Access to private land - low
                      Many land owners in the watershed are concerned with the access to isolated parcels of
                      private land. This concern would be address with the installation of a master for road
                      and the establishment of right of ways to land locked parcels.

                      Health effects of cattle-arazing - low
                      The effects of grazing cattle in the watershed are of concern to the health risk of Giardia
                      being introduced to the drinking water. The present level of grazing in the watershed is
                      minimal and mostly from wildlife so there is little health hazard. However as the use of
                      the watershed increases close monitoring of the water quality and possible restrictions on
                      location and control of cattle grazing may be needed.

                      Water availabili!y for agriculture - low
                      The water for agriculture use in the watershed needs to be made available with minimum
                      restrictions. The majority of the private land is zoned agriculture in the watershed and
                      farmers need water to provide the economic gains of crop production.

                      Flooding - low
                      Flooding does occur in the watershed in the lower section in times of heavy rains. The
                      level of flooding and the flashiness of the floods pose little concern at present. The
                      factors in the watershed that could lead to flooding problems are loss of life or property
                      due to construction in the flood prone areas.

                      Illeizal fishiniz and huntiniz - low
                      Illegal fishing and hunting is of concern in the watershed and needs to be controlled.
                      There are several factors which combined to define this problem, the illegal hunting is

                                                                 32

                                                      SCOPING OF CONCERNS

                     done without permission of the land owners, hunters often set fires which destroy
                     ecosystems and harm biodiversity, and the vehicles uses for access into the watershed
                     cause erosion.

                     Affect of recreation on water quality - lo
                     The activities in the watershed that have an adverse affect on recreation water quality are
                     of concern. The use of off road vehicles increases the erosion in the watershed and the
                     crossing the river repeatedly can cause streambank erosion.

                     Monitoring development in the Dan Dan area - low
                     Monitoring of all development in the watershed will be necessary to maintain and fulfill
                     the objectives of the land owners and sponsors of this project. The development activity
                     and housing planned in the Dan Dan area should be monitored under the Ugum
                     Watershed Project.

                                                                 33

                                                  FORMULATION OF SCENARIOS

                     V. FORMULATION OF SCENARIOS

                     Alternative scenarios were formulated to address the maintenance and. protection of the
                     water quality and other natural resources in the Ugurn Watershed. Each scenario is an
                     outline or synopsis of the potential outcome or effects of a possible set of future actions
                     within the watershed. This section describes the formulation process of the four
                     scenarios for the future conditions of the watershed.

                             Formulation Process
                     The formulation process began by developing and evaluating the forecasted conditions
                     within the watershed without the implementation of a management plan. The Ecosystem
                     Based Assistance Team (EBAT) formulated the four future scenarios based on four
                     intensifying levels of management of the watershed. The future without management or
                     No Action scenario conditions serve as the basis for evaluating the effects of the
                     alternative future scenarios.

                     The time scale of the twenty year period from 1995 till 2015 is the scope of the
                     Management Plan for the Ugurn Watershed. The general forecasting and assumptions of
                     the projected future of the Ugum Watershed follow the current trends of population
                     growth, increased land use development, increased demand for water, increased
                     expansion of the unimproved roads, increased fire and increased agricultural use
                     expected on Guam. The projected parameters for this project are based on the population
                     growth and the land owners desire to develop their land in the Ugurn Watershed. With
                     the increase in total population for the island the pressure and need to develop this
                     undeveloped watershed will be increasingly greater.

                             Forecasting I Assumptions
                     The EBAT planning team assumed certain development within the watershed based on
                     the present zoning for land use in the watershed. It is assumed that in the next twenty
                     years the "Planned Unit Development" called the "Dan Dan Estates and Country Club"
                     will be constructed, and 80 to 200 hectares (200 to 500 acres) of land will be developed
                     into "Agricultural Lots". The Dan Dan Estates project is a 213 hectare (522 acres)
                     development including 54 holes of golf and supporting structures. Approximately a third
                     of the 213 hectare development project falls within the Ugurn Watershed boundaries.
                     The location of this project is in the headwater area in the back of the Ugurn Watershed,
                     bordering the south side of the Ugum River and the Bolanos Conservation Reserve. The
                     rest of this project development lies to the south of the Ugum Watershed in the Dan Dan
                     area (see Figure 8). Under the Agricultural Lots zoning each one acre of agricultural
                     land may have up to four residential houses built, with no requirement for roads, water,
                     or other infrastructure under agricultural zoning. Due to the relatively isolated nature of
                     the watershed and the present lack of road access the EBAT team assumed only the
                     above development.

                                                                34

                                       Ugum Watershed
                                      Areas Best Suited for Dwellings
                                                          Island of Guam

                   3400M                                          +                                                 +

                   320"

                                                                                                                                                                       LEGEND

                                                                                                                                                                                                                 LOCAMCM
                                                                                                                                                                             Watershed Boundary
                                                                                                                                                                             River
                                                                                                                                                                             Road
                + 30000M                                        hA6                                                +                                                         Trail                                                0
             42000M                                                                                             46000M                                                       Shoreline
                                                                                                                                                                             Best Areas                                     Ma=re
                                                                                                                                                                Criteria for Best Areas:                                              at
                                                                                                                                                                   Slopes len than 15%
                                                                                                                                                                   Only moderate or slight soil limitations                           Mc
                                                                                                                                                                   for dweiling5 (in Soil Survey of Guam)           2000 meter tics bas
            L                                                                                                                                                      R-4ne Forest or S-anna GraWand e-ystenn
             Figure 8. Areas best suited for dwellings within the Ugum Watershed, Guam.

                                                   FORMULATION OF SCENARIOS

                      This stated level of development is not an endorsement for development in the watershed
                      or a limitation an the development in the watershed. The actual level and nature of
                      future development and natural resource use in the watershed may differ, and will be
                      determined by the land owners and the regulatory agencies.

                      The demand on the surface water resources as a source of drinking water and for
                      agricultural development use inside and outside the watershed will also increase. The
                      kilometers of unimproved roads in the watershed is expected to double in the next twenty
                      years, from more than 63 kilometers in 1993 to 140 in the year 2015. The increased
                      access will add to the frequency of fires in the watershed, fires occur more often in areas
                      where there is the highest frequency of off-road vehicular traffic. The fire frequency has
                      historically been at an average rate of approximately 160 hectares per year, or if this is
                      extrapolated out, the total savanna grassland (approximately 800 hectares) bumsevery
                      five years. In the twenty year planning period all of the grassland is expected to bum
                      four times.

                             Methodology for Planning / Philosophy
                      The methodology and philosophy for the planning applied the above facts and
                      assumptions to four planning scenarios. The first scenario or No Action Scenario would
                      be the result of the natural progression of the development of the watershed without
                      planning. The second scenario or the Maintenance Scenario defines the minimum
                      management level necessary to maintain ecosystem functions, water quality and the other
                      natural resources at the present level while planning for the above stated development.
                      The third scenario or Improvement Scenario builds on the second scenario, adding more
                      conservation practices and focuses on improving the ecosystem functions and water
                      quality where possible. The fourth scenario or Watershed Reserve scenario reflects
                      maximum management of the watershed for preserving the ecosystems for a water
                      resource into the future.

                                                                 36

                                                       SCENMUO DESCRMTIONS

                       V1. SCENARIO DESCRIPTIONS

                       This section describes, in general terms, the state of the watershed under the four various
                       levels of management. Four proposed management scenarios were developed by the
                       Ecosystem Based Assistance Team to be considered for the Ugum Watershed
                       Management Plan. Each scenario takes into consideration the land use trends that may
                       develop within the watershed over the 20 year planning period, from the date of this plan
                       to the year 2015. The following are descriptions of the scenarios which cover the
                       assumed overall development levels and the agricultural and housing placements, and the
                       main resource problems of the overall water quality and quantity, the soil erosion, roads,
                       fires, riparian buffers, and wildlife habitats defined under each scenario. The next
                       section will review the scenarios effects on all the resources and compare the scenarios to
                       each other.

                              No Action Scenario
                       The No Action Scenario or Future Without Scenario draws a picture of the estimated
                       likely out come of not implementing an organized management plan in the Ugum
                       Watershed. The No Action Scenario assumes that existing island wide trends for
                       development, resource use, the general overall management and land uses will continue
                       unabated in the watershed into the future. Under this scenario there is no plan for
                       mitigation measures and the watershed will continue to degrade at the present rate and
                       accelerate as development occurs.

                       Under the No Action Scenario, there would be no unified governmental policy towards
                       the management of the Ugum River Watershed. No additional environmental protections
                       would be undertaken within the watershed. No mitigation recommendations will be
                       offered under this scenario unless federal or Government of Guam laws are broken.
                       Often, the government reaction will occur too late for the local ecosystems to benefit,
                       and mitigation efforts may not be monitored. Riparian areas will suffer the most, since
                       water is a limited resource in the watershed, and water access may be sought for each
                       development effort independently.

                       It is important to note that the No Action Scenario does not mean that efforts to protect
                       ecosystems such as wetlands will cease or that resources such as wildlife and water
                       quality will receive less attention. It only assumes that a management plan will not
                       generally guide land uses and land use practices. In the absence of a formal Watershed
                       Management Plan it is hoped government agencies will create working relationships to
                       address the minimal protection standards for drinking water quality, however
                       government will play a largely regulatory role under this scenario in the watershed.

                       Without a watershed management plan, there will be no overall planning of any
                       mitigation required of developers that are allowed to use and fill wetlands within the

                                                                   37

                                                       SCENARIO DESCRIPTIONS

                       watershed. Nor will there be an overall plan for the maintenance of water quality within
                       the watershed.

                       On the other hand, the No Action Scenario would not place any additional restrictions
                       upon the owners of private lands within the watershed. They would be free to place their
                       property into any currently conforming use that would maximize their economic benefits.

                       The outcome of this scenario is to minimize the cost of government intervention in island
                       land use change and policy. This will encourage Guam's historical patterns of
                       development to continue. It is assumed under this scenario that current public education
                       efforts adequately prepare individuals for sound environmental decision making; that the
                       water quality of the Ugum River is sufficient for current uses and will remain so
                       indefinitely; and that there is no need to control wildfires in the Ugum Watershed or
                       elsewhere on the island.

                                      Development
                       Without a watershed management plan, there will be no guidance for the government in
                       the planning of infrastructure construction in the watershed. Roads, power lines and
                       waterlines will be built as demanded by political and economic pressures without regard
                       to the overall effect of the induced development upon the environment of the watershed.
                       This may lead to the more sensitive areas of the watershed receiving more development
                       or more intensive development than would be desired.

                       Under the No Action Scenario the housing / agricultural development of 200 hectares
                       (500 acres) will be placed without consideration for the ecosystems and overall
                       environmental effects. Under this scenario the land owners will build homes and place
                       their agricultural lots where ever is most convenient without regard for the over all
                       watershed or the water quality problems created. The outcome of this development
                       maybe housing and agriculture along or near the rivers and streams, and in areas of steep
                       slopes. The present zoning of most of the watershed, "Agriculture One", allows for up to
                       four houses per acre without infrastructure. The 200 hectares developed may result in
                       20,000 houses in the watershed possibly without sewer lines, improved roads, power or
                       water. Agricultural development that will accompany the housing development will be
                       implemented with only present levels of restrictions or controls. This is limited to
                       voluntary cooperation of individual land owners for the implementation of the
                       conservation practices on agricultural and other lands.

                                      Resort Development
                       It is assumed that the "Dan Dan Estates and Country Club" resort development will be
                       installed in the back of the watershed as planned some time in the next twenty years. The
                       golf courses may be constructed next to or near the Upper Ugum River.

                                                                  38

                                                         SCENARIO DESCRIPTIONS

                                       Water Quality and Quantity
                       The No Action scenario conditions would potentially decrease the overall quality and
                       quantity of water in the streams and rivers. The coastal waters and reefs may also be
                       impacted by greater amounts of sedimentation from the Ugum River due to the increased
                       erosion in the watershed. Under these conditions in the watershed the usefulness of the
                       Ugum River as a drinking water source would be greatly diminished.

                                       Soil Erosion / Sedimentation

                       The level of soil erosion in the watershed would continue to increase with the new
                       uncontrolled development, increased unimproved road surface and increase fires
                       frequency and area burnt.

                       Without a watershed management plan, there would be no response to increased
                       recreational pressures on the watershed. It should be expected that recreational use of the
                       watershed would greatly increase over the next twenty years. This would lead to an
                       increase in the frequency and size of grass fires and an increase in the rate of conversion
                       of savanna grasslands to badlands, of ravine forests to savanna grasslands and an increase
                       in the sediment loading current upon wetlands and streams. Increased recreational use of
                       the watershed would lead to an increase in the number and mileage of unplanned jeep
                       trails in the watershed. Both the grass fires and the jeep trails will lead to higher rates of
                       soil erosion within the watershed and a loss of wetland functionality.

                                       Roads

                       The total unimproved road miles within the watershed will at least double at current
                       construction standards based on the pervious eighteen year expansion of roads already
                       documented. The current unimproved road construction has no road surface finishing, or
                       drainage, and are placement is without regard for slope or grade causing erosion damage.

                                       Fires

                       The estimated fire frequency under the No Action scenario will increase by 25 percent in
                       area burnt from the average historic 160 hectares (400 acres) per year to 200 hectares
                       (500 acres) per year. The savanna grassland (777 hectares or 41 percent of watershed)
                       would continue to be the main ecosystem effected, however the ravine forest (837
                       hectares or 44 percent of the watershed) would continue to be impacted by fire
                       encroachment on the edge of the forest.

                                       Riparian Buffers
                       The riparian buffer zone (presently 159 hectares or 9 percent of the watershed) along the
                       streams and rivers would be impacted by fire, agriculture, roads and development. The
                       level of erosion in the watershed would increase and the sedimentation into the streams
                       and rivers increase. With the decrease of area in ravine forest and riparian buffer strips
                       the overall quantity and quality of the wildlife habitat would decrease further threatening
                       the endangered and threatened wildlife species in the Ugum Watershed. The riparian

                                                                      39

                                                        SCENARIO DESCREPTIONS

                       areas will suffer misuse from development and agriculture over the next 20 years, the
                       encroachment into these areas will damage the sediment and water filtering capabilities
                       of these buffers.

                                      Wildlife Habitat / Wetlands

                       The wetland areas (presently 117 hectares or 6 percent of the watershed) would continue
                       to be protected in the No Action scenario under the present regulations and permitting.
                       The increases in fire frequency, increases in erosion rates and the decreases in ravine
                       forest and riparian areas would have negative effects on the wildlife habitat and wetlands.
                       The impact would be a reduction or damaging of the wildlife habitat and wetlands either
                       through direct loss of vegetation or by increase sedimentation of the wetlands.

                               Maintenance Scenario
                       The Maintenance Scenario is a watershed management plan that aims to maintain the
                       current levels of functionality of the watershed. The goal of the Maintenance Scenario is
                       to preserve the functions and benefits of the ravine forest, riparian areas, and wetland
                       ecosystems at existing levels, with no future loss in area or benefits. This is based on the
                       assumptions that the development will include needed conservation and environmental
                       protection measures aimed at maintaining watershed conditions and water quality at
                       current levels.

                       Under this scenario, we recognize that though imperfect, the Ugum Watershed is
                       functioning well at present and provides water of adequate quality to the citizens served
                       by the Ugum River Treatment Plant. A program of continuous water quality monitoring
                       in the lower Ugum River is necessary to fulfill the goal of maintaining the current
                       standard as development begins. It is also recommended that developers be encouraged
                       to monitor their own ground and surface water, so that problems can be pinpointed and
                       solved quickly.

                       A no net change in resource qualities is planned, yet only limited retrofitting for existing
                       problems will occur. This would mean that there be no increase in the rate of soil
                       erosion over present rates. There would be no loss of functionality of the wetlands
                       present in the watershed. There would be no decrease in the present utility of wildlife
                       habitat in the watershed. And finally, there would be no decrease in the water quality of
                       the rivers within the watershed.

                                       Development
                       The 200 hectares of housing / agricultural development would be installed in areas of the
                       watershed which would have minimum impact on the ecosystem functions and overall
                       health of the watershed under this scenario. The development would be concentrated in
                       areas of lesser slope and easier access to diminish the possibility of erosion and
                       degradation (see Figure 8). The figure, "Areas Best Suited for Dwellings", is based on
                       land of less than or equal to 15% slope, soil types designated with slight to moderate

                                                                    40

                                                     SCENARIO DESCRIPTIONS

                      limitations for building dwellings, and within the ravine forest or savanna grassland
                      ecosystems, this avoids building dwellings in the more sensitive riparian areas and
                      wetlands ecosystems. Most of the development over the next 20 years will probably be
                      concentrated in the savanna grassland ecosystem, so we expect relatively minor changes
                      in the functions performed by ravine forests. The ravine forest ecosystem is slated to
                      remain static in area under the Maintenance Scenario. The objective of agriculture under
                      this scenario is to promote sustainable agriculture through proper site location and
                      adoption of conservation practices. Government of Guam, through the Soil and Water
                      Conservation Districts, would actively support conservation planning on all agriculture
                      lands within the watershed. Zoning and land use policy would limit agriculture activities
                      to specific soils and slopes. A conservation plan would be required and practices
                      designed to protect and enhance wildlife habitat would be encouraged. Generally
                      agriculture fields would be located within the savanna grassland ecosystems on flat or
                      only gentle slopes.

                                    Agricultural
                      The agricultural development under the Maintenance Scenario will include voluntary
                      implementation of necessary conservation practices. The total area in agriculture will
                      increase over present levels, however the impact to the watershed would not increase due
                      to the mitigation of any erosion or negative effects. Conservation plans would consider
                      the following practices:

                                    Streambank and shoreline protection (580)
                                    Tree planting (612)
                                    Water- and sediment control basin (638)
                                    Wildlife upland habitat management (645)
                                    Wildlife wetland habitat management (644)

                                    Resort Development
                      The "Dan Dan Estates and Country Club" resort development will be completed within
                      the planning period. Under this scenario there would be no increase in negative impacts
                      due to the construction or maintenance of this development. The final design, location
                      and construction of the project will reflect the appropriate conservation practices and
                      mitigation of impacts to maintain the ecosystem functions, and preserve water quality.

                                    Water Quality and Quantity
                      The water quality would be maintained at present levels through mitigation of all projects
                      or effects which would affect the water quality. This would include mitigation of
                      agricultural chemicals, non point source pollution from roads and construction sites, and
                      sedimentation control.

                                                                 41

                                                       SCENARIO DESCRIPTIONS

                       An educational program would be developed for land owners and farmers in the
                       watershed to teach them the importance of protecting the water quality. Before
                       construction permits are granted for any golf-courses or development in the watershed, a
                       water quality management plan specific to the development should be in place.

                       Water availability will continue to be highly seasonal, as in the No Action Scenario,
                       although may not worsen since Maintenance is the keyword here. Demand for the water
                       supplied by the Ugum will increase, bringing pressure for short-term solutions.

                                      Soil Erosion / Sedimentation
                       This plan would identify practices that could be used to control both on and off-site
                       erosion of farmland and other land uses. Erosion control and sediment plans are an
                       integral part of any commercial or residential development and must be followed
                       according to Guam law. These plans will prevent eroded soils from leaving the
                       construction sites or farmland and will reduce off-site sedimentation problems and stream
                       turbidity.

                                      Roads

                       The roads under the Maintenance Scenario would be maintained at present overall total
                       length or impact on the watershed. There would be new or different roads constructed
                       within the planning time, to accomplish the overall no change in road impact a plan
                       would be needed, A plan to control and mitigate the unimproved roads in the watershed
                       would be a part of the Maintenance Scenario. This would need to either limit the
                       creation and location of new roads and / or control the amount of soil erosion from the
                       actual mileage of unimproved roads within the watershed. The location of the roads
                       would need to avoid flood plains, steep slopes and river valleys whenever possible.

                                      Fires

                       The fire frequency and location within the watershed would be controlled and maintained
                       at no worse than present levels. This level of fire would allow for no more than the 160
                       hectares (400 acres) per year burnt as is the present yearly average. A fire control
                       program would need to be implemented as a part of the plan. The fire control would be
                       based upon maintaining the current frequency and distribution of fires to retain the four
                       ecosystems and maintaining the current rate of soil erosion within the watershed.

                       A policy of curtailing expansion of the savanna grassland ecosystem within this scenario
                       does not require fire eradication, but does involve intervention and control whenever the
                       grassland fires encroach on human habitation or other ecosystems. The public education
                       campaign, repeated during dry years, may cut fire frequency. However, the fire damage
                       is expected to be remained at the same level, about 160 hectares per year burned each
                       year within the watershed.

                                                                   42

                                                        SCENARIO DESCRIPTIONS

                                      Riparian Buffers
                       The riparian buffers under the Maintenance Scenario will focus on maintaining the
                       present level of functionality of these areas as critical wildlife habitat and protection for
                       threatened and endangered species. The existing procedures by Government of Guam
                       agencies include specifying a buffer strip of 3 to 8 meters along stream banks. The
                       Ecosystem Based Assistance Team has designated larger riparian buffer strips to insure
                       the integrity of the streams, the wildlife habitat and the sediment filtration function these
                       areas serve. The riparian buffer strips on stream orders 2 and 3 are 15 meters on both
                       sides of the stream, and stream orders 4 and 5 have buffers of 30 meters on each side of
                       the streams (see Figure 5, the Ugum Watershed Ecosystems). To maintain the present
                       level of riparian buffer strip benefits for the watershed all impacts to this area will need
                       to be mitigated.

                                      Wildlife Habitat / Wetlands

                       The wetland component of a management for maintenance level watershed plan would
                       focus on maintaining the water storage capacity of the wetlands in the short-run and
                       maintaining the habitat functionality of the wetlands in the long-run. Wetlands are
                       particularly valuable wildlife habitat, the watershed management plan may provide an
                       extra level of protection for these areas.

                       Wildlife habitat is now described by ecologists, not only in terms of total area, but also
                       according to its shape with respect to the landscape and its fragmentation.

                                      Conclusion

                       A maintenance level management plan will require at least: 1) a road management
                       component, 2) a fire control and education plan, 3) an infrastructure plan, 4) a wetlands
                       and wildlife habitat management component and 5) a water quality management
                       component.

                       The approach within this scenario is one whereby agencies and landowners recognize
                       ecological problems and processes and react to environmental degradation within the
                       traditional bounds of their activities or program oversight.

                              Improvement Scenario
                       The Improvement Scenario for management of the Ugum Watershed is named for the
                       goal of improving the ecosystem functions and minimizing the present problems in the
                       watershed. This plan provides the next level of protection and the highest level of active
                       participation for the owners and various agencies in the watershed management. This
                       scenario adds to the management measures of the maintenance scenario.

                                                                    43

                                                        SCENARIO DESCRIPTIONS

                       The primary differences between the maintenance and the improvement alternative
                       scenarios is the focus on the minimizing and control of soil erosion, control of fires,
                       protection of wetland functionality and improving wildlife habitat in the watershed.

                       The Improvement Scenario would allow for the implementation of a number of
                       mandatory conservation practices and best management practices (BNT's) as well as
                       impose restrictions for land uses. This scenario also would strongly encourage a number
                       of conservation programs to be developed and implemented over the long term.
                       Resource and land management entities would play a critical and often determining role
                       in land use development and future policy making decisions. The watershed and all of
                       the ecological-components would be systematically monitored and evaluated for
                       preventative and remedial resource actions where resource agencies have clearly
                       identified duties (roles) and real time response modes to address any significant issues.
                       Selection of this management scenario would require that clients either direct the
                       ultimate implementation of the scenario prescriptions or seek a lead agency to accept the
                       primary stewardship role for watershed protection and conservation.

                       A necessary attribute of any plan to improve the different ecosystem functions in the
                       watershed is that such a plan would have to be proactive instead of reactive in its
                       approach. Under this scenario agencies and landowners would take aggressive actions to
                       protect and enhance ecological processes within the watershed. Active steps would have
                       to be undertaken in each of the primary areas of concern in order to improve the
                       parameter of interest.

                                      Development
                       Development should be limited to areas with suitable soils and slope. A map of suitable
                       areas for development based on soils and slope is shown in Figure 8. Erosion control and
                       sedimentation plans must be developed and maintained for any construction activity.

                       The Government of Guam has some control over the majority of development in the
                       watershed by controlling the pattern of infrastructure installation in the watershed. If a
                       potential developer wants power, water, and telephone lines, then the government can use
                       its control of these utilities to leverage the developer into conforming with the watershed
                       management plan in place.

                                      Agriculture
                       Agricultural lands will be required to have a resource management system such as a
                       conservation plan under this scenario. The use of buffer strips and filter strips around
                       fields to catch sediment and run off would be strictly enforced. Confined animal
                       facilities developed in the watershed would be required to have an approved waste
                       utilization plan. This plan would include the proper handling, storage and application of
                       waste. Agrochemical handling facilities would also be developed for each farm to
                       provide proper storage and prevent accidental spillage of chemicals and fertilizers.

                                                                    44

                                                        SCENARIO DESCREPTIONS

                       A Farmstead Assessment System would be implemented to help farmers to recognize the
                       potential for ground or surface water contamination on their farm. The program uses
                       step-by-step worksheets that rank each farmstead activity or structure that could cause
                       surface or ground water contamination. The assessment rates soils and geologic and
                       hydrologic features of the farmstead to give an overall picture of potential and actual
                       water quality problems.

                                       Resort

                       The "Dan Dan Estates and Country Club" resort development will be constructed with
                       every consideration for the conservation of the watershed and preservation of the water
                       quality. The developers will be responsible for developing and maintaining a
                       conservation plan in order to not only minimize negative impacts of the construction but
                       to improve on the present level of watershed problems. One possible beneficial impact
                       of construction of this project could be the improvement and expansion of the riparian
                       buffer zone in this very steep and sensitive area in the upper watershed.

                                       Water Quality
                       The water quality under this scenario is to be improved over present levels through
                       mitigation of all projects and retrofitting to diminish the present erosion and
                       sedimentation levels for improved water quality. This would include mitigation of all
                       activities in the watershed including construction of all kinds, agriculture and the use
                       agricultural chemicals, and road construction, repair and re-vegetation.

                                       Soil Erosion / Sedimentation
                       The Improvement Scenario would build on the practices identified in the Maintenance
                       Scenario to control both on site and off site erosion and sedimentation, and lessen the
                       present level of non point source pollution in the watershed. The erosion control and
                       sediment control plans developed for all activities will need to be strictly adhere to and
                       enforced. One possible means of obtaining a greater degree of protection of the
                       watershed and diminishing the erosion is by governmental incentive programs offered to
                       all those who input effective erosion control plans.

                                       Roads
                       Abandoned roads should be closed and future road development restricted as identified in
                       Maintenance Scenario. In addition, new roads must be designed and approved prior to
                       installation. GEPA would be the regulating agency. The designs must take into
                       consideration the need for appropriate surface water drainage and the re-vegetating of
                       disturbed areas.

                       One alternative for improving the number and placement of roads is to limit access or
                       control access by the construction of improved roads. These could be designed so that
                       they would not erode as badly as the present ad-hoc network. This would also provide
                       access for constructing fire-breaks and for fire fighting equipment. This alternative
                       would not be inexpensive.

                                                                    45

                                                         SCENARIO DESCRIPTIONS

                                       Fires

                        Under the Improvement Scenario fire would be actively controlled. It is understood that
                        total control of fires would be unlikely, therefore the planning level calls for a reduction
                        in fires by 25 persent of the present level. The goal would be for only 121 hectares (300
                        acres) per year burnt instead of the 161 hectares (400 acres) per year at present. In the
                        management of fires, an- active effort to limit the number and scope of fires in the
                        watershed would have to be undertaken. Access would be provided for appropriate fire
                        protection. The construction of a network of improved roads would allow for more
                        active fire fighting than is possible at present. It would involve constructing and
                        maintaining access roads, constructing and maintaining fire-breaks and patrolling for fire
                        prevention. These roads must be carefully located and meet the design criteria for the
                        roads mentioned above. The need to restrict access to the roads is critical to prevent the
                        encouragement of fires in remote areas and the development of spur roads for
                        recreational purposes.

                        Since almost all of the fires are deliberately set, one approach might be to limit access
                        into the watershed. This approach would also solve the problem of the increasing
                        number of unimproved roads in the watershed. If adopted, it would be the least
                        expensive method of decreasing the number of fires and the mileage of unimproved
                        roads. The Government of Guam could accomplish this through a combination of direct
                        action in the conservation reserve and a set of property tax incentives for the private land
                        owners in the watershed.

                        Habitat loss from fires conversion of forest into grasslands would be minimized under a
                        plan of limiting access into the watershed. Additional habitat could be created by
                        planting the badlands on both government and private lands. The private landowners
                        would likely be more cooperative if there were a cost sharing by the government.

                                       Riparian Buffers
                        Under the Improvement Scenario the establishment and maintenance of the riparian
                        buffer strips would be very important. The riparian buffers strips of 15 meters on both
                        sides of stream orders 2 and 3 in the upper watershed and 30 meters on either side of the
                        stream orders 4 and 5 in the lower watershed are recommended. To establish maximum
                        benefit from the riparian ecosystem the forest buffer will need to be reinforced and
                        widened in areas.

                                       Wildlife Habitat and Wetlands
                        In addition to prevention of loss of wetland functionality in the watershed, the plan
                        would require an improvement in the number and functioning of wetlands in the
                        watershed. In all likelihood, this could only be achieved on private lands at the time that
                        the owners sought permits to develop their properties. Otherwise, the deliberate creation
                        of wetlands on private property would involve future restrictions on the owners' land use
                        options that the owners would not likely allow.

                                                                     46

                                                      SCENARIO DESCRIPTIONS

                      Wetlands could be created in the conservation preserve without worry about future land
                      use concerns and options by the government. Creation of wetlands or planting the
                      badlands in the conservation preserve would be a very expensive endeavor because of the
                      inaccessibility of the area. Additionally, it would require the creation of access trails into
                      the area. However, the expense could be paid for by establishing a plan where wetlands
                      were to be created by developers who wanted to develop wetlands elsewhere on the
                      island, but who had no available alternative site upon which to create mitigation
                      wetlands.      Conclusion
                      The combined effort of these practices, if implemented would effectively shelter existing
                      ecosystems and enhance their processes and thereby maintain or improve existing water
                      quality levels. The management of the different elements is critical. If one element is
                      allowed to degrade several ecosystems within the watershed will be impacted.

                      The goals in this scenario are to: reduce the cost of ecosystem maintenance through
                      elimination of redundancy and work scheduling conflicts; increase forest cover in the
                      watershed; bring the entire public of Guam to a higher level of understanding of this
                      most pristine watershed, and thereby reduce the public impact on its ecological functions;
                      to provide a template for coordinated conservation projects, and assess their applicability
                      in other, more degraded watersheds.

                      In this scenario, the Ugum Watershed is viewed as a potential model ecosystem against
                      which watersheds across the island and throughout the Marianas can be compared. It is
                      planned that subsets of the conservation measures could be exported to other areas, with
                      better predictions for success. A clear hierarchy of functions and values for the entire
                      watershed will be developed by consensus, one that the watershed's managers can consult
                      as they contemplate the benefits of new activities.

                      Under this scenario, we recognize that the ecosystems represented within the watershed
                      are not as healthy as they could be, that through coordinated efforts by many individuals
                      and by effective use of funds, greater benefits can be derived from the watershed than are
                      currently possible.

                              Watershed Reserve
                      The Watershed Reserve scenario is offered as a means for comparison to the other
                      scenarios. The true benefit and cost of maintaining or improving the ecological quality
                      of the watershed may be most clearly seen in comparison to the cost of total
                      governmental control of the watershed.

                      The Watershed Reserve scenario would call for the purchase of all the private lands in
                      the watershed by the Government of Guarn, so the watershed may be controlled for
                      producing water. There are 1329 hectares of privately owned land in the watershed. The

                                                                 47

                                                      SCENARIO DESCRIPTIONS

                      estimated present value for unimproved land in southern Guam from between $0.50 to
                      $6.00 per square meter. At these figures per square meter each hectare would cost
                      between $5,000.00 to $60,000.00 dollars, the total 1329 hectares of private land would
                      cost from $6,645,000. to $79,740,000. dollars. These figures are only a rough estimate,
                      the true value depends on many factors such as the availability of utilities and
                      infrastructure, and the land owners willingness to sell.

                      Under this scenario the land in the Ugum Watershed would be treated with the highest
                      degree of non active management of all the scenarios. No development or land
                      disturbance would be allowed. Controlled hunting and recreational use may be the only
                      activities. No road access would limit the erosion from the roads and diminish the
                      frequency of fire and the need to fight them. The Ugum Watershed may be managed as a
                      park like area, allowing non destructive access in per determined areas such as on
                      walking trails only.

                      The benefits to this approach to management of the watershed would be many, including
                      the increase water quality, increase rate of low flow, decrease peck flows and an increase
                      amount of water available for use. Increase in wildlife habitat, increase in wetland
                      functions, increased in vegetative cover, decrease in the amount of erosion and
                      sedimentation of the rivers and streams.

                                                                 48

                                     SCENARIO EFFECTS ON THE ECOSYSTEMS AND RESOURCES

                      VIL SCENARIO EFFECTS ON THE ECOSYSTEMS AND
                             RESOURCES

                             Comparison of Scenarios
                      This section describes the economic, environmental, and social effects of each alternative
                      scenario. The focus is on those factors which have been determined in the scoping
                      process as the major concerns and opportunities for the Ugurn Watershed. The intent of
                      this section is to provide the analytical basis for the comparisons of the scenarios. The
                      resource and environmental concerns discussed at length below include the problems of
                      soil erosion along with Table B, Soil Erosion Comparison of Scenarios, and fires in the
                      watershed, and the opportunities of maintaining water quality and quantity, and the loss
                      of wildlife habitat. In addition to these comparisons there is Table C, Summary and
                      Comparison of Alternative Scenarios, which briefly addresses all of the high concerns
                      identified in the scoping process.

                             Soil Erosion
                      The soil erosion in the Ugurn Watershed under present conditions and in each of the four
                      possible scenarios taken into consideration in this management plan is summarized in the
                      Table B, Soil Erosion - Comparison of Scenarios, below. In the table the hectares of
                      each ecosystem and rates of erosion for each scenario are given.

                                     Existing Conditions - Soil Erosion
                      The existing condition of the soil erosion in the watershed have been discussed at length
                      in the Watershed Problems and Opportunities section of this document. Soil erosion is a
                      problem in the watershed in terms of the effect of diminishing water quality and
                      lessening the potential productivity of the land. In general terms the majority of the
                      present problem with soil erosion in the Ugurn Watershed is isolated to a few specific
                      human activities and types of vegetative cover.

                      The extensive study of the soil erosion in the watershed, compiled in the Ugurn
                      Watershed Resource Assessment, revealed that the savanna grassland, badlands, and
                      unimproved roads have excessively high rates of erosion. The highest rate of erosion in
                      the watershed comes from the sloped unimproved roads, at 729 tonnes per hectare per
                      year. The rate of erosion from sloped and level roads taken together is approximately
                      448 tonnes per hectare per year. The total area covered with unimproved roads more
                      than doubled in the last eighteen years in the watershed. Of the present human activity in
                      the watershed, which is minimal, the creation and use of unimproved roads has the
                      greatest impact in the creation of the soil erosion.

                      The second highest rate of erosion in the watershed is from the badlands, the rate of 544
                      tonnes per hectare per year make these critically eroded areas a major contributor to

                                                                 49

                                      SCENARIO EFFECTS ON THE ECOSYSTEMS AND RESOURCES

                       erosion. The greatest overall contributor to total erosion and sedimentation in the
                       watershed is the savanna grassland. The grassland erodes at a lower rate than the other
                       major sources, however it covers 41 % of the watershed and therefore contributes the
                       majority of erosion in the watershed. Fire causes a temporary increase in savanna
                       grassland erosion at a rate of 1.6 times the normal erosion from grassland each year.

                                      Future Without - Scenario I - Soil Erosion

                       The future without scenario infers minimal action and lack of public and governmental
                       coordination, we would expect the soil resource to degrade as development occurs.
                       Clearing for road construction, road design, water withdrawals for irrigation and riparian
                       area usage will all be determined by developers as dictated by the needs and goals of
                       their projects.

                       The future without a management plan will generally result in an increase in erosion rates
                       and larger areas at higher erosion rates. As the agricultural and housing development
                       occurs in a random manner there will be an increase in overall erosion in the watershed
                       and greater sedimentation in the streams and rivers, as well as the coastal areas. It is
                       assumed that the unimproved road areas will increase at the historic rate, and more than
                       double in the next twenty years within the watershed. Also the rate of erosion of the
                       roads will increase by 25 percent to 560 tonnes per hectare. The easier access into the
                       watershed from the doubling of roads will increase the fire rate and area burnt by an
                       estimated 25 percent (to 200 hectares) over this planning period. The erosion rate from
                       fire will increase by 1. 8 percent the rate of the savanna grassland erosion. The savanna
                       grassland will increase in area an estimated 25 percent as the fires continue uncontrolled
                       burning into the ravine forest and riparian areas.

                       The stream bank erosion will increase by approximately 10 percent over the present rate
                       due to the increase in overall unimproved roads which will increase the number of stream
                       crossings. Another possible effect of the increase in road access and off road vehicles
                       traffic is the increase in erosion rate from the badland area (to 680 tonnes per hectare)
                       which are often frequented by such vehicles.

                                      Maintenance - Scenario 2 - Soil Erosion
                       The problems of soil erosion and sedimentation of the water ways under the second
                       scenario are to be maintained at present levels through the restriction of activities and
                       development to areas which are most appropriate. In addition, the implementation of
                       identified practices for conservation of soil in agriculture and construction of buildings
                       and roads will be aimed at maintenance of the watershed at present levels of quality. The
                       level of soil erosion will be maintained at present levels by mitigating any significant
                       effect on site and off site caused by the agricultural development and the resort
                       development in the watershed. The lands going into agricultural development and the
                       resort development will come mostly from savanna grassland and to a lesser extent from
                       ravine forest areas. Under this scenario the ravine forest area will decrease from the
                       present hectares by a small amount (30 hectares). The savanna grassland will decrease

                                                                    50

                                      SCENARIO EFFECTS ON THE ECOSYSTEMS AND RESOURCES

                       from the present level by 250 hectares with this area being used for the agricultural
                       development along with the 30 hectares from the ravine forest. All other ecosystems
                       would stay the same in area.

                       Roads are expected to double under this scenario as under all the scenarios. The note
                       worthy difference is the use of road design and construction techniques to balance the
                       increased road area with erosion control measures such as road gullies, road surfacing
                       and road building along the contour. Other beneficial practices as putting the unused
                       roads or the highly eroding roads away will decrease the total erosion from the roads. In
                       this manner the increased total roads will not have an increased impact on the total
                       erosion. The erosion rate on the roads is projected to remain the same as present at
                       approximately 448 tonnes per hectare. All effects will be mitigated to the present level
                       of total erosion and sedimentation in the watershed.

                                      Improvement - Scenario 3 - Soil Erosion
                       The improvement scenario will decrease the erosion and sedimentation due to a high
                       level of active management and mitigation for all negative impacts in the watershed.
                       Under the improvement scenario the area in the ravine forest ecosystem will increase by
                       81 hectares over the present even with the planned implementation of the agricultural /
                       development. The agricultural / development will be constructed in the areas best suited
                       for dwellings, see Figure 8, these areas correspond with fairly level land with soil suited
                       for building. The savanna grassland area will decrease by 361 hectares from the present
                       to 416 hectares in grassland, this will be accomplished by the conversion of grassland to
                       agricultural use and revegetation of grassland to forested lands. The agricultural lands
                       will produce less erosion per hectare, lowering the rate of erosion of this land to 33.6
                       tonnes per hectare by use of conservation practices and conservation plans. The erosion
                       rate for roads will be lower by 25 percent from the present level, producing less total
                       erosion by use of improved construction and mitigation. The badland erosion rate also
                       will be lowered under this scenario by the improvement in the management of these
                       critically eroding areas. The erosion rate for the badlands will be 25 percent less than at
                       present, to a rate of 408 tonnes per hectare per year. The fire will also have a restricted
                       impact under this scenario due to the increase in active management of the fires and
                       public education campaign. The area burnt will be less by 25 percent less (only 121
                       hectares per year).

                                      Reserve - Scenario 4 - Soil Erosion

                       The reserve scenario will have an overall decrease in erosion due to the restricted use and
                       land disturbance in the watershed. The restricted access into the watershed under this
                       scenario will diminish expansion the roads and hold the total roads to approximately the
                       present level. The restricted access will help control the number of fires and total area
                       burnt The ravine forest will begin the process of expansion into the savanna grassland,
                       the area in ravine forest will increase to approximately 916 hectares, while the savanna
                       grassland will decrease in area to 696 hectares. The development would not be allowed

                                                                    51

     I                        SCENARIO EFFECTS ON TEE ECOSYSTEMS AND RESOURCES
     I            under this scenario, there will be a great decrease in erosion with the lack of
                  development.
     I
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     I
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     I
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     I
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     1                                                52

                                       SCENARIO EFFECTS ON THE ECOSYSTEMS AND RESOURCES

                                  TABLE B - SOIL EROSION - COMPARISON OF SCENARIOS

                                    Ecosystem or land type by area and erosion rate per scenario.
                                                       Present       Scen. 1       Scen. 2        Scen. 3       Scen. 4
                        Ravine          Hectares       837           707           807            918           918
                        Forest          Erosion        26.8          26.8          26.8           26.8          26.8

                        Savanna         Hectares       777           627           527            416           696
                        Grassland       Erosion        71.7          71.7          71.7           71.7          71.7

                        Riparian        Hectares       159           159           159            159           159
                        Ecosystem       Erosion        26.8          26.8          26.8           26.8          26.8

                        Wetlands        Hectares       117           117           117            117           117
                        Ecosystem       Erosion        0             0             0              0             0

                        Agriculture/    Hectares       20            280           280            280           0
                        Developmt       Erosion        44.8          143           44.8           33.6          0

                        Roads           Hectares       19            38            38             38            19
                                        Erosion        448           560           448            336           336

                        Badlands        Hectares       44            44            44             44            44
                        in SG area      Erosion        544           680           571            408           436

                        Fire            Hectares       161           200           161            121           80
                        in SG area      Changein       1.6 times     1.8 times     1.6 times      1.4 times     1.3 times
                                        Rate of SG
                                        Erosion

                        Streams         Kilometers     37            37            37             37            37
                        in Wetland      Erosion (28    1036          1139          1036           1036          1036
                        Ecosystem       T/Kra)

                        Total Erosion   Tonnes/        150,210       196,508       142,074        111,785       120,342
                                        Year

                        Total           Tonnes/        69,847        91,376        66,064         51,980        55,959
                        Sediment        Year

                       Note; Ecosystems as defined in Figure 5, with areas in hectares and erosion rates in metric
                             Tonnes / Hectare / Year. The total watershed area is 1890 hectares. The badlands areas
                             are mapped as part of the savanna grassland ecosystem, the area effected by fire is part
                             of the savanna grassland and is shown in rate change per area burnt of the savanna
                             grassland, and the stream areas are included in the wetland ecosystem.

                                                                       53

                                      SCENARIO EFFECTS ON THE ECOSYSTEMS AND RESOURCES

                              Fire
                      The effects of fire in the Ugum Watershed under the existing conditions and in each of
                      the four possible scenarios for this management plan is summarized below. In general,
                      fire poses one of the greatest threats to the long term maintenance of the bio-diversity
                      and the ecosystems within the Ugum Watershed. The habitat destruction from fire is not
                      only a problem for the plant and animal species which may parish, but also a large
                      contributor to the water quality problems due to the increases in erosion,

                                      Existing Conditions - Fire
                      The existing conditions of fire in the watershed have been covered in the Watershed
                      Problems and Opportunities section. Fire is a problem in the Ugum Watershed on many
                      accounts. In most cases fire is intentionally set and therefore may be controlled or
                      eliminated. Fire causes temporary loss of vegetative cover, this in turn causes soil
                      erosion on the areas burnt, loss of wildlife habitat and potentially lessen the productivity
                      oftheland.

                      Loss of vegetative cover from fire establishes a cycle of savanna grass burning and
                      regrowing. The fires limit species diversity to only those species which compete with the
                      highly competitive sword grass under these conditions.

                      The loss of cover also leaves bare the soil which causes accelerated soil erosion and
                      sedimentation. Approximately 160 hectares are burnt per year within the watershed.
                      The rate of erosion has been determined to be approximately 1.6 times greater on bum
                      areas compared to the normal average savanna grassland erosion. This accounts for more
                      than 42 tonnes / hectare / year over the already high savanna grassland rate of 717 tonnes
                      / hectare / year.

                      The loss of wildlife habitat due to fire impacts all of the ecosystems in the watershed.
                      The savanna grassland is where the largest impacts are felt, but also the edge of the
                      ravine forest and riparian areas are burnt. The wetlands are also impacted by fires near
                      these sensitive areas by the change in vegetation cover and the increased sedimentation
                      into the wetlands.

                                      Future Without - Scenario 1 - Fire

                      The future without a management plan in the Ugum Watershed is likely to see the
                      present trends continue and accelerate as the pressure on the watershed resources increase
                      with population growth. Under this scenario, it is estimated that the area impacted by
                      fire will increase as access from more unimproved roads increases and population
                      pressure increases. Over the twenty year planning period an increase in fire frequency
                      and area burnt is expected. The estimate of 200 hectares burnt every year for a total of
                      all the savanna grassland burnt every four years. These fires would not just effect the
                      grassland, but would increasingly expand the grassland into more fragile ecosystems.
                      The fire would encroach into the ravine forest, riparian buffers and wetland areas. The
                      results of the increase of fire will mean a decrease in wildlife habitat, increase in erosion

                                                                   54

                                      SCENARIO EFFECTS ON THE ECOSYSTEMS AND RESOURCES

                       by 1.8 times the savanna grassland rate, decrease in soil productivity and decrease in
                       water quality over time.

                                      Maintenance - Scenario 2 - Fire

                       The maintenance scenario would have to balance the increasing tendency toward more
                       fires by an educational program and fire control to maintain the present level of area
                       burnt. The maintenance of the fire at present levels would result in 160 hectares burnt
                       each year adding 1.6 times the present rate of erosion to the savanna grassland burnt.
                       Under this scenario the effects of fire over the twenty year planning period would be
                       counteracted by an ever increasing campaign to maintain the fires at the present levels.

                                      Improvement - Scenario 3 - Fire
                       The improvement scenario would entail an active campaign to minimize fire to a level
                       lower than the present. It is recognized that fire would continue in the watershed due to
                       the activities of hunters and others who may set fire intentionally. An estimate of 120
                       hectares will be burnt each year under this scenario, this is a decrease of about twenty
                       five percent of the present level, and this will mean an increase of the savanna grassland
                       erosion rate to only 1.4 times the present rate. A public education program to address the
                       protection of the watershed and outline the problems caused by the fire will be necessary.
                       A active fire protection and prevention plan should be implemented, this may include fire
                       fighting, installation of living fire breaks, and the use of improved roads for access to
                       burning areas for fire fighting.

                                      Reserve - Scenario 4 - Fire

                       The reserve scenario would minimize access into the watershed and thereby decrease fire
                       to a rate of only 80 hectares burnt each year. The erosion rate increase would be 1.3
                       times that of the savanna grassland erosion. Under this scenario an active program of fire
                       fighting and public education would be required. The objective of this scenario, of
                       reserving the watershed for water quality and other natural resource protection, could
                       only be obtained with the suppression of fire.

                               Water Quality and Quantity
                       The water quality and quantity in the Ugum Watershed under the existing conditions and
                       in each of the four possible scenarios for the management plan are summarized briefly
                       below. In general terms water is not presently considered a problem in the watershed but
                       posses an opportunity for the resource agencies and landowners to maintain the quality
                       and quantity of water in the watershed in the face of likely development and impacts of
                       the future.

                                      Existing Conditions
                       The existing conditions of the water quality and quantity have been discussed at length in
                       the project setting section of this document and in the Ugum Watershed Resource

                                                                    55

                                      SCENARIO EFFECTS ON THE ECOSYSTEMS AND RESOURCES

                       Assessment (DeMeo,. et al., 1995). The water quality meets the present standards
                       excepts in the area of sediment which must be flocculated out at the Ugum Treatment
                       Plant. There is little or no water quality problem in connection to excessive chemicals in
                       the water due to either agricultural or naturally occurring chemicals. The level of
                       agriculture is minimal in the watershed at present and the high cost of agrochemicals
                       reduces the use and threat of these chemicals to water quality.

                                      Future Without - Scenario I - Water Quality and Quantity
                       The future of the water quality and water quantity in the Ugum Watershed can be
                       projected to decrease as use of the watershed increase. Under the future without a
                       management plan the lack of controls on use and prevention of contamination of the
                       water will result in lower water quality and possible water quantity in the future. As
                       development occurs without the use of sufficient erosion control the level of
                       sedimentation of the water ways will increase. Furthermore, the possible wide spread
                       construction of homes and other building would add to the flashiness of the runoff in
                       times of heavy rains. The estimated outcome of this would be flooding and rapid runoff
                       of waters lowering the permutation of the water into the soils.

                                      Maintenance - Scenario 2 - Water Quality and Quantity
                       Under the maintenance scenario the erosion and sedimentation controls necessary to
                       maintain the present level of water quality and quantity would be incorporated into any
                       project potentially effecting these resources. What this would mean for the future
                       projects in the watershed would vary according to the nature and problems caused by the
                       project. However under this scenario the managing agencies would create the
                       mechanism necessary to implement erosion control and other pollutant controls as
                       needed.

                                      Improvement - Scenario 3 - Water Quality and Quantity
                       The improvement scenario for water quality and quantity recognizes the potential for
                       improving the water resources through proactive management in the watershed.
                       Potential methods of improving water quality include the expansion of the riparian
                       buffers around all water ways including rivers, streams, wetlands and head waters. Other
                       practices which will improve water quality include the use of filter strips along
                       agricultural fields and the planting of deep rooted trees over larger areas. The
                       establishment of more water reserves in the form of wetlands, ponds or reservoirs would
                       tend to feed the water more slowly through the ground and potentially increase the water
                       quantity in low rainfall months.

                                      Reserve - Scenario 4 - Water Quality and Quantity
                       The reserve scenario would not actively change water quality or quantity in the
                       watershed. The water resources would remain similar to the present level. The lack of
                       development under this scenario and the park like management of the watershed would
                       maintain the present conditions in the watershed.

                                                                   56

                                     SCENARIO EFFECTS ON THE ECOSYSTEMS AND RESOURCES

                             Fish and Wildlife Habitat Protection
                      The fish and wi!dlife habitat under the present conditions and the four potential future
                      management scenarios in the watershed are discussed below in general terms. The
                      resources of the fish and wildlife habitat have not been thoroughly studied, though
                      several past studies have been valuable and the present studies of species and habitat will
                      add to the bank of knowledge, generally there are many assumptions on the species
                      content and potential for threatened and endangered species in the watershed. Even with
                      this understanding it is widely thought among both plant and wildlife specialist that.the
                      habitat does exist in the Uguni to provide for many threatened and endangered species in
                      the watershed. The Uguni Watershed is presently in a fairly pristine state and posses one
                      of the best potentials of maintaining the habitat and bio-diversity of species for southern
                      Guam.

                                     Existing Conditions
                      The existing conditions of the fish and wildlife habitat in the Ugum are fairly
                      undisturbed. Many fresh water species exist in the clean waters of the Ugum river
                      system, however, present studies are pointing to the possible changes in the species
                      compassion. Likewise with the continual threat from introduces species both native plant
                      and animal species are struggling to maintain their niches in the various ecosystems.
                      Uncontrolled agriculture and other types of development pose a threat to these areas.
                      The existing conditions allow for development or land use without regard for wildlife or
                      habitat. In fact much of the off-road traffic is contributed to the illegal hunting of
                      carabao and deer in the watershed.

                                     Future Without - Scenario 1 - Fish and Wildlife Habitat Protection

                      The future without a management plan in the Ugum Watershed will see the continuation
                      of the present trends of resource use and ever greater threat to the fish and wildlife
                      habitat. The estimated gradual destruction the ravine forest and riparian areas can be
                      expected without active planning and controls. Under this scenario the fish and wildlife
                      habitat will be negatively impacted, resulting in a loss of habitat and possible species.

                                     Maintenance - Scenario 2 - Fish and Wildlife Habitat Protection
                      The fish and wildlife habitat will be protected to some degree under the maintenance
                      scenario. The effects on these habitats will be minimal due to the implementation of
                      sufficient controls to maintain the wildlife habitat at present levels while allowing
                      agricultural development in savanna grassland ecosystems where fewer impacts will be
                      felt.

                                     Improvement - Scenario 3 - Fish and Wildlife Habitat Protection
                      The improvement scenario will take a proactive approach to maintaining and improving
                      the fish and wildlife habitat. Many conservation practices and proper planning will assist
                      in the habitat protection while allowing for wise use of the agricultural and development
                      lands in the watershed. An active campaign for the protection of the valuable fish and

                                                                   57

                                    SCENARIO EFFECTS ON THE ECOSYSTEMS AND RESOURCES

                      wildlife habitats including wetlands will be needed in the watershed to achieve the goal
                      of the improvement scenario.

                                    Reserve - Scenario 4 - Fish and Wildlife Habitat Protection
                      In the reserve scenario the fish and wildlife habitats will remain protected due to the lack
                      of disturbance allowed in the watershed. It can be expected that the forest habitat will
                      increase as the fires become less frequent with the restricted access into the watershed.
                      Likewise the riparian and wetland areas would remain at present levels without the
                      destruction that development may bring or the expansion that active conservation
                      implementation would bring.

                      The following table (Table C) summarizes the general effects and comparisons expected
                      under each scenario. The various ecosystems along with the major natural resource
                      concerns, problems and opportunities are compared. Several of the planning and
                      management measures are also listed for comparison.

                                                                 58

                                             SCENARIO EFFECTS ON THE ECOSYSTEMS AND RESOURCES

                           TABLE C - SUMMARY AND COMPARISON OF ALTERNATIVE SCENARIOS

                                                    UGUM WATERSHED MANAGEMENT PLAN

                           Effects                Scenario I              Scenario 2             Scenario 3             Scenario 4

                           Cost                   None                    Voluntary              Voluntary, local       Gov.Guarn
                                                                                                 and federal            6 - 80 Million
                                                                                                 programs, and
                                                                                                 incentive
                                                                                                 programs.

                           Ravine Forest          707 hectares and        807 hectares and       918 hectares and       918 hectares and
                           Ecosystem              less diversity          maintain diversity     improve diversity      maintain diversity

                           Savanna                627 hectares            527 hectares           416 hectares           696 hectares
                           Grassland
                           Ecosystem

                           Riparian Buffer        impacted by ag          159 hectares           159 hectares           159 hectares
                           Ecosystem              and development         maintained             improved

                           Wetland/Stream         impacted by fire        maintained at          improved with          improve with less
                           Ecosystem              and erosion             present levels         protection             disturbance

                           Soil Erosion           196,508                 142,074                111,785                120,342
                                                  Tonnes/Year             Tonnes/Year            Tonnes/Year            Tonnes/Year

                           Sedimentation          91,376                  66,064                 51,980                 55,959
                                                  Tonnes/Year             Tonnes/Year            Tonnes/Year            Tonnes/Year

                           Fires                  200 hectares            161 hectares           121 hectares           80 hectares

                           Water Quality          Adverse effect          No effect              Improve                No effect or
                                                                                                                        improve

                           Wildlife Habitat       Negatively              Maintained             Improved               Reserved,
                           and Wetlands           impacted                                                              improved

                           Roads                  140 kilometers,         140 kilometers,        140 kilometers,        63 kilometers, no
                                                  with no design or       with minimal           with improved          new roads
                                                  controls                design                 designed

                                                                                  59

                                              SCENARIO EFFECTS ON THE ECOSYSTEMS AND RESOURCES

                           Public Education       none                    Program for fire       Program for fire       Program for fire
                                                                          retention              control and habitat    control and habitat
                                                                                                 protection, etc.       protection

                           Measures               None                    Minimum land           Land treatment         Land treatment
                                                                          treatment
                                                                                                 Pest and nutrient      Revegetation of
                                                                          Water quality          management             unused roads
                                                                          monitoring
                                                                                                 Waste                  Maintenance of
                                                                          Minimum wetland        management             trails
                                                                          and wildlife           systems
                                                                          habitat protection
                                                                                                 Road surface and
                                                                          Erosion and            ditch stabilization
                                                                          sediment control
                                                                          systems                Erosion and
                                                                                                 sediment control
                                                                                                 systems

                                                                                                 Riparian buffer
                                                                                                 management

                                                                                                 Fire management

                                                                                                 Water quality
                                                                                                 monitoring

                                                                                                 Wetland and
                                                                                                 wildlife habitat
                                                                                                 protection

                           Agriculture and        280 hectares,           280 hectares,          280 hectares,          Non allowed
                           Development            uncontrolled            limited to areas       limited to areas       No effect
                                                  location, major         Best suited for        Best suited for
                                                  impacts on all          Dwellings              Dwellings
                                                  natural resources
                                                                          Minimum impacts        Resource
                                                                                                 Management
                                                                                                 Systems

                                                                                                 Conservation
                                                                                                 Plans

                                                                                                 Farmstead
                                                                                                 Assessment
                                                                                                 System

                                                                                   60

                                    SCENMUO EITECTS ON TFIE ECOSYSTEMS AND RESOURCES

                             Risk and Uncertainty
                      Throughout the planning process the best available data was obtained and used in order
                      to minimize risks and uncertainties. When risk and uncertainty occur the projected future
                      and the cost and benefits may not be actualized as estimated. The major areas of risk and
                      uncertainty with regard to the project are discussed below.

                                    Projected Future
                      The projected future of the conditions in the watershed are based on assumptions about
                      the population growth and economic need for the development of the Ugum Watershed.
                      The growth rate and pattern of development of the past twenty years on the island of
                      Guam are the model used to project both the population pressures and the economic
                      necessity to develop the watershed.

                                    Assumptions
                      The assumptions of the costs and benefits of the implementation of the various
                      management plans are based on the best available data and information. Many years of
                      research have produced the resource assessment and the conservation management
                      techniques suggested in this report. The projection of the interaction and benefits of the
                      conservation practices have been performed in other location but have yet to be
                      demonstrated in the Ugum Watershed.

                                                                 61

                                                        RECOMNENDATIONS

                      Vill. RECOMMENDATIONS

                      The recommendations for the Ugum Watershed from the technical team the Ecosystem
                      Based Assistance Team are general in nature. The Maintenance Scenario 2, and
                      Improvement Scenario 3 are best suited for the goals of the sponsors and the landowners.
                      Scenario 4, the Reserve Scenario, while maintaining watershed quality would remove
                      control of the land from the present owners and cost the Government of Guam, this
                      planned scenario is not recommended. The purposes of the watershed plan, to maintain
                      water quality and watershed protection while maintaining productive agricultural land
                      and opportunity for development, will be met under either scenario 2 or 3 to various
                      degrees. The general recommendation follow the problems and concerns discussed in
                      this watershed management plan.

                      The implementation of the management measures would insure continued water quality
                      and maintain the ecosystems of the ravine forest, riparian buffer areas and wetlands that
                      are fundamental to the health of the watershed.

                      The project will make the area a better place to live by improving health and safety,
                      esthetics, and the economy. Properly constructed roads will improve traffic safety, last
                      longer, and need less maintenance. Erosion control should increase productivity and
                      incomes on farms, and decrease sedimentation of the water ways. Fire control and
                      prevention will minimize the damage and promote productivity of the land and
                      encourage the flourishing of wild plant and animal species. Water quality improvements
                      will make water treatment less expensive and insure continued production of this
                      important water supply for southern Guam. The proper development of the area will
                      insure economic benefits to the land owners and the entire area while maintaining the
                      valuable natural resources for future generations.

                      The general recommendations for management measures are followed by a related
                      section on supporting programs for conservation planning and activities. The listing of
                      possible funding and incentive programs which could be utilized to fund various
                      activities or projects in the Ugum Watershed is given. And the regulatory framework
                      which supports the watershed protection and enhancement activities are discussed in
                      Appendix 1.

                             Management Measures
                      For each of the management plan scenarios, except the No Action scenario, the
                      recommended management measures include both preventive mitigation and corrective
                      mitigation measures. The intensity'Of the mitigation measures increase as the level of
                      ecosystem protection increases. The following management measures support the intent
                      of the Ugum Watershed Management Plan and are provided to assist land owners and
                      agencies in the future decision making processes for the watershed.

                                                                  62

                                                           RECOMNENDATIONS

                       Owners Association - The implementation of the watershed protection and enhancement
                       activities is strongly encouraged on a voluntary basis for all Ugum Watershed land
                       owners. The association of the Ugum land owners for the coordination of the
                       conservation and development activities would assist in the implementation of
                       management measures and the securing of local and federal assistance. Cooperative
                       agreements could be made with land owners, lease tenants, and responsible individuals
                       with special interests in the Ugum Watershed. This management measure should be
                       implemented either as an overlay to existing or new management measures or if nothing
                       else is accomplished mutual assistance in protecting the more sensitive ecosystems and
                       private property interests. Issues that could be addressed by a cooperative agreement
                       include, notification of resource damage (protocol), a process to involve resource agencies
                       in development planning, technical assistance for development design, wetland
                       determinations, technical advise, and many others as needed. This management should be
                       the basis for managing development and conservation activities in the watershed and all
                       parties involved need to agree to the general guidance provided.

                       Conservation Plans - The implementation of soil and water conservation plans that
                       reduce the loss of nutrients and fine soil particles will maintain and improve the soil
                       resource base and associated productivity. Reduction in on farm erosion will increase
                       farm productivity and decrease sedimentation of the water system. Erosion control for
                       new development and construction projects should necessarily be strict. The long term
                       conversion of badlands to savanna or forest ecosystems will provide positive impacts with
                       regard to efforts to limit soil erosion and sedimentation.

                       Fire Protection - The enactment of an active fire fighting plan for fire retardation and
                       prevention would reduce the erosion, help maintain water quality and protect wildlife
                       habitat from destruction. A plan for fire prevention and active protection of the more
                       sensitive areas should be considered for ravine forest, riparian areas and wetlands as well
                       as development areas.

                       Roads - A master plan for roads in the Ugum Watershed for road development and
                       maintenance would potentially lower the over-all erosion in the watershed. In as much as
                       possible, a master plan for roads should guide road development away from steep slopes,
                       rivers and wetlands. A road system that provides adequate access to various private lands
                       in the watershed while minimizing the roads and jeep trails that represent a duplication of
                       utility, will help guide development and reduce the current uncontrolled road and trail
                       development in the watershed. Various roads that are poorly planned in that they cross
                       rivers, streams and wetlands at multiple locations could be eliminated. Seldom used roads
                       that only serve or encourage access to poachers should also be eliminated and restored to
                       natural conditions. Any effort to reduce the shear number of roads in the watershed
                       should greatly contribute to erosion control.

                       Wildlife Habitat- Consideration for wildlife habitat within all the planning is highly
                       recommended for the Ugum Watershed. The protection of wildlife habitat including

                                                                     63

                                                       RECONMENDATIONS

                     ravine forest and riparian areas will result in the added protection for the native,
                     endangered and threatened species. The riparian wetlands are important habitat areas for
                     the maintenance of stream flows, water quality, stream water temperature regulation, the
                     important leaf, woody debris, and other organic material for downstream productivity and
                     habitat. Riparian habitat protection has developed substantially in other parts of the world
                     as a field of study and unique ecosystem component providing benefits to both terrestrial
                     and aquatic wildlife systems as well as for water quality maintenance. The protection of
                     riparian areas and riparian wetlands in the Ugum. Watershed will ensure that a natural
                     buffer exists between upland activities and aquatic systems, including the ultimate fate of
                     fresh water (quality) in the estuarine and marine environments. The regulatory mechanism
                     for protecting riparian wetlands is already in place through the Federal Clean Water Act,
                     however in those cases where riparian areas are not wetlands, the rules on buffers must be
                     adopted though the mandates and authority of the Watershed Management Plan.

                     Monitoring - Long term monitoring of stream flows, water quality, sedimentation and
                     potential pollutants should be implemented as early as possible in order to attain quality
                     background data for future watershed assessments. In addition, qualitative and
                     quantitative aspects of ecosystem and wildlife habitat health should be monitored.

                     Zoning - No unplanned zoning/land use changes for the watershed. All land use decision
                     making efforts should include watershed protection and management concerns and
                     constraints. The Ugurn Watershed Management Plan should be formally presented to the
                     Territorial Land Use Commission, Territorial Seashore Protection Commission, Chamorro
                     Land Trust Commission, Territorial Planning Commission, the Guam Legislature, and the
                     Governor. In addition, resource agencies such as the Department of Commerce must be
                     made aware of the plan since they promote the research and development of potentially
                     impacting aquaculture industries. It is very likely that several if not all of these land
                     management entities will acknowledge the plan as vital to land use decision making
                     including the wetland management and protection practices specified.

                     Public Education - One of the primary and proactive recommendations for watershed
                     management and natural resources protection overall is public education about resource
                     management and conservation. Conservation education should be a critical component of
                     a larger public education and landowner education effort for the Ugurn Watershed.

                     Education curriculum for conservation should be centered on ecosystem functions for
                     water quality protection, habitat protection, flood control, economic benefits, etc. as well
                     as the legal and economic consequences and costs of destroying (filling, dredging,
                     clearing, polluting) wetlands and water ways and other natural resources. When
                     landowners and the general public are aware of ecosystem functions that provide for a
                     certain "quality of life" they will then begin to form personal and community values about
                     the treatment, conservation and use of resources in the Ugum Watershed. Watershed
                     management/protection concepts formalized with this plan will provide the broad based
                     multiple use and functional benefit framework for understanding.

                                                                64

                                                           RECONMENDATIONS

                       Environmental Impact Statements - The Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) and
                       Environmental Assessment (EA) are the basic planning tools for environmental land-use
                       planning. EIS's are required by Guam Executive Order 90-10 and by the National
                       Environmental Policy Act, 1969 (NEPA) for federal projects and expenditures. EIS's
                       provide the basis for decisions, document the significant constraints to development and
                       mitigation necessary to minimize environmental impacts. It is strongly recommended that
                       an EIS be utilized for tall major land use projects in the Ugum Watershed.

                       Low Impact Land Use - Low impact and compatible land uses in or adjacent to sensitive
                       areas such as riparian areas and wetlands may provide viable development options if
                       planned for and implemented considering the ecosystem sensitivities. Ecotourism may be
                       promoted in Guam as a major marketing idea with the concept that tourism must be
                       integrated with natural ecosystems for long term sustainable yield. Nature tours and
                       wilderness appreciation are significant ingredients in the existing off-road touring
                       enterprise, however the tours cannot be considered as compatible with resource protection
                       due to unplanned and uncontrolled off-road impacts which are believed to cause
                       significant erosion.

                       Golf Courses - Golf course development if planned appropriately and managed with
                       environmental protection in mind could be considered a low impact use. Exceptions to
                       this view are related to undesirable impacts of pesticide and fertilizer use, temporary
                       construction impacts, and the loss of native forest and other resources. A golf course, in
                       order to be considered compatible or as having low impact on resources would have to
                       incorporate most the following design and operational features:
                           - be located almost entirely on existing badlands or savanna grasslands
                           - involve no loss of native wetlands or only minor modifications
                           - involve little if any irrigation from deep ground water and appropriate surface

                           sources
                           - should be managed pesticide and fertilizer free
                           - constructed in small incremental phases to reduce construction impacts

                       Ecotourism - Ecotourism and what might be considered Ecogolf are just two examples of
                       land uses that may feasibly be designed as compatible with sensitive ecosystems and other
                       resource systems. Some level of development will eventually be realized in the watershed,
                       therefore those uses that derive financial benefits to landowners yet only passively
                       consume resources while applying sustainable use management concepts, or convert less
                       desirable and stable ecosystems to stable ones should be emphasized.

                                                                     65

                                                         RECOMMENDATIONS

                              Supporting Programs

                                      Incentive Programs
                       The development of specific tax and conservation incentives or an incentive package that
                       addresses a variety of ecosystem protection and conservation programs should be
                       explored fully. Land owners and developers would be encouraged to conserve resources
                       if there were economic incentives to support the land use policies and regulations.
                       Opportunities for protection legislation should also include similar legislative efforts to
                       require a method of funding and compensating other affected parties.

                       The following programs include local and Federal sources which could or are being
                       utilized to fund various activities or programs to improve or protect natural resources on
                       Guam.

                       Agricultural Conservation Prosuamoffers cost sharing for soil, water and forestry
                       practices of long term benefit. The USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service must
                       approve the practice prior to funding, applications should be made to USDA Farm Service
                       Agency. The Farm Service Agency will pay up to 65% of the cost of soil, water and
                       forestry conservation practices to a $3500 annual maximum.

                       Clean Water Act Nonpoint (319(h)) Source Grants are available from the Guam
                       Environmental Protection Agency for nonpoint source management projects. Grants are
                       awarded for projects that demonstrate new, innovative, or fundamentally different best
                       management practices (BMPs) or other approaches to address nonpoint sources of
                       pollution. Funds for educational activities and cost sharing for farmers and ranchers may
                       also be provided.

                       Conservation Easements is provided for in Public Law 12-25, the Guam Land
                       Conservation Act. In most cases conservation easements are proposed as a form of
                       mitigation for environmental and natural resource impacts that occur as a result of
                       development. The dedication of a Conservation Easement in many ways provides a legal
                       and binding commitment to conserve land resources in exchange for otherwise undesirable
                       environmental impacts.

                       Conservation Reserve Program is available for cost sharing for creating or improving
                       permanent wildlife habitat, shallow water areas for wildlife, vegetative filter strips, or any
                       other practice that benefits fish and wildlife. The US Fish and Wildlife Service can
                       provide up to half the cost of practices which may result in little or no cash outlay for
                       cooperators. The landowner match for the cost share can be provided in labor, materials
                       or cash.

                       Guam Bureau of Planningoperates the Guam Coastal Management Program which has
                       section 6217 funding for nonpoint source pollution control projects.

                                                                   66

                                                           RECONMENDATIONS

                        Guam Department of Agriculture has a revolving fund program for small loans to farmers
                        and fisherman in support of these enterprises. The Division of Aquatic and Wildlife
                        Resources advises on habitat and wetlands issues and species.

                        Guam Economic and Development Agencyhas a agricultural loan package available to
                        land owners for development and support of agricultural projects.

                        Forest Stewardship Incentive Program is available from Guam Department of Agriculture,
                        Division of Forestry and Soil Resources to private landowners with no more than 1000
                        acres of land with existing tree cover, or land suitable for growing such vegetation. Land
                        owners must have an approved Forest Stewardship Plan. Ten practices have been
                        approved for cost-sharing, including soil and water protection and improvement, riparian
                        and wetland protection and improvement, fisheries and wildlife habitat enhancement, and
                        rare, threatened and endangered species protection.

                        Property tax incentives may prove to be a viable method for relief from strict legal
                        requirements which limit land uses in wetlands, and a valuable method for promoting
                        conservation of riparian buffer areas. Special conditions must be incorporated in order to
                        receive tax credits (reductions) that are only available if wetlands and other sensitive areas
                        remain undisturbed and loss of credit if these areas are proposed to be damaged,
                        permitted, or otherwise. In addition, the federal tax code allows for tax deductions when
                        gifts of conservation lands are made to either private conservation groups or government
                        agencies in the form of conservation easements or wildlife preserves (US EPA 1992).

                        Soil and Water Loans are available to qualified applicants who are unable to obtain
                        sufficient credit elsewhere from USDA Farm Service Agency, at reasonable rates and
                        terms. Loans and technical management assistance is available to farmers and ranchers for
                        developing and conserving their land and water resources. Fund uses can include
                        establishing approved forestry practices and building erosion control structures.

                        Watershed Loans are available to local watershed organizations from the USDA Rural
                        Economic and Community Development agency in connection with the Natural Resources
                        Conservation Service approval. The purpose of the loans are to carry out plans to protect,
                        develop and utilize the land and water resources in small watersheds. Loans and advances
                        are made only to finance the local share of costs of improvements in watershed projects
                        approved under the Watershed Protection and Flood Prevention Act or in connection with
                        the I I watershed improvement programs authorized by the Flood Control Act of 1944.

                        Wetland Mitiization Bankinizinvolves the setting aside of wetland and upland areas for
                        enhancement   mitigation and resource protection in exchange for permitted impacts at
                        other sites. The banking requires several key components; availability of land for
                        conservation in perpetuity, an established exchange rate and mechanism (rules), and
                        government assistance in the banking system. Resource managers find that banking offers
                        benefits where substantial commitments are made in a protected environment to restore,

                                                                     67

                                                        RECOMNMNDATIONS

                     enhance and provide for wildlife habitat. Large landowners in the Ugum Watershed might
                     be interested in banking wetlands for profit and tax incentives.

                     Wetlands Reserve Proszram is a Natural Resources Conservation Service program for the
                     purchase of easements from land owners with eligible agricultural land who voluntarily
                     agree to restore and protect the wetlands. The protection functions include improvement
                     of wildlife habitat, protection and improvement of water quality, and environmental
                     education.

                     Existing incentive programs and regulatory controls provide the supporting framework for
                     the protection of the natural resources in the Ugum Watershed, however the availability of
                     programs and effectiveness of regulation maybe limited. The legal mechanisms are in
                     place, but an enforcement and regulatory approach to management will not necessarily
                     ensure proper planning and consideration for the natural resources and the ecosystems,
                     instead public education and awareness, as well as planning assistance must be provided.

                     Best Management Practices that address project and site specific construction and
                     operation environmental protection during development will directly and indirectly result
                     in resource protection and reduced impacts. The management situation supported here is
                     that when modifications are proposed, resource agencies are involved in the guidance and
                     planning process, whereby the final outcome justifies minimal modification as the only
                     practical alternative for sound development.

                                                                 68

                                              CONSULTATION AND PU13LIC PARTICIPATION

                       IX. CONSULTATION AND PUBLIC PARTICIPATION

                       The purpose of this section is to document the opportunities provided for public
                       participation throughout the process of the preparation of the management plan. During
                       the process of the preparation of the Ugum Water Resource Assessment numerous local
                       and federal experts and references were consulted, as well as land owners and farmers in
                       the watershed. The State Historic Preservation Officer was consulted regarding cultural
                       resources in the watershed, maps were generated but not included for the protection of
                       these resources. The Guam Division of Aquatics and Wildlife was consulted regarding
                       the threatened and endangered species in the watershed, a listing of potential species is
                       provided in the Resource Assessment. The general public was informed and consulted in
                       the two public meeting and numerous informational articles and displays about the
                       project.

                       On the 17th of March 1994, the first public meeting was held at the Inarajan Community
                       Center, with 21 people in attendance from both the public and private sector. The
                       purpose was to introduce the project and determine public concerns in the watershed. A
                       second public meeting was held on August 18th, 1994 at the Talofofo Elementary
                       School, to report technical information and prioritize the public concerns (see Appendix
                       B). A total of 13 participants attended the second meeting. The concerns and planning
                       objectives were identified from returned scoping response sheets and the first public
                       meeting. The list of concerns were prioritized with the "nominal group method" in the
                       second public meeting, and placed in order of importance with seven major concerns for
                       the areas resources defined (see Appendix A). Public notification of both meetings was
                       made in the local newspaper, the Pacific Daily News (PDN), and all land owners were
                       notified by written letter.

                       An Ugum Watershed Steering Committee has been formed among all sponsors and meets
                       regularly to discuss project progress and to direct the decision making process. The
                       Steering Committee is made up of the Southern Guam Soil and Water Conservation
                       District, Guam Environmental Protection Agency, the Guam Bureau of Planning, Coastal
                       Management Program and the United States Department of Agriculture, Natural
                       Resources Conservation Service. The Steering Committee is expanding to include other
                       interested agencies and individuals as the project grows.

                       The Ecosystem Based Assistance Team was formed among technical staff from the
                       USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) in the Pacific Basin, USDA
                       NRCS in Hawaii, Guam Environmental Protection Agency and the University Of Guam.
                       This team provided the technical background information used as a bases of the
                       management plan. The team was selected for the broad experience and expertise each
                       member could bring to this project.

                                                                    69

       I                             CONSULTATION AND PUBLIC PARTICIPATION
       I           This section will provide a summary and responses to significant written comments on
                   this management plan
       I
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       1                                               70

                                                                   LIST OF PREPARES

                         LIST OF PREPARERS

                         Name                     Present Position         Education               Previous Positions       Other
                                                  (years)                  Degree-Subject          (years)                  Qualifications

                         Dr. John W.              UOG - Associate          BS-Biology              Sea Grant/National
                         Brown                    Professor Ag.            PhD-Economics           Marine Fishery (3)
                                                  Economics (6)

                         Jay B. Cobb              NRCS - Guam              BS-Ag. Eng.             Ag. Eng. (6)             PE-Civil Eng.
                                                  Conservation             MS-Civil Eng.           Civil Eng, (3)           WY, GU
                                                  Engineer (3)

                         Robin A. DeMeo           NRCS - Guam              BS-Tropical Ag.         Nur. Manager (4)
                                                  Watershed Planner                                PC (2)
                                                  (2)

                         Randel L. Sablan         GEPA -                   BS-Forestry                                      Wetland Delin.,
                                                  Planner (5)                                                               EIA

                         Z. Reed Sims             NRCS - Guam              BA-Aquatic              Fish & Wildlife
                                                  Soil Scientist (9)       Biology                 Biologist (1)
                                                                           BS-Fish &
                                                                           Wildlife Mgmt.
                                                                           MS-Soil Science

                         Robert W.                NRCS - Guam              BS-Natural              Silviculturist (16)      Regis. Prof
                         Wescom                   Forester (5)             Resources Mgmt.                                  Forester,
                                                                           MS-Natural                                       Cert.
                                                                           Resources -                                      Silviculturist
                                                                           Forestry

                         Robin White              NRCS - Hawaii            BS-Geology              Planning Geologist       RG - NC
                                                  Planning Geologist       MS-Geoscience           (7)
                                                  (3)                                              Physl Sci Tech (1)
                                                                                                   Geophysical
                                                                                                   Tech/Supvr/Mgr(4)

                                                                             71

                                                         REFERENCES

                     REFERENCES

                     DeMeo, R. A., Z. R. Sims, R. W. Wescom, and R. White. 1995. Resource Assessment
                     Ugum Watershed, Guam. USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service, Pacific Basin.
                     66 pp.

                     Department of Labor. Various. Current Employment Report. Tamuning, Guam.

                     Dye, T. S., S. T. Price and J. L. Craib. 1978. Archaeological and Historical
                     Reconnaissance Survey of the Ugum River Valley, Guam, Marianna Islands. U.S. Army
                     Engineer District, Pacific Ocean, Honolulu, Hawaii.

                     Flores, W. B. and Associates. 1993. 1 Tano'-Ta, The Land Use Plan for Guam. The
                     Territorial Planning Council, Guam. 152 pp.

                     Flores, W. 13. and Barrett. 1993. Guam Surface Water Development Study. Public
                     Utility Agency of Guam, Government of Guam.

                     Fosberg, F. R. 1960. The Vegetation of Micronesia. I. General descriptions, the
                     vegetation of the Marianas Islands and a detailed consideration of the vegetation of
                     Guam. American Museum of Natural History, Bulletin 64 (1): 1-76.

                     GNP and Associates. 1989. Environmental Impact Assessment for the Ugum River
                     Water Supply Development Project, PUAG Project No. W88-055-LOC, Government of
                     Guam.

                     GNP and Associates. 1989. MalqJlqJ. Inarajan Water Supply Development, PUAG
                     Project No, W88-005-LOC. Government of Guam.

                     Guam Business News. 1994. Business Almanac of Guam and the Northern Marianas.
                     Agana, Guam.

                     Guard, C. P. and M. A. Lander. 1993. The Assault on Guam by Typhoon Omar, Brian,
                     Elsie, Hunt and Gay: Characteristics and Forecast Challenges. 20th Conference of
                     Hurricanes and Tropical Meteorology. Am. Meteorology Society.

                     Mink, J. F. 1976. Groundwater Resources of Guam: Occurrence and Development.
                     Technical Report No. 1, Water and Energy Research Institute of University of Guam.

                     Raulerson, L., M. Chernin, and P. Moore. 1978. Biological Study of the Potential
                     Ugum Dam Site, Guam. U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Pacific Ocean Division, Fort
                     Shafter, Hawaii. G9-10.405.

                     Richmond, Robert H. 1993. Coral Reefs: Present Problems and Future Concerns
                     Resulting from Anthropogenic Disturbance. American Zoological Journal. 33: 524-536.

                     Rogers, Caroline S. 1990. Responses of Coral Reefs and Reef Organisms to
                     Sedimentation. Marine Ecology Progress Series. 62: 185-202.

                                                              72

                                                         REFERENCES

                     Sanchez, P.A. 1976. Properties and Management of Soils in the Tropics. John Wiley
                     and Sons, New York.

                     Smith, Barry. 1994.  Personal Communications. Marine Lab, University Of Guam,
                     Guam.

                     Tracey, J. 1. Jr., S. 0. Schlanger, J. T. Stark, D. B. Doan, and H. G. May. 1964.
                     General Geology of Guam. U.S. Geological Survey Professional Paper No. 403-
                     A: 1, 104.

                     U. S. Bureau of Reclamation. 19.85. Potential Water Resources Development Guam.
                     Agana, Guam.

                     Ward, P.E., Hoffard, S.H., and Davis, D.A. 1965. Hydrology of Guam, Geological
                     Survey Professional Paper 403-H, U.S. Government Printing Office, Washington. 28 pp.

                     Wenger, Karl F. 1984. Forestry Handbook. Section B, Forest Wildlife and Fish
                     Management. Second Edition. pub. John Wiley and Sons Inc. , New York. 1318 p.

                     Wiles, G. 1994. Check List of Terrestrial Vertebrates and Selected Terrestrial
                     Invertebrates of Guam. Division of Aquatic and Wildlife Resources, Department of
                     Agriculture, Guam. (Personal Communications).

                     Wischmeier, W. H., and D. D. Smith. 1965. Predicting rainfall-erosion losses from
                     cropland east of the Rocky Mountains. Agric. Handbook No. 282, USDA. U.S.
                     Government Printing Office, Washington, D.C.

                     Young, F. J. 1988. Soil Survey of Territory of Guam. Soil Conservation Service, U.S.
                     Department of Agriculture. 166 pp.

                                                              73

                                                                    APPENDIX - A

                         UGUM WATERSHED PROJECT
                         LIST OF PUBLIC CONCERNS

                         Prioritized at the second public meeting on August 18, 1994, held at the Talof6fo Elementary School.
                         Listed in order of rating, highest concern to lowest.

                         1.       What activities in the watershed can have an adverse affect on drinking water quality? 34/7

                         2.       What are the potential effects of using pesticides and fertilizers on environmental quality? 34/6

                         3.       How can the water resources within the Ugum Watershed Project be protected? 22/4

                         4.       How can agriculture remain an economically viable activity within the Ugum. watershed? 21/4

                         5.       What activities in the watershed can have an adverse affect on marine life and reefs? 18/5

                         6.       What are the potential adverse effects of rapid development within the Ugurn watershed to
                                  agricultural use. 17/5

                         7.       What are the potential effects of the development of hotels, golf courses, and condominiums in
                                  the Ugurn watershed? 16/4

                         8.       How can the potential land use conflicts within the Ugurn watershed be resolved? 15/4

                         9.       What are the infi-astructure development needs (roads, water, sewer, electrical, etc.) within the
                                  Ugum watershed? 14/4

                         10.      Who has the water rights within the Ugum Watershed Project? 14/4

                         11.      How can water pressure for domestic and agricultural use be maintained at acceptable levels?
                                  14/3

                         12.      How will the Ugum. Watershed Project affect security of the water intake site at the Uguin
                                  PUAG site? 14/2

                         13.      How can access to public lands within the Ugum watershed be enhanced? 10/2

                         14.      How can coordination amongst government agencies be enhanced by the Ugum Watershed
                                  Project? 9/3

                         15.      How can the adverse impacts of off-road vehicle use be minimized? 8/2

                         16.      What commercial activities are suitable within the Ugum. Watershed Project? 8/2

                         17.      What activities in the watershed can result in soil erosion? 8/2

                         18.      What is the potential for capturing excess water in the Ugum Watershed? 6/3

                         19.      How can island beautification program be extended to the Uguin watershed? 5/2

                         20.      What are the adverse effects of road building and grading within the Ugum watershed? 5/2

                                                                      APPENDIX - A

                          21.     What special land use regulations are needed to protect the resource values of the Ugum
                                  watershed? 4/1

                          22.     How can access to isolated parcels of private land be enhanced? 4/1

                          23.     How does the Ugum Watershed Project relate to coastal water use planning? 4/1

                          24.     What is the risk of Giardia being introduced to the drinking water derived from the Ugum
                                  watershed as a result of cattle grazing? 1/1

                          25.     How can water for agriculture use be made available with minimum restrictions? 1/1

                          26.     What factors in the watershed could lead to flooding? 1/1

                          The following public concerns were listed and voted for at previous public meetings or surveys, however
                          did not receive any votes at this meeting.

                                  How can illegal fishing and hunting be controlled within the watershed?

                                  What activities in the watershed can have an adverse affect on recreation water quality?

                                  How can the development activity and housing plan in the Dandan area be monitored under the
                                  Ugurn Watershed Project?

                                  How can road maintenance (grading) be completed with minimum EPA restrictions?

                                           APPENDIX - B

                                    UGUM WATERSHED PROJECT

                                    PUBLIC MEETING MINUTES

                                  TALOFOFO ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

                                   AUGUST 18, 1994    7:00PM

                   I. Mayor Vicente S. Taitague of Talofofo opened the
                      meeting and welcomed the participants.

                  II. Benny P. San Nicolas, Chairman of the Southern Guam
                      Soil and Water Conservation District introduced all the
                      speakers and reviewed the meetings agenda.

                 III. Robin DeMeo, the Ugum. Watershed Project Coordinator
                      from the Pacific Basin office of the Soil Conservation
                      Service spoke about the overall objective of the Ugum,
                      Watershed Project. The objective is to address non-
                      point source pollution as a means to maintain quality
                      drinking water and conservation of the natural
                      resources in the area. An explanation of the
                      responsibility of each participating agency was
                      given, GEPA is providing financial support for Phase I,
                      the Resource Assessment, the Coastal Management Program
                      is providing partial funding for Phase II, the
                      Management Plan, and the Soil Conservation Service is
                      providing the technical expertise. Robin explained the
                      purpose of the project is to preserve the valuable
                      resources of the area through implementation of
                      conservation practices for control of the nonpoint
                      source pollution in the Ugum. Watershed. The location
                      of the Ugum Watershed is just south of the Talofofo
                      Watershed, and includes both the Ugum River and the
                      Bubulao Rivers and their tributaries, and stretches
                      from the top of Mount Bolanos to the mouth of the Ugum
                      River where it meets the Talofofo River. The Ugum
                      Watershed is approximately 7.3 square miles or 4694
                      acres, with 23 miles of rivers and streams. The land
                      ownership within the Ugum is about 1/3 government and
                      the remainder is privately owned. The Resource
                      Assessment, or Phase I of the Ugum, Project is half
                      completed, the ground surveys for determining the
                      present state of the natural resources are finished.
                      'We are examining the general areas of; geology, soils,
                      water quality and quantity, erosion and sedimentation,
                      vegetation types, and wildlife, as well as present and
                      past landuse.

                                           APPENDIX - B

                      The slides gave an overview of the watershed, potential
                      problem areas, and solutions. Robin discussed the
                      different vegetation types present in the watershed.
                      The potential problem areas discussed were the
                      badlands, road cuts and fire damage that showed signs
                      of erosion and may contribute to the sediment load and
                      water pollution. Robin suggested possibilities to
                      control the erosion such as reforestation.

                      Questions were entertained from the participants.
                      Rogue Aguon, of the PDN, a participant from the
                      Talofofo area, discussed his experiences of seeing
                      severe soil erosion that occurs within the Ugum, area.

                 III. Colleen Simpson, the Plant Material Specialist with the
                      USDA Soil Conservation Service, explained some of the
                      techniques with plant materials that may be used as
                      solutions to control the soil erosion problem. Colleen
                      explained the wattling techniques and the type of
                      plant material that is used for wattling with the
                      visual aid of the slide show. Then Colleen got into
                      details on the actual installation of wattles with a
                      live size wattle bundle to show the participants.

                      Questions regarding the funding of the labor to install
                      the wattles were asked. Bob Wescom explained a little
                      more on the sites and steps that the plant material
                      would be concentrated on.

                  IV. Mark Stacey, the Nonpoint Source Specialist with the
                      Guam Coastal Management Program, explained nonpoint
                      source pollution. The possibility of creating
                      regulations that would minimize the contribution of
                      nonpoint source pollution was discussed. Mark
                      explained the importance of vegetating the area. Some
                      of the pollution is endangering health and life, and
                      that soil is itself a pollutant in fresh water and
                      ocean water. He also touched on the lack of septic
                      tank testing and the danger to ground water purity.

                   V. Terryl Kocsis, the GIS Specialist with the USDA Soil
                      Conservation Service, explained the functions of the
                      GIS Program using projectional pictures. She explained
                      the data that is needed for the GIS Program. Terryl
                      explained the process and methods of using GIS. She
                      also mention how and what type of data GIS could
                      analyze. Terryl presented computer generated maps that
                      were done with GIS system. The maps showed the types
                      of soils, vegetation and so forth that will be used for
                      this project.

                                          APPENDIX - B

                  VI. Robert Wescom, Agroforester and Facilitator with the
                      Pacific Basin Area USDA Soil Conservation Service,
                      discussed his participation with the Ugum. Watershed
                      Project, and the Nominal Group Process of prioritizing
                      the public concerns. He posted and explained 29 public
                      concerns generated from the previous public meeting and
                      a survey dealing with the Ugum. Watershed that were
                      generated over the last 9 months period. Bob then
                      asked the participants to select the highest 7 of the
                      29 concerns which they hold as priority and to order
                      them from highest to lowest concern. After the
                      participants were done posting their priority concerns,
                      Bob reviewed the total votes and prioritized the
                      concerns by majority.

                      The meeting was closed with a few words from Benny San
                      Nicolas and Robin DeMeo.

                                                        APPENDIX - C REGULATORY FRAMEWORK

                            Regulatory Framework

                            The following is a summary of the Guam and Federal laws relevant to comprehensive planning and
                            environmental protection. This is not an inclusive list, but provides the structural foundation and
                            framework from which watershed protection and conservation activities function.

                            Bureau of Planning, Public Law 12-200 as amended by P.L. 20-147
                            Created the Bureau of Planning as a staff agency of the office of the Governor and is responsible for
                            developing plans, coordinating planning activities, and providing recommendations to the Governor.

                            Coastal Zone Management Act, U.S. Public Law 92-583, as amended by P.L. 94-370
                            The Guam Coastal Management Program (GCM1P) carries out mandates and programs of its federal
                            counterpart through Federal Consistency reviews, activities requiring federal permits and assistance.
                            Much of the program is focused on coastal planning and protection through the programs, and enforceable
                            development and resource policies.

                            Federal Water Pollution Control Act (commonly referred to as Clean Water Act), U.S. Public Law 92-500
                            as amended through 1992
                            The objective of this Act is to restore and maintain the chemical, physical, and biological integrity of the
                            Nation's waters. Established broad and comprehensive rules, regulations, and authority for the protection,
                            maintenance, and improvement of water quality for all waters of the United States and specifics actions
                            (investigation, research, comprehensive programs, grants, etc.) necessary to address past, current and
                            future water pollution prevention efforts by Federal and state government.

                            Guam Code Annotated Title 10, Chapter 45 Guam Environmental Protection Agency Act (P.L. 11-191)
                            Establishes the Guam Environmental Protection Agency, the purpose of which is to provide a united,
                            integrated, and comprehensive program of environmental protection of land, water, and air resources for
                            public health, safety and welfare of our island.

                            Guam Code Annotated Title 10, Chapter 46 Water Resources Conservation Act Requires the conservation
                            and beneficial use of all surface and underground water resources, management of such resources to
                            prevent over pumping, and the maintenance, operation modification, abandonment, destruction, and
                            contamination of water wells (resources) as a result of extraction and establishment of all water resources
                            as property of the people of Guam.

                            Guam Code Annotated Title 10, Chapter 47 Water Pollution Control Act
                            Requires that the government of Guam conserve, protect, maintain, and improve the quality and potability
                            of public water supplies for the propagation of wildlife, fish and aquatic life, and for agriculturaL
                            industrial, recreational and other beneficial uses through the prevention, abatement and control of new or
                            existing water pollution sources.

                            Guam Code Annotated Title 10, Chapter 53 Guam Safe Drinking Water Act Requires the protection of
                            drinking water for public consumption in order to protect human health and safety to the greatest degree
                            practical.

                            Guam Executive Order 90-13 Protection of Wetlands
                            Declares that the official, interim wetland map for Guam shall be the National wetlands Inventory map,
                            US Fish and Wildlife Service, and that all government agencies shall utilizes the map in review of

                                                        APPENDIX - C REGULATORY FRAMEWORK

                            physical development projects. The appropriate government agencies, including the Guam
                            Environmental Protection Agency, Department of Agriculture, Bureau of Planning complete a study of
                            wetlands, prepare public information, draft necessary legislation, rules and regulations or executive order
                            for protection of wetland resources, including water quality and wildlife habitat.

                            Public Law 20-147 Process for Comprehensive Development Planning in Guam
                                     Section I R/R GC, Chapter 11, Title LXV, Comprehensive Planning
                                     Section 2 R/R GC Section 13200, Chapter III, Title XIV, Territorial Land Use Commission
                                     Section 3 R/R GC, Chapter 1, Title XLV, Section 48002(a), Territorial Land Use Commission
                            Requires the government of Guam, through existing and newly established planning authorities, to
                            develop comprehensive land use plan(s) for the Territory of Guam and for the implementation,
                            administration, and enforcement of such plans.

                            Subdivision Law, Public Law 6-134 (21 GCA, Chawer 62)
                            Establishes certain minimum regulations and standards to control and regulate the development and / or
                            subdivision of any land for any purpose whatsoever.

                            Territorial Seashore Protection Act, Public Law 12-108, 1974
                            Declared that the Territorial Seashore Reserve is a distinct and valuable natural resource existing as a
                            delicately balanced ecosystem; that the permanent protection of natural, scenic, and historical resources of
                            the reserve is paramount. To this end the Act specifies that four (4) primary things must be accomplished:
                            (1) study the seashore reserve to determine ecological planning principals to ensure conservation, (2)
                            prepare a comprehensive and enforceable plan based on the study for long-range conservation,
                            management, and development of the reserve, (3) to ensure interim development will be consistent with
                            this law, (4) that the board of Directors, Territorial Seashore Protection Commission is mandated to
                            implement the provisions of the law.

                            Zoning Law of the Territory of Guam, Public Law 1-88, 1952 (21 GCA, Chapter 61)
                            Establishes certain minimum regulations for the protection of public safety, health and welfare whereby
                            such regulations encourage the most appropriate use of land, open space, air, light and prevent undue
                            concentration of population, and ensure adequate provisions for community services such as water,
                            schools parks and other public requirements.

                                                         APPENDICES - D

                      TECHNICAL REPORTS

                      The following technical reports have been provided by the Ecosystem Based Assistance
                      Team, the interagency interdisciplinary group of specialists. The Ecosystem Based
                      Assistance Team included seven members; from NRCS Pacific Basin, Reed Sims
                      (soils/geology/wildlife), Jay Cobb (engineering), Robert Wescom
                      (forestry/vegetation/wildlife), and Robin DeMeo (planning/coordinator/writing); from
                      Hawaii NRCS Robin White (hydrology); from GEPA Randy Sablan (wetlands); and Dr.
                      John Brown (economics) with the University of Guam.

                      The reports are provided here for completeness, and to enable the process of finalizing
                      this document. It is hoped that the detailed background information in these reports will
                      assist in the process of editing and coming to consensus on the content and context of this
                      document. The final draft of the Uguin Watershed Management Plan will include these
                      technical reports depending on the comments in the technical review.

                                                    ECONOMICS BACKGROUND TECHNICAL REPORT

                                                                             FOR THE

                                                     UGAM RIVER WATERSHED MANAGEMENT PLAN

                                                                             June 2, 1995

                                                                            Prepared by:
                                                                        John W. Brown, PhD
                                                           Associate Professor of Agricultural Economics
                                                                   Agriculture Experiment Station
                                                                         University of Guam
                                                                       Mangilao, Guam 96923

                                                                            Prepared for:
                                                              Natural Resources Conservation Service
                                                                   US Department of Agriculture
                                                                        Agana, Guam 96910

                       1.0 Introduction:

                       Guam is an island in the Western Pacific Ocean. It is approximately 6, 100 kilometers west-southwest of Honolulu
                       and 2,500 kilometers south-southeast of Tokyo. It has a population of 133,152 (US Bureau of the Census, 1990)
                       living on a land mass of 549 square kilometers (NRCS, 1995).

                       The island is totally dependent on its own resources for fresh water as the distance to continental water sources
                       precludes the economic importation of water. Generally, this is not a problem as the island receives an average
                       of 2,486 nun of rain per year (NOAA, 1992). Fresh water is stored in a limestone based aquifer under the
                       Northern half of the island and in the soils of the southern half of the island where it flows to the ocean as surface
                       water. The only surface water impoundment is the Fena. Valley Reservoir. The reservoir is located on the Maagas
                       River which is a tributary of the Talofofo River.

                       The Northern water lens is the primary source of fresh water for the island. Its water is of very high quality, and
                       the water is pumped directly into the distribution system needing only chlorination and fluoridation to render it
                       suitable for public consumption. The ability to distribute water from the northern water lens without processing it,
                       provides a very cheap water source for the island. Costs of the water are primarily associated with drilling the
                       wells, pumping the water and building and maintaining the distribution system. Thus, the northern water lens has
                       become the primary source of water for the northern and central population centers of the island.
                       There are two other primary, utilized alternative sources of fresh water on the island. The first alternative source
                       is the Fena Valley Reservoir which supplies the west coast areas of Agat, Santa Rita and the Apra Harbor Naval
                       Reservation. The second alternative source is the Ugam River which supplies the east and southern coastal
                       regions from 1pan, Talofofo to Umatac.

                       The three sources of water, the northern water lens, the Fena Reservoir and the Ugam River define what are
                       basically three separate water distribution systems. The systems are at best weakly connected and the current
                       ability to transfer water from one system to another is greatly limited (Pers. comm., T. Johnson, PUAG).

                       There is no impoundment of the Ugain River, and its dry season flow is maintained by the limited rains during this
                       period and by the natural water storage ability of the watershed. (Generally, the dry season is defined to be
                       February to April with November to January and May to June being considered transition periods from and to the
                       rainy season of August to October (see Figure 1)). During drought years, strearriflow in the Ugain River has
                       historically reached a minimum during the months of May through July (see Figure 2).

                       The Guam water authority, Public Utilities Agency of Guam (PUAG), has built a water treatment plant on the
                       Ugam River. This plant was sized to produce a maximum of 4 million gallons per day (MGD) of water from the
                          er. One condition of PUAG's permit for the Ugam River plant is the maintenance of a minimum streamflow of
                       2 cubic feet per second (CFS) (Pers. comm., T. Johnson, PUAG). PUAG's ability to extract water during drought
                       riv

                       years from the river will eventually be limited by its requirement to maintain the minimum strearnflow.

                       2.0 Purpose:

                       'Me purpose of this report is to provide economic background to a proposed management plan for the Ugam River
                       Watershed. 'Me management plan is to be written by the staff of the Natural Resources Conservation Service of
                       the US Department of Agriculture under sponsorship of the Southern Guam Soil and Water Conservation District,
                       the Guam Environmental Protection Agency and the Guam Bureau of Planning, Coastal Management Program.

                       3.0 Guam's Economy, Population and Water:

                       This sections first reviews the development of Guam's economy and the rate of population growth on the island.
                       It then uses these to examine the current water situation and to forecast the current water situation into the future.

                       3.1 Guam's Economy:

                      Prior to the Second World War, Guam primarily had an agricultural based economy. There was a small military
                      presence and a colonial government. In the nineteen thirties, Guam became a stop     on the Pan American seaplane
                      route to Asia. Most of the cash entering the economy came from he payrolls of the military and the colonial
                      government and from exports of copra (Thompson, 1947).
                      The Japanese invasion in December 1941 brought an abrupt end to this period. From December 1941 to July
                      1944, the Island was under Japanese control. The US liberated the Island in July 1944 and used it as a staging
                      base for the anticipated invasion of the Japanese mainland. The buildup for the planned invasion of the Japanese
                      mainland resulted in two immediate actions effecting Guam. The first was the stationing of over 200,000 Allied
                      troops on the island. The second was the appropriation of large areas of land on the island on which to base the
                      troops and their equipment. With the dramatic increase in military activity, there was a drastic increase in the
                      demand for local civilian labor. Almost any person who wanted a wage paying job on island could obtain
                      employment. Concurrently, the loss of large areas of private land to the US military meant that for many farming
                      was no longer a viable option. Thus, much of the local labor pool left the farms and entered the local wage
                      economy.

                      After the end of the Second World War, Guam's strategic location meant that it continued to be an important
                      outpost for the United States military. The colonial Naval Government continued, and the military continued to
                      be the primary source of income for the island's economy (see Figure 3) along with US government aid.
                      Government employment, both Federal and Territorial was the primary source of civilian employment. The
                      creation of the civilian Government on Guam in 1950 as a result of the passage of the Organic Act added
                      additional civilian employment to the economy.

                      In 1962, President Kennedy ended the military's control of civilian travel to and from the island. Tourism became
                      a possibility, it and started to develop a few years latter (see Figure 4). Currently, Guam's economy is driven by
                      tourism and it is the most important source of the island's outside income. The US military is the second most
                      important source of outside income and it is a major source of employment. Non-military Federal expenditure also
                      provides significant amounts of off-island income.

                      Investment from off-island is another important source of off-island income. Construction, often driven by outside
                      investors is a highly variable component it tends be the most cyclical component of the economy (see Figure 5).
                      Transportation and shipping are contribute to off-island income.

                      In December 1994, total island employment was 66,460. The private sector employed 46, 100 persons or 69.4
                      percent of the filled jobs on-island. Government employed 20,360 persons or 30.6 percent of the filled jobs on-
                      island. The breakdown of the public sector employment was: 6,930 persons in Federal Government employment
                      and 13,430 persons in Territorial Government employment. The Government of Guam is by far the largest single
                      employer on the island (Department of Labor, 1995).

                      Private sector employment was divided into eight categories. The largest private sector category is retail trade. It
                      employed 12,930 persons or 19.4 percent of the island's payroll. The second largest category was services with
                      an employment of 12,380 or 18.6 percent of the island's payroll. The service sector was dominated by hotel
                      employment. The sixth largest category was wholesale trade. It employed 2,060 persons or 3.1 percent.
                      Government, services, retail and wholesale trade together accounted for 71.8 percent of the island's payroll. Thus,
                      the importance of government, including the military, tourism and trade are clearly evident.

                      The third largest category in the private sector was construction. In December, 1994, it provided employment for
                      8,820 persons or 13.3 percent of the jobs on-island. Construction is the most cyclical component of Guam's
                      economy. Employment in the construction industry peaked in 1991 at 12,060 persons. At that time, it accounted
                      for 18.2 percent of the island's employment. Many of the construction workers on Guam are H-2, temporary
                      workers from Asia, but the economic activity generated by off-island investment and its associated construction
                      activities plus military construction projects has strong influences on the overall boom and bust cycles on Guam.

                      The fourth largest category was transportation and public utilities with 4,980 jobs or 7.5 percent of payroll. This
                      reflect Guam's active tourism trade and its role as a regional transportation center. The fifth largest category of
                      private sector employment was finance, insurance and real estate with 2-,760 persons employed or 4.1 percent of
                      payroll. Manufacturing, primarily food preparation and printing, employed 1,910 persons or 2.9 percent of the
                      island's payroll. Finally, the smallest component of the private sector was Agriculture. It employed 260 persons
                      or about 0.4 percent of the island's jobs (Department of Labor, 1995).

                      3.2 Guam's Population Growth:

                      Guam's population in 1990 was 133,152. The annual rate of growth over the last census interval (1980 to 1990)
                      was 2.27 percent. This was up from a growth rate of 2.2 percent during the 1970 to 1980 census interval (Guam
                      Business News, 1994).

                      If this trend rate of 2.27 percent per year is projected, the 1995 population is 145,660, and the population will
                      reach 166,700 in the year 2000. The estimated population in 2015, the end of the projections for this report would
                      be 233,400. These estimates are for the resident population of the island and do not include the transient, tourist
                      population, on the island at any given time.

                      3.3 Guam's Water Situation:

                      The vast majority of the island's population lives in the northern two-thirds of the island in the area serviced with
                      water from the Northern Water Lens. The current estimate of the sustainable yield (from the Northern Guam Lens
                      Study of 1982) of the Northern Water Lens is approximately 60 MGD . Because of the topology of the Northern
                      Guam Water Lens, the wells must be spread in their geographical distribution, and it is impossible to fully utilize
                      the full potential of the lens without a complete geographical distribution of the wells.

                      A large part of the Northern Water Lens lies under Anderson Air Force Base. In order to access the 17 MGD of
                      the lens potential that lies under the base, PUAG would require the Air Force's permission to drill on its property.
                      PUAG currently does not have this permission. There is currently an agreement between the Air Force and PUAG
                      for PUAG to purchase water from the Air Force at a minimum rate of 250 gallons per minute (0.36 MGD). Thus,
                      the actual quantity of water that PUAG currently has access to from the lens is 43 MGD, plus its purchases from
                      the US Air Force..

                      Table 1. shows the total island-wide supply of water for Guam in 1989. A rough update of this table for 1995
                      would be and increase in PUAG's supply from drilled deep wells by approximately 2 MGD per year for the six
                      years between 1989 and 1995. Plus, PUAG is currently obtaining about 2.1 MGD from the Ugarn River diversion.
                      Thus, PUAG's supply in 1995 is roughly 24 MGD from wells, 7 MGD purchased from the Navy, 2.2 MGD from
                      surface water, I MGD from springs and
                      13 MGD purchased from the Air Force or roughly 36 MGD total.

                        Table 1.           Water supplies on Guam in 1989

                                                              Wells              Springs Surface Total

                        PUAG                        18.33              0.71               0.07               19.11

                        US Air Force                5.19               ---                ----               5.19

                        US Navy                               0.70               1.0                12.0               13.70

                        Private                     2.82                                  ...                2.82

                        Total                                 27.54              1.71               12.07              41.32

                        Source: Water facilities master plan update. Barrett Consulting Group, 1992.

                        Table 2. Projected Average Total Water Demand in Maximum Month

                                 Year               MGD                Year               MGD

                                 1990               30                           2005               81

                                 1993               55                           2010               88

                                 2000               72                           2015               95

                        Source: Water facilities master plan update. Barrett Consulting Group, 1992, extended to 2015 by the author.

                        Total waler withdrawn from the Northern Water Lens might approximate 33 to 36 MGD in 1995. Additional
                        wells have been drilled into the lens at a rate of about 2 MGD/year in recent years. If this trend continues, PUAG
                        will be extracting roughly 34 MGD in the year 2000, and 44 MGD in the year 2005. Thus, It is an open question
                        as to the ability of the Northern Water Lens to support the water needs of the island's population centers beyond
                        the period from 2005 to 2010. Table 2 shows the most recent estimates of island-wide water demand that the
                        author was able to obtain.

                        Sometime in the interval between 2000 and 2015 (most likely between 2005 and 2010 the exact estimate of timing
                        depend on growth rates, estimates of the lens capacity and predictions of PUGA ability to reduce it the quantity of
                        water lost from its distribution system), Guam will need to develop water supplies in addition to the Northern
                        Water Lens.

                        Table 3. Estimated alternative water source development costs
                                                    (1991 costs per 1,000 gallons of production)

                                                                      Interest &                 Operation                   Total
                                                                      Amortization      Maintenance &
                                                                                                 Replacement

                        Deep drilled wells                            0.25                       0.24                        0.49

                        Surface water diversion              1.88                       0.40                       2.28

                        Dam and reservoir                             2.60                       0.36                        2.96

                        Source: Water facilities master plan update. Barrett Consulting Group, 1992.

                        Table 3 shows the estimates of costs for the two most likely (and least expensive)
                        additional sources water supplies for the island, surface water diversions and surface water impoundments. These
                        surface water sources only occur in the southern half of the island. The quantities of water that will be needed
                        early in the twenty-first century basically preclude the use of surface water diversions, and thus the Government of
                        Guam will be forced to build one and maybe two impoundments in the southern half of the island. The Ugain
                        River is, in the author's opinion, the most likely site for such a dam to be built. The actual location will depend
                        upon the availability of land for the site, the hydraulics of the system, the infrastructure costs and its placement in
                        PUAG's distribution system among other factors. PUAG is currently studying its options among the different
                        possible locations available (Pers. comm., S Khosrowpanah, WERI).

                        4.0 Southern Water Supplies and the Ugam River:

                        The Talofofo River system is the largest potential source of water in the southern end of Guam. It is currently
                        being utilized by both the Fena Valley Reservoir plant and Ugain River diversion water plant.

                        The Fena Valley Reservoir is being used at its dry season capacity and there has been a recent history of dry
                        season water shortages in its service area. There is a project to add capacity to the current Fena water system, but
                        this will be only a temporary measure in the long term goal of meeting the island's water needs.

                        The Ugain River Water Plant is being relied upon as the sole source of water for its distribution area, because of
                        the present design of the PUAG distribution system. It is currently the primary source of water for the 1pan area
                        of Talofofo Village, and all of Inarajan, Merizo and Umatac Villages. Also, there are short-term plans to expand
                        the distribution of Ugam. River water to include the Talofofo village center and areas along the Cross Island
                        Highway towards Agat. This is being considered to relieve dry season pressure on the Fena Valley reservoir
                        (Pers. comm.,, T. Johnson, PUAG). However, this relief is likely to be unreliable during those dry    seasons when
                        problems occur with the Fina Reservoir supply for the reasons already discussed.

                        The Ugam. River water plant was designed as an intermittent water source that was not expected to be able to
                        produce its full 4.0 MGD design capacity of water in drought years (see Figure 2). The permit for the Ugain River
                        Plant requires a minimum dry season conservation stream flow of 2.0 CFS downstream of the diversion and
                        allows for a maximum pumping of 7.0 CFS in the rainy season.

                        The historic minimum average monthly flow of the Ugam River was 3.2 CFS in May 1966 (NRCS, 1995). When
                        the conservation flow of 2.0 CITS is subtracted from this, the remaining water legally available to PUAG would be
                        1.2 CFS or approximately I MGD. Even without the conservation flow, 3.2 CFS is only 2.0 MGD.

                        In order for PUAG to average 2.0 MGD per day of water withdrawal while allowing for a 2.0 CFS conservation
                        flow over a month would require an average of 5.1 CFS of strearnflow for the month. Table 4 shows the historic
                        flows for the Ugain River as measured by a USGS gage near the present diversion dam. There are 18 years of

                       record displayed in the table. In I I months occurring in 5 different years, the measured strearnflow dropped belo,-N,
                       the 5.1 CFS required for PUAG to legally
                       utilize the Ugam River Plant at a 2.0 MGD level.

                       The Ugam River Water Plant is currently being used as a sole source instead of the being used as the intermittent
                       source that it was designed to be. This can lead to pressures upon PUAG to violate the minimum conservation
                       streamflow of 2.0 CFS at the Ugain River diversion dam in order to maintain continuous water service to the areas
                       supplied by the Ugain River Water Plant. These pressures can only increase as the area supplied by the plant are
                       expanded.

                       4.1 Water Demand in the Ugam River Plant's Current Service Area:

                       Our estimate of the current demand for the water from the Ugam River is based on the population of the four
                       villages that it serves (see Figure 6). The population of the four villages totaled 7,418 in 1990.

                       At a generous estimated household use rate of 150 gallons per person per day, the 1995 household water demand
                       four the four villages currently serviced by the Ugam River Water Plant would be approximately 1. 14 MGD.
                       Water demand for governmental, commercial, and agricultural and irrigation uses might increase this to
                       approximately 1.5 MGD or approximately 2.3 CFS of Ugam river flow. Total water demand in the four villages is
                       then about 200 gallons per capita per day. Assuming that 30 percent of the water pumped into the distribution
                       system is not delivered to the consumers, then approximately 2.1 MGD (3.25 CFS) will needed to be supplied by
                       the Ugam River Plant. Estimates of current production by the Ugarn River Plant is in the range of 2.1 to 2.2 MGD
                       (Pers. comm., T. Gamboa, PUAG).

                       The population of Guam has previously been estimated to be 233,400 by the year 2015. The population in the
                       four villages served by the Ugam River currently comprises about 5.6 per of the total population of the island.
                       This has been decreasing by about 0.75 percentage points every 10 years over the past 30 years. Thus, an estimate
                       of the population of the four villages in the year 2015 is 8,700.
                       The total water demand in the four villages would be approximately 1.74 MGD or approximately 2.7 CFS of river
                       flow in the year 2015. If PUAG can improve it loss rate of its distribution system, then all of the projected growth
                       in demand can by supplied from this recovered water and current river withdrawals would normally be sufficient
                       to cover future, forecast demand from the four villages.

                       In summary, once the minimum downstream conservation flow required by PUAG's permit is taken into
                       consideration, the estimated 1995 water demand of 1.5 MGD has already begun to push the limit of surplus water
                       available from the Ugam River during a drought year dry season. The Ugain diversion should not be expected to
                       be a fully reliable water source for the southern villages.

                       If the majority of water transmission losses are eliminated, then the Ugam River, normally, should be able to
                       supply the majority of the needs of its current service area through the year 2015. It is not expected that the Ugam
                       River diversion will be able to reliably supply areas other than its current service area in the future particularly
                       during drought years. In order to reliably provide water to other parts of PUAG's distribution system, the Ugam
                       River will need to be impounded. The most likely time-frame for this impoundment, if it occurs, is from 2005 to
                       2010.

                       5.0 Economic Activities Associated with the Ugam River Watershed:

                       Economic activities associated with the watershed are divided into two parts, current activities and projections
                       about future activities.

                       These activities are and will continue to be controlled by the limited access into the Ugam River Watershed.
                       Access from the north is via a dirt road off of Route 4A just north of Talofofo Village proper. This road is
                       normally passable only by 4-wheel drive vehicles. It is blocked to casual access at the Talofofo River by a private
                       landowner's gate. Access from the south is from Malojloj via the NASA Tracking Station Road and a dirt road

                       that leads to Talofofo Falls. Access from the east is via the Ugam River diversion road and access is limited by
                       first the PUAG gate and the at the Ugain River by a private land owner's gate. This is the only paved road into the
                       watershed and the only intrusion of electrical power lines into the watershed. There are no known PUAG water
                       distribution lines entering the watershed. All other access into the watershed is by jeep trails.

                       There are no permanent residencies in the watershed. Construction in the watershed has so far been limited to the
                       infrastructure required for the diversion dam and pumping station at the lowest part of the river, the road leading
                       to Talofofo Falls and a few temporary farm sheds in the Babulao district.

                       5.1 Current Activities:

                       The primary current benefit in terms of economic activities from the Ugam. River Watershed is the provision of
                       water for the four southern villages as discussed in the last section. Water is priced by PUAG in units of one
                       thousand gallons. The PUAG retail water price is $1.17 per unit. If PUAG is supplying 1.5 MGD of water from
                       the Ugain River, the retail value of this water would be at most only $640,000 per year. From Table 3, the cost of
                       water from a river diversion was $2.28 per 1,000 gallons at 1991 costs. If we value the water at what PUAG spent
                       in obtaining it, the 2.1 MGD of water that the Ugam. River Plant supplies is approximately $1.75 million at 1991
                       costs, or at 1995 costs, the operating budget alone for the Ugarn River Water Plant exceeds $2 million per year
                       (pers. comm., T. Gamboa, PUAG).

                       Tourism related activities are the second most important economic activity occurring in the Ugam River
                       Watershed. There are three known tourist related enterprises that occur at least partially in the watershed. The
                       Jungle River Cruise occurs primarily on the Talofofo River, but it enters the lower portion of the Ugam River
                       during part of the trip. This tour normally carries between 70 to 100 passengers per day. An estimate of a mean
                       number of passengers would be 80 (unnamed boat captain, pers. comm.). An estimate of the gross sales
                       associated with this activity would be 28,800 passengers per year at a retail price of $59.00 each or $1.7 million
                       per year.
                       The second most valuable tourist related activity is the jungle jeep tours operated by Safari Tours. Thejungle
                       tours occur primarily in the highlands between the Babulao River and the Saraasa River, but again a portion of the
                       tour does occur in the Ugam River Watershed. The tour averages approximately 20 passengers per day. At a
                       retail price of $55.00 per passenger, the gross receipts from the tour would be $400,000 per year (Manager, Safari
                       Tours, pers. comm.).

                       The third most valuable tourist related activity occurs entirely within the watershed. It is visiting the Talofofo
                       Waterfalls. An estimated 58 people per day or roughly 21,000 per year visit the attraction. The cost per visitor is
                       $4.00. Total admission receipts would be $84,000 per year. Additional sales might approximate $37,000 per year
                       based on an average concession expenditure of $1.75 per person.

                       The total retail value of tourist related activities occurring at least partially in the watershed would then
                       approximate $2.22 million per year.

                       Local recreational and harvesting activities in the watershed are important. Unfortunately, there is no method of
                       quantifying the economic value associated with them for this report. The harvesting of a variety of plant materials
                       would be included under the recreational activities heading. Among the items sought would be bettlenut, wild
                       yams, coconuts, breadfruit, mangos, guavas, cycads, pandanus leafs and nuts, wild anonas, hot peppers, bamboo
                       and piut. Much of the wild bettlenut harvested is sold. If an estimate of the quantities harvested could be made,
                       the retail price has recently ranged for $0.20 to $0.50 per nut.

                       Huming of both deer and wild pigs is another recreational activity in the uninhabited portions of the island.
                       Harvesting freshwater shrimp is a popular activity in the upper portions of the rivers of Guam. Often this occurs
                       in conjunction with swimming in the river. Fishing and crabing also occurs in the lower portion of the Talofofo
                       River below the confluence of the Ugam River. Two popular methods for valuing recreational hunting and
                       fishing activities are the expenditure method and the travel cost method.

                       Off-road driving of 4-wheel drive vehicles is a popular activity in the Ugain River Watershed. With many of the
                       other activities mentioned above, bettlenut gathering, hunting and shrimping, access is made into the watershed by
                       4-wheel drive vehicles. But, there is also a recreational activity of simply driving through the boonies in a jeep.
                       Most frequently this activity occurs in the dry season, however there is a ramy season component where the
                       primary purpose seems to be to test the vehicle against the mud.

                       TaIofofo Bay is the mouth of the Talof6fo River and it is where the water from the Ugam River reaches the sea.
                       This bay is the most popular surfing location on the island. It is not unusual to see nearly 40 surfers in the water
                       on a weekend afternoon during the dry season when the surf is up. A rough estimate of the average number of
                       surfers was made by the author by counting the number of surfers each day on the way home from work during
                       the latterpart of this study. On average 8-10 surfers were observed. If the true daily count is twice this and the
                       surfing season is 180 days long, then the bay is receiving approximately 3,000 visitor days from surfers. The bay
                       is occasionally used by windsurfers and jetskiers. No estimates of their numbers can be made. Very little scuba
                       diving occurs in the bay or in nearby waters because of the turbitity and the high dry season waves of the east
                       coast. Finally, the author has seldom seen any salt water fishing occurring in the bay, although this activity does
                       occur on the reef margins just north of the bay.

                       5.2 Future Activities:

                       The primary factor guiding future activities in the Ugam Watershed will be the development of access and of
                       infrastructure. Currently, access into the watershed is extremely limited as was discussed is section 5.0. This lack
                       of infrastructure provides the Government of Guam with a method of controlling and guiding the future course of
                       development in the watershed. Basically where there is access and infrastructure, development will follow.

                       This can be seen along the Ugam River diversion access road. The Government of Guam built a paved road from
                       Route 4 at Talofofo Bay to the Ugam River diversion dam site, and an electric line was installed to power the
                       pumps. A bridge was built over the diversion dam allowing access to the private lands on the other side of the
                       river. There is now residential construction occurring along this road and some of these houses will become the
                       first permanent residences in the watershed. This road may also provide the access needed to develop the lowest
                       reaches of the watershed in the area most proximate to the pumping station.

                       This is also the most attractive part of the watershed for residential development in terms of having the shortest
                       travel time to the population centers of the island. It seems reasonable to expect that this part of the watershed
                       will be the first part developed as a residential area. This area contains largest areas of relatively flat floodplains
                       in the watershed and may be particularly "ecologically sensitive" to development. Particular care should be taken
                       in reviewing plans and guidelines for prospective development in this area of the watershed. Development in this
                       area is likely to occur in the reasonably near future (within the next five years).

                       There is an approved Planned Unit Development (PUD), Dan Dan Estates and Country Club, sited on 213 hectares
                       in the Dan Dan area of Inarajan. Approximately one-third of this PUD is located in the Ugam Watershed (NRCS,
                       1995). The potential construction of this project would have two effects. The first effect is the direct impact of
                       the project upon the watershed. This would normally be well regulated as a part of the permitting process and it
                       should be reasonably well controlled. The second impact of the project is that the construction of access roads
                       and infrastructure for the project will open-up a part of the watershed to development that had been relatively
                       unaccessible. It will also provide the 4-wheel drive vehicles greater recreational access to the upper parts of the
                       watershed and in particular to the Government lands in the conservation district, The author considers it unlikely
                       that construction of this PUD will be begin in the shorl or intermediate term, but its existing approval does
                       represent a loss of control of development in the watershed.

                       Earlier, it was predicted that the Government of Guam would construct a dam and impoundment on the Ugarn
                       River. This project will most likely be accessed from the Dan Dan area of Inarajan. Construction of the dam and
                       water treatment plant will mean the construction of access roads and the installation of electric power lines into
                       the watershed. The most like timing of the initiation of the project was considered to be the intermediate term

                       (2005 - 2010). The construction of this project could decrease the cost of bringing infrastructure to the Dan Dan
                       Estates project, and thus, increase the probability of the Dan Dan Estates project being built. It will also open a
                       new area of the watershed to the construction of residential housing.

                       The third access route into the watershed is the northern route. Although this is currently the second most actively
                       used access, after Talofofo Falls, it is in many ways likely to be the last route into the watershed to be developed
                       with the infrastructure necessary for permanent residencies. The most likely near term development to occur
                       using this route is the development of agricultural subdivisions and it is unlikely that many of these small farms
                       will support residential structures. For the near and intermediate terms, the agricultural development that occurs
                       in the northem part of the watershed will likely remain "day farms" where the farmer lives elsewhere and only
                       occasionally stays ovemight on the ranch, because of the cuffent lack of infrastructure. In the long term, if the
                       Government of Guam subsidizes the installation to the necessary infrastructure, then there will be some residential
                       development in this area, but for the next 10 to 15 years, it is likely to remain a lightly used farming district.

                       Finally, as access improves into the watershed, there will be an increase in the recreational use of the area for
                       hunting, fishing and gathering activities as well as for recreational 4-wheel vehicle activities. These activities are
                       likely to spread into areas of the watershed that until now have seen very little use pressure.

                       1.0 Current and Future Management Imues in he Watershed:

                       The four southem villages are fortunate to have access to a water supply from a watershed in as pristine condition
                       as the current Ugam River Watershed. There are currently minimum human activities occurring in the watershed
                       and it is providing water of the highest possible quality.

                       The primary human activities affecting water quality are related to the recreational use of the watershed, There
                       are two related problems with the current recreational pattem of use of the watershed. The first is that the use of
                       off-road vehicles for access into the watershed is creating additional jeep trails at a rate that doubles their mileage
                       every 20 years (NCRS, 1995). These jeep trails are being formed in an uncontrolled manner and their formation
                       leads to higher rates of soil erosion in the watershed. Additional soil erosion is also created when recreational
                       users of the watershed bum the grasslands for hunting and ease of access. The buming of the grasslands can have
                       an additional effect of reducing the quantities of other more desirable ecosystems within the watershed. Both off-
                       road vehicle use and grassfires can contribute to the formation of the badland areas that are prevalent in southern
                       Guam.

                       Soil erosion creates or contributes to five problems in the watershed. The first of these is the loss of soil fertility.
                       This problem is most acute on agricultural lands, but also, a second problem is created when the soil loss leads to
                       loss of habitat from vegetation changes. The third problem with soil erosion is the loss of water storage capacity
                       in the watershed. As the amount of topsoil diminishes in the watershed, there is simply less storage capacity
                       available to provide dry season strearnflow. The fourth and fifth problems arise from the physical entrainment of
                       soil particles in the rivers of the watershed. The increased sediment load in the water creates additional water
                       processing costs for PUAG at its treatment plant. Plus, the additional sediment load settles out of the water when
                       the fresh river water enters the ocean. The siltation can diniinish coml populations and lead to lower fish
                       populations in the area effected by the silt.

                       In addition to directly leading to increased rates of soil erosion, grass fires can lead to habitat loss by converting
                       savanna grasslands to badlands, and by converting ravine forests to grassland. These habitat changes will reduce
                       the utility of the watershed for both wildlife and human use. They can also increase the mtes of soil erosion and
                       directly and indirectly decrease the water stor-age capacity of the watershed.                 I

                       If the Ugam. River Watershed could be maintained in its current state, then the vast mqjority of the watershed
                       management issues could be solved by dealing with the recreational users of the area. However, uses of
                       watershed will change with time and additional issues will arise in the future. Recreational use of the watershed
                       will intensify. Residential construction will occur, and current farming efforts will expand. Most likely, PUAG

                        will construct a dam and impound the river. The installation of the infrastructure of the water project will
                        accelerate the first three uses of the watershed and may encourage the construction of PUDs in the watershed.

                        Increased recreational use of the watershed will intensify current problems associated with grass fires and off-road
                        vehicle use. No additional types of management issues should arise with intensified recreational use of the
                        watershed.

                        Residential and PUD construction will introduce new management issues to the watershed. Primary among the
                        concerns will be the disposal of human and animal waste, loss of habitat and possibly loss of wetlands or loss of
                        their functionality, and road and site construction erosion. If residential construction occurs in flood prone area,
                        then flood control will become an additional watershed management issue for the first time.

                        Currently, farming is in the watershed is limited to about 14 hectares or 0.7 percent of the total area of the
                        watershed. This is not enough land area to affect the watershed in any significant manner. Farming activities are
                        likely to increase in the future. However, unless the nature of the farming activities changes from the cultivation
                        of crops to moderate to large scale animal husbandry, either on land or as aquaculture, the scale of farming is
                        likely to remain insignificant in the overall management of the watershed. Soil erosion from farmed areas would
                        play a minor role in the overall sediment load in the rivers of the Ugam Watershed. Leaching of plant nutrients or
                        biocides is not likely to significantly affect water quality.

                        Finally, construction of a PUAG water project will change the focus on the effect of soil erosion from one
                        concentrating on damage to the coral reefs and their fish populations to a focus on the effect of sediment loads
                        upon the usefully life of the impoundment and its water storage capacity. Construction of the impoundment also
                        will diminish the importance of the water storage capacity of the soils and wetlands in the watershed for
                        maintaining minimum streamflows for dry season water supplies.

                        7.0 Three Proposed Management Scenarios:

                        The technical committee proposed three alternative levels of management to be considered for the Ugam
                        Watershed Management Plan. The first of these was called the no action plan. The second was called the
                        maintenance plan and the third was called the improvement plan. Each of these will be briefly reviewed.

                        7.1 The No Action Plan:

                        The first alternative management plan for the Ugam River was called the No Action Plan (NAP). It basically
                        stipulates that no watershed management plan specific to the Ugam River Watershed be adopted by the
                        Government of Guam. This does not mean that there should be no environmental management exercised in the
                        Ugarn River Watershed, but rather that the environmental protections presently in place on Guam may be
                        adequate to protect the functions of the watershed.
                        Under the NAP, there would be no unified governmental policy towards the management of the Ugam River
                        Watershed. No additional environmental protections would be undertaken within the watershed. Without a
                        watershed management plan, there would be no response to increased recreational pressures on the watershed. It
                        should be expected that recreational use of the watershed would greatly increase over the next twenty years. This
                        would lead to an increase in the frequency and size of grassfires and an increase in the rate of conversion of
                        savanna grasslands to badlands, of ravine forests to savanna grasslands and an increase in the sediment loadings
                        current upon wetlands. Increased recreational use of the watershed would lead to an increase in the number and
                        mileage of unplanned jeep trails in the watershed. Both the grassfires and the jeep trails will lead to higher rates
                        of soil erosion within the watershed and a loss of wetland functionality.

                        Without a watershed management plan, there will be no guidance for the government in the planning of
                        infrastructure construction in the watershed. Roads, power lines and waterlines will be built as demanded by
                        political and economic pressures without regard to the overall effect of the induced development upon the
                        environment of the watershed. This may lead to the more sensitive areas of the watershed receiving more
                        development or more intensive development than would be desired.

                        Without a watershed management plan, there will be no overall planning of any mitigation required of developers
                        that are allowed to use of fill wetlands within the watershed. Nor will there be an overall plan for the maintenance
                        of water quality within the watershed.

                        On the other hand, the NAP would not place any additional restrictions upon the owners of private lands within
                        the watershed. They would be free to place their property into any currently conforming use that would maximize
                        their economic benefits. It should be expected that any watershed management plan that the present land owners
                        in the watershed see as placing undue or unreasonable burdens upon them will be strongly opposed in the political
                        process of adjudicating the proposed plan.

                        7.2 Management for Maintenance of Current Levels of Watershed Functionality:

                        The second alternative proposed by the technical committee was a watershed management plan that explicitly
                        sought to maintain the current levels of functionality of the watershed. This was called the management for
                        maintenance (MFM) plan. This would mean that there should be no increase in the rate of soil erosion. There
                        should be no loss of functionality of the wetlands present in the watershed. There should be no decrease in the
                        present utility of habitat in the watershed. And finally, there should be no decrease in the water quality of the
                        rivers within the watershed.

                        The first element of a MFM plan would have to deal with controlling the impacts of recreational activities within
                        the watershed. This would have to have two components. First, a fire control program would need to be
                        implemented as a part of the plan. The target level of fire control would be based upon maintaining the current
                        distribution of the four ecosystems within the watershed or it would be based upon maintaining the cur-rent rate of
                        soil erosion within the watershed. The level would be set by whichever goal required the most fire control. The
                        second element dealing with recreational impacts would be a jeep trail control/n-dtigation plan. Itwouldneedto
                        either limit the creation of new jeep trails or limit the amount of soil erosion from the actual mileage of jeep trails
                        created within the watershed.

                        The second element of a management for maintenance level watershed management plan would be an
                        infrastructure installation master plan. It could be as simple as a requirement that any infrastructure installed or
                        subsidized by the Government of Guam be placed on the ridgelines separating the river valleys. It would require
                        that roads and electric lines avoid floodplains and river valleys whenever possible and that consideration of the
                        effects of induced development be made when the PUAG dam and impoundment site is being planned.

                        The wetland component of a management for maintenance level watershed plan should focus on maintaining the
                        water storage capacity of the wetlands in the short-run and maintaining the habitat functionality of the wetlands in
                        the long-run. A set of guidelines as to where in the watershed the environmental planners are willing to allow
                        wetlands to be impacted and where they are not willing to allow adverse impacts. The guideline should provide
                        suggestions as to where mitigation or restoration efforts should be located, if such efforts are allowed in exchange
                        for damage to wetlands in other parts of the watershed. Wetlands that are particularly valuable habitat should be
                        delineated, and the watershed management plan should provide whatever extra level of protection that is possible
                        to these areas.

                        Finally, the watershed management plan should have a water quality protection component. The primary reason
                        for developing the Ugam River Watershed Management Plan is to protect the Ugarn River as a source of safe
                        drinking water for the people of Guam. Turbidity from soil erosion is only one component of water quality.
                        When consideration is being given to drinking water standards, turbidity is only of minor importance as it is easily
                        dealt with by modem water treatment plants. In water source management, the primary concern is the protection
                        of the water source from contairtination with toxic chemicals. These may come from many human activities. All
                        activities except agriculture that use any form of toxic compound should be carefully evaluated before permits are
                        granted to allow them into the watershed. Crop production and golf courses are already permitted or present in
                        the watershed. A education program should be developed for farmers in the watershed to teach them the
                        importance of protecting this particular body of water. Before construction pernifts are granted for any golf-

                      courses or PUDs in the watershed, a water quality management plan specific to the development should be in
                      place.

                      Human and animal waste can introduce both infectious agents and nutrients into a water source. It is not likely
                      that sanitary sewers will be installed as part of the watershed's infrastructure in the foreseeable future except as a
                      part of the development of a large PUD. Small PUDs, individual residences and animal husbandry operations will
                      require septic systems for the processing of their sanitary wastes. A necessary part of the water quality component
                      will be specifications for septic systems and their siting within the watershed.

                      Thus, a maintenance level watershed management plan will require a least the following: 1.) a recreational impact
                      component, 2.) an infrastructure plan, 3.) a wetlands management component and 4.) a water quality management
                      component.

                      7.3 Manazement for Improvement of Current Levels of Watershed Functionality:

                      The highest level of protection considered by the technical committee was called the management of
                      improvement (NEI) alternative watershed management plan. The primary differences between the maintenance
                      and the improvement alternatives focused on the control of soil erosion, control of grassfires, loss of wetland
                      functionality and improving habitat in the watershed.

                      A necessary attribute of any plan to improve the different ecosystem functionalities in the watershed is that such a
                      plan would have to be proactive instead of reactive in its approach. Active steps would have to be undertaken in
                      each of the primary areas of concern in order to improve the parameter of interest.

                      In the management of grassfires, an active effort to limit the number and scope of grassfires in the watershed
                      would have to be undertaken, Since almost all of the grassfires in uninhabited parts of southern Guam are
                      deliberately set, one approach might be to limit access into the watershed. This approach would also solve the
                      problem of the increasing number of jeep trails in the watershed. However, it would be politically unpopular and
                      difficult to enforce on Government of Guam lands and nearly as unpopular and difficult to enforce on those
                      private lands where there has been historic public access. If adopted, it would be the least expensive method of
                      decreasing the number of grassfires and the mileage of jeep trails. The Government of Guam could accomplish
                      this through a combination of direct action in its conservation reserve and a set of property tax incentives for the
                      private land owners in the watershed.

                      An alternative to limiting access is controlling access by the construction of jeep trails. These could be designed
                      so that they would not erode as badly as the present ad-hoe network. This would also provide access for
                      constructing fire-breaks and for fire fighting equipment. This alternative would not be inexpensive. It would
                      involve constructing and maintaining fire-breaks, constructing and maintaining access via jeep trails and
                      patrolling for fire prevention and for enforcement of jeep trail use. Before this alternative could be initiated, the
                      issue of easements into the watershed would have to be clarified.

                      In addition to prevention of loss of wetland functionality in the watershed, the NTI plan would require an
                      improvement in the number and functioning of wetlands in the watershed. In all likelihood, this could only be
                      achieved on private lands at the time that the owners sought permits to develop their properties. Otherwise, the
                      deliberate creation of wetlands on private property would involve future restrictions on the owners' land use
                      options that the owners would not likely allow.

                      Wetlands could be created in the conservation preserve without worry about future land use options, if the
                      government were to choose to do so. Creation of wetlands or planting the badlands in the conservation preserve
                      would be a very expensive endeavor because of the inaccessibility of the area. Additionally, it would require the
                      creation of access trails into the area. However, the expense could be paid for by establishing a plan where

                       wetlands were to be created by developers who wanted to develop wetlands elsewhere on the island, but who had
                       no available alternative site upon which to create mitigation wetlands.

                       Habitat loss from fires conversion of forest into grasslands would be minimized under a plan of limiting access
                       into the watershed. Additional habitat could be created by planting the badlands on both government and private
                       lands. As long as the plantings were not to be wetlands, the private landowners would likely be more cooperative
                       if there were a cost sharing by the government.

                       Finally, if the NVI alternative were to be chosen, the Government of Guam can control the vast majority of
                       development in the watershed by controlling the pattern of infrastructure installation in the watershed. If a
                       potential developer wants power, water, and telephone lines, then the government can use its control of these
                       utilities to leverage the developer into conforming with whatever watershed management plan that is in place.

                       8.0 Evaluating Changes in the Watershed:

                       Changes in the watershed are most easily assigned an economic value when they can be linked to changes in an
                       output of the watershed upon which society places a direct value. Any gain in fish harvests from decreased
                       sediment loads on the coral reefs would have as a minimum value, the value of the fish in the market.

                       Similarly, if an acre of wetlands in the watershed retains an acre-foot of water from the rainy season and releases
                       it as additional river flow in the dry season, and if this acre-foot of water allows PUAG avoid the cost of
                       developing an alternative water source, then the economic benefit of the wetland as a water storage device would
                       be the cost avoided over the planning period of the analysis.

                       In both cases, the information necessary to perform the analysis is not available. We do not how the addition or
                       subtraction of an acre of wetlands changes the dry season flow patterns in the watershed. Nor do we know how
                       much a ton less of soil would increase the fish harvested from the waters of and surrounding Talofofo Bay.

                       The loss of soil fertility from agricultural lands can be valued by estimates of changes in the productive capacity
                       of the soil, However, loss of fertility of un-farmed lands must be calculated by more indirect measures. One
                       measure would be the amount that people willing to pay both to prevent the loss of habitat value from any
                       induced vegetation changes and to preserve the value of the land as a potential agricultural area for future
                       generations.

                       If the water treatment plant can deal with changes in water quality, then the cost of a decrease in water quality is
                       the additional treatment costs to process it. Unavoidable decreases in water quality cannot be valued directly.
                       Since decreases in water quality are not traded in a market, we need an indirect estimate of how much the
                       consumers would have to be paid to leave them indifferent between the old, clean water and the new dirty water.
                       Both indirect and direct measurement procedures have been developed in the economics literature. An excellent
                       summary of these is provided in "The Benefits of Protecting Rural Water Quality: An Empirical Analysis" by
                       Cruchfield et al. (1995).

                       If the services associated with a particular change in land use such as creating a wetland are jointly produced, as
                       would be the water storage, flood control, prevention of soil erosion, and habitat services, then the social values
                       associated with all of the services are additive. Additive valuation means that the failure to assess a value for any
                       one of the multiple services rendered by the wetland would produce an under estimate of the benefits gain from
                       creating or preserving the wetland, This would bias the valuation process, and in general, lead to less wetlands
                       being created or preserved than would be socially desirable.

                       Overall there is no readily available information that would allow the estimation of the differences in benefits and
                       costs between the three management plans. Some of the estimates could be made with a considerable expenditure
                       of time and money. Once the plans are fully developed, then the first step would be to quantify the effects on
                       each plan upon the parameters of interest. Once the changes in the parameter were specified, the evaluation

                       process could begin. However, the reality is that neither the time, money or information on the effects of the three
                       plans is available.

                       9.0 Recommendations:

                       The author realizes that his participation in the technical committee was solicited with the expectation that he
                       would be able to provide some quantitative valuations that could be used to make choices between the different
                       management options under consideration. In light of his failure to provide this information, he would like to offer
                       some recommendations of an intuitive nature. They are based more on opinion and profession judgement than
                       anything else. The recommendations are as follows:

                       1. Neither the management for improvement plan or the no action plan should be adapted.

                       The watershed is providing water of excellent quality and any attempt to improve the quality is likely to prove
                       overly expensive for the gains made. The Talofofo Bay system has been copping with high sediment loads in the
                       rainy season for a long time. Additionally, sediment loading is not a major problem for the water treatment plant.
                       However, a comprehensive management plan for the watershed is needed. 11 may not need a plan that allows for
                       no degradation of any of the aspects of the watershed as the management for maintenance plan does, and no
                       degradation may well be wishful thinking under any scenario for the future, but an overall watershed management
                       plan should be put into place.

                       2. Explicit consideration should be given to possibility of a PUAG impoundment in any plan formulated.

                       It is the author's opinion that a water storage impoundment will be built in the Ugam. River watershed within the
                       next twenty years. It should be a part of any watershed management plan put into place for the Ugam. River
                       Watershed.

                       3. The management plan should provide the Government of Guam clear guidance as to the installation of
                       public infrastructure into the watershed.

                       The pattern of public infrastructure that is built in the watershed will determine the pattern of development that
                       occurs in the watershed for all but the very largest developments. Since the author feels that it is unlikely that any
                       large scale PLJDs will be built in the watershed in the near future, virtually all development in the watershed will
                       be controlled by the availability of public utilities and roads.

                       4. Serious consideration should be given to limiting access by recreational off-road vehicles into the
                       watershed.

                       The possibility of providing the private land owners in the watershed with property tax breaks in exchange for
                       their limiting (not eliminating) the use of recreational off-road vehicles on their property should be considered.
                       The proliferation of fires and jeep trails would be eliminated at a minimum cost. If this program was voluntary,
                       there would be no imposition upon the right of the involved land owners.

                     References:

                Barrett Consulting Group. 1992. Guam PUAG Water Facilities Master Plan. Agana, Guam.

                Brooks, Donovan. 1994. Military: Downsizing Guam. Pacific Daily News. March 18, 1994: pg 9.

                Bureau of the Census. 199 1. Census '90. 1990 Census ofPopulation and Housing, Social, Economic and Housing
                        Characteristics - Guam. 1990 CPH-6-G. USDOC, ESA. Washington DC.

                Crutchfield, Stephen R., Peter M. Feather and Daniel R. Hellerstein. 1995. 7he Benefits ofProtecting Rural Water
                        Quality. USDA, ERS, Ag. Econ. Rpt. 701, Washington DC.

                Department of Commerce. Various. Guam Annual Economic Review, Tamuning Guam.

                     Department of Labor. Various. Current Employment Report. Tamuning, Guam.

                Economic Development and Planning Division. 1994. Summary of General Tourism Statistical Information, Vol 5, No
                        2.. Department of Commerce, Tamuning, Guam.

                Guam Business News. 1994. Business Almanac of Guam and the Northern Marianas. Agana, Guam.

                GVB. Various. GVB Annual Statistical Report. Guam Visitors Bureau. Tamuning, Guam.

                NOAA. 1993. 1992 Local Climatological Data: Guam. National Climatological Data Center, Ashville, NC.

                NRCS. 1995. Resource Assessment: Ugam Watershed, Guam. USDA, NRCS, Agana, Guam.

                Thompson, Laura. 1947. Guam and Its People. Greenwood Press, Westport, Conn.

                      Figure Headings-z

                      Figure 1.

                      Mean monthly rainfall on Guam. Source: NOAA 1993.

                      Figure 2.

                      Ugam River streamflow as measured at USGS Gage 8550 from October 1952 to September 1970. The data from
                      this gage was used because its location is closest to the current Ugam River Diversion. Median and minimum
                      observations are shown along with lines for two levels of water extraction by the Ugam River Diversion. These
                      lines include a 2 CFS downstream flow as required by the PUAG permit. Source: NRCS, 1995.

                      Figure 3.

                      Total, and active duty military workforce on Guam in the post WWII period. The overall percentage of the local
                      workforce on active duty has been steadily decreasing since the Second World War. Source: Brooks, 1994.

                      Figure 4.

                      Total visitor arrivals on Guam and the number of hotel rooms on-island. The Growth of tourism and hotel rooms
                      on Guam has been fairly steady over the past 23 years and it is expected to remain in a pattern of strong growth
                      for the foreseeable future. Source: GVB, Various; Department of Commerce,. Various; Economic Development
                      and Planning Division. 1994.

                      Figure 5.

                      Construction permits issued each year on Guam. The total value of all permits and the number of residential
                      permits are shown. Source: Department of Commerce,. Various.

                      Figure 6.

                      The population of Guam has been growing steadily during the post-war period as can be seen from the overall
                      population bars. However while the population in the four southern villages serviced by the Ugam River Water
                      Plant also has been growing over the same period, it has no, been growing at a rate equal to the overall growth
                      rate of the island's population, and the proportion of the population living in these four villages has decreased
                      since the 1960 census. Source: Bureau of the Census. 1991; Department of Commerce. Various.

                            J. B. Cobb                                                                                         USDA-
                            NRCS

                                                   Technical Report - Ugum Watershed Plan
                                                  Ecologically-Based Assistance Team - Engineering Discipline

                            1.0 Watershed Resources and Values: Ecosystem Descriptions

                            The purpose of this report is to identify those activities occurring within the Ugum. Watershed, how they
                            may change over time, and how they affect existing resources. To understand how different resources are
                            impacted in the watershed requires a knowledge of its' physical characteristics and interaction with
                            ecological systems.

                            1. 1 Ecosystem Descriptions

                            The watershed is divided into four ecosystems which describe the organization and interactions of
                            communities of living things with their environment. Each ecosystem is characterized by its own unique
                            processes. The ecosystems for the Ugum Watershed are divided as follows: Ravine Forest,
                            Savanna/Badlands, Wetlands, and Riparian Areas."The Ravine Forest Ecosystem comprises areas with a
                            predominance of woody perennial vegetation of low stature. Components of this ecosystem are found in
                            both large contiguous blocks as well as isolated batches of forested areas. Understory vegetation is
                            tolerant to low light microenvironmental conditions. This ecosystem occurs on all soil mapping units
                            within the planning area, except Sasalaguan clay. The Ravine Forest Ecosystem is common along stream
                            channels and all slope classes." Wescom

                            "The Savanna Grasslands Ecosystem comprises areas with a predominance of grasses and ferns.
                            Inclusions of highly eroded barren areas that support little to no vegetation (bad-land complexes) are
                            included in this ecosystem. This ecosystem occurs on all soil mapping units within the planning area,
                            except Pulantat clay. Components of this ecosystem are found in both large contiguous blocks as well as
                            isolated batches of grasslands. The Savanna Grasslands are common along ridgetops and all slope classes.
                            Periodic wildfires maintain this ecosystem in a early successional state. " Wescom

                            "The Riparian Ecosystem extends to either side of stream channels. As with other ecosystems, solar
                            energy is the primary energy source to the ecosystem and the ecological processes within the riparian
                            zone is similar to those described for the other ecosystems. Because the riparian ecosystem is located
                            along the lower slopes, soils which have eroded from the upper slopes are intercepted by the physical
                            presence of vegetation in the riparian zone. This results in an accumulation of soil in the riparian zone.
                            Wescom

                            Wetland Ecosystem - "Those areas that are inundated by surface or ground water with frequency
                            sufficient to support and under normal circumstances does or would support a prevalence of vegetative or
                            aquatic life that requires saturated or seasonally saturated soil conditions for growth and reproduction.
                            Wetlands generally include swamps, marshes, mangroves, natural ponds, surface springs, estuaries and
                            similar such areas. " Ref. ?

                            1.2 Watershed Physical Characteristics

                            There are several different watershed characteristics that must be identified and analyzed to determine
                            the suitability of different materials for development and their susceptibility to degradation. The geology,
                            soils, and hydrology of the watershed will be reviewed to provide baseline information for determining
                            the impacts of existing and future activities in the watershed.

                            1.2.1 Geology

                            The Ugum. Watershed and the southern part of Guam in general consists of mountains and hills of
                            dissected volcanic rocks. These rocks are highly weathered and relatively impermeable. The area is
                            predominately underlaid by the Bolans pyroclastic member. The highest part of this watershed is Mount
                            Bolanos at an elevation of 379 meters above mean sea level.

                            1.2.2 Soils

                            The understanding of soils is necessary to determine appropriate land use. Foundations, crops grown,
                            septic systems and road beds are all effected by underlying soils. A thorough knowledge of soil
                            mechanics associated with land use practices is necessary to protect against soil failure. The USDA Soil
                            Conservation Service has developed a Soil Survey of the Territory of Guam which provides important
                            information on the physical and chemical characteristics of soils for the island. The soils identified in the
                            Ugum Watershed are represented by the following Series: Agfayan, Akina, Atate, Inarajan, Pulantat,
                            Sasalaguan, Togeha, and Ylig.

                            The Agfayan, Akina, and                soils are located on ridgetops and sideslopes and are shallow and
                            well drained. It was formed from residuum derived from marine deposits of tuffaceous sandstone. These
                            soils are poorly suited to agricultural and urban use. The steepness of slope and erosional hazard are its
                            main limiting features. Improperly designed roads are quickly eroded. Fires are also a problem for these
                            soils as they expose it to the erosive effects of rainfall. Fires also increase the rate of runoff accelerating
                            erosion.

                            The             soils are located on valley bottoms and are deep soils that are poorly drained. These soils
                            are clay throughout and are derived from volcanic material and marine sediment. This soil is suited for
                            cropland, homesites, urban development and wetland wildlife habitat.

                            The            soils are gently sloping to steep soils that are well drained, shallow and found on
                            dissected plateaus and hills. This soil is made up of clays and silty clays throughout and is underlaid with
                            limestone at a depth of 25 to 51 centimeters. Agriculture is limited by the shallow depth of the soil and
                            its' steep slope. However, the soil may be appropriate for low density homesite development,
                            recreational development, limited agriculture, and wildlife habitat.

                                          soils are well drained and located on volcanic uplands. It is strongly acid to slightly acid
                            and has a slow permeability. These soils are mainly used for subsistence and commercial fanning. This
                            soil is also poorly suited for hornesite development due to its' high shrink swell potential.

                            The Togcha soils are usually found on the lower sides of slopes. They are silty clay soils that are very
                            deep and well drained. The permeability is very slow to moderate. It is moderately well suited for
                            subsistence farming, commercial farming, grazing, and homesites.

                            The Ylig soil is clay that is commonly found in valley bottoms and depressional areas. It is very deep and
                            somewhat poorly drained with a moderately slow permeability. This soil is also moderately suited for
                            subsistence farming, commercial fanning and grazing. It is also poorly suited for homesite development
                            because of its high shrink-swell potential and seasonally high watertable.

                            1.2.3 Hydrology

                          The Ugurn Watershed is located in Southern Guam and covers an area of approximately 11. 8 square
                          kilometers (7.33 square miles, 4691 acres). It is characterized by rolling hills and areas of very steep
                          slopes. The Ugum. Watershed has 37 kilometers of streams and rivers that spread from the mountains to
                          sea level. DeMeo U"m Resource Assessment

                          Surface water hydrology is the study of the distribution, properties and effects of water on the earth's
                          surface. Several factors influence the hydrologic cycle and surface water flow. Water holding elements of
                          this cycle include, but are not limited to the following: vegetation, land surface (slope), soil,
                          atmosphere, streams, and aquifers. (Engineering Hydrology by Ponce, pp 1-2). Changes in activities or
                          land use in the Ugurn Watershed has an effect on the timing and the amount of water that is released
                          through the river system.

                          The USGS had one gaging station operating near the outlet of the Ugum Watershed. This gage, number
                          8850, was in operation from 1953 to 1970. The following frequency table using a Log Person Type III
                          distribution was generated from this data:

                                                               PEAK FLOW RATES (CFS)

                                                                         Return      Period (years)
                                   2                  5                 10                 25                 50                 100

                                  436                707                935               1,285              1,598              1,959

                          Changes in peak flow rates may occur from increased activities in the Ugum Watershed. Surface water
                          that is normally intercepted by vegetation and absorbed by the soil will quickly runoff should vegetation
                          be removed. This could accelerate and increase surface water flows from precipitation events. Severe
                          erosion could result from a combination of exposed soil and increased flow rates. Flooding may also
                          become a potential problem from increased flows. Additionally, the loss of detention storage resulting
                          from cleared land could reduce the volume of water in the Ugum River during dry periods.

                          2.0 Resources Conseguences

                          This section will identify the various activities occurring in the watershed, the resource problems
                          associated with those activities and estimate future impacts associated with expansion of these activities.

                          2. 1 Agriculture

                          It is estimated that approximately 25 to 40 hectars (ha) are being cleared per year for agriculture.
                          Presently, the farm land is located in two areas. One is near the mouth of the Ugurn River and the other
                          is in the center of the watershed. Both of these areas are located in Ravine Forest Ecosystem.

                          The typical crops grown in the watershed include watermelon, bittermelon, cucumber, beans and
                          eggplant. These crops are grown during the dry season and require irrigation. Typically a pump and
                          pipeline system are used to uniformly distribute water over the fields. A drip line is used to apply
                          irrigation water directly to the crops.

                          Problem's associated with agriculture include clearing of land, irrigation, and chemical applications.
                          Clearing large areas exposes soil to degradation from erosion. During high intensity precipitation events
                          sheet and rill erosion can greatly reduce topsoil on farmed areas. Sloped areas have the greatest potential
                          for erosion. Additionally, cleared areas reduce habitat for various species of wildlife. Presently, the
                          number of acres cleared per year is minimal and has little impact on sediment loading to the Ugum. River.

                            Approximately 1324 ha are zoned for agriculture development in the watershed. It is estimated that over
                            a 20 year span between 250 and 500 homestead lots will be developed. It is assumed that only 50 percent
                            of this area will be cleared and utilized for agriculture. This will increase the total acres in production
                            from 40 ha to 662 ha. It is estimated that erosion on agricultural land may be increased by as much as
                            6000 tonnes.

                            Chemical applications by their very nature are a concern and will continue to be so as agricultural
                            activities occur in the watershed. The amount and type of chemicals currently used to control weeds and
                            pests and fertilize is minimal. If used properly, these chemicals pose little threat to the environment and
                            may be used safely. No current problems have been identified in the watershed related to agricultural
                            chemical use.

                            2.2 Recreation

                            There are several different recreational activities that take place in the Uguin Watershed. These include
                            tourism, hunting, hiking, and recreational vehicle use.

                            Talofofo Falls relies on tourism and is the only commercial recreational area within the Ugurn Watershed
                            Boundary. It has a complete infrastructure including, a road, power, water, and septic waste disposal.
                            Both the water and power are provided by the Government of Guam. The falls are located just below the
                            confluence of the Bubulao and Ugum River.

                            Another commercial activity in the watershed is Safari Tours. This business transports tourists on a four
                            wheel drive adventure through different ecosystems within the watershed. Often they make trails that are
                            in poor locations, poorly drained, and not maintained. This has created sever erosion problems on many
                            roads and ultimately led to their abandonment. These activities will only increase over time. The Safari
                            Tours operation will continue to increase the number of roads in the watershed which will ultimately
                            increase soil erosion and off-site effects of sedimentation.

                            The hunting of wild pigs and deer occurs throughout the watershed. This activity along with hiking are
                            not directly detrimental to the physical environment but are responsible for the development of small jeep
                            trails that are used for access to remote areas. These are often located in areas of sever slope and poor
                            soils and are extremely susceptible to erosion since no provision is made to control surface water. If
                            provisions are not made to limit the number of roads this activity will probably continue.

                            Talofofo Falls will see and increase in tourism but will not directly affect the resources in the watershed
                            unless additional areas are cleared and the operation expanded. Indirect effects may be residential
                            development activities that are not part of Talofofo Falls operation but benefit from its' infrastructure.

                            Another future activity that could materialize in the next 20 years is the development of the Dan Dan
                            Resort and golf course. It is estimated that 152 acres of the Upper Ugurn subwatershed will developed.
                            This will also increase future use by providing access and infrastructure for development.

                            Private recreational activities, all terrain vehicles, are and will continue to be a problem in the watershed.
                            Typically, this activity is limited to the badlands where little or no vegetation exists. The constant use of
                            vehicles in these areas creates roads or paths were water is quickly channelized. The concentrated flows
                            erode surfaces to form gullies which continue to degrade and transport sediment to low lying areas. This
                            affects water quality, turbidity, and ecosystem processes. As access is improved into these areas the use
                            will increase prompting increased erosion.

                            2.3 Fires

                            Fires in the Ugum Watershed usually occur during the dry season from February to May. Nearly all the
                            fires are intentionally set either out of carelessness or to facilitate hunting activities. These fires
                            predominately occur in the Savana/Badland Ecosystem where climate conditions and fuel are favorable
                            for burning.

                            Fires are responsible for removing vegetation ftom. large areas and making them more susceptible to soil
                            erosion. It may also affect the surface hydrology of the area by increasing surface runoff. This could in
                            turn accelerate erosion of the exposed areas and deposit sediment in the Ugum River increasing turbidity
                            levels. The future will probably not see an increase in fires but will also not see a decrease unless actions
                            are taken to prevent or protect against them. The development of the area for residential or commercial
                            purposes including agriculture will facilitate the need to protect against fires in the future.

                            2.4 Development

                            Developments can be divided into several areas including, resorts, residential, municipal, and roads.
                            Resorts were covered in the section on recreation, and roads, due to their large impact, will be addressed
                            in the following section.

                            Residential development is limited to only a few homesites located in the lower watershed. These have
                            been developed only after the completion of the Public Utility Agency of Guam water treatment facility
                            for the Ugum. River. The installation of the treatment facility provided the infrastructure for the
                            development of these homes. In the future, as infrastructure is expanded within the watershed, new home
                            sites will be constructed.

                            There are several problems associated with home or residential construction that impact the watershed.
                            These include: clearing of land, soil erosion, storm water management, and infrastructure development.
                            The clearing of land, soil erosion, and storm water management are all closely related. Whenever home
                            sites are selected and cleared for development it exposes the disturbed area to potential erosion and
                            increases storm water runoff.

                            The influence of infrastructure is a more systemic problem that affects future development of the
                            watershed and thereby indirectly affects the amount of erosion occurring. The construction of water and
                            sewer lines may directly affect erosion rates if proper erosion control measures are not implemented
                            during construction.

                            2.5 Roads

                            Roads are one of the major areas where active soil erosion is occurring. There are presently
                            approximately 69 kilometers of roads in the Ugum Watershed. Of this total, approximately 32 kilometers
                            are on level ground and 37 kilometers on sloping ground. DeMeo "Resource Assessment". The roads
                            tend to transect each ecosystem in an effort to access remote areas for hunting or for recreational
                            purposes. Few of the roads were installed to any type of standard and there has been little attempt to
                            control surface water. All roads in the watershed except for the road leading to the entrance of the pump
                            station for the water treatment facility have untreated road surfaces that cut through existing soil strata
                            and may or may not have a base course of crushed coral.

                            The greatest problem associated with roads in the Ugum Watershed is erosion. Without proper water
                            control roads are quickly eroded to the point they are not passable without grading. Often many of these
                            roads are abandoned after the first year due to deep gullying. Another problem is with the displaced
                            sediment from eroded roads that are deposited in streams and rivers. It causes increased turbidity in the
                            rivers reducing water quality and increasing water treatment costs.

                            3.0 Summary

                                                               Summary of Resource Problems

                             Description       Impacted
                                              Ecosystem
                                            Ravine Forest Savanna            Riparian          Wetland
                            Agriculture                       Badland         Areas
                              Clearing            x                x               x
                              Erosion             x                x               x                x
                              Chemical            x                x               x                x
                            Use
                            Development
                              Erosion             x                x               x                x
                              Storm               x                x               x                x
                            Water Runoff
                            Fires
                              Control             x                x               x
                            (access to)
                              Erosion             x                x               x                x
                            Roads
                              Erosion             x                x               x                x
                            Off Road
                            Vehicle Use
                              Erosion             x                x               x                x

                          4.0 Recommended Mitigation Measures and Their Impacts

                          The following is a description of practices that way be used to correct or prevent the problems described
                          above. It is important to realize that a particular practice may not be adequate in itself to solve a specific
                          resource problem, but may require the implementation of an entire system of practices. Vegetation is also
                          an integral part of most engineering practices involving erosion control and should be incorporated as
                          part of a complete erosion control system.

                          4.1 Erosion Control

                          Soil erosion and its impact to water quality are the greatest concerns for the Ugum Watershed.
                          Accelerated water erosion from roads, development, agriculture and as a result of fires are the significant
                          contributors. Several practices have been developed and may be implemented to control or prevent soil
                          erosion from occurring. The following is a list of practices developed by the NRCS that may be used to
                          address erosion concerns:

                                              PRACTICE NAME
                            Access Roads
                            Sediment Basin
                            Diversion

                             Grade Stabilization Structure
                             Land Grading
                             Heavy-Use Area Treatment
                             Grassed/lined Waterways
                             Hillside Ditch
                             Structure for Water Control
                             Critical Area Planting
                             Vegetative Filter strip
                             Mulching
                             Firebreak

                            It is important to recognize that no one practice will usually solve soil erosion problems but requires a
                            combination of practices integrated into an overall management system.

                            Agricultural lands should have a Resource Management Plan developed that would help to identify
                            resource concerns and possible preventive or corrective measures. The management plan would should
                            show a landowner's property, existing and proposed activities, and would list future actions that are
                            needed to protect his livelihood and the natural resources. If confined animal facilities are developed
                            within the watershed they must have appropriate waste management systems that would also be integrated
                            into the Resource Management Plan for the farm.

                            All other development needs an erosion control plan for preventing erosion both before and after
                            construction. Components of the erosion control plan should include a description of the project, site
                            plan, construction schedule, stormwater drainage system, temporary erosion and sedimentation control
                            measures, permanent erosion and sedimentation control measures, and erosion and sedimentation
                            facilities maintenance procedures. Guam Soil Erosion and Sedimentation Control Manual, GEPA. 1986.

                            4.2 Roads

                            Roads require special consideration since they require more than just erosion control measures.
                            Consideration needs to be given to slope, obstacles, grade, buffer strips, soils, drainage, stream
                            crossings, seasonal construction limitations, and maintenance. Road Building Guide For Small Private
                            Roads by Robert A. Dellberg. Proper designs, incorporating the considerations mentioned above, are
                            needed to Prevent serious erosion problems from occurrina on existing or newly constructed roads.

                            The importance of road drainage can not be over stressed. Provisions must be made for appropriate road
                            drainage with the water conveyed to a safe outlet. Many techniques have been developed for controlling
                            water on roads and include outsloping, insloping, crowning, pipe culverts, dips, and open culverts.

                            4.3 Chemical Use

                            Presently, there is very little chemical use in the watershed. This will change with increased agricultural
                            activity and development. The need for proper application and storage of chemicals, as new agricultural
                            land is brought into production, is critical to protecting surface waters. Agrichemical handling facilities
                            may be used to properly store chemicals and to prevent accidental spillage. The Natural Resources
                            Conservation Service can provide assistance in the design of these facilities.

                            5.0 SCENARIOS AND ECOSYSTEM MANAGENMNT: RECONEVAENDED
                                MITIGATION MEASURES

                            5.1 Scenario 1: No Action

                          This scenario assumes that no mitigation measures will be installed and the watershed will continue to
                          degrade at its present rate.

                          5.2 Scenario II: Maintenance, Current Zoi-@Lig

                          Under this scenario current ecosystem functions will be maintained for existing water quality under
                          current development trends.

                          Agricultural lands will be maintained by developing a Resource Management System Plan for each farm.
                          This plan would identify practices that could be used to control both on and off-site erosion on farmland.
                          A properly applied RMS (farm plan) will ensure the sustainability of the farm and reduce or prevent
                          erosion from occurring. Filter or buffer strips should also be considered when farmed areas are near or
                          adjacent to surface waters. A minimum buffer area of 30 meters should be used on 4th and 5th ordered
                          streams in the lower watershed and 15 meters on 2nd and 3rd ordered streams in the upper watershed.
                          This will help prevent the movement of any surface water chemicals, fertilizers or pesticides/hebecides,
                          from entering the water systems. These practices will improve surface water quality by reducing stream
                          turbidity and chemical contamination.

                          Erosion control and sediment plans are an integral part of any commercial or residential development and
                          must be followed according to Guam law. These plans will prevent eroded soils from leaving the
                          construction site and will reduce off-site sedimentation problems and stream turbidity problems.

                          Abandoned roads should be closed off and future road development curtailed by restricting access and
                          working with local off-road vehicle groups to find more appropriate areas for their activities. If this can
                          be accomplished a decrease in denuded areas should become evident over time as native vegetation is
                          allowed reclaim those disturbed roads. The greatest benefit, however, will be the prevention of future
                          road expansion which will greatly reduce soil erosion in the watershed and impacts to wetlands and
                          river systems created by ford crossings and culverts.

                          The overall benefit from the implementation of these engineering practices would be the maintaining of
                          existing ecological processes. Ugum. River turbidity levels would be maintained along with existing
                          identified wetlands.

                          5.3 Scenario III: Improve Ecosystem Functions to Improve Water Quality

                          Under this scenario agencies and landowners would take aggressive actions to protect and enhance
                          ecological processes within the watershed.

                          Agricultural lands will be required to have a Resource Management System as described in Scenario 1.
                          The use of buffer strips and filter strips would be strictly enforced. The minimum criteria used above
                          would also be applied. Confined animal facilities developed in the watershed would be required to have
                          an approved waste utilization plan. This plan would include the proper handling, storage and application
                          of waste. Agrichemical handling facilities would also be developed for each farm to provide proper
                          storage and prevent accidental spillage of chemicals and fertilizers.

                          A Farmstead Assessment System would be implmented to help farmers to recognize the potential for
                          ground or surface water contamination on their farm. The program uses step-by-step worksheets that rank
                          each farmstead activity or structure that could cause surface or groundwater contamination. The
                          assessment rates soils and geologic and hydrologic features of the farmstead to give an overall picture of
                          potential and actual water quality problems.

                         Development should be limited to areas with suitable soils and slope. A map of suitable areas for
                         development based on soils and slope is shown in Figure 1. Additionally, erosion control and
                         sedimentation plans must be developed as identified above in Scenario 11 for any non agricultural
                         construction activity.

                         Abandoned roads should be closed and future road development restricted as identified in Scenario II. In
                         addition, new roads must be designed and approved prior to installation. GEPA would be the regulating
                         agency. The designs must take into consideration the need for appropriate surface water drainage and the
                         Re-vegetating of disturbed areas.

                         Access would be provided for appropriate fire protection. These roads must be carefully located and meet
                         the design criteria for the roads mentioned above. The need to restrict access to the roads is critical to
                         prevent the encouragement of fires in remote areas and the development of spur roads for recreational
                         purposes.

                         The combined effort of these practices, if implemented would effectively shelter existing ecosystems and
                         enhance their processes and thereby maintain or improve existing water quality levels. The management
                         of the different elements is critical. If one element is allowed to degrade several ecosystems within the
                         watershed will be impacted.

                                                                      REFERENCES

                         Dellberg, Robert A. 1982. Road Building Guide For Small Private Roads. USDA-SCS

                         DeMeo, R., et al. 1995. Resource Assessment: Ugum Watershed, Guam. USDA-NRCS

                         Geo Engineering and Testing, Inc. 1986. Guam Erosion and Sedimentation Control Manual. Guam
                         Environmental Protection Agency.

                         The Northern Islands Company. 1989. Storm Water Control Handbook. Commonwealth of the Northern
                         Mariana Islands Soil and Water Conservation Districts of. Saipan and Norhtern Islands Tinian and
                         Aguiguan.

                         PonceVictor M. 1989. Engineering Hydrology: Principles and Practices. Prentice-Hall, Inc. Englewood
                         Cliffs, New Jersey.

                         SCS Staff. 1995. Field Office Technical Guide, Section IV: Practice Standards and Specifications, Pacific
                         Basin. USDA-SCS

                         Tracey, 1. 1. et al. 1964. General Geology of Guam. Geological Survey Professional Paper 403-A.
                         United States Printing Office.

                         Young, F.J. 1988. Soil Survey of the Territory of Guam. U.S.D.A. Soil Conservation Service. National
                         Cooperative Soil Survey. 166 pp.

                      UGUM WATERSHED, GUAM                                                March 29, 1995

                      Hydrology Technical Report

                      By Robin S. White
                      Geologist, USDA-NRCS, Hawaii

                      A sensitivity analysis for the Ugurn Watershed was completed using the computer program described in Technical
                      Release 20 (TR20) for project formulation hydrology.

                      Purpose: The sensitivity analysis was performed to ascertain whether land use changes in subwatersheds would
                      effect peak discharge for Ihe entire watershed,

                      Methodology: The existing conditions for each subwatershed was simulated. The Bubulao Subwatershed was
                      further subdivided into Upper, Middle and Lower subdivisions. The Upper Bubulao reflects the steep upland area,
                      the Middle Bubulao is upstream of the confluence with the North Bubulao Subwatershed, and the Lower Bubulao
                      is downstrearn of the confluence with the Northern Bubulao drainage area.

                      Runoff from the subwatersheds was approximated by using land use or vegetative cover acreages and their curve
                      numbers to achieve a weighted curve number for the entire subwatershed.

                      The TR20 computer program was utilized to simulate flow through the Ugum. River watershed. Channel bottom
                      widths, sideslopes and Manning's roughness coefficient were adjusted until the peak discharge for various storm
                      frequencies at the mouth of the Ugum. River was within ten percent of the peak discharge for the same storm
                      frequencies from the USGS stream gage data.

                      The calibrated model was run for the 2-, 5-, 10-, 20-, 50- and 100-year storm frequencies. Also to see the effect of
                      practices on flows below the 2-year storm, the model was run for the 1-, 2-, 3-, 4-, 5- and 6-inch 24-hour rainfall.
                      The results were compared to he present condition to determine the significance of the change.

                      Assumptions: The representative channel cross-sections were assumed to be trapezoidal with no low flow
                      channel. The channel flow was assumed to be out of channel after the flowwas one foot deep. This was done to
                      ease the calculation of channel flow cross-sectional area for different flow rates.

                      Rainfall was considered to be the same over the entire watershed.

                      The roughness coefficient for the channel (Manning's n) was adjusted from 0,06 to 0. 1. This reflects both the
                      channel and the increase of roughness during out of bank flow.

                      Future conditions are unpredictable due to the many factors. The scenarios investigated in the sensitivity analysis
                      were:

                              The Dan Dan Golf Course utilizes 152 acres in the Upper Ugurn subwatershed (94 ac Ravine Forest and
                                     58 ac Savannah).

                              The Dan Dan Golf Course and 200 acres of houses on 1/4 acre lots with infrastructure included on 175
                                     acres of Savannah and 25 acres of Ravine Forest in the Lower Ugum. subwatershed.

                              The Dan Dan Golf Course and 500 acres of houses on 1/4 acre lots with infrastructure included on 350
                                     acres of Savannah and 150 acres of Ravine Forest in the Lower Ugum. subwatershed.

                              Fifty percent of the Savannah would be improved to the equivalent of a meadow in good condition for all
                                     subwatersheds except the Upper Bubulao and the Atate.

                       Results: Rainfall less than 2 inches produced minimum flow.

                       Improvement of 50% of the Savannah had the most dramatic effect. Peak flow decreased by 9 to 20% for the less
                       than 2-year storms and ranged from 2 to 7% for the 2- to 100-year storms.

                       For the scenarios of the Dan Dan Golf Course in the Upper Ugum subwatershed alone or with 200 or 500 acres of
                       houses in the Lower Ugum subwatershed, the increase in peak discharge was from less than 1% to 20% of the
                       present condition. The greatest percentage increases were in the less than 2-year storm events which have the
                       lowest flows.

                       Further analysis of the golf course scenarios was accomplished by comparing the housing projects with the golf
                       course to the golf course alone scenario. The increase in peak discharge ranged from 2 to 16%. The greatest
                       percentage increases were in the less than 2-year storm events which have the lowest flows.

                       Conclusions: Significant changes to the majority of the subwatersheds must be made to greatly effect the peak
                       discharge of the higher storm frequency events at the mouth of the Ugum River. Conversely, significant changes
                       can occur in the smaller rainfall events or within individual subwatersheds.

                       Investigation Reliability: This analysis was made for planning purposes only and many liberties were taken to
                       quickly simulate the Uguin watershed. Therefore the model and results should be only used to determine a trend
                       of various conditions on the watershed and not as an exact numerical model of the watershed.

                           TECHNICAL REPORT               Soils Section                                                  I

                           R. Sims                                                                              USDA-NRCS
                                                                                                             as of 2 May 1995

                                                     Ecologically-Based Assistance Team - Soils Discipline
                                                        Client: Guam Coastal Zone Management Program

                           Soils in the Ugum Watershed are derived chiefly from volcanic rock. This rock is a mixture of highly
                           compressed and heated volcanic ash and sand, which weathers down to clay-sized particles as it beco       mes
                           soil. Because of the particular minerals present in the mixture, the colors of the weathered material can
                           be quite spectacular. Areas which have eroded down to this weathered bedrock often show a swirled red
                           and white or gray pattern. This material is called saprolite and it is nearly as erodible by water as the
                           soils that develop from it. The soils have high clay content (from 45 to 90 percent); these volcanic clays
                           have low bulk density, roughly the same as water, which has a density of I gram per cubic centimeter
                           (Table 12, Young, 1988).

                           There are small areas of limestone-derived soils (map units 34, 36 in the Soil Survey) on ridges bordering
                           the Ugum River where it joins the Talofofo River. The ridges are the remnants of an uplifted coral reef.
                           Their influence on the watershed is minor. Runoff from these soils carries less clay, and is better pH-
                           buffered than the water in the Ugurn River due to its content of dissolved carbonates. The stretch of river
                           that receives the runoff is also influenced by tidal fluctuation, fin-ther diluting the effects of these soils.

                           Water quality in theUgurn River is relatively high because there are intact riparian areas and wetlands
                           which intercept and filter the soil particles out before storm runoff reaches river channels. These
                           biological filters are even more important in the watersheds of volcanic islands than their counterparts in
                           temperate zones, for several reasons:
                            - the low bulk density of the soils means that they are highly sensitive to water erosion, and that once
                           particles are in suspension, they will stay so indefinitely. Thus, when water dislodges and carries the
                           particles, they are not likely to settle out as would, for instance, coral sand particles which are more
                           dense. Settling ponds are most effective when soil particles are of somewhat higher bulk density than
                           water. At the Ugurn Water Treatment Plant, a flocculant is required to force the clay particles out of
                           suspension (personal communication.
                            - the amount of precipitation is high, averaging 2500 millimeters in the upper subwatersheds.
                            - the warm tropical climate provides year-round stimulus for the microbial and biological decomposition
                           of soil organic matter: once exposed, this material is rapidly depleted from the soil. Since volcanic soils
                           and minerals are inherently low in nutrient-holding capacity and available water-holding capacity
                           (Sanchez, 1976), soil organic matter is critical to sustained plant growth. When a wetland or riparian
                           area is cleared or altered, reestablishment of its plant community and its functions are difficult and costly.
                           It costs about twenty dollars to restore each square meter of wetland on Guam (information from Dames
                           and Moore, Leo Palace Resort, Guam). Creating new or mitigation wetlands costs roughly the same.

                           Ravine Forest

                           The biomass in a healthy, multi-story tropical ecosystem such as the Ugurn Watershed's Ravine Forest
                           proffers numerous water quality benefits. It provides temperature buffering, raindrop impact protection,
                           a complex wildlife habitat with many distinct niches, and a constant source for the replenishment of soil
                           organic matter. Rapid decomposition of the leaf litter keeps this layer sparse in the Ugurn Watershed as
                           compared with rainforest floors on islands such as Pohnpei, which receives 2 to 3 times this watershed's
                           precipitation with a corollary increase in biomass production and leaf litter accumulation.. In some areas,
                           wild pigs scratch many square meters of the forest floor bare. Soils in the Ravine Forest Ecosystem have
                           a moderate to high organic matter content (4 to 8 percent).

                          TECHNICAL REPORT              Soils Section                                              2

                          Infrastructure is limited in this ecosystem to roads connecting ridges, or leading from the ridgetops
                          (Savanna Grassland Ecosystem) to stream banks and river crossings. Guam's water, sewer and power
                          networks do not serve this ecosystem within the Uguin Watershed. Thirty-one percent of the watershed's
                          roads (mapped from 1993 aerial photos) network occurs in this watershed, but only 23 percent of the
                          paved roads.

                          Savanna Grassland

                          Soils in the Savanna Grassland Ecosystem also have a high organic matter content (6 to 10 percent for
                          Akina soils) where the vegetation is dominated by grasses. This is due to the rapid biomass production,
                          mortality and turnover typical of grasslands. Fine and very fine roots fill the soil profile to a greater
                          extent than is typical in forest ecosystems. Because of this, the primary biomass storehouse in an area of
                          Savanna Grassland is the soil. Fires reduce the amount of organic matter added to the system each year,
                          and can bum off past years' accumulation. Soil temperatures in bumed-over areas are elevated,
                          promoting more rapid organic matter decomposition. Bare soils are subject to over-saturation by water.,
                          erosional undercutting of steeper slopes by gullies, and slumping. The resultant badland areas do not
                          readily revegetate.

                          This ecosystem is crisscrossed by established and new jeep trails, which follow each ridgeline. Someof
                          these are historic carabao cart trails. Sixty-four percent of the watershed's roads (mapped from 1993
                          aerial photos) are in this ecosystem. Most of the paved road length (67 percent) is also found here.

                          Riparian Areas

                          This team has identified a Riparian Area as a habitat and ecosystem which is heavily influenced by the
                          open water or wetlands it is adjacent to. Likewise, the quality of the water and its ecology are
                          determined in part by the health and composition of the adjacent lands. There arc many ways to
                          determine the width of the riparian buffer. We designed the recommended buffers around terrain,
                          sensitivity of the ecosystem to disturbance, and the projected intensity of activity in the area. We have
                          chosen to use 15 meters (looking straight down on the landscape) along the upper watershed streams,
                          where the topography drops steeply from the Savanna Grassland or Ravine Forest Ecosystems to the
                          waterside. In these areas, the vegetation does not change appreciably from that of the Ravine Forest
                          Ecosystem. Where streams converge, widen and drop more sediment to form a floodplain, we designated
                          a 100 in riparian buffer. The vegetation canopy is more complex than that in upper watershed riparian
                          areas. There is a corresponding increase in habitat complexity and diversity in the lower watershed.
                          Human influences are more likely to occur here due to its greater accessibility.

                          The complex vegetation canopy shades the water, keeping its daily temperature relatively constant. The
                          canopy also provides protection for wildlife that live near or visit the streams and wetlands. Storm runoff
                          and groundwater enter the riverine system at the riparian interface, so land disturbance here has the most
                          profound effect on water quality within the Ugurn Watershed. The dense vegetation, leaf litter, and
                          active soil fauna in the Riparian Area Ecosystem provide an effective filtering mechanism for sediment
                          and organic debris suspended in storm nmoff from the Ravine Forest and Savanna Grassland
                          Ecosystems. Erosion increases after grassland wildfires (especially during the first hard rains signalling
                          the wet seasores onset), and the riparian vegetation is the only filtering system protecting the Wetland and
                          Open Water Ecosystem from the resultant sediment load. Wetlands also function as a biofilter; however,
                          their functions are impaired by excessive sedimentation. Their conversion to drier marshes would reduce
                          potential habitat for the Marianas Common Moorhen, an Endangered Species on Guam.

                          The soils within the Riparian Area Ecosystem are similar to those in the Ravine Forest and Savanna
                          Grassland Ecosystems. However, nearly half of this ecosystem is composed of very deep alluvial soils -
                          these are areas where eroding sediments from the steep slopes above have accumulated. The water table
                          is less than 100 cm below the surface in the Ylig soil, much of which occurs in depressional positions

                            TECHNICAL REPORT               Soils Section                                                  3

                            along the banks of the larger, order 4 and 5 streams. Togcha soils are often found intermixed with the
                            Ylig soils, and occupy more upland positions. In the steeper, eroding headwaters areas, where one finds
                            Akina and Agfayan soils, the water table is more than 100 cin down. The topsoil in all of these soils
                            contains the greatest percentage of organic matter. When this layer is removed by erosion, the organic
                            matters buffering furiction is lost, with a corresponding reduction of soil pH. Low-pH (more acidic) soils
                            are a harsh substrate for revegetation. The most acidic substance is the saprolite parent material. When
                            this is exposed in the badland areas by erosion of the entire soil profile, its pH can be as low as 4. This is
                            100 times more acidic than the alluvial Togcha and Ylig soils, whose surface layer pH is between 5.1 and
                            6. The difference can be attributed mainly to the presence of organic matter in these soils.

                            The cumulative nature of the riparian soils, combined with their proximity to abundant water creates the
                            basis for a richer, more diverse ecological community than the surrounding upland ecosystems.

                            The Ugurn Water Treatment Plant intake structures and pipes are serviced in this ecosystem. A paved
                            road leads down from a more developed area of Savarina Grassland to the site. Several dirt roads lead
                            through other riparian areas to stream crossings. Riparian areas contain only seven percent of the
                            watershed's road network. No other infrastructure exists in this ecosystem.

                            Organic Matter

                            Soil organic matter provides the following functions and benefits to the ecosystem:
                              - provides binding sites for soil nutrients and nonpoint source contaminants like pesticides
                              - supplies most of the plant nutrients available to the vegetative cover, in a readily available form
                              (Sanchez, 1976), and provides a steady supply of dissolved organic substances to the adjacent aquatic
                              systems
                              - maintains a healthy microbial and macrobiotic population within the soil
                              - increases the water-retention properties of the soil (though not as much difference as sandy soils
                              would display)
                              - buffers the pH of the upper layers of soil
                              - improves infiltration of rainwater
                              - increases permeability and therefore groundwater storage and transmittal
                              - improves tilth for agriculture
                              - provides significant carbon storage to buffer global climate change
                              - binds soil particles together to prevent erosion and absorb water drop impact (a "glue" effect)
                              - undecomposed root fiber networks knit large soil masses together and keep them from slumping on
                              steep slopes, which is the beginning of badland formation (a "rebar" effect)

                              The potential plant community that can be established or selected for depends greatly on the quality and
                              stability of the soil. This resource is integral to the health of the ecosystem. "In many cases, the total
                              nature and longevity of the abovegound aspects of an ecosystem are controlled by the chemical,
                              biological and physical properties of the soil organic matter pool" (Tate, 1987).

                              The soil resource in the Ugurn Watershed could be mined as a source of fill dirt for the large areas of
                              Guam which have very shallow soils. Howevcr, the resultant exposed parent material would share the
                              problems inherent in existing badland areas within the watershed. The cost to the local ecosystem's
                              health would be prohibitive, as described below.

                              Watershed Activities and Their Consequences

                              Soil erosion is the major problem to be dealt with in the watershed. It is the primary factor affecting
                              sedimentation and water quality in the Ugurn River and its tributaries. Erosion occurs naturally on all

                            TECHNICAL REPORT               Soils Section                                                  4

                              soils, and at accelerated rates on tropical volcanic soils. Young (1988) describes typical erosion rates
                              that can be expected on each of the soil types (series) on Guam. It should be noted that the erosion
                              rates described are not necessarily natural, but reflect historical human influences on the particular
                              soils; the erosion rate given is the maximum that can be sustained over time without degradation of the
                              soil resource and the ecosystem.

                              Erosion can be described more narrowly as a cause of biomass loss. In every hectare of soil in the top
                              15 centimeters, there are 22.5 metric tonnes of organic matter for each percentage point of reported
                              organic matter content. This would amount to 180 tonnes for each hectare of Akina soil with a healthy
                              grassland cover, assuming 8 percent organic matter, the middle of Akina's range. By contrast, a hectare
                              of badland or severely eroded Akina soil might containjust over I percent organic matter, or 23 tonnes,
                              a difference of more than 150 tonnes per hectare. Disturbed savanna soils lose organic matter by about
                              5 percent per year in tropical Africa (Sanchez, 1976). Burning or clearing the vegetation removes the
                              replenishment source, and soil organic matter content will decline. Often, clearing operations remove
                              the upper layer of soil, accelerating organic matter loss.

                              If we consider that badlands or exposed soils in the watershed erode at an average rate of 547 tonnes
                              per hectare per year - about 5 centimeters off the surface by sheet erosion - and that the top layer of soil
                              has the highest percentage of organic matter, 10 to 40 tonnes can be lost each year from each hectare of
                              this ecosystem if adequate grass cover is not maintained.

                              Roads in the Ugum. Watershed and its surrounding watersheds are usually found along ridgetops, with
                              steep connecting roads that cross the streams between. The Akina soil series occupies many of these
                              ridges. Young (1988) reported a sustainable soil loss rate of 6.8 metric tonnes per hectare per year for
                              this soil; the sustainable rate is low because the soil is generally less than 100 centimeters deep. This
                              rate was determined for the Akina series under grassland vegetative cover. DeMeo (1995) used the
                              Universal Soil Loss Equation (Wischmeier and Smith, 1965) to estimate a current erosion rate of 70
                              tonnes per hectare per year occuring in the Savanna Grassland ecosystem; this estimate shows that
                              some degradation of the soil and the ecosystem is already occuring. One hectare of road surface,
                              exposing bare soil or saprolite (highly weathered volcanic sedimentary rock), and running up and down
                              a slope in the watershed was estimated to erode at a rate of 729 tonnes per year. If the current trend of
                              doubling the steep road surface area within the watershed during the period 1975-1993 continues for the
                              next 20 years, sediment yield to the Ugum. River from this source will be over 15,000 tormes per year
                              by 2015, as compared with the 1993 level of 7560 tonnes. The roads connect naturally occurring
                              badlands, exposing these areas to accelerated erosion. Uncontrolled use of the roads and badlands for
                              recreational driving purposes accelerates erosion rates and prevents revegetation of sensitive areas.
                              Many of the recreational vehicle drivers are unaware of the consequences of their actions, and prefer
                              starting new trails to following existing ones.

                              Roads that currently follow the contour and thus do not provide channels for flowing water nevertheless
                              erode at a rate much higher than soil with vegetative cover. DeMeo, et al (1995) estimated erosion
                              from one hectare of level road surface to be 169 tonnes per year, as opposed to 70 tonnesfor
                              grasslands and 27 tonnesfor typical areas of ravineforest. None of the roads observed in the
                              watershed included drainage ditches or other water-redirection devices. There is no master roadplan
                              for the watershed, and without proper planning and design, similar statistics will be generatedfor
                              future road expansion.

                              Agricultural clearing currently accounts for 25 to 40 hectares per year within the Ugum Watershed.
                              These fields are on slopes of less than 7 percent. Residue is left on the surface, and weed control is
                              accomplished by light use of chemicals such as the product Roundup. Plowing does not follow the
                              contours. At an estimated 45 tonnes per hectare per year, the soil lost from agricultural fields is
                              curTently 1,100 to 1,800 tonnes. We project that 200 to 500 agricultural homestead lots will be
                              developed within the next 20 years, and that all of the land on these half-hectare lots will be cleared for
                              cropping, with small areas set aside for home development. These lots will probably be set up in areas

                           TECHNICAL REPORT                Soils Section                                                  5

                             with less than 15 percent slopes. Potential erosion from agriculture could increase to 60 tonnes per
                             hectare per year given the likelihood of steeper slopes on some of the lots. If 200 lots are settled and
                             cleared, the amount of soil eroded from agricultural land will increase to 6000 tonnes per year, a three-
                             fold increase from cur-rent estimates. Water quality will show corresponding degradation in the Ugurn
                             subwatershed, where the lots are most likely to go in.

                             During golf course and residential subdivision construction, large areas of disturbed soils are exposed,
                             usually for short periods, during which soil erosion increases to levels similar to those for level and
                             sloping roads. The volume of sediment carried to wetlands and open water is greatly increased during
                             each rain event, resulting in plugs which damage stream habitat and wildlife populations. It is common
                             for construction sites on Guam to stand bare for extended periods due to funding shortages, sudden
                             downturns in the Asian economy, infrastruction delays or equipment breakdown. Some sites are
                             abandoned for months or years. By Guam law, attention is given to erosion prevention during active
                             construction with such measures as silt fencin& However, these measures require periodic
                             maintenance. Abandoned sites do not receive this maintenance, and erosion will increase before
                             volunteer vegetative cover can stabilize the soil. The siltfencing observed in the past three years at
                             construction sites ky the authors has been improperly installed in most cases, and has not been an
                             effective barrier.

                             Wildland fires

                             Wildland fires in the watershed are largely intentionally started, whether for hunting and food-gathering
                             access or from carelessness or recreation. The sum of all fires within each square kilometer in the
                             watershed for the period 1979 through 1985 (see Figure_, datafrom Government of Guam
                             Department ofAgriculture's Forestry Division) shows clear "hot spots" where road access is easiest,
                             especially near the Dandan area in the Ugum and Upper Ugum subwatersheds.

                             Wildland fires usually occur in the Savanna Grassland ecosystem. The ecosystem is dominated by
                             buncligrasses. These areas are fire-prone during the dry season from February to May; during late dry-
                             season fires, the leaf litter that protects the soil surface usually bums off. The clay particles of these
                             soils, derived from highly weathered volcanic tuff (sandstone) parent material, typically aggregate into
                             silt- or sand-sized particles. At the soil surface, these particles are easily lifted and transported by storm
                             runoff. In fact, water channels through burned-over areas were clearly visible several weeks after a fire
                             in 1995, along the ridge separating the Bubulao and Ugum Rivers. The slope at the observation site
                             was less than 7 percent. Steeper slopes could lose a portion of the surviving vegetation simply through
                             scouring of plant tissue at the base by suspended soil particles, because the water channels are not
                             interrupted or blocked by vegetative or other barriers. (Figuresxxxx          - _) show the ground cover
                             one day, one month, two months, andfive months afterfires in 1995 in Southern Guam. The rills
                             and water channels were relatively clear evenfive months after aft-re, no recent erosion was evident
                             at time of observation, nor was there any evidence that the soil would be stabilized before onset of the
                             wet season two tojour weeks later. The only protection pioneer grasses afforded the site was 60- 75
                             percentprotection from raindrop impact

                             The swordgrass-dominated savanna vegetation is a pioneer community, fast-growing. Because of the
                             effects of soil erosion under this vegetative cover, the ravine forest late-successional community does
                             not easily reestablish. When fires occur near the edge of the ravine forest, some of the fringe plants are
                             destroyed, creating a transitional edge cffect which is maintained by a conservatively estimated fire
                             repeat cycle of 5 years. The ravine forest cannot be expected to expand without the exclusion of fire.

                             Riparian Buffer Removal

                             Housing or road construction, overgrazing by livestock and other human activities form breaks in the
                             riparian buffers. This creates undesireable paths which can channel storm runoff laden with sediment
                             directly into the Wetland and Open Water Ecosystem without the benefit of vegetative filtering and

                           TECHNICAL REPORT               Soils Section                                                6

                             particle capture. The soils throughout the Ugum Watershed have at least 40 percent clay content, and
                             once suspended in moving water, clay particles are too light to settle out. A hole in the riparian buffer
                             is, therefore, a direct sediment conduit from the highly eroding roads, badlands and burned-over
                             grasslands to Talofofo Bay and the surrounding coral reefs.

                             Organic Mulch Surface Treatment
                               Purpose: to provide a blanket of less erosive organic cover for bare areas such as badlands
                               Expected Outcome: up to 25 percent reduction in the erosion rate where applied, enhanced seedling
                             germination success, replenishment of soil organic compounds; may be combined most effectively with
                             contour wattling.

                             The Wetland Reserve Program
                               Purpose: U.S. Government program to lease private land that has beneficial hydrogeomorphic
                             functions in order to preserve these functions, rather than allow development or other disturbance,
                               Expected Outcome: A set of protected wetland areas which maintain water quality and provide flood
                             control and wildlife habitat in the local ecosystem; stretch the water yield to the river system out over a
                             greater time period, with lesser peak flows; land owner is paid for the functions this land provides,
                             winds up managing for highest use. Owner-initiated protection of 60 percent of Ugurn Watershed
                             wetlands is possible.

                             Wetland Mitigation Bank
                               Purpose: a government program to fund the creation of mitigation sites which compensate for
                             wetland conversion elsewhere on the island.
                               Expected Outcome: Enhancement of local wetland functions and habitat with compensation for the
                             land owner; maintenance of Guam's overall wetland area vs.development, possible to provide 15
                             hectares of new wetland (based on soil map unit inclusion area), and 80 hectares of improved existing
                             wetland (75 percent of the 117 existing wetland hectares).

                             Contour Wattling
                               Purpose: To provide a physical barrier to sheet and rill erosion, to force formation of ten-aces, to
                             provide seed germination beds on bare slopes
                               Expected Outcome: Conversion of badland areas to land with stable, terraced vegetative cover.
                             Reduction of erosion by 50 percent on treated badlands.

                             Road Ditching
                               Purpose: To design upslope-side ditches to be installed on new roads, with proper culvert placement
                               Expected Outcome: Redirection of storm runoff water away from bare soil surfaces such as rural
                             roads, which have the highest erosion rate of any land surface in the Ugum Watershed.
                             Expect reduction of erosion from roads by 25 percent (180 tonnes per hectare of protected steep-slope
                             road surface per year, or 42 tonnes per hectare of protected level road surface per year) .

                             Lumber Drainage Interceptors
                               Purpose: To divert water that is running down steep road surfaces into grassed roadside areas that
                             dissipate its energy
                               Expected Outcome: Improved water quality; 25 percent reduction in road surface gullying.

                             Access Road Specification
                               Purpose: To provide designs for new roads which apply ecological principles and protect the health of
                             the ecosystems they pass through
                               Expected Outcome: A 50 percent reduction in erosion from new road surfaces; old roads will be
                             retired and can revegetate to accomplish a 25 percent reduction in erosion from older roads.

                          TECHNICAL REPORT              Soils Section                                             7

                            Streambank Protection
                             Purpose: To improve the stability of steep or impaired banks of streams of all sizes
                             Expected Outcome: Improved water quality, reduced sediment loads reaching the Water Treatment
                            Plant, Talofofo Bay and the coral reefs.

                            Critical Area Planting
                             Purpose: to provide stabilizing root masses in areas with excessive erosion; to provide shade for
                            improved germination and growth of native or beneficial species
                             Expected Outcome: Localized plantings will stop the advance of gully erosion; more stable seed beds
                            for establishment of sustained vegetative cover; filled gaps in riparian buffers around streams and
                            wetlands; stabilized streambanks; multistoried wildlife habitat where it once was depauperate.

                            Grassed Waterway or Outlet
                             Purpose: to provide a channel where nmoff water energy can be dissipated over a broad area
                             Expected Outcome: a 25% decrease in gully formation from road runoff.
                            Crop Residue Use
                             Purpose: to keep the soil covered in agricultural areas when crops are started and during fallow
                            periods
                             Expected Outcome: a 30% reduction in erosion from agricultural fields; improved water quality in the
                            Wetland and Open Water Ecosystem

                            Tax Breaks and Economic Incentives for Conservation
                             Purpose: To reward private landowners in the Ugurn Watershed for initiating conservation practices
                            and participating in the oversight and planning operations
                             Expected Outcome: Painless landowner buy-in and education on conservation matters; Full conccnsus
                            on Watershed-widc decisionmaking

                            Public Information Campaign
                             Purpose: To provide information to target audiences such as water customers, off-road vehicle
                            operators, government employees, development contractors and watershed residents about the functions
                            of the Ugurn's ecosystems, the benefits these people derive from those functions, and suggestions on
                            how they can adjust their behavior to protect these ecosystems.
                             Expected Outcome: A large group of people who are aware of the Ugum Watershed and its value to
                            themselves and other island residents; grass-roots watershed clean-up groups who apply the lessons
                            learned in the Ugum. to their own ecosystems.

                            Public Education Campaign
                             Purpose: To provide classroom kits and lesson plans for teachers at different levels (primary,
                            secondary and college) to use; to provide field trip opportunities for government and school groups
                             Expected Outcome- An island that views its most pristine watershed as a jewel that should be
                            polished and protected; widespread use of the lesson plans for many years by teachers desperate for
                            locally important scientific education opportunities; a general knowledge of the effects of wildfires on
                            the ecosystem and on citizens' lives; the knowledge that nearly all wildfires on Guam are started by
                            humans.

                            Scenarios and Ecosystem Management: Recommended Mitigation Measures

                            Scenaiio 1: No Action

                            TECHNICAL REPORT                Soils Section                                                 8

                              The goal of this scenario is to minimize the cost of government intervention in island land use change
                              and policy. This will encourage Guam's historical patterns of development to continue. It is felt under
                              this scenario that current public education efforts adequately prepare individuals for sound
                              environmental decisionmaking; that the water quality of the Ugum River is sufficient for current uses
                              and will remain so indefinitely; and that there is no need to control wildfires in the Ugurn Watershed or
                              elsewhere on the island.

                              Recommended Mitigation Measures

                              (None)

                              Results

                              Because the scenario infers minimal action and lack of public and governmental coordination, we
                              would expect the soil resource to degrade as development occurs. Clearing for road construction, road
                              design, water withdawals for irrigation and Riparian Area usage will all be determined by developers as
                              dictated by the needs and goals of their projects. It is expected under all three scenarios that road
                              length within the watershed will double within the next 20 years.

                              No mitigation recommendations will be offered under this scenario unless federal or GovGuam laws are
                              broken. Often, the government reaction will occur too late for the local ecosystems to benefit, and
                              mitigation efforts may not be monitored. Riparian Areaswill suffer the most, since water is a limited
                              resource in the watershed, and water access may be sought for each development effort independently.

                              There will be no assistance from the public or from any of the groups that routinely use or benefit from
                              the Ugum Watershed. Government of Guam agencies will cover the entire cost of any environmental
                              improvement efforts they deem necessary to counter for the decline in water quality caused by
                              development or recreation activities over the 20-year planning cycle.

                              Wildfires would increase by 25 percent under this scenario, to 200 hectares per year, mainly due to the
                              increased access caused by an estimated doubling of road length within the watershed.

                              The climate on Guam is characterized by short rain events and occasional typhoons. Streams in the
                              upper subwatersheds are intermittent rather than perennial. Heavy rain events usually input more water
                              than the low infiltration rates of the Ugum Watershed's clayey soils can absorb. The result is that rapid
                              storm runoff is the norm, especially on burned-over lands. The peak flows of the river exceed the
                              Ugum. Water Treatment Plant's maximum harvest rate. Less water is stored in the watershed's soils;
                              during the dry season the river level decreases significantly, sometimes falling below the minimum
                              flow required by law to maintain habitat. This flooding-drought cycle will continue to be highly
                              seasonal. Water demand throughout the Plant's service area, however, will steadily increase during the
                              next 20 years as Southern Guam's population increases. These trends will prompt or encourage
                              politically-motivated decisions, such as to ignore the minimum flow requirements, or to initiate a
                              dam/reservoir project in the Ugurn Watershed. Under the No Action Scenario, this kind of project
                              could be approved before all agencies knew of it or could review its ramifications.

                              Scenario H: Maintenance, Current Zoning

                              The approach within this scenario is one whereby agencies and landowners recognize ecological
                              problems and processes and react to environmental degradation within the traditional bounds of their
                              activities or program oversight. However, the best use of each part of the Watershed is not agreed upon
                              and parties do not cooperate to abate or prevent subtle environmental degradation.

                              This scenario has a goal to preserve the functions and benefits of the Ravine Forest, Riparian Areas, and
                              Wetland and Open Water Ecosystems at existing levels, with no future loss in area. Under this

                         TECHNICAL REPORT             Soils Section                                             9

                           scenario, we recognize that though imperfect, the Ugum Watershed is functioing well and provides
                           water of adequate quality to the citizens served by the Ugurn Treatment Plant. Further effort that would
                           improve wildlife habitat and water quality is seen as unnecessary expense. A program of continuous
                           water quality monitoring in the lower Ugurn River is necessary to fulfill the goal of maintaining the
                           current standard as development begins. It is also recommended that developers be encouraged to
                           monitor their own ground and surface water, so that problems can be pinpointed and solved quickly.

                           Recommended Mitigation Measures

                           - Contour Ditches
                           - Contour Wattling
                                  Use on Badlands and on new road cuts or banks. Concentrate application in the areas
                                  with most bare soil and recreational roads: Savanna Grassland Ecosystem in the Ugum
                                  Subwatershed area near Talofofo Falls, the Upper Ugurn Subwatershed, and the Bubulao
                                  Subwatershed.
                           - Mulching
                                  Apply 3-inch layer of compost, shredded paper or combination on gullying or steep road
                                  banks.
                           - Access Road Specification
                                  Pass legislation that in this watershed, the specifications shall be met for all new roads.
                                  Publish specifications and give to each developer pro-actively before construction begins.
                           - Fire Control
                                  Use near human habitation and businessplaces.
                           - Erosion Control Legislation
                                  At the time of this Management Study, there are laws on the books which require erosion
                                  control during the construction phase of projects. Further legislation is recommended to
                                  require close inspection of these control measures throughout the construction phase for
                                  projects within the Ugum Watershed. We also recommend that laws be enacted to
                                  require continued erosion control and stabilization of the property after the construction
                                  phase is completed.
                           - Erosion Control Seniinars
                                  Pass legislation that these are required for construction crews working in Ugum
                                  Watershed.
                           - Lumber Drainage Interceptors
                                  This practice will be most effective if the best or most necessary roads are retained and
                                  improved, while other, unnecessary roads are retired and blockaded - do roads and trails
                                  on hilltops or ridgelines first. There is no provision in this scenario, however, for a
                                  Master Plan for roads in the watershed. Choices will be made by each party installing
                                  practices according to their own list of priorities, if such a list exists.

                           Results

                           Savanna Grassland Ecosystem
                           Although the swordgrass-dominated vegetation in this ecosystem provides more than 100 percent cover
                           to intercept raindrops and prevent soil disturbance by their impact, the flora is primarily bunchgrasses
                           which leave part of the soil surface unprotected from runoff waters. This situation will continue in the
                           Maintenance Scenario.

                           The projected level of development will not impair water quality much further than currently exists in
                           this scenario, since the goal of the scenario is to implement all necessary educational and conservation
                           practices to ensure the maintenance of current water quality standards. With legislation in place, at
                           least 50 percent of new roads will be designed and built with conservation measures. The Water
                           Quality Monitoring Program will fill in the data gaps and give government and non-profit organizations
                           clues as to where the greatest sediment-load problems are, so that mitigation costs are minimized.

                           TECHNICAL REPORT               Soils Section                                                to

                             A policy of curtailing expansion of the Savanna Grassland Ecosystem within this scenario does not
                             require fire eradication, but does involve intervention and control whenever the grassland fires encroach
                             on human habitation or businessplaces. The public education campaign, repeated during dry years,
                             may cut fire frequency in other areas by a few percent through citizen efforts. However, the fire
                             damage is expected to remain the same at about 160 hectares per year within the watershed. Soil
                             erosion will diminish in those areas where fires are controlled for more than one year, since leaf litter is
                             the primary agent retarding sheet erosion. Planning Team members visited and photographed the soil
                             and landscape at sites in southern Guam where fires had occured the previous day, and one, two and
                             five months before time of assessment (Figs.                Seeding was e-Wensive after 5 months (see
                             Fig. xxxx _); however, germination did not begin until onset of the wet season, and about hatr of
                             the soil surface between newplants was still without leaf litter. Most rills were clear of detritus,
                             ready to erode with thefirst heavy rains. There is a description of the effects of wildfire on soil
                             erosion processes in the" Watershed Activities and Their Consequences" section of this report.

                             Ravine Forest Ecosystem
                             This ecosystem is slated to remain static in area under the Maintenance Scenario. Most of the
                             development over the next 20 years will probably be concentrated in the Savanna Grassland Ecosystem,
                             so we expect relatively minor changes in the energy flow and fimctions performed by Ravine Forests.
                             Where development coincides with this ecosystem, the recommended legislation will force, but may
                             not enforce, mitigation on nearby lands. Sites within the Savanna Grassland Ecosystem in the Ugum
                             Watershed will be chosenfor mitigation, tofurther the goal ofzero net loss ofravine forests.

                             Riparian Areas Ecosystem
                             There is no concensus on riparian buffers under this scenario. The focus will be on critical wildlife
                             habitat identification and protection for threatened and endangered species. Insofar as riparian areas are
                             critical habitat, they may be included in this realm and thus protected. Also, existing procedures by
                             GovGuarn agencies include specifying a buffer strip of 3 to 8 meters along streambanks. Many
                             organizations do not consider Riparian Areas important in their discussions of habitat or ecology. The
                             Riparian Areas Ecosystem will suffer niisuse from development and agriculture over the next 20 years;
                             there are only 159 hectares in the Ugum Watershed as we have identified it (8 percent of the
                             watershed), so any losses will be significant.
                             Wildlife habitat is now described by ecologists, not only in terms of total area, but also according to its
                             shape with respect to the landscape and its fragmentation.

                             Water availability will continue to be highly seasonal, as in the No Action Scenario, although may not
                             worsen since Maintenance is the keyword here. Demand for the water supplied by the Ugum. will
                             increase, bringing political pressures to bear for short-term solutions.

                             Scenario HI: bnprovement; Adjusted Zoning and Land Use Policy

                             The goals in this scenario are to: reduce the cost of ecosystem maintenance through elimination of
                             redundancy and work scheduling conflicts; increase forest cover in the watershed; bring the entire
                             public of Guam to a high level of understanding of this most pristine watershed, and thereby reduce the
                             public impact on its ecological functions; to provide a testbed for coordinated conservation projects,
                             and assess their applicability in other, more degraded watersheds.

                             In Us scenario, the Ugurn Watershed is viewed as a potential model ecosystem against which
                             watersheds across the island and throughout the Marianas can be compared. It is planned that subsets
                             of the conservation measures could be exported to other areas, with better predictions for success. A

                           TECHNICAL REPORT               Soils Section                                                 11

                             clear hierarchy of flinctions and values for the entire watershed will be developed by concensus, one
                             that the watershed's managers can consult as they contemplate the benefits of new activities there.

                             Under this scenario, we recognize that the ecosystems represented within the watershed are not as
                             healthy as they could be, that through coordinated efforts by many individuals and by effective use of
                             set-aside furids, greater benefits can be derived from the watershed than are currently possible.
                             Recommended Mitigation Aleasures

                             The measures mentioned in the Maintenance Scenario are a basic set which should be applied under the
                             Improvement Scenario also. Their implementation will be coordinated among agencies. The key
                             difference is that in this scenario, an ecosystem perspective prevails. The entire watershed will be
                             treated and protected, as opposed to protecting individual agencies' priorities and ongoing programs.
                             Most practices will require concensus to implement properly, and new conservation practices are
                             introduced.

                             - Grade Stabilization Structures
                                    On roads with steep embankments where embankment cannot be graded back and road
                                    cannot be closed.
                             - Roadside Ditching
                                    On steepest roads first, in areas where large runoff drainage is intercepted
                             - Contour Wattling
                                    Use as in Maintenance Scenario on new road cuts or banks, but combine with other road
                                    conservation designs and practices for a multi-stage approach to ensure greater success.
                                    Initiate a schedule to apply this practice in combination with Mulching and Tree Planting
                                    to badlands which are nearest to the Riparian Areas and Wetland and Open Water
                                    Ecosystems and present the greatest water quality problems. Begin on the Savanna
                                    Grassland Ecosystem in the Ugum Subwatershed area near Talofofo Falls, the Upper
                                    Ugum Subwatershed, and the Bubulao Subwatershed.
                             - Mulching
                                    Use in conjunction with contour wattling first (behind wattles)
                                    Apply 3 -inch layer of compost, shredded paper or combination on gullying or steep road
                                    banks
                             - Lumber Drainage Interceptors
                                    Use in combination with other retrofit activities in areas where road gullying is obvious.
                                    The benefits are immediate and extensive. Start high on the slope.
                             - Ugurn Roads Master Plan
                                    A Plan should be agreed upon by a number of agencies and non-profit conservation
                                    groups, with explicit criteria for improvement or retrofit of selected existing roads,
                                    closing of poor or redundant roads, and design for new roads as needed for access to
                                    development sites. These criteria should include as a minimum the specifications
                                    described in the Field Office Technical Guide, Section IV (1977).
                             - Wetland Mitigation Bank
                                    The relatively small acreage of wetlands in the Ugum Watershed could be designated part
                                    of the island-wide Mitigation Bank to accomplish two goals: improvement of
                             - Wetland Reserve Program
                             - Streambank and Shoreline Protection
                                    Use in Riparian Areas Ecosystem. Require developers to use these practices when
                                    designing and building new projects or stream access facilities. Provide economic
                                    incentives for landowners to fix old degrade strearnbanks .

                             - Recreational Off-Road Vehicle Use Specification
                                    Pass legislation that prohibits Off-Road Vehicle use except in areas that private and
                                    government parties agree to designate. The operators'preference for rough terrain could

                           TECHNICAL REPORT               Soils Section                                                 12

                                     be satisfied by building features into designated roads which provide a jouncy ride and
                                     perceived risks, while incorporating extensive environmental protection measures.
                             - Water Quality Monitoring Program
                                     Use at the outlet of each subwatershed in the Ugum to get baseline data on current water
                                     quality so that mitigation efforts can be focused appropriately and tailored, to minimize
                                     costs.
                             - Tax Breaks and Economic Incentives for Conservation
                                     Start with property tax cuts for: participation in the Watershed Conservation Plan:
                                     adherence to the Plan. Focus Wetland Reserve advertising on these landowners, try to get
                                     some to sign up if eligible. Grants to Off-Road Vehicle clubs or operators for
                                     conservation practice installation and participation in the education campaign. Grants to
                                     landowners for improving streambanks on their property according to specifications.

                             Results

                             Far more will be accomplished to maintain ecosystem health and improve it with this scenario's
                             approach. Most of the practices listed for the Maintenance Scenario will still be adviseable. However,
                             the cooperating agencies and private individuals will be coordinating their efforts to accomplish more.
                             Each cooperator would choose a niche to fill within the Ugurn Roads Master Plan, for instance. They
                             would share tools and resources with others to accomplish the agreed-to tasks. We expect that about 75
                             percent of new roads will have conservation measures in place, while the remaining new roads will be
                             started outside the planned implementation scheme. A priority list of old roads to either close or
                             retrofit with erosion controls will be formed by concensus.

                             Savanna Grassland Ecosystem
                             This scenario provides for a steady decline in area for Savanna Grasslands. It is recognized as the least
                             desireable of the ecosystems and one that is artificially maintained by wildfires. When fire control and
                             eradication measures are implemented, we expect to see a 25 percent reduction in fire frequency, or
                             about 120 hectares per year. The Ravine Forest will naturally expand at a slow pace. We do not plan
                             to wait for natural regeneration in certain critical areas where tree planting and other conservation
                             practices can curtail badland or roadbed erosion. These practices will accelerate regeneration as well as
                             improving water quality in the short term. The broader goal of forest regeneration can be
                             complemented by each smaller objective and installation. This is the ecosystem-based perspective that
                             sets the Improvement Scenario apart from the other two. Improvement project will usually be multi-
                             staged as opposed to single-stage, politically steered projects.

                             Ravine Forest Ecosystem
                             Under this scenario, the ravine forests will expand as a result of many of the practices and policies
                             applied.

                             The Ravine Forest has a multi-story vegetation structure which ties up water for longer time periods
                             than Savanna Grasslands do. This confers two beneficial properties in the long term:
                             - storm runoff peaks are flattened, with a more reliable and steady stream flow;
                             - the ecosystem provides greater water storage, so that the reduction in water yield associated with the
                             dry season is delayed. These effects will increase in value as the forest expands.

                             In areas where trees such as Acacia are plantedfor immediate soil erosion benefits, the groves will
                             provide an environment conducive to native species and habitat regeneration.

                             Riparian Areas Ecosystem
                             This is the only scenario which specifically protects Riparian Areas as a special ecosystem: we
                             recognize here that it is the most sensitive of the land-based ecosystems in the watershed, and has the
                             primary function of filtering excess sediment, detritus and pollutants from surface runoff and
                             groundwater before they enter the rivers and wetlands. In-kind, local mitigation will be required for

                          TECHNICAL REPORT             Soils Section                                             13

                            activities that would result in loss of this ecosystem's fimctions, and economic forces will prevent many
                            activities deemed unavoidable or acceptable in the other scenarios.

                            The Riparian Areas Ecosystem health will improve with the flattening of storm runoff peaks inherent in
                            plans to reduce Savanna Grassland Ecosystem area. They will expand in area where they are adjacent
                            to Savanna Grasslands because fires will be occuring less often. Understory growth will improve in
                            these edge areas because scouring and inundation by heavy sediment loads will decrease, as will
                            pedestalling (erosion of soil from around the root crown).

                            DeMeo, R.,

                            Sanchez, P.A. 1976. Properties and Management of Soils in the Tropics. John Wiley and Sons, New
                            York.

                            SCS Staff. 1995. Field Office Technical Guide, Section IV: Practice Standards and Specifications,
                            Pacific Basin. USDA-SCS.

                            Tate, R. L. 1987. Soil Organic Matter. John Wiley and Sons, New York.

                            Wischincier, W. H., and D. D. Smith. 1965. Predicting rainfall-erosion losses from cropland east of the
                            Rocky Mountains. Agric. Handbook No. 282, USDA. U.S. Government Printing Office, Washington,
                            D.C.

                            Young, F. 1988. Soil Survey of Territory of Guam. USDA-SCS.

                                        1993. Compost mulching for erosion control. BioCycle XX: 100-200.

                                                                             Ugum. Management Plan
                                                                      Forests Ecosystems Technical Report

                                                                                Robert W. Wescom
                                                                            Pacific Basin Agroforester
                                                               U.S.D.A. Natural Resources Conservation Service
                                                                                     May 1995

                            1.0       Introduction

                                                The purpose of this technical report is to describe the role of vegetation and the
                                      ecological processes associated with vegetative component of the ecosystem within the Ugurn
                                      Management Plan area, and to identify management opportunities and environmental concerns
                                      relating to human activities within the planning area.
                                                For planning and management purposes the ecological systems within the Ugum
                                      watershed were grouped into four broad ecosystems: ravine forest; savanna grassland/badlands;
                                      wetlands; and riparian. The concept of the ecosystem in this planning effort is intentionally
                                      broad. By delineating ecosystem boundaries by dominant floristics as well as hydrology,
                                      changes to energy flow and ecological processes as a result of human intervention can be used as
                                      indicators of ecological health.
                            2.0       The Ecological Basis for Vegetative Management
                            2.1       The Ravine Forest Ecosystem

                            2.1.1     Definition of Ravine Forest

                                                The ravine forests of southern Guam are terrestrial plant formations chiefly on volcanic
                                      soils or on argillaceous or limestone outcrops consisting of low stature trees and shrubs. The
                                      term "ravine forest" refers to its frequent occurrence in ravines and on steep slopes. Much, and
                                      perhaps all, of the primary ravine forest areas have been disturbed by human activities.

                            2.1.2     Floristics

                                                Relative to other ecosystems on Guam, the ravine forests are floristically rich with both
                                      native and introduced flora. Although relatively low in stature by tropic forests standards, the
                                      vertical structure of the ravine forest provide a range of micro-climates that encourage species
                                      diversity. The flora of the ravine forest include man   y of the species found on the raised
                                      limestone. Individual stands of vegetation may be either dominated by a few large woody
                                      species, or contain a mixture of species.
                                                Past human activities has introduced many non-native plant species into the ravine
                                      forest ecosystem, including the Areca catechu, the betel palm. As a result of repeated human-
                                      induced and natural disturbances the ravine forest of southern Guam is a secondary forest type as
                                      indicated by the widespread presence of Hibiscus tiliaceus, Areca catechu, and Cocus nucifiera.
                                      The floristics of the original forest of southern Guam cannot be discerned.

                                                                                     I

                                              Where the ravine forest borders savanna grasslands periodic wildland fires affect
                                     species composition of the ravine forest. Early sere vegetation dominant and Miscanthus
                                     floridulus is often a dominant species in the understory.
                           2.1.3     Ravine Forest Ecology
                                              The ecology of the ravine forest is a reflection on energy flow, natural disturbances, and
                                     past and present human activities in southern Guam. As described above, plant associations
                                     have been greatly influenced by the naturalization of introduced species. The introduced species
                                     now occupy niches which were previously occupied by native species. The persistence of the
                                     introduced species indicate that they are well adapted to the climate and soils within the
                                     planning area.
                                              While species diversification within the ravine forest has been altered by human
                                     activities, energy flow through the ravine forest has been less affected. Solar energy is the
                                     primary energy source entering the ravine forest ecosystem. Guam's proximity to the equatorial
                                     zone insures that large amounts of solar energy enters the ecological system year-round.
                                     Variations in day length have less effect on the amount of solar radiation reaching the ecosystem
                                     than the effect of cloud cover during the rainy season.
                                              The solar energy entering the ravine forest ecosystem can follow several energy paths.
                                     Some solar energy is reflected away, some is stored as heat, and some is converted to
                                     photochen-dcal energy by photosynthesis. Energy gained by the ecosystem can be lost to the
                                     environment by radiation from the plant, by heat conduction or convection, or by
                                     evapotranspiration. The vertical structure of the ravine forest vegetation allows for significant
                                     interception of the solar radiation by living plants.
                                              The large leaf area in the ravine forest allows for conversion to photochemical energy
                                     by photosynthesis. The structure of long-lived woody perennials serves as a storage medium for
                                     this photochemical energy as carbon.
                                              The larger leaf area also serves as a pathway for energy exchange through
                                     evapotranspiration which also results in a cooler environment surrounding ravine forest as a
                                     result of the release of water during evapotranspiration.
                                              With the exception of carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen, plants must obtain all 13 essential
                                     mineral nutrients from the growing medium solution. Not only do mineral nutrients need to be
                                     present within the ecosystem, but the nutrients must be present in a chemical form and in a
                                     location that is available for uptake by plants. Mineral elements are not homogeneously
                                     distributed nor are they present in the same chemical form throughout the ecosystem. Mineral
                                     nutrients move between the environment and living organisms and back to the environment.

                                     The movement of those elements and inorganic compounds that are essential to life is termed
                                     nutrient cycling. Mineral nutrients can enter, accumulate (pool), or exit ecosystems through

                                                                                  2

                                      various complex energy pathways. Much of the health of an ecosystem is determined by the
                                      appropriate cycling of mineral nutrients between the abiotic and biotic parts of the ecosystem.
                                                Minerals that are taken up into woody plants are eventually returned to the soil except
                                      for the amount carried out of the ecosystem as "products". Minerals are returned to the surface
                                      of the soil by litterfall and through the washing and leaching effects of rain on tree foliage and
                                      stems. Minerals are also added to the soil by rainfall and dryfall and by the below ground dying
                                      and sloughing of roots. Mammals, insects, and other arthropods, earthworms, fungi, and
                                      bacteria breakdown the accumulating organic material, decompose it, and render it reavailable
                                      for plant nutrition. Soluble nutrients such as nitrogen must be absorbed by plants before being
                                      leached out of the rooting zone of the plants.
                                                Plant litter on the soil surface absorbs the energy of raindrops and intercepts surface
                                      flow. Organic matter and biological activity in the upper soil horizons increases the water
                                      holding capacity of the soil and plays an important role in the storage and release of soil water
                                      into the Riparian ecosystem.
                             2.2      The Savanna Grassland Ecosystem

                             2.2.1    Definition of Savanna Grasslands

                                                The savannas of southern Guam are extensive grassland communities on volcanic soils
                                      dominated by perennial grasses, bushy shnibs, herbs, and ferns. Frequent wildland fires
                                      maintain the savannas as an early seral plant community.

                             2.2.2    Floristics

                                                The savanna plant communities are floristically poor. The diversity of plant species
                                      which are adapted to the highly weathered, nutrient poor, very acid volcanic soils of the
                                      savannas is very limited. The grassland communities are often don-iinated by a few species
                                      including Miscanthusfloridulus (swordgrass), Dimeria chloridiformis, and Pennisetum
                                      polystachyon. Periodic wildland fires favor grass species that can rapidly resprout and dominant

                                      the site before wind disseminated seed becomes established.

                                                If wildland fire is excluded for a few years, woody shrubs and trees, including
                                      Casuarina equisetifolia may slowing become established the savanna plant communities. The
                                      woody component is often destroyed once a wildland fire occurs.
                             2.2.3    Savanna Grasslands Ecology
                                                It is generally accepted that the savanna ecosystem is a result of repeated disturbance
                                      through land clearing and periodic burning that has occurred since the Spanish colonized Guam
                                      300 ago. Ecological succession resulting in an orderly process of community development
                                      involving changes in species structure and community processes with time is disrupted by the
                                      periodic burning which resets the ecosystem development back to the earliest pioneer stage.

                                                                                     3

                                              Existing ecological processes within the savanna ecosystem are largely influenced by
                                     modifications to the physical environment resulting from a history of soil erosion and changes to
                                     soil chemistry and structure. As with all terrestrial communities solar energy is the primary
                                     energy source entering the savanna ecosystem. Unlike the ravine ecosystem the savanna plant
                                     communities lack a well developed vertical structure. Solar radiation is intercepted by the tall (I
                                      2 m) perennial grasses. Solar energy penetrating the plant canopy reaches the soil surface and
                                     is either reflected or the energy is transformed to heating of the soil profile. The heat energy in
                                     the soil is largely released back to the surrounding air.
                                              As in the ravine ecosystem a percentage of the solar energy entering the savanna
                                     ecosystem is converted to photochemical energy through photosynthesis. This energy is stored
                                     in root and leaf structures. The periodic wildland fires convert the stored photochemical energy
                                     to heat as it bums, the heat energy exits the ecosystem. Following burning the lack of
                                     photosynthesizing leaves results in the rapid die-off of roots. Regrowth of the grassland plant
                                     community is usually rapid (within months). The cycle of vegetative growth and burning does
                                     not permit a stabilizing of the ecosystem processes.
                                              The net result of these energy exchanges is that large quantities of photochemical
                                     energy is stored briefly (2 to 5 years) as plant tissue, but is released as heat into the atmosphere
                                     during burning. Also, the environment within the savanna ecosystem tends to be warmer than
                                     other ecosystems as a release of heat radiated from the soil.
                                              Nutrient cycling within the savanna ecosystem is affected by the imbalance of essential
                                     nutrients as well as rapid combustion of organic matter during burning. Some of the essential
                                     nutrients are present at the extreme ranges for plant growth. Calcium is virtually nonexistence
                                     in savanna soils while magnesium is present in near toxic levels. The imbalance of nutrients and
                                     the very low pH (4.5) limits the availability of several essential nutrient. Nfineral nutrients taken
                                     up into the grasses are returned to the surface of the soil by leaf fall and the die-back of the
                                     fibrous roots. High temperatures cause organic matter to be decomposed faster than it is

                                     accumulated.

                                              Combustion of organic matter during the periodic burning results in the release of
                                     carbon dioxide, nitrogenous gases, and ash to the atmosphere and the deposit of the minerals in
                                     the form of ash. The litter ash is more soluble than the organic matter from which it was
                                     formed. Generally, burning may have the following effects on nutrient availability: 1) a
                                     temporary increase in the amount of available minerals, a lessening of soil acidity and increase
                                     in base saturation, a decrease in the supply of total nitrogen, and a change in the moisture and
                                     temperature conditions of the site. Site quality in the savanna has declined as a result of
                                     repeated burning. The soil surface has been compacted by rains following the removal of
                                     vegetative cover and letter, resulting in a decrease in the rate of water penetration. The ash is

                                                                                  4

                                      susceptible to being wind blown out of the ecosystem, and susceptible to leaching and erosion by
                                      rainwater. The loss of total nitrogen through volatilization is widely recognized and is related to
                                      the intensity of the fire. Nitrogen loss is also proportional to the amount of dry matter of fuel
                                      consumed, and considerable nitrogen may be lost during intense fires. For examples, fire
                                      occurring at the beginning of the dry season result in less loss of total nitrogen than fires
                                      occurring in the middle of the dry season with the amount of dry matter is greater and all of the
                                      vegetation is consumed. Replacement of the nitrogen by precipitation alone requires many
                                      decades. Only the ability of the succeeding vegetation and soil bacteria to replace the available
                                      nitrogen lost in burning is an important factor determining the effect of fire on site quality. The
                                      lack of nitrogen-fixing plant species in the savanna inhibit the replacement of nitrogen resulting
                                      in a nitrogen deficiency.
                                                The badland scarps associated with the savanna are the result of the extreme effects
                                      associated with frequent burning of the savanna and high rainfhll. Soils within the scarps are
                                      extremely low in pH (4.3), calcium, and phosphorous, organic matter. Even plant species
                                      adapted to harsh savanna sites, such as Miscanthusfloridulus, Dimeria chloridiformis, and
                                      Gleichenia linearis, cannot survive in the extreme conditions found within the badland scarps.
                            2.3       The Wetlands Ecosystem

                            2.3.1     Definition of Wetlands

                                                Wetlands are present within the ravine forest, savanna grasslands, and riparian
                                      ecosystems. Wetlands are plant communities dependent upon a constant source of water in their
                                      substrate. Within the Ugum watershed, wetlands include marshes, bogs, and similar areas.
                                                For the purpose of this technical report, running water (lotic) communities associated
                                      with streams are included in the wedand ecosystem.

                            2.3.2     Floristics

                                      The floristics of wetland plant communities is strongly influenced by soils which are
                                      waterlogged either frequently or seasonally. Plants existing within this ecosystem are adapted to
                                      cope with waterlogged conditions. The wetland communities associated with savannas are often
                                      dominated by a few grass and sedge species, including Pancicum maximum, Phragmites k-arka,
                                      and Rhynchospora spp. In the ravine forest, wetland flora may include woody trees including
                                      Hibiscus tiliaceous and Barringtonia racemosa.
                                                Wetland plant communities in the lotic component of this ecosystem is limited to algae
                                      and benthic plants. Plant communities within the streams fall into two different community
                                      types: rapids communities and pool communities.
                            2.3.3     Wetland Ecology
                                                Wedand ecosystems serve as a highly productive interface between terrestrial and open
                                      aquatic systems, providing beneficial functions to both, and facilitating a flow of energy

                                                                                    5

                                    between them. Wetlands ecosystem processes are influenced by the movement of surface and
                                    subsurface water which affects gas exchange, temperature, and flow of nutrients. Solar energy is
                                    primary energy source entering the wetland ecosystem. Solar radiation is intercepted by the tall
                                    (I to 2 in) perennial grasses. Solar energy penetrating the plant canopy reaches the soil surface
                                    and is either reflected or the energy is transformed to heating of the soil profile. Unlike the
                                    savanna ecosystem, the high moisture content of the soil buffers the soil profile from large
                                    fluctuations in temperature. This is a result of water being a polar molecule with a very high
                                    heat exchange capacity. Heat energy is released back to the surrounding atmosphere as the soil

                                    water evaporates.
                                             A percentage of the solar energy entering the wetland ecosystem is converted to
                                    photochemical energy through photosynthesis. The leaf area serves as a pathway for energy
                                    exchange through evapotranspiration which results in a cooler environment surrounding

                                    wetlands.

                                             Nutrient cycling in a wetland ecosystem differs from both the ravine forest and savanna.
                                    Nutrients can enter the wetland ecosystem as either eroded sediment or as dissolved minerals in
                                    subsurface flow from ecosystems above the wetland. Nutrient inputs from surrounding
                                    ecosystems are available to the plant communities. Because of the hydric nature of the soils,
                                    anaerobic soil conditions exist during periods of saturation which may result in slow
                                    decomposition of organic matter, and higher levels of organic niatter in the soil than either the
                                    ravine forest or savanna ecosystems. The organic matter can serve as a storage of nutrients.
                                             Nutrients can also be transported out of the wetland ecosystem as dissolved minerals in
                                    subsurface flow. Nutrients leaving the wetland ecosystem can either be deposited in other
                                    terrestrial ecosystems, or the nutrients can enter the Open water ecosystem and be transported to

                                    the sea.

                                             Wetland ecosystems that are surrounded by savanna plant communities can be affected
                                    by wildland fires during drought periods. The higher moisture content with the wetland plant
                                    communities usually result in lower combustion of above ground biomass and rarely does a
                                    wildland fire completely consume the wetland plants.
                                             The net result of these energy exchanges is that large quantities of photocheirdcal
                                    energy is stored as soil organic matter and in plant biomass (above and below ground).
                                             Ecological processes in the lotic community differs significantly from that of the
                                    terrestrial wetland community. Differences between streams and other ecosystems revolve
                                    around the input of solar radiation, current, and land-water interchange. Solar radiation entering
                                    the lotic community is controlled by canopy closure of the riparian community. Portions of the
                                    streams are completely shaded by woody vegetation present in the adjacent riparian ecosystem.
                                    In lower-gradient and higher-ordcr streams, the stream channel by definition is wider and there

                                                                                6

                                      commonly is a gap or opening between the parallel strands of the riparian vegetation. These
                                      gaps in canopy affect species diversity and abundance in the lotic community by permitting
                                      more solar radiation to reach the open water. In general the amount of vegetative biomass in the
                                      lotic community on an area basis is much less than that of the other ecosystems. Much of the
                                      solar radiation reaching the lotic community is reflected or transformed in heating the water.
                                      Depending on the amount of suspended sediment in the stream, much of the solar radiation is
                                      diffused. A small amount of the solar radiation is converted to photochemical energy by
                                      photosynthesis.
                                                The accumulation of biomass of the algae and benthic plant communities: is an
                                      important energy source for the stream fauna. Much of the energy gained by the lotic
                                      component is transported downstream in the current and enters the sea.
                            2.4       The Riparian Ecosystem
                            2.4.1     Definition of Riparian
                                                Riparian vegetation is defined as "vegetation growing on or near banks of a stream or
                                      other body of water on soils that exhibit some wetness characteristics during some portion of the
                                      growing season". Riparian ecosystems differ from wetland ecosystems in that wetland plant
                                      communities are adapted to saturated soil conditions, and riparian communities are associated
                                      with open water environments, such as streams.

                            2.4.2     Floristics

                                                Because riparian ecosystems are located along stream channels, prominent zonation is
                                      longitudinal. Changes are more pronounced in the upper part of streams because the gradient,
                                      volume of flow, and chemical composition change rapidly. The change in composition of
                                      communities is likely to be more pronounced in the first mile than in the upper watershed. The
                                      riparian plant communities in the Ugurn are longitudinal zoned with plant communities similar
                                      to wetland and ravine forest ecosystems found in the higher stream orders near the coast.
                                      Hibiscus tiliaceus, Cocus nucifiera, and Barringtonia racemosa and other species which are
                                      adapted to periodic inundated and waterlogged soil conditions are commonly associated with
                                      riparian zones nearer the coast. The width of the riparian ecosystem is widest near the coast
                                      where the influence of the stream extends well beyond the stream channel.
                                                In the upper watershed where volume of flow is much less, the savanna grassland
                                      vegetation often dominates, and the width of the riparian ecosystem is much narrower.
                            2.4.3     Riparian Ecology
                                                The riparian ecology is closely linked to the watershed morphology in that the
                                      associated riparian plant communities follow an organized stream system from the upper
                                      watershed to the sea. Riparian ecosystem processes are influenced by the movement of open
                                      water in streams as well as subsurface flow from adjacent ecosystems. The riparian ecosystem

                                     extends to either side of stream channels. As with the other ecosystems, solar energy is the
                                     primary energy source to the ecosystem and the ecological processes within the riparian zone is
                                     similar to those described for the other ecosystems. Because the riparian ecosystem is located
                                     along the lower slopes, soils which have eroded from upper slopes are intercepted by the
                                     physical presence of vegetation in the riparian zone. This results in an accumulation of soil in
                                     the riparian zone.
                                              Stream channels are often associated with geomorphic faults resulting in subsurface
                                     water flow being closer to the soil surface. The combination of accumulated soil and higher soil
                                     moisture results in the site quality being higher in the riparian zone. Higher site quality in the
                                     riparian (at least where woody plant species dominate), results in a greater accumulation of

                                     biomass.

                                              Soluble nutrients that are not absorbed by the biotic component of the ecosystem can
                                     exit the riparian ecosystem through subsurface flow that enters the open water. Soil which are
                                     eroded along the stream channel during high water flow exits the ecosystem as suspended

                                     sediment.

                           3.0       Resource - values/products/activities
                                              The public and private lands within the Ugum watershed are valued for many uses
                                     including: gathering of native and wild plant products, harvest of wild and feral animals, a
                                     source of clean water, production of agriculture crops, and recreational activities. The biological
                                     communities and associated habitats together comprise ecosystems within a watershed.
                                              Human are more than a biological component of ecosystems. Society, through
                                     economics, establishes value of commodities derived from ecosystems. People can have a
                                     profound effect on the biological and environmental components and affect the flow of energy
                                     within and between ecosystems. All of the resource values and products derived from the Ugurn
                                     watershed as well as the activities occurring within the watershed are dependent on the
                                     sustainability of the ecological systems which comprise the watershed.
                                              Past human activity in the watershed has gradually altered the species diversity and
                                     development of plant communities. Access into the watershed was determined routes suitable
                                     for ox carts, and trails and roads generally followed ridgetops. Ravine forests along the trails
                                     were cleared and burned to allow farniing and grazing. Much of the existing savanna grasslands
                                     are probably a result of repeated clearing and burning of vegetation along the trails. As the soil
                                     eroded native forest vegetation could not re-establish and the adapted Miscanthus spp. dominate
                                     these areas. Humans also introduced and propagated a variety of plant species to the ravine
                                     forest. The introduced plants which were adapted to the multistory environment were able to
                                     become reproduce and are now a component of the ravine forest ecosystem.

                                                                                 8

                                             Previous human activities which altered the energy flow or species composition and
                                   distribution in the watershed were not regarded as serious impacts because the land and resource
                                   economic value were relatively low. Today, and in the foreseeable future, the land and resource
                                   economic values of the watershed are increasing. The increasing economic resource value is,
                                   and will continue to put increasing pressure to develop the land for further economic return.
                                   Potential development activities in the watershed include agriculture cropping, golf course
                                   development, construction of homes and the related needed infrastructure, and recreational

                                   activities.

                                             The watershed is an important source of clean water for the residents of southern Guam.
                                   The capability of the watershed to continue providing the quantity and quality of water is largely
                                   dependent on maintaining ftmctional ecosystems which intercept precipitation reaching the soil
                                   surface and control the flow of water to the intake pipes and the water treatment plant on the
                                   lower Ugurn River. The ecosystems can absorb a limited amount of development, but either
                                   excessive or poorly planned and/or located development has the potential to have a profound
                                   affect on the future ability of the ecosystems to function properly.
                                             Activities in one ecosystem may result in adverse impacts to adjacent ecosystems, or in
                                   the case of water quality, activities in ecosystems far removed from the stream channel may
                                   reduce water quality as the impact is shifted from one community to another.
                          4.0      Alternative mitigation measures
                                             There are two approaches to mitigation of human activities: preventive mitigation and
                                   corrective mitigation. By definition preventative mitigation requires taking action to prevent an
                                   activity from resulting in an adverse impact. Corrective mitigation occurs after an impact has
                                   occurred and is designed to lessen the impact of the adverse action. While energy flow and
                                   ecological processes are best described at the ecosystem level, mitigation measures are generally
                                   activity specific and best discussed at the activity level and related back to the ecological
                                   processes affected.

                                                                               9

                           4.1       Agriculture
                                              Agriculture activities have occurred in the ravine forest, savanna grassland, riparian,
                                     and wetland (terrestrial component) ecosystems. Preventive mitigation is necessary to ensure
                                     the changes to the ecological processes are within the ability of the various ecosystems to
                                     recover. Nfitigation should include careful selection of sites to be used for agriculture. In
                                     general, clearing of ravine forest should be avoided. Once the forest vegetation is cleared,
                                     nutrient storage and cycling is disrupted, and recovery of the ecosystem is slow. If an area of
                                     ravine forest is cleared and farmed, essential nutrients are quickly lost through leaching and the
                                     physical loss of soil by erosion. Once the nutrients are loss and soil erosion occurs, agriculture
                                     activities are no longer economical and the site converts to a less productive savanna grassland.
                                              Wetlands should also be avoided as agriculture sites. The wetland ecology depends on
                                     the flow of surface and subsurface water which is largely determined by drainage patterns and
                                     the soil profile. Agriculture activities which involve tillage disrupt the drainage pattern and can
                                     destroys the natural soil profile. Once the hydrology is disrupted only expensive corrective
                                     mitigation measures can restore the ecological processes.
                                              Agriculture activities within the riparian ecosystem should be discouraged. The
                                     riparian areas are critical in reducing the amount of sediment, pesticides, and fertilizers from
                                     entering the streams.
                                              Areas within the savanna grasslands are suited for agriculture activities as long as
                                     careful consideration is given to site selection, and agronomic practices. Preventive mitigation
                                     can be accomplished through conservation planning prior to tillage and planting and the
                                     installation of appropriate conservation practices. While conservation planning needs to be site
                                     specific some standard conservation practices that should be used in most, if not all, plans

                                     include:

                                                                Conservation cropping sequence (328)
                                                                Conservation tillage (329)
                                                                Contour farniing (3 3 0)
                                                                Cover and green manure crop (340)
                                                                Crop residue use (344)
                                                                Field windbreak (392)
                                                                Filter strip (393)
                                                                Contour hedgerow (422)

                           4.2       Golf course development
                                              There are presently no existing golf course developments within the watershed. A golf
                                     course development requires the clearing and shaping of a large area (a hundred hectares or
                                     more), and the creation of a controlled ecosystem dependent on constant human intervention.

                                                                                10

                                   Because golf course developments involve extensive areas and major land disturbance actions,
                                   both preventive and corrective mitigation measures are required.
                                            Because golf course development are intended to create a non-natural ecosystem,
                                   impacts to off-site ecosystems and resource values need to be addressed and mitigated for in the
                                   planning and construction phases. Off-site impacts may involve sedimentation as a result of on-
                                   site erosion, clearing of vegetation and removal of top soil from distant ecosystems, changes to
                                   sub-watershed hydrology, and pesticide and/or fertilizer contamination.
                                            The extensive area required for golf course development usually results in several
                                   ecosystems being converted. Proper site selection is an important mitigation measure. In
                                   general, development should be limited to savanna grasslands. Clearing of ravine forest,
                                   riparian vegetation, and wetlands should be avoided. Prior to vegetation removal and ground
                                   disturbance, effective sediment control and erosion control structures must be in place.
                                            Because soils covering development sites are often unsuitable for turf grass
                                   management, large quantities of top soil are stripped from distance ecosystems and transported
                                   to the development site. This results in the total destruction of natural ecosystems to create an
                                   artificial ecosystem completely dependent on external inputs of soil, water, and nutrients.
                                   Preventive and corrective mitigation of stripped sites is required to prevent off-site degradation.
                                   Revegetation of stripped sites will be a critical corrective mitigation measure. Conservation
                                   practices to revegetate stripped sites should include:

                                                              Critical area planting (342)
                                                              Grass waterway (412)
                                                              Mulching (484)
                                                              Tree planting (612)
                                                              Filter strip (393)

                          4.3      Road construction

                                            Access is essential for most human activities whether agriculture, recreational, or
                                   homes. With the exception of the paved road into Talofofo Falls, the existing road system in the
                                   watershed is generally in an unimproved condition and follow historic ox trails. Existing roads
                                   are present in all ecosystems: ravine forest, savanna grasslands, riparian, and wetlands.
                                   Generally, road location and standards are determined during the construction phase. Little or
                                   no concern of off-site impacts are addressed. The objective of current road maintenance
                                   activities is to keep the roads functional, and are not intended to mitigate off-site impacts.
                                            Both preventive and corrective mitigation is required on existing and future roads. The
                                   importance of proper road location and design cannot be over emphasized. Generally, roads
                                   should be located along ridges in the savanna grasslands where minimum ground disturbance is
                                   required. Roads transecting ravine forest must be carefully located and designed since the

                                                                             I I

                                    forests are generally found on side slopes. Roads should be located away from riparian and
                                    wetland sites. Clearing of vegetation should be of minimum width and the width should not be
                                    increased simply to allow more sunlight to dry the soil during construction.
                                             Corrective mitigation measures involve revegetating the disturbed cut and fill areas of
                                    constructed roads. Grasses, legumes, or trees should be prescribed for revegetation on a site
                                    specific basis.
                                            Roads constructed above wetlands and streams should be designed as not to interrupt
                                    the natural drainage to the point that wetland vegetation can no longer survive.

                                                                             12

                          4.4      Recreation activities

                                            There are presently three categories of recreational activities occurring within the
                                   watershed: hunting, developed river-oriented, and undeveloped wildland-oriented. Natural
                                   vegetation is regarded as an important component of each category of recreation.
                                            The natural vegetation provides important habitat for species desired by hunters, and
                                   hunting occurs in each of the ecosystems. Feral pigs are hunted in the ravine forest and riparian
                                   area. Philippine deer are hunter in the savanna grasslands, and black francolin are sought in the
                                   wetland ecosystems. In regards to hunting, the intentional setting of wildland fires to provide
                                   access and to draw deer into the open has the most adverse affect to the ecological processes.
                                   Hunters using off-road vehicles to access areas also results in resource damage. A single hunter
                                   with little regard for resource values can have a long term negative effect through the intentional
                                   setting of wildland fires or creating tire depressions which erode during the wet season.
                                            At least one commercial enterprise with transports tourists into the wildlands is
                                   operating in the watershed. This undeveloped wildland-oriented recreationalist is often
                                   advertised as ecotourism, but there is strong evidence that the off-road traffic of the tour
                                   operators is resulting in considerable resource damage in terms of soil erosion and contributing
                                   to an expansion of badlands within the savanna grasslands. The number of unimproved roads
                                   within the upper watershed has doubled in the past 20 years, much of these unimproved roads
                                   are the result of off-road traffic by tour operators. Both preventive and corrective mitigation
                                   measures are required.
                          5.0      Recommended mitigation measures
                                            For each of the management plan scenarios, except the No Action scenario, the
                                   recommended mitigation measures include both preventive mitigation and corrective mitigation
                                   measures. The intensity of the mitigation measures increase as the level of ecosystem protection

                                   increases.

                                                                              13

                            5.1       Scenario 1: No Action

                                               Recommended mitigation under the No Action scenario is limited to voluntary
                                      cooperation with individual land owners in assessing potential preventive conservation practices
                                      on agriculture lands. Minimum adoption and implementation of conservation practices are
                                      expected under this scenario.
                            5.2       Scenario 11: Maintenance, Current Zoning
                                               Recommended mitigation under the Maintenance, Current Zoning scenario include
                                      conservation measures which would permit development without measurable degradation of the
                                      existing ecological processes.
                            5.2.1     Agriculture
                                               "Me objective of agriculture under this scenario is to promote sustainable agriculture
                                      through proper site location and adoption of conservation practices. The Government of Guam,
                                      through the Soil and Water Conservation Districts, would actively support conservation planning
                                      on all agriculture lands within the watershed. Voluntary adoption and implementation of
                                      conservation practices specifically to protect water quality and quantity would be emphasized.
                                      The goal of conservation practices in this scenario is to protect water quality and quantity by: 1)
                                      preventing non-point source sediments from reaching stream courses, and 2) maintaining forest
                                      vegetation. Generally agriculture fields would be located within the savanna grassland
                                      ecosystems on flat or only gentle slopes. Included in agronomic conservation practices would

                                      be:

                                                                  Conservation tillage (329)
                                                                  Cross-slope farming (330)
                                                                  Crop residue use (344)

                            5.2.2     Golf course development
                                               The objective of golf course development under this scenario is to promote economic
                                      development. Appropriate agencies within the Government of would require that potential
                                      environmental impacts are identified through an assessment and that impacts are effectively
                                      mitigated through preventive and corrective measures. Preventive mitigation should include
                                      minimizing the clearing of ravine forest, and impacts to wetlands and riparian zones. Erosion
                                      control through effective filter strips would be required. Corrective mitigation should include
                                      replacement plantings of cleared mvine and riparian vegetation. If wetlands are adversely
                                      impacted by the golf course development, constructed wetlands should be developed to mitigate

                                      the loss of wetlands.

                            5.2.3     Road construction

                                               The objective of road construction is to provide access to other uses in the watershed.
                                      Appropriate agencies within the Government of Guam would require roads be designed and

                                                                                   14

                                    constructed to appropriate standards for the intended use. Preventive mitigation would include
                                    avoiding sensitive areas, such as wetlands and unstable slopes. Corrective mitigation would
                                    include re-establishment of vegetation on cut and fill slopes.

                          5.2.4     Recreational activities

                                             The objective of recreational activities is to promote economic development and public
                                    enjoyment of the natural environment. Appropriate agencies within the Government of Guam
                                    would permit commercial recreational activities that would not contribute to non-point source
                                    sedimentation. Cooperative agreements with land owners would be negotiated that would allow
                                    government monitoring of the impacts of tour groups. Wildland fires would be suppressed when

                                    resource values were threatened.

                          5.2.5     Residential construction

                                             The objective of residential construction is to promote economic development as well
                                    as an opportunity for private individuals to improve their quality of life through home
                                    ownership. Variances to existing zoning would be rare. Single family homes would be
                                    encouraged. Building permits would not be issued for construction within riparian ecosystem.
                                    Filling or damaging wetland ecosystem would not be permitted. Retention and planting of trees
                                    and shrubs around homes would be encouraged.

                                                                               15

                           5.3       Scenario III: Improvement, Adjusted Zoning and Land Use Policy
                           5.3.1     Agriculture
                                              The objective of agriculture under this scenario is to promote sustainable agriculture
                                     through proper site location and adoption of conservation practices. The Government of Guam,
                                     through the Soil and Water Conservation Districts, would actively support conservation planning
                                     on all agriculture lands within the watershed. Zoning and land use policy would limit
                                     agriculture activities to specific soils and slopes. A conservation plan would be required and
                                     practices designed to protect water quality and quantity would be mandatory. Generally
                                     agriculture fields would be located within the savarma grassland ecosystems on flat or only
                                     gentle slopes. Included in agronomic conservation practices would be:
                                                                 Conservation tillage (329)
                                                                 Contour farniing (3 30)
                                                                 Cover and green manure crop (340)
                                                                 Crop residue use (344)
                                                                 Field windbreak (392)
                                                                 Filter strip (3 92)
                                                                 Contour hedgerow (422)

                           5.3.2     Golf course development
                                              The objective of golf course development under this scenario is to promote economic
                                     development. The Government of Guam, appropriate agencies, would require that potential
                                     environmental impacts are identified through an assessment and that impacts are effectiveness
                                     mitigated through preventive and corrective measures. Preventive mitigation would include
                                     minimizing the clearing of ravine forest, and impacts to wetlands and riparian zones. Erosion
                                     control through effective filter strips would be required. Corrective mitigation would include
                                     replacement plantings of cleared ravine and riparian vegetation. If wetlands are adversely
                                     impacted by the golf course development, constructed wetlands would be developed to mitigate

                                     the loss of wetlands.

                                              Stripping of top soil would be closely monitored and corrective mitigation would be
                                     required, including timely revegetation.

                           5.3.3     Road construction

                                              The objective of road construction is access to other uses in the watershed. The
                                     Government of Guam, though appropriate agencies, would require roads be designed and
                                     constructed to appropriate standards for the intended use. Preventive mitigation would include
                                     avoiding sensitive areas, such as wetlands and unstable slopes. Corrective mitigation would
                                     include re-establishment of vegetation on cut and fill slopes.
                                              Existing roads would be brought up to standards. Roadways that are not serving a
                                     specific purpose would be closed and revegetated.

                                                                                  16

                           5.3.4    Recreational activities

                                              The objective of recreational activities is to promote economic development and public
                                    enjoyment of the natural environment. The Government of Guam, though the appropriate
                                    agencies, would permit commercial recreational activities that would not contribute to non-point
                                    source sedimentation. Cooperative agreements with land owners would be negotiated that
                                    would allow government monitoring of the impacts of tour groups. An active education
                                    program on the impacts of wildland fires would initiated. Wildland fires would be suppressed.
                                    Reforestation of savanna grasslands would be emphasized and as well as establishment of
                                    vegetative fuel breaks to compartmentalized wildland fires.

                           5.3.5    Residential construction

                                              The objective of residential construction is to promote economic development as well
                                    as an opportunity for private individuals to improve their quality of life through home
                                    ownership. Zoning for residential construction would incorporate protection and enhancement
                                    of forest ecosystems. Variances to zoning would be rare. Single family homes would be
                                    encouraged. Building permits would not be issued for construction within the riparian
                                    ecosystem. Filling or damaging wetland ecosystem would not be permitted. Retention and
                                    planting of trees and shrubs around homes would be encouraged.

                                                                                17

                            6.0       Results of mitigation

                            6.1       Ravine forest

                            6.1.1     Scenario 1: No Action

                                               Portions of the ravine forest would be cleared for other uses over the next twenty years.
                                      Where ravine forests are cleared for agricultural activities, site productivity would decline as the
                                      nutrients are used by crop plants and leached, and soil erosion occurs. Land users would
                                      increase use of fertilizers and pesticides to maintain crop production at an economic level.
                                      When the cost of fertilizer and pesticide treatment decreases the profit significantly, the and the
                                      cleared areas would be abandoned. Some of the abandoned lands would begin to recover as
                                      early seral vegetation becomes established and the natural nutrient cycling processes rebuild.
                                      Areas that were cleared on marginal or steep lands are abandoned would likely convert to
                                      savanna grasslands. A portion of the sediment eroding from the agricultural lands would
                                      eventually enter the streams and water quality would be adversely affected.
                                               Construction of roads through the ravine forest would permit access that would lead to
                                      additional clearing for other uses, such as homesteads and agriculture. Roads would be of poor
                                      quality and wide strips of ravine forest would be cleared to facilitate drying of the road surface.
                                               Golf course development would result in some clearing of ravine forest areas. During
                                      the construction phase, a portion of the sediment eroding from the site would enter the streams
                                      and water quality would be adversely affected. Cleared areas would be converted to fairways,
                                      greens, and infrastructure development. The hydrology of the sub-watershed would be affected
                                      resulting in increases in peak flow in the sub-watershed.
                                               Recreational activities involving off-road vehicle use would increase. The number of
                                      pioneered roads through the ravine forest would also increase and the destruction of vegetation
                                      and rutting would result in gully erosion forming and an increase in the amount sediment
                                      entering the streams.
                                               Residential construction would occur in all ecosystems. There would be a loss of
                                      important riparian and wetland vegetation.

                            6.1.2     Scenario 2: Maintenance

                                               Less area than the No Action scenario would be cleared over the next twenty years.
                                      Agricultural activities would be limited to appropriate soils and slopes. Installed conservation
                                      practices would limit soil loss to acceptable levels and very little of the eroded sediment would
                                      enter streams. Water quality would not be materially degraded as a result of agricultural
                                      activities. Site productivity would not be degraded and abandoned agricultural lands would
                                      convert back to ravine forest vegetation over time.

                                                                                   18

                                                  New road construction through the ravine forest would be designed and constructed to
                                       standards. Revegetation of cut and fill slopes would control erosion and water quality would not
                                       be adversely affected.
                                                  Some ravine forest vegetation would be cleared for golf course development but
                                       reforesting an equal area of savanna grasslands with appropriate species would mean no net lost
                                       of forest vegetation. Over time ravine forest species would become established in replanted
                                       areas.     Recreational activities would increase but use of off-road vehicles would be monitored.

                                       Most recreation in the ravine forest environment would be foot traffic and continued hunting for
                                       feral pig.
                                                  Residential construction within the ravine forest would be limited. Impacts to ravine
                                       forest ecosystems would result infrastructure development (power, sewage, and water lines).
                             6.1.3     Scenario 3: Improvement
                                                  Only limited areas of the ravine forest would be cleared for development and roads.
                                       Forestland cleared for agriculture would remain productive through conservation practices.
                                       Virtually no erosion would occur on agricultural lands, and there would be no discernible
                                       degradation of water quality.

                                                                                       19

                           6.2       Savanna grassland

                           6.2.1     Scenario 1: No Action

                                              Savanna grasslands would expand as forested ecosystems are cleared for agriculture and
                                     abandoned over the next twenty years. Portions of the savanna grasslands would temporarily be
                                     converted to agriculture use but would convert back to grasslands. Wildland fires would
                                     continue to maintain the existing grasslands in an early succession stage. Erosion from burned
                                     grasslands would continue to contribute the most sediment to the Ugurn Rivers and its
                                     tributaries. Site quality would continue to decline and badland areas would increase in size.
                                              Construction of roads through the savanna grasslands would permit access that would
                                     lead to additional wildland fires, off-road vehicle, and related erosion. Lack of proper road
                                     design and construction would result in erosion of cut and fill slopes which would contribute to

                                     the sediment load in the streams.

                                              Golf course development would result in conversion of savanna grasslands. During the
                                     construction phase, a portion of the sediment eroding from the site would enter the streams and
                                     water quality would be adversely affected. Erosion would decrease following construction and
                                     establishment of vegetation. The hydrology of the sub-watershed would be affected resulting in
                                     a slight decrease in peak flow in the sub-watershed.
                                              Recreational activities involving off-road vehicle use would increase. The number of
                                     pioneered roads through the savanna grasslands would increase and the destruction of vegetation
                                     and rutting would result in gully erosion forming and an increase in the amount of sediment
                                     entering the streams.
                                              Most residential construction would occur in the savanna grasslands. Construction of
                                     homes and roadways would permanently remove savanna vegetation. Grasslands a4jacent to
                                     homes would be affected by human activities including increased foot and vehicle traffic,
                                     garbage dumping, and wildland fires.

                           6.2.2     Scenario 2: Maintenance

                                              Less area would be converted to savarma grassland than the No Action scenario would
                                     be cleared over the next twenty years. Agriculture activities would be limited to appropriate
                                     soils and slopes. Installed conservation practices would be limit soil loss to acceptable levels
                                     and very little of the eroded sediment would enter streams. Water quality would not be further
                                     degraded as a result of agricultural activities. Site productivity would not be degraded and
                                     abandoned agricultural lands would convert back to savanna grasslands.
                                              New road construction through savanna grasslands would be designed and constructed
                                     to standards. Revegetation of cut and fill slopes would control erosion and water quality would
                                     not be adversely affected.

                                                                                 20

                                               Savanna vegetation cleared for golf course development'would be in a less eroding state
                                     once vegetation is established. Savanna grasslands would be planted to trees as a mitigation
                                     measure of golf course development in ravine forest areas.

                                               Recreational activities would increase but use of off-road vehicles would be monitored.

                                     Wildland fires would continue at the current rate.

                                               Most residential construction would occur in the savanna grasslands. Additional
                                     planning and construction standards would reduce adverse impacts from the No Action scenario.
                                     Construction of homes and roadways would permanently remove savanna vegetation.
                                     Grasslands adjacent to homes would be affected by human activities including increased foot
                                     and vehicle traffic, garbage dumping, and wildland fires.
                            6.2.3    Scenario 3: Improvement
                                               The area of savanna grasslands would decline over the next twenty years as sites are
                                     used for sustainable agriculture and reforested. Erosion in the watershed would decrease as
                                     areas are reforested. Site quality would improve where savanna areas are converted to forest and
                                     agriculture use. Water quality would improve.

                            6.3      Wetland

                            6.3.1    Scenario 1: No Action

                                               Some wetlands would be converted to other uses over the next twenty years. Where
                                     wetlands are converted to agricultural use, site productivity would decline as the nutrients are
                                     used by crop plants and leached, and soil erosion occurs. Land users would increase use of
                                     fertilizers and pesticides to maintain crop production at an economic level. Some of the
                                     fertilizers and pesticides would enter streams and result an adverse impact to water quality.
                                     Hydrology of the converted wetlands would be disrupted for several years as a result of
                                     cultivation. Converted wetlands would slowly recover once the site is abandoned.
                                               Construction of roads through the wetlands would destroy the hydrology of wetland
                                     site. Traffic through the wetlands would continue to degrade the surrounding wetland as erosion

                                     increases.

                                               Golf course development and home construction would result in some destruction of

                                     wetlands.

                            6.3.2    Scenario 2: Maintenance

                                               There would be no net loss of wetlands under this scenario. Specific wetlands would be
                                     filled or degraded by development but constructed wetlands would mitigate these impacts.
                                     Agriculture would not impact wetlands. Wildland fires would continue periodically to bum
                                     through the wetlands. Road construction would be designed and located to avoid degrading
                                     wetland quality. Vegetation in streams and rivers would not be materially affected.
                            6.3.3    Scenario 3: Improvement

                                                                                  21

                                               Conservation on agriculture lands would reduce soil erosion and farm-related
                                      sedimentation of wetlands. Constructed wetlands resulting from golf course development
                                      would have some native wetland plant species. Designed roads would have reduce road-related
                                      sedimentation of wetlands. Residential construction would avoid degrading wetland values, and
                                      water quality would improve.
                            6.4       Riparian

                            6.4.1     Scenario 1: No Action

                                               Riparian vegetation would be cleared for development activities. Agricultural fields
                                      would encroach into the riparian zone degrading the quality of vegetation and adversely
                                      affecting the ecological processes associated with the riparian zone. Golf course construction
                                      would result in ftniher loss of riparian vegetation. Roads constructed through riparian would
                                      destroy vegetation and be a source of sedimentation. Residences constructed within the riparian
                                      ecosystem would permanently replace riparian vegetation.

                            6.4.2     Scenario 2: Maintenance

                                      Limited activity would be allowed in the riparian ecosystem minimizing adverse impacts.
                                      Generally there would be no net loss of riparian vegetation.
                            6.4.3     Scenario 3: Improvement

                                      Same as scenario 2.

                                                                               END OF REPORT

                                                                                 22

                                                                        WETLANDS
                                                                       by R.L. Sablan

                      1. Introduction

                      The Ugurn Watershed covers an area of approximately 11.8 square kilometers (7.33 square miles) or 4,691 acres
                      in five distinct subwatersheds, and twenty three (23) miles of rivers. The vast majority of wetlands and open
                      water features identified as part of this management planning effort and by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
                      (USFWS) Wetlands Inventory 1983 (1975 aerial photographs), approximately 102 hectares (255 acres), are
                      located primarily within the riparian and flood plain areas of the various river systems. Wetlands, including open
                      water habitat make up approximately 5.4 % of the watershed.

                      The official wetland definition for Guam is as follows:

                      "Those areas that are inundated by surface or ground water with a frequency sufficient to support and under
                      normal circumstances does or would support a prevalence of vegetative or aquatic life that requires saturated or
                      seasonally saturated soil conditions for growth and reproduction. Wetlands generally include swamps, marshes,
                      mangroves, natural ponds, surface springs, estuaries and similar such areas."

                      For the purposes of this management plan wetlands were only delineated (identified) using current inventory
                      sources (USFWS) and did not include wetland specific field surveys with the exception of 12 hectares identified
                      during vegetation inventories. An important note is the fact that the primary basis for determining wetland
                      ecosystem resources within the watershed was through the remote interpretation of 1975 aerial photographs.
                      Stereoscopic interpretation based on vegetation types, visible hydrology, and geography was conducted, therefore
                      an inherent margin of error exists with inventory results that are only accurate subject to ground verification and
                      more detailed scientific analysis (U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, 1983). The general consensus among wetland
                      experts suggests that the inventory is significantly short of the actual total wetland resources for any given land
                      unit (Lee L.C., personal communication, 1994). When conducting land-use analysis for wedand resources land
                      owners, managers, resource personnel among others should require site specific wetland determinations in all
                      cases due to strict regulatory control with regard to modification and impact of wetlands by both federal and local
                      authorities. In most cases resource agencies are mandated to assist in the verification process to the most practical
                      extent.

                      Wetlands identified in the Ugum. Watershed are classified in two (2) broad categories as either Pulustrine or
                      Riverine. Pulustrine systems primarily include but limited to inland (nontidal) freshwater wetlands dominated by
                      trees, shrubs, persistent cmergents, emergent mosses or lichens (ref.). Some of the more typical systems found in
                      the Ugurn Watershed are doniinated by Phragmites karka (Kaniso), Hibiscus tileacious (Pago), or a combination
                      of both.

                      Headwater wetlands which occur on steep slopes as well as on broad drainage flats within savanna grasslands may
                      be dominated by low growing (emergent) sedges and mixed with Phragmities. Headwater wetlands are highly
                      seasonal except for those in shallow ravines (depressions), slumped areas on steep slopes (indicating springs), and
                      other narrow riparian areas associated with seasonal streams.

                      Rivcrine wetlands include all wetlands associated with deepwater habitats of rivers their channels or banks and are
                      characterized by the periodically or continuously flowing water, or which form links between two bodies of water
                      standing water.

                      The major difference between Pulustrine and Riverine wetlands adjacent to rivers or streams is that Riverinc
                      wetlands are confined to that area between river banks (top of bank to top of bank) under the influence of flowing
                      or moving water while Pulustrine wetlands make up the remaining area from the river bank to uplands. Pulustrine
                      wetlands are common in flood plains, however both Pulustrinc and Riverine wetlands may be located in and
                      constitute a majority of a given riparian zone.

                       n. Assessment of Resource Funclions/Products/Activities

                       The various functions and beneficial products of wetlands are well documented (University of New Orleans) The
                       functions of wetlands within the Ugurn Watershed include;

                       - Water quality protection
                               - Sediment trapping (control)
                               - Chemical detoxification
                               - Nutrient recycling and removal of organics
                       -Groundwater recharge and discharge
                       -Streamflow maintenance and water supply
                       -Flood protection (storage and conveyance)
                       -Productivity (food and fiber)
                       -Wildlife, fisheries, and coral reef protection
                        Aesthetics, recreation, and cultural resources
                        Education and research

                       A. Water Quality Protection (Mechanical)

                       Mechanical water quality protection is achieved through sediment deposition of a significant percentage of total
                       suspended solids including organic material or detritus, Because many wetlands are depressional. and located at
                       various receiving points within a given river system, from headwater wetlands to coastal estuaries, they act as
                       multiple sediment basins each in turn accounting for a percentage of the settling-out function as water moves
                       through a watershed. Important factors for the effective removal of sediment are based on the velocity and volume
                       of water through the system and wetland vegetation type.

                       This function may be expressed as average residence time, however hydrologic factors determining a given
                       volume/time unit of water runoff entering wetlands, residence time, and discharges are best quantified as a
                       hydroperiod. Unless normal rates of erosion, quantities of sediment, and water carrying that sediment are not
                       exceeded, wetlands will function to remove sediment without detrimental effect to the wetland itself. Excessive
                       rates of sediment deposition will tend to overload a given wetland and accelerate the rate of surface or soil profile
                       change where water tables and flow patterns eventually alter wetland size, vegetation patterns or create wetlands
                       at new locations as water seeks new areas to accumulate. Where standing water provides for fish habitat
                       excessive loading will affect the fish that live feed and reproduce in the wetland.

                       B. Water Quality Protection (Chemical)

                       Wetlands function to protect down stream water, from chemical pollution by acting as accumulation points of
                       pesticides, solvents, fuels, heavy metals and other chemicals of largely human origin. While a wetland may
                       function as a buffering system for water the affects of chemical accumulations, if chronic, may adversely affect
                       the wetland itself by inhibiting the normal growth and reproduction of plants and animals in the wetland. Some
                       decomposition of chemicals to less toxic compounds may occur over long periods of time, however the rate of
                       effective decomposition and natural recycling (biodegradation) and fate of toxic materials in wetlands is not well
                       known and likely differs depending on the type of material (Mitsch and Gosselink, 1986). Wetland soils are
                       hydric meaning they lack oxygen for substantial periods of time, however a thin layer of soil and standing water
                       above hydric soils does contain oxygen. Basic chemical reactions and the process of degradation will result in
                       various rates of Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD) in addition to Biological Oxygen Demand (BOD) [T. Dunne,
                       1978]. It follows that excessive rates of either and in this case COD will eventually deprive living organisms of
                       minimum available dissolved oxygen levels. Therefore, the flinctional benefits of wetlands to buffer down
                       stream waters from chemical pollution may also result in the degradation of wetlands chemically and physically
                       while at the same time still allowing the undesirable introduction of chemicals into the food chain (T. Dunne).

                       C. Water Quality Protection (Biological)

                       Biologically, wetlands provide the beneficial function of nutrient uptake and consumption by plant material and
                       the slow but beneficial decomposition of organics. Wetlands could be considered for and are known to provide
                       effective land treatment of wastewater if designed and operated properly. High concentrations of nutrients and
                       organics in stream water will cause higher levels of BOD and further resulting in higher rates of algae growth and
                       distribution. In turn, algae requires dissolved oxygen that would otherwise be available to fish and other stream
                       biota.

                       Wetlands serve to accumulate nutrients such as phosphorous and nitrogen where they are utilized by wetland
                       plants Q.F. Berry, 1993). As in all cases where the protection of water quality is critical any wetland or system of
                       wetlands within a watershed could be rendered ineffective where the quantity of water and/or the concentration of
                       physical or chemical inputs exceeds wetland capacity to retain and process that material.

                       All ecosystems have limiting factors and abilities to absorb adverse impacts, yet in the case of wetlands normal
                       conditions provide for high levels of protection of otherwise adverse impacts are reduce with regard to impacts on
                       other water resources. All indications point to the fact that long term exposure to adverse levels of physical or
                       chemical impacts eventually reduce the functional attribute of a given wetland system or loss of the wetland
                       entirely (T. DUNNE).

                       D. Groundwater Recharge and Discharge

                       Hydrologic conditions within the Ugurn Watershed provide limited opportunities for groundwater recharge
                       because soils have low percolation and storage qualities. Generally, southern watersheds are believed to have
                       limited potential for groundwater production although groundwater is available at quantities below economic
                       production yield levels.

                       Ground water discharges generally occur as springs with associated wetlands on steep slopes and at the base of
                       hills and mountains where ground water encounters bedrock material and is forced to the surface. It is not known
                       how or to what extent wetlands in the watershed function to recharge groundwater aquifers, however some
                       wetlands tend to be located where discharges occur and water enters surface streams or rivers. (K.N. Brooks,
                       1991)

                       E. Stream Flow Maintenance and Water Supply

                       Wetlands are recharged during the wet months (rainy season) of the year and release water over longer periods of
                       time roughly proportionate water quantity inputs. The hydrologic function or what may be referred to as the
                       "hydroperiod" of wetlands is important in maintaining stream flows through the transitional periods from wet to
                       dry seasons attenuating large quantities during high rain fall periods and releasing water over a longer period of
                       time into the dry season (K. Brooks and J. Berry). The reservoir (storage) function of wetlands is only beneficial
                       if the system of wetlands within a given watershed remains undisturbed relative to location and size.

                       F. Flood Protection

                       Many of the larger wetlands identified in the Resource Assessment are located along major river and tributary
                       flood plains. Flood events will cause water to overtop banks and continue downstream within the various flood
                       plains slowing water down by spreading flows out over a broader vegetated areas. Wetlands which are also flood
                       plains exist at these locations because the water table adjacent to rivers is relatively high year round unless
                       extreme drought conditions occur. Wetlands flinction for flood protection much the way they flinction for water
                       storage and stream flow maintenance in that they are stable vegetated systems where water may accumulate over
                       time and release water slowly. A given river systems capacity to transport water down stream at low velocities
                       and quantities for a given flood event.

                       G. Productivity

                       A wetland includes vegetation which may be valuable for wood products, and food. Betelnut trees are typically
                       located along the fringe of wetlands and often within wetlands in sheltered valley floors. Pago bark is excellent
                       rope or lashing material and was extensively used by early Chamorros for construction purposes. Likewise, taro
                       production typically was located in or close to wetlands. Pandanas trees produce a fruit bundle which when
                       husked yields a starchy and sweet nut likely of high nutrient value. Pandanas make up a significant component of
                       wetlands and wetland fringe areas in ravine forests in the Ugum Watershed.

                       H. Wildlife, Fisheries, and Coral Reef Protection

                       The trophic relationships in wetlands, basically summarized, include the various biological processes of a typical
                       detritus-based system. With the exception of possible foraging and cover habitat for water buffalo and wild pigs
                       much of the energy and matter movement in wetlands are carried out by insect, invertebrates, fungi, bacteria and
                       other small to microscopic animal life which consume litter and other decaying material (ENSR Consulting and
                       Engineering, 1994).

                       From the human consumption standpoint wetlands provide important shelter and foraging areas for wild pigs and
                       deer which have been a traditional food animal for Chamorros. In addition, areas of open water such as rivers,
                       streams, and ponded areas within wetlands include freshwater prawns, ells, and introduced talapia (fish) which are
                       utilized as food. Wetlands also support numerous small indigenous fish and insects such as gobbies, flagtails,
                       water spiders, worms, leaches among others. Wetlands provide critical habitat for the Marianas Moorhen and the
                       threatened Bittern. (Kaka).

                       Coral reefs are protected through the wetland function of trapping sediment and the consumption or biological up-
                       take of nutrients and minerals. A significant quantity of sediment is trapped in wetlands that would otherwise
                       settle out in marine waters and on coastal reefs. Likewise, unless the watershed includes vegetated water systems,
                       of which wetlands are the most significant, few opportunities might exist for the filtering and up-take of nutrients
                       and minerals. The opposite condition of a functional watershed that includes a balance of wetlands areas, rivers,
                       ponds, etc. is the channelization of run-off into streams and rivers with very little residence time for the overall
                       treatment of surface water run-off.

                       1. Aesthetic, Recreational, and Cultural Resources

                       Wetlands make up a significant portion of most southern watersheds and river systems. Aesthetically, wetlands
                       are distinguishable in the river valleys where the mosaic of vegetation may range from forested lands to broad
                       depressional emergent grasses and shrubs.

                       Because wetland areas retain water over long periods of time, even during the dry season, they will stand out on
                       the landscape as dark green vegetated areas surrounded by dryer and some times light brown savanna grasslands.
                       Appreciation of wetlands at a smaller more intimate scale will reveal picturesque ponds, streams with shaded
                       riparian wetlands, occasional bird sightings, and a number of plants or trees which have spectacular flowers such
                       as the Pandanas, Phraginities (in bloom), and many other small flowering (seeding) sedges, vines, and ferns.

                       Most of the recreational opportunities associated with wetlands stem from the fact that the areas are quite
                       beautiful, are habitat to several bird species, are areas where betelnut may be gathered, and where freshwater
                       shrimping and fishing is possible. One of he unforhmalc but common recreational use of wetlands in
                       South/Central Guam is off-roading. Wetlands provide a certain challenge to off-roaders in that specially modified
                       trucks with large "mud" Or "swamp" tires may use a wetland area as an obstacle feature.

                      Typically, an exciting off-road experience includes fording rivers, swampy areas and other wetland sites in order
                      to test a driver's skill and the effectiveness of specialized equipment.
                      Culturally or historically, wetlands have served as places where taro and rice crops could be cultivated. Another
                      possible use of wetlands is for the gathering of medicinal plants by Surahanu's or traditional medicine people.
                      Furthermore, wetlands have always played an important role as water sources, especially those areas associated
                      with springs and ponds.

                      J. Education and Research

                      Wetlands, depending on the type, may be rich in wildlife and plant species as diverse as any ecosystem in tropical
                      island regions. The abundance of juvenile aquatic life in mangrove wetlands is well documented as are the unique
                      plants which are specifically adapted to a range of water levels. Pulustrine wetlands, and especially the more
                      monotypic Phragmities wetlands, are somewhat less diverse from both the wildlife and plant species standpoint.
                      However, Pulustrine wetlands also include forested wetlands which are much more diverse in plant and animal
                      species. Moreover, Phragmities wetlands are not well studied at this time and therefore provide good
                      opportunities for scientific research. Often what is perceived as simple and monotypic may be substantially
                      diverse if scientists are encouraged to evaluate, classify, and study the system. While wetlands as distinct
                      ecosystems are well know for many of the above mentioned flinctions and even values, the opportunities to
                      closely research regional variations and specific conditions of wetlands for a given watershed or island remain a
                      viable area for additional research.

                      For example, the specific wetlands identification and delineation procedures used by the federal government have,
                      under certain circumstances, been inaccurate and inappropriate due to the broad regional parameters and
                      assumptions applied in their development. Island specific conditions are not always well suited to or match
                      conditions developed largely based on Hawaiian Island or southeastern state conditions.

                      1U. Resource Problems

                      A. Wildland Fires

                      Wildland fires represent the major adverse impact to wetlands in the Ugurn Watershed at the present time. The
                      affects of fire on wetlands in the watershed are the immediate impact of vegetation loss along the fringe of
                      wetlands and in the case where fires completely bum through a wetland the loss or displacement of nearly 100%
                      of vegetation and wildlife. The longer term impacts of fire in the watershed results in accelerated erosion rates
                      after fires, development and expansion of badlands, and the deposition of eroded soil in wetland areas. Excessive
                      soil loading during the first wet season after wildland fires may have serious implications in the long term wetland
                      alterations of both the soil profile and resultant invasion of less desirable wetland species (Phragmites)(G.Wiles
                      and M. Ritter) and upland weed or savanna species. hTilling of wetlands, the resulting change in species type and
                      composition may eventually cause shrinkage, loss, or conversely flooding and establishment of new wetlands
                      downstream (G. Wiles and M. Ritter). When savanna grasslands bum there is likely an increase in the demand for
                      habitat and forage resources by wildlife on adjacent resources. When savanna grasslands bum and wetlands do
                      not, wetlands become islands of refuge for displaced wildlife thereby stressing available cover, food stocks,
                      therefore increased populations may exceed wetland ecosystem carrying capacities.

                      An additional concern with regard to wetland functional abilities and fire is the release of nutrients from burned
                      areas that eventually leach from the savanna lands into wetlands and ultimately streams and rivers. It is not clear
                      what levels of nutrient loading in wetlands and other surface waters occur after fires and how effective wetlands
                      are in absorbing leached nutrients before they enter downstream surface waters.

                      B. Off-road Activities

                      Off-road activities in the Ugurn Watershed may be identified by three (3) specific
                      user or activity groups; (1) fanning activities; (2) hunting and/or gathering activities; (3) tourism related
                      recreational activities. Since a majority of the land in the watershed is privately owned, controlled by gates or
                      inaccessible by vehicles during the wet season there are few if any other off-road activities in the watershed.

                      1. Farming Activities

                      Routine maintenance of active access roads and the opening of new roads for the propose of agricultural activities
                      constitutes a major activity in the watershed. Farming roads, for the purpose of this report are considered as off-
                      road activities because a significant portion of the activity is not systematically developed or planned in
                      accordance with best management practices. Farming roads that are located along wetland fringes or actually
                      cross streams and wetlands resulting in repeated impacts to hydric soil (compaction, erosion.. etc.), vegetation, and
                      ultimately habitat degradation.

                      2. Hunting/Gathering Activities

                      Hunting and gathering activities are widespread throughout the watershed and much of the associated off-road
                      activity is not sanctioned by landowners. Because of this the off-road activities for hunting tend to increase the
                      number of jeep trails across the landscape and the main issue with hunters is to access wildlife and plant resources
                      in the most efficient and direct manner possible without regard for resource protection. As with fanning activities
                      and more so, off-road activities for hunting are unregulated and/or planned in that wetlands may be crossed in
                      order to access remote sections of the watershed to gather wildlife and plant resources regardless of resource
                      damage.

                      3. Tourism Activities

                      Portions of the watershed are utilized by Safari Tours, Inc. for off-road and off-road sightseeing activities on a
                      near daily basis. It has been noted that part of the off-road experience for tourists is to traverse steep and rough
                      terrain, badland areas, and muddy (wet) areas in order to provide a variety of exhilarating experiences and to
                      access remote and spectacular areas such as rivers, caves, historical sites, and areas where wildlife, mainly water
                      buffalo, tend to congregate.

                      The touring activity is sanctioned and arranged through the landowner as a permitted activity, however there do
                      not appear to be guiding rules or standards of conduct with regard to where or how the activity is conducted as
                      long as it does not interfere with other landowner activities such as fanning. The potential to impact wetland
                      areas and wildlife is great for this activity from the standpoint of direct impacts on wetland resources for the
                      "muddy" experience and indirectly as a result of erosion from the multiple short-term creation of new and
                      challenging jeep trails.

                      C. Sediment Loading

                      Sediment loading problems result from the problems of Wildland fires and off-road activities outlined above. The
                      natural rate of sediment loading from undisturbed lands is not a problem that should require attention at this point
                      with the exception of those areas that have been previously disturbed and continue to erode unabated.

                      Other possible sources of sediment loading or erosion are related to potential future human disturbances such as
                      residential home development, golf course development or any number of possible activities permitted in an "A"
                      (Agricultural) Zone. Two (2) sediment (erosion) loading issues are of concern when development projects involve
                      disturbing pristine areas within the watershed; those related to construction impacts and short term erosion and
                      those related to long term erosion when disturbed areas are not properly revegetated or restored.

                     Wetlands w ill be impacted by excessive erosion when projects are not planned and developed with wetland
                     resource protection standards. Development projects may also require or necessitate fill and/or the modification
                     of wetlands as part of the project.

                     Some of the more typical wetland impacts or significant potential uses associated with land-uses in agricultural
                     areas are; utilizing wetlands as wastewater treatment areas, stormwater control and disposal areas, modifications
                     to control flooding as water features such as lakes, ponds, and reservoirs, seasonal cultivation, permanent
                     conversion from wetland to farm fields (draining), water harvesting (pumping) for irrigation, filling for roads,
                     bridges, infrastructure, homes, and other development structures.

                     M. Alternative Mitigation Measures, Best Management Practices, and Management Issues

                     The following measures, practices, and issues are arranged in three broad categories; policy development,
                     planning applications, and construction/Operational practices.

                     A. Planning Applications

                     1. Avoidance - Environmental Land-Use Planning

                     The primary management practice for the protection of natural wetland systems which will provide for or
                     maintain the most beneficial functions is avoidance.

                     Environmental land use planning, if conducted appropriately will identify development constraints for a range of
                     natural resources one of which may be wetlands. Identification of wetlands and wetland functions within a given
                     land parcel or unit should be considered during the initial scoping process for project feasibility.

                     In the past, wetlands were only identified as a constraint issue when government resource personnel brought the
                     issue to the permitting table. Resource personnel, often become involved in the planning process after the
                     developer had finalized plans and was requesting final construction permit approval.

                     The main concern with this management issue is to have wetlands as well as other landscape and wildlife
                     constraints identified early in the planning process in order to design development around major constraints as
                     opposed to manipulating the natural constraints to fit the development plan. Wetland fill, excavation, or
                     modification permits are time consuming, expensive, require mitigation and involve at least four federal and local
                     agencies requiring two (2) separate but related permit approvals.

                     2. Enviromnental Impact Assessments

                     The Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) is a basic planning tool for environmental land-use planning. EIA's
                     are required by Guam Executive Order 90-10 and by the National Environmental Policy Act, 1969 (NEPA) for
                     federal projects and expenditures. EIA's provide the basis for decisions, document the significant constraints to
                     development and mitigation necessary to minimize environmental impacts.

                     3. Low Impact/Compatible Uses

                     Low impact and compatible land uses in or adjacent to wetlands may provide viable development options if
                     planned for and implemented considering wetland ecosystem sensitivities. Ecotourism has been promoted in
                     Guam and internationally as a major marketing idea with the concept that tourism must be integrated with natural
                     ecosystems as opposed to the systematic consumption of natural resources without real concern for long term
                     sustainable yield. Nature tours and wilderness appreciation are significant ingredients in the existing off-read

                      touring enterprise, however the tours cannot be considered as compatible with resource protection due to
                      unplanned and uncontrolled off-road impacts which are believed to cause significant erosion.

                      Golf course development if planned appropriately and managed with environmental protection in mind could be
                      considered a low impact use. Exceptions to this view are related to undesirable impacts of pesticide and fertilizer
                      use, temporary construction impacts, and the loss of native forest and other resources.

                      A golf course, in order to be considered compatible or as having low impact on resources would have to
                      incorporate most the following design and operational features:

                      - be located almost entirely on existing badlands or savanna grasslands
                        involve no loss of native wetlands or only minor modifications
                      - involve little if any irrigation where irrigation is sourced from deep ground water and               appropriate
                      surface sources
                      - should be managed pesticide and fertilizer free
                      - constructed in small incremental phases to reduce construction impacts

                      Ecotourism and what might be considered Ecogolf are just two examples of land uses that may feasibly be
                      designed as compatible with wetlands and other resource systems. Some level of development will eventually be
                      realized in the watershed, therefore those uses that derive financial benefits to landowners yet only passively
                      consume resources while applying sustainable use management concepts, or convert less desirable and stable
                      (with lower erosion rates) ecosystems to stable ones should be emphasized.

                      4. Wetland Mitigation Banking

                      Wetland Mitigation Banking involves the setting aside of wetland and upland areas for Enhancement Mitigation
                      and resource protection in exchange for permitted impacts at other sites. The banking concept requires several
                      key components; availability of land for conservation (and mitigation) in perpetuity, an established exchange rate
                      and mechanism (niles), and government oversight or assistance in the banking system. Mitigation banking may be
                      more attractive to large project developers or landowners that have large properties. Resource managers find that
                      banking offers certain benefits whereby substantial commitments are made in a protected environment to restore,
                      enhance and provide for wildlife habitat.

                      Large landowners in the Ugum Watershed might be interested in banking wetlands for profit and tax incentives,
                      but the concept of banking commits land resources to one exclusive use which might be viewed as too prohibitive.
                      Other potential pitfalls of Banking are the tendency for developers to choose (propose) enhancement of less
                      diverse and simple wetlands, little technical guidance has been established as standards, and the enhancement is
                      always off-site in that impacts may not be mitigated for in the same ecological system or watershed. Wetland
                      Mitigation Banking does not necessarily require the creation of new wetlands for wetlands lost. T'his may be the
                      major drawback to banking even considering that the method is accepted by the U.S. EPA and Corps of Engineers
                      (J.F. Berry)

                      B. Policy Development

                      1. Education

                      One of the primary and proactive policy issues for watershed management and wetlands protection overall is
                      public education about wetland conservation. Wetlands conservation education should be a critical component of
                      a larger public education and landowner education effort for the Ugum Watershed.

                      Education curriculum for wetlands conservation should be centered on wetlands functions for water quality
                      protection, habitat protection, flood control, economic benefits.. etc. as well as the legal and econon-dc
                      consequences and costs of destroying (filling, dredging, clearing, polluting) wetlands. When landowners and the

                       general public are aware of wetland fimetions that provide for a certain "quality of life" they will then begin to
                       form personal and community values about the treatment, conservation and use of wetlands in the Ugum
                       watershed.
                       Watershed management/protection concepts formalized with this plan will provide the broad based multiple use
                       and functional benefit framework for understanding.

                       2. Local Legislation

                       Guam law lacks wetland specific legislation for the study, conservation and management of wetland ecosystems.
                       The current legal mandate for wetlands is based on Government of Guam Executive Order 90-13, Territorial Land
                       Use Commission Wetlands Rules and Regulations, and the Guam Water Quality Standards. These legal
                       mechanisms are regulatory in nature and exist primarily as components of rules promulgated for laws that are not
                       specific to wetland ecosystem protection, however they are specific to wetland resources mainly water quality and
                       wildlife protection. Development of these regulations have for the most part followed typical federal protection
                       schemes in that conservation and management historically focused on specific resources or components of
                       ecosystems as opposed to taking a conservation stance for systems and subsystems within larger land/marine units.
                       There are indications that the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is rethinking the approach of the Endangered
                       Species Act where protecting specific animals may not be as beneficial as treating the overall health and multiple
                       use issues of entire environs (ecosystems) to protect species habitat.

                       Wetland protection policy might be best expressed in laws that require wetlands as ecosystems to be integrated in
                       general land use planning at the watershed level or statewide (territory) level. This as opposed to wetland
                       legislation that addresses wetlands protection without contextual consideration with larger land use planning and
                       development issues. Existing enforcement mechanisms may be adequate at both local and federal levels, yet
                       substantive and long term protection via local legislation might be realize with wetlands protection as a
                       component of all land use planning and zoning.

                       3. Cooperative Agreements

                       Cooperative agreements could be made with land owners, lease tenants, and responsible individuals with special
                       interests in the Ugum Watershed. This management measure should be implemented either as an overlay to
                       existing or new management measures or if nothing else is accomplished mutual assistance in protecting wetland
                       ecosystems and private property interests. Issues that could be addressed by a cooperative agreement include,
                       notification of resource damage (protocol), a process to involve resource agencies in development planning,
                       technical assistance for development design, wetland determinations, technical advise, and many others as needed
                       (University of New Orleans). This management should be the basis for managing development and conservation
                       activities in the watershed and all parties involved need to agree to the general guidance provided.

                       4. Conservation Easements/Areas

                       The establishment of Conservation Easements is provided for in Public Law 12-25, the Guam Land Conservation
                       Act. In most cases conservation easements are proposed as a form of mitigation for environmental and natural
                       resource impacts that occur as a result of development.
                       Often times, monetary compensation or a financial commitments are not feasible within the scope of a project or
                       as matter of financial ability for land owners. The dedication of a Conservation Easement in many ways provides
                       a legal and binding commitment to conserve land resources in exchange for otherwise undesirable environmental
                       impacts.

                       5. Property Tax Incentives

                      Property tax incentives may prove to be a viable method for relief from strict legal requirements which limit land
                      uses in wetlands. Many landowners, especially in the Ugum Watershed own large land parcels (in excess of 20
                      acres). If a significant portion of these lands are wetlands it may be beneficial from a conservation standpoint to
                      allow for wetland tax reductions. Special conditions must be incorporated in order to receive tax credits
                      (reductions) that are only available if wetlands remain undisturbed and loss of credit if wetlands are proposed to
                      be damaged, permitted, or otherwise. In addition, the federal tax code allows for tax deductions when gifts of
                      conservation lands are made to either private conservation groups or government agencies in the form of
                      conservation easements or wildlife preserves (U.S. EPA 1992).

                      C. Construction/Operational Practices

                      1. Construction Best Management Practices for Wetlands

                      There are two types of construction in wetlands those activities that are designed to minimize or avoid impact
                      such as would be required for walkways and bridges and activities that permit filling, dredging, or some type of
                      modification to wetlands that are considered a permanent loss of wetland area.

                      a. Buffers

                      When land alteration activities are planned for areas immediately adjacent to wetlands buffers provide a measure
                      of assurance that inadvertent or accidental encroachment does not occur. Wetland buffering is for all practical
                      considerations no different from buffering for any number of water bodies. Each situation is unique depending on
                      such factors as slope and vegetation cover in the proposed buffer zone. The primary and immediate concern with
                      buffering wetlands is water quality and the effects of erosion that may cause detrimental impacts.

                      b. Full Spanning Structures

                      When access is required through a wetland bridges should be designed if practical and cost effective to be full
                      spanning. This should be the first choice to avoid and minimize wetland impacts.

                      c. Pile Support Structures

                      In cases where full spanning structures are determined to be impractical from both a cost and engineering
                      standpoint the next design consideration should be pile supported structures. Piles will cause some minimal level
                      of impact, however this design method is often the next most desirable method for access through wetlands or for
                      buildings that partially encroach into wetlands. Depending on the purpose and use of a building pile support
                      foundations may be viable for an entire structure,

                      d. Erosion Control and Construction/Development Site Controls

                      Construction activities that are located partially in wetlands should be well planned and coordinated. Stringent
                      construction site monitoring may be needed to avoid off-site impacts. Environmentally sensitive construction
                      phasing while often constraining, will provides the best insurance that sensitive wetland areas are well delineated
                      and that stormwater (erosion) is intercepted and treated prior to discharge and overflow into wetlands or streams.
                      The main concern when requiring stringent erosion control, phasing, and monitoring plans is to ensure that each
                      subsequent and individual construction area is manageable from and environmental protection standpoint.

                      The relative size of a given land area under active construction (disturbance) should be equivalent to the
                      contractor's ability to maintain and control work activities and protection measures.

                       Environmental Protection Plans (EPP's), Erosion Control Plan (ECP's), and Water Quality Monitoring Plans
                       (WQMP's) are existing mitigation type requirements that are useful in controlling the occurrence of off-site and
                       on-site environmental damages that are not part of the construction activities.

                       2. Fire Control

                       An active plan to minin-dze and control activities which involve fire or flammable substance use within the
                       watershed together with access for fire fighting crews and equipment may substantially reduce the number of
                       accidental fires. Public education and enforcement hunting regulations could also contribute significantly in
                       controlling wildland fires resulting from illegal hunting activities.

                       3. Pesticide, Fertilizer, and Hazardous Material Control/Management

                       The use of chemical pesticides, herbicides, fertilizers, and other petroleum based products by land owners and
                       farmers should be strictly controlled. hi conjunction with buffers and other conservation practices limited use of
                       chemical agents may be permitted, however formal use and application plans must be formulated and
                       implemented to reduce leaching to wetlands and streams. Although wetlands provide a natural buffer in as much
                       as they are believed to act as chemical sinks any wetland system may be easily overcome by over applications,
                       improper applications and accidental spills. Integrated pest management plans offer some basis for prudent
                       chemical use in farming and landscape applications. Future land uses which increase the density and intensity of
                       urban development will bring with it new issues and concerns for water quality and habitat protection from
                       adverse exposure to chemicals carried by surface waters.

                       4. Stormwater Management

                       Stormwater drainage system designs must balance the needs to control flooding and disposal for developed area
                       (impervious surfaces) and the important recharge functions of the watershed. Non-point pollution issues should be
                       resolved through design concepts which minimize lined channel features and maximize vegetated drainage
                       swales, open and shallow ponding basins, and other on-site disposal/control methods. Wetlands may play an
                       important role in stormwater disposal and treatment, however untreated point discharges of stromwater should not
                       be permitted. Guam's water quality standards specify that wetland water quality standards are the same for the
                       surrounding bodies of water in a given zone. Direct discharges of stromwater to wetlands are regulated basically
                       as entering surface waters. Another important issue is the recharge of stromwater to ground and surface supplies
                       within the same subwatershed. Proposals to redirect stromwater from one subwatershed to adjacent watersheds
                       should be carefully assessed and in most cases not permitted without substantial evidence that significant impact
                       would not occur individually or cumulatively. Because soils in the watershed are highly erodible it follows that
                       drainage systems will require regular maintenance to remove accumulated sediment.

                       5. Wetland Monitoring

                       As part of any plan for watershed management where potable water resources are a primary concern, and given
                       the evidence that wetlands play an important if not critical role in water quality maintenance, ecosystem health
                       should be monitored fro long term affects. Sediment loading, pesticide accumulations, vegetation health, wildlife
                       populations and diversity and hydrological changes could be assessed systematically over the long term. If
                       possible a holistic approach to watershed monitoring should be developed in order to measure the effectiveness of
                       management practices and applications. Without some type of monitoring beyond the water quality analysis
                       conducted at the Ugurn Water Treatment Plant there will be no possible way to quantify impacts and management
                       effectiveness. Furthermore, in the event significant problems arise, it will be critical to identify and isolate
                       pollution problems at their source.

                       rV. Management Scenario Assessments

                        Two Management Scenarios (alternatives), Maintenance and Improvement, were developed in addition to a No
                        Action scenario. Each scenario takes into consideration the likely land use trends that would develop over a 20
                        year period from the date of this plan.

                        No Action Scenario

                        This scenario assumes that existing trends for resource protection, management and uses will continue to develop.
                        It is important to note that the No Action Scenario does not mean that efforts to protect ecosystems such as
                        wetlands will cease or that resources such as wildlife and water quality will receive less attention. It only assumes
                        that a management plan will not generally guide land uses and land use practices. In the absence of a formal
                        Watershed Management Plan government agencies will likely create working relationships to address the minimal
                        protection standards for drinking water quality, however government will play a largely regulatory role in the
                        watershed.

                        A. Permit Reactive - Wetland protection efforts will be hindered in that protection measures will typically be
                        considered at or near the end of the planning cycle unless the development proposed involves prior review and
                        permitting actions through the Territorial Land Use Commission or similar public land management entities
                        (Chamorro Land Trust Commission). Since access is largely restricted even passive monitoring of wetland
                        resource is not likely. The Guam Environmental Protection Agency may conduct aerial surveillance annually if
                        funding is available. Government resource agencies are currently only permitted to enter private lands within die
                        watershed at the invitation of land owners or when illegal activities are reported.

                        Access to government of Guam lands in the upper watershed is also limited with most entrances originating on
                        Navy or private property. It is very unlikely that private land owners will seek clearing and grading permits for
                        many of the smaller development or construction activities in the watershed simply because the area is remote and
                        in accessible, When construction (clearing or grading) permits are sought and wetlands are a major issue any
                        effort by regulating or resource agencies will be hard pressed to interject wetland avoidance considerations for
                        development design,

                        B. Fire Control - Uncontrolled wildland fires will prevail as an annual impact slowly reducing or damaging
                        wetlands either through direct loss of vegetation or by increased sediment loading of in wetlands. As wildland
                        fires increase in acreage and/or number there may be stepped-up efforts by fire officials to focus on wildland fire
                        prevention and fire fighting capabilities, however there has not been a recent trend to address the issue as urgent
                        or as a top priority. Current suppression efforts are applied to the protection life and real property.
                        C. Program Drive Managemen - Resource protection will be program driven at the agency level. Wetlands
                        protection efforts are largely informally coordinated at the present time. Limited funding is available for public
                        education, wetland resource study, detailed inventories, and resource planning. The major emphasis is on
                        enforcement which is perceived publicly as negative and a general infringement on private property rights. The
                        opportunity to apply a broad range of protection and planning initiatives to private land owners does not currently
                        exist. The Department of Agriculture, Guam EPA and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers with specialized assistance
                        from the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) and the Bureau of Planning will continue to drive the
                        permit process. The problem with individual programs as the main emphasis for management is that each agency
                        will tend to assert management control according to what often amounts to narrow objectives as opposed to a
                        programmed approach to integrated resource management with consensus driven objectives for ecosystem
                        function goals.

                        D. Buffers - This scenario allow for the continuation of limited soil conservation measures as specified for
                        farming activities. At the request of resource personnel farmers may include some form of buffering concept
                        when developing new agricultural fields or when activating and managing existing (fallow) fields. Buffers
                        between wetland systems and any development are only required as conditions to clearing, grading and/or
                        building permits. Agricultural operations do not typically require these permits. Buffers for other types of
                        development are likely to be required after plan reviews, however this may be too late in the development process.

                      E. Ecosystem Functions - Concern for ecosystem functions will be minimal overall for the entire watershed.
                      Wetland ecosystem functions are managed and protected more than any other ecosystem in the watershed largely
                      due to existing regulations and laws which protect wildlife, wetland habitat, and water quality. Concern for
                      wetland functions will exist as long as wetlands are protected systems or are regulated under the Clean Water Act.
                      If a watershed master plan is not implemented and development increases over the next 20 years it most likely that
                      the fimctional connections between different ecosystems will degrade and eventually cause adverse impacts to
                      wetlands. Management of wetlands and protection of wetland ftmctions can only be effective in the long term if
                      upstream and downstream systems are also managed.

                      Wetlands will not endure prolonged or designed utilization as sediment sinks, non-point source pollution filters,
                      and other uses above and beyond natural conditions. Attitudes that suggest that wetlands can be relied upon for
                      increased firrictional uses to support or mitigate human activities (development) miss the point. Wetlands function
                      optirtially under natural conditions and provide marginal benefits based on stress limitations as passive buffers for
                      water quality.

                      F. Land-Use and Zoning Manipulations - Currently there are three (3) methods for obtaining rezoning and other
                      land-use intensity changes beyond the uses permitted for a given zoning designation. The first and most
                      comprehensive process is to apply for changes through the Territorial Land Use Comniission, however this is
                      often the least preferred method for developers because of higher costs, intense scrutiny, and a lengthy approval
                      time period in addition to requires such as Environmental Impact Assessments. The second method is through the
                      Summary Zone Change process for parcels equal to or less than two acres from "A" to "R-I " or "R-2" and "R-I
                      to "R-2". This process is administered through the Department of Land Management and the legislature with
                      minimal line or utility agency input. The third process involves requesting rezoning through the legislature as a
                      matter of public law. In the last three (3) years the legislative process is believed to have approved as much as 10
                      times the number of applications for the first two methods combined.

                      The legislative process has the potential to cause nearly immeasurable impact on a given community and the
                      island as whole because changes are rapid, typically involve only the applicants, does not consider infrastructure
                      or natural constraints, has not been well documented for planning purposes, and basically has no connection to
                      organized and recognized planning principals. Implications for watershed management are potentially grave if
                      rural, pristine, remote, and sensitive areas are re-zoned without consideration to ecological function for water
                      quality, habitat protection, and any number of the previously mentioned issues for watershed management.
                      Appropriate planning methods (master planning) for controlling development to protect the watershed under a
                      status quo situation are few and time consuming especially considering the fact that a comprehensive land use
                      plan for Guam has been proposed for nearly four years without final approval. Zoning manipulations in the
                      watershed without this plan will severely stress available regulatory and conservation capabilities and regulate
                      agencies to damage mitigation as opposed to planned and guided development.

                      Maintenance Scenario

                      The Maintenance Scenario is based on the assumption that existing trends will remain and that conservation and
                      environmental protection measures will primarily be aimed at maintaining    watershed conditions and water
                      quality at cur-rent levels of use and for any new development. A not net change in resource qualities is expected,
                      yet only limited retrofitting for existing problems will occur through individual agency initiatives.

                      A. Coordinated Management - Coordinated management will only exist when agencies form such associations
                      which will likely be project or issue oriented. Coordination on a watershed and ecosystem management level will
                      not exist. Urgent needs to address adverse environmental impacts will tend to be temporary and short term
                      resolving symptomatic problems as opposed to fixing causes.

                      Both informal and formal associates between agencies such as the Army Corps of Engineers, Department of
                      Agriculture, and Guam EPA exist for wetland protection, enforcement, delineation, and permit work. The
                      maintenance of these working relationships should remain intact, however expanded management efforts, which

                      recognize the added significance of protecting water quality for drinking purposes, may not receive added
                      emphasis or financing.

                      B. Mitigation of New Damage - Requirements for mitigation of wetland alterations are more or less established
                      through federal and local permit and enforcement procedures. Realization of appropriate and successful
                      mitigation still has not been met as many mitigation projects are not well monitored and often have open-ended
                      completion time lines. A comprehensive wetland management program does not exist in Guam where certain
                      staff are exclusively dedicated to wetland protection and mitigation projects. Wetland protection efforts, although
                      significant, are collateral work functions for technical experts at the above mentioned agencies.

                      C. Maintenance of Existing Fire Suppression and Control Policies - Existing fire prevention and control
                      strategies do not address ecosystems specifically, therefore wetlands are part of the overall fire control and
                      prevention strategy along with savanna grasslands and all other vegetated systems.

                      D. Prioritized Resource Protection - Resource components of ecosystems will continue to be monitored, and
                      managed on a priority basis. Because surface fresh water quality is the primary emphasis for watershed protection
                      only the more apparent resources, mainly water, will be protected from the standpoint of treatment. Eventually
                      pollution sources will be addressed upstream from the catchment and treatment facility only after additional
                      treatment remedies are attempted. Integrated management of water resources should include treatment of all
                      watershed components. Priorities for resource protection will remain narrowly focused on the end product rather
                      than the processes which contribute to quality assurance up-stream. The natural priority emphasis is reversed
                      from what it should be and will remain highly reactive to changes in quantity and quality. The problem with this
                      type of management is it is almost always reactive and does not address issues related prevention, a more cost
                      effective approach. Wetlands may take years to be exhibit the symptoms of degradation at which time restoration
                      may have to address ecosystem recovery and all of the interrelated issues such as long established human practices
                      which cause system degradation.

                      E. Access Restriction, to Government Lands - Most of the wetlands located on government lands are headwaters.
                      Headwater wetlands, are often more seasonal in nature yet they provide a high degree water quality protection and
                      eventually influence the physical, chemical and biological process downstream. Headwater wetlands actually
                      exist in each subwatershed and are therefore important areas for protection.

                      All of the government land in the upper Ugurn Watershed are under the administrative jurisdiction of the
                      Chamorro Land Trust Comniission (CLTC). Access is limited to jeep trails and extremely limited during the wet
                      season from property outside of the Ugurn Watershed. A large valley, associated Ravine and wetland areas, and
                      very steep slopes in excess of 30% restrict access from private property in the Ugum Watershed.

                      The ideal situation for government lands is to have administrative and management control transferred to a
                      government of Guam line agency as a conservation area. Agencies such as the Department of Parks and
                      Recreation or the Department of Agriculture's Division of Aquatic and Wildlife Resources may be able to secure
                      funding for monitozing and protection of the area. The opportunity for private non-profit conservation
                       rganizations to manage the area exists, however the CLTC may seek monetary rent or lease payments to keep the
                      area in conservation. Development of the government lands is not feasible without great expense and would offer
                      Ofew if any benefits higher than those associated with watershed functions for water quality.

                      F. Mitigate Expansion of Badlands - The expansion of badlands equates to increases in erosion which eventually
                      impacts wetlands. Very few wetlands are likely to be found within badland areas, however the concern for
                      rehabilitating badlands is to protect those wetlands immediately adjacent to badlands. Small gullies and season
                      drainage channels which exit badlands are subject to increasing water velocities during even the shortest duration

                       and intensity rain storms. This scenario will prescribe that soil erosion be abated through the application of
                       conservation and erosion control measures at critical drainage points downstream of badland areas. Erosion will
                       likely continue in badlands to some extent but the overall emphasis will be to slow and eventually stop outward
                       expansion of the badlands.

                       G. One Stage Improvement Projects - Improvement projects will not involve long term
                       monitoring, evaluation, or follow-up measures for apparent project failures. If resources are dedicated to
                       resolving ecosystem degradation the project will likely only include measures as a single effort. Funding and
                       manpower to guarantee successful resolutions will be expended based on the best project plan available. This
                       mode of problem resolution to wetland degradation has been proven to be ineffective for all but the simplest of
                       mitigation projects. Many studies have shown that wetland mitigation or enhancement projects require multi-
                       stage or phased actions in order to achieve success. The typical wetland restoration proj ect might involve
                       activities over a three to five year period to evaluate success and much more time to correct project failures and
                       replant or redesign hydrologic components of the project.

                       H. No Net Loss of Ravine Forest, Riparian Areas, and Wetlands - A national "Not Net Loss" policy exists for
                       wetland ecosystems as declared by President Reagan in 1990. However, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers may
                       permit wetland impacts without compensatory mitigation if all practicable and appropriate steps are taken to
                       minimize impacts (USEPA and USACOE 1990). The Nationwide Permit system typically involves such minimal
                       impact situations. Most state and territorial governments have adopted the policy as a standard when considering
                       wetland permit applications and proposed mitigation plans. Tlie same holds true for Guam. The main constraint
                       to achieving a total "No Net Loss" policy is related to deminimus impact situations where all practical alternative
                       and design modifications have been exhausted and where only marginal (insignificant) functions exist in relation
                       to systemwide functions. Resource agencies also have limited capabilities to monitor every minor impact. Rural
                       and remote areas of Guam may add to the problem because routine access is not available without special
                       enforcement and inspection circumstances prior to requests for entry.
                       On the other hand remote areas are also less likely to experience wetland filling by virtue of few development
                       pressures with the possible exception of remote farming activities.

                       1, Best Management Practices (BMPs) Encouraged , Resource agencies involved with land owners and
                       development would encourage construction and operational practices to include BMPs to protect wetlands.
                       Buffers, pretreatment stormwater drainage systems, erosion control measures, fire prevention measures, site
                       development planning, and other BMPs could be implement to minimize wetland impacts from human activities.
                       Mandatory environmental protection practices would still exist as conditions to clearing, grading, and building
                       permits for certain types of development, however BMPs for such activities as fanning and off-road recreation
                       would remain voluntary. The key to acceptance of voluntary BMPs implementation is close coordination,
                       working agreements, infield presence of resource personnel, readily available advice, consultation, and in some
                       cases actual assistance by resource agencies for developers or clients.

                       1, Limit Unylann2d Land Use Changes - Some local goverriment agency or a consortium of agencies will have to
                       take the lead and responsibility in monitoring land use proposals early in the policy decision making process. The
                       importance of a higher protection status for land, water, and wildlife resources in the watershed cannot be
                       overshadowed by individual desires to maximize land development potential if it would impose undo risk to the
                       ecological health and function of the watershed for the primary benefit of potable water supply. The Ugum
                       Watershed Management Plan must be implemented on a broader scale than simply guiding site specific actions
                       and assisting individuals to minimize human induced impacts. The plan must be the foundation and justification
                       for responsible regional land use planning in the watershed. As an added benefit the plan may be used as a
                       planning template for similar southern watersheds.

                       Improvement Scenario

                       7be Improvement Scenario would allow for the implementation of a number of Mandatory Conservation Practices
                       and BMPs as well as impose restrictions for land uses. This scenario also would strongly encourage a number of

                        conservation programs to be developed and implemented over the long term. Resource and Land Management
                        entities would play a critical and often determining role in land use development and future policy making
                        decisions. The watershed and all of it's eco-components would be systematically monitored and evaluated for
                        preventative and remedial resource actions where resource agencies have clearly identified duties (roles) and real
                        time response modes to address any significant issues. This management option would likely be administered
                        through a technical advisory board with public participation in all aspects of management and operate in
                        accordance with the Administrative Adjudication Act in the development of Operational Rules and Regulations
                        necessary to enforce a process of decision making. Selection of this management scenario would will require that
                        clients either direct the ultimate implementation of scenario prescriptions or seek a lead agency to accept the
                        primary stewardship role for watershed protection and conservation.
                        A. Protection of Riparian Areas (Riparian Area Performance Standards) - The protection of riparian areas will
                        result in the added protection or recognition of riparian wetlands as important habitat areas for the maintenance of
                        stream flows, water quality, stream water temperature regulation, the important leaf, woody debris, and other
                        organic material for downstream productivity and habitat. Riparian habitat protection has developed substantially
                        in other parts of the world as a field of study and unique ecosystem component providing benefits to both
                        terrestrial and aquatic wildlife systems as well as for water quality maintenance. 'Me protection riparian areas and
                        riparian wetlands in the Ugum Watershed will ensure that a natural buffer exists between upland activities and
                        aquatic systems, including the ultimate fate of fresh water (quality) in the estuarine and marine environments. In
                        the event a given riparian area is also classified as wetlands then the specified (required) buffer will extend from
                        the edge of the riparian area upland. In this case buffers are effectively doubled in so far as protection of river and
                        stream functions are concerned because the stream buffers would essentially overlap wetland riparian areas. The
                        regulatory mechanism for protecting riparian wetlands is already in place through the Federal Clean Water Act,
                        however in those cases where riparian areas are not wetlands, the rules on buffers must be adopted though the
                        mandates and authority of the Watershed Management Plan.

                        B. Master Plan for Roads (Ugum Watershed Road Master Plan/Limited Road (Rural) Improvement Standards
                        As part of a Master Plan for road development and maintenance wetlands and streams or rivers must be protected
                        though the implementation of regulations and performance standards that specify full sparming bridges or pile
                        support bridges. In as much as possible, a Master Plan for Roads will guide road development away from rivers
                        and wetlands; and where such crossing are necessary the selection of low impact and if possible low cost crossing
                        locations will be identified through a sensitivity assessment process with clear and practical environmental and
                        engineering criteria provided to guide the selection process.

                        C. Active Fire Prevention (Ugum Watershed Fire Prevention Plan) - Active fire protection should also consider
                        wetlands as areas to be protected. Often times wetlands are viewed and treated as natural fire breaks in a wildland
                        fire scenario. While this may be acceptable in extreme terrain conditions where options to control fire from
                        entering wetlands are limited, the protection of wetlands from fire should be the rule rather than the exception
                        where access and conditions permit.

                        D. Multi-stage linvrovements (Wetland Mitigation Performance Standards) - Wetland mitigation projects must
                        be comprehensive and account for multi-phase construction, monitoring, and valuative/corrective components.
                        Standards and mitigation guidelines must be developed to raise success rates for mitigation projects. All
                        mitigation efforts should be based on the best available scientific information on replacement and compensation
                        offanctions. Interdisciplinary efforts will result in better projects with better goals and objectives based on
                        wetland functions. Minimum standards or guidelines have not been formalized in Guam, however they are
                        urgently needed to ensure that projects are well designed and implemented.

                        E. Conservation and Net Gain of Desirable Ecosystems/tvves - It will be important to establish a hierarchy of
                        desirable functional attributes for wetland ecosystems and to a lesser extent social values for mitigation and
                        enhancement projects that maybe proposed in the watershed. The tendency has been to mitigate and enhance for
                        easily attainable finictions such as flood protection while equally important but difficult to construct functions for
                        water quality filtering and habitat creation are secondary goals. The best method for determining mitigation goals
                        is to closely examine and document wetlands that are to be impacted or lost to determine the functions and system

                       structure then desigri mitigation to meet those functions as a minimum goal. The emphasis for mitigation must be
                       placed on attaining the highest and most appropriate functions while recognizing that wetland creation efforts are
                       subj ect to many long term factors negatively affecting final successes. If mitigation plans set low function goals
                       from the start, then the likelihood of attaining compensatory functions may never be met.

                       F. BMPs Necessary (Mandatory) - See Minimum Modification of Wetlands.

                       G. Buffers Mandatory - See Minimum Modification of Wetlands.

                       H. Minimum Modification of Wetlands - The modification, fill, or otherwise loss of wetlands and wetland
                       functions is best addressed through the development and site planning processes. The application of
                       Environmental Impact Assessments is the best method to identifying wetland constraints is the EIA is conducted
                       without bias to a predetermined development concept that requires maximization of land area. Recognition of the
                       fact that a given land area may have limitations due to a number of constraints, wetlands being a major one, will
                       in the long term save money. The average cost of construction mitigation not including mitigation planning and
                       long term monitoring is estimated to be $20.00 per square meter or approximately $80,000.00 per acre (C.
                       Weddle, 1992). This cost is roughly equivalent to the price per square meter of agricultural zoned property. It is
                       estimated that the total cost would be double if planning and monitoring were added.

                       As stated several times in this report, existing regulatory controls provide adequate incentive to avoid wetlands
                       and therefore minimize modifications. The only exception to the effectiveness of wetland regulation are limited
                       monitoring and enforcement abilities. All other legal mechanisms are in place. Overall, a heavy handed
                       enforcement and regulatory approach to management will not in it's self ensure proper planning and consideration
                       for wetland functions, instead public education and awareness and planning assistance must be added to the
                       approach.

                       BMPs that address project and site specific construction and operational environmental protection during
                       development will directly and indirectly result in wedand protection and reduced impacts. The management
                       situation assumed here is that when modifications are Proposed resource agencies are involved in the guidance and
                       planing process, whereby the final outcome justifies minimal modification as the only practical alternative to
                       sound development.

                       The alternative analysis of the Corps of Engineers Section 404 Permit process is an excellent example of
                       consideration that must be made if for no other reason than the same criteria for assessment will be applied to any
                       project proposal to modify wetlands, some permit exceptions aside.

                       I. No Unplanned Zoning/Land Use Changes - All land use decision making efforts will include watershed
                       protection and management concerns and constraints early in the planning process. The Ugum Watershed
                       Management Plan should be formally presented to the Territorial Land Use Commission, Territorial Seashore
                       Protection Commission, Chamorro Land Trust Commission, Territorial Planning Commission, the Guam
                       Legislature, and the Governor. In addition, resource agencies such as the Department of Commerce must be made
                       aware of the plan since they promote the research and development of potentially impacting aquaculture
                       industries. It is very likely that several if not all of these land management entities will acknowledge the plan as
                       vital to land use decision making including the wetland management and protection practices specified.

                       J. Off-road Traffic for Recreation - Off-road recreation activities that involve wetlands will be prohibited unless
                       specifically pgrinitted by federal and local authorities.

                       K. Economic and Tax Incentives - The development of wetland specific tax and conservation incentives or an
                       incentive package that addresses a variety of ecosystem protection and conservation programs should be explored
                       fully. Whenever strict land use policies and regulations apply to one resource or land area are proposed that do
                       not necessarily apply to similar adjacent areas, some type of incentive or compensatory program will be
                       demanded from affected parties. The legal ramifications embodied in the "Takings Doctrine" necessitate extra

                       consideration along with considerations for community benefit. Opportunities for wetland protection legislation
                       should also include similar legislative efforts to require a method of funding and compensating other affected
                       parties. In many ways protective legislation (highly regulatory in nature) are only palatable if compensation and
                       the willingness to compromise is also presented, preferably at the same time. For additional treatment of this
                       subject refer to pages 10. and 12. of this report under Mitigation Banking, Conservation Easements, and Property
                       Tax Incentives.

                       L. Public Education - As a minimum, public education on the benefits of watershed management should include
                       every effort to capitalize of existing forums and venues for education. Annual events such as the Department of
                       Education's Science Fair, Earthweek, Clean Water Week and many other organized events celebrating or serving
                       to heighten awareness of nature resource conservation should be utilized for watershed management education. In
                       addition, responsible resource agencies should formulate a public education campaign for the Ugum Watershed
                       early during plan implementation. Educational material is available on watershed management issues and
                       wetlands protection from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Coastal Zone Management Program (U.S.),
                       the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, National Park Service, and numerous non-governmental. organizations. Funds
                       permitting, it would be very beneficial to produce printed literature as well as videographic products explaining
                       watershed management and protection uniquely tailored to and specifically for the Ugurn Watershed.

                       V1. Recommendations for Wetland Ecosystem and Resource Management

                                Watershed management and resource personnel should strongly emphasize that impacts to                and
                       development in wetlands are expensive undertakings, The permit process alone is            often seen as prohibitive,
                       lengthy, and technically demanding. Justifications for wetland           filling, dredging and impacts are not
                       acceptable without complete alternative analysis       efforts of which the primary alternative to avoid wetlands
                       must be exhaustive.

                                Erosion control for new development and construction projects should necessarily be        strict. The long
                       term conversion of badlands to savanna or forest ecosystems will         provide positive impact with regard to
                       efforts to limit soil erosion and sedimentation of    wetlands.

                                Master planning a road system that provides adequate access to various private lands in the watershed
                       while recognizing that some roads and jeep trails are represent a duplication     of utility will help guide
                       development and reduce the current uncontrolled road and trail
                                development in the watershed. Various roads that are poorly planned in that they cross
                                                           rivers, streams and wetlands at multiple locations could be eliminated. Seldom
                       used roads        that only serve or encourage access to poachers should also be eliminated and restored to
                                                                             natural conditions. Any effort to reduce the shear number of
                       roads in the watershed will                                                                should greatly contribute
                       to erosion control,

                                All future (new) farming enterprises must be located in upland areas of savanna
                                grasslands. Aquaculture ponds likewise should be located in uplands or prohibited entirely          from the
                       watershed since water quality criteria will be especially difficult to meet without
                                                           substantial pretreatment prior to discharge to wetlands and other waters during
                       harvesting        operations. Additionally, the sustainability of water supplies for drinking water will      continue
                       to be an important issue for southern residents who depend on an efficient        and clean Ugum water source.
                       Competing uses for Ugum water such as fanning                                     (irrigation) and aquaculture will
                       reduce water supplies at the Ugum. Water Treatment                                         Plant.

                                Long term monitoring of stream flows, water quality, sedimentation and potential           pollutants should
                       -be implemented as early as possible in order to attain quality background        data for future watershed
                       assessments. In addition, qualitative and quantitative aspects of
                                ecosystem and wildlife habitat health should be monitored.

                              Motorized access to public lands in the upper watershed should be discouraged if not   prohibited due to
                      the steep terrain and sensitive headwater wetlands. Eventually the   public lands should be designated as
                      conservation areas.

                              Public education efforts should focus on ecosystem functions for water quality protection       in view
                      of development potential and related pollution potential.

                      A. Planning Assumptions and Criteria. The basic planning assumptions for the watershed area over the next 20
                      years are as follows:

                      1. Fires -        No Action Scenario would result in a 25% increase in area burnt from the                  recorded
                      400 acres per year to 500 acres per year.

                                        Maintenance Scenario would maintain the current level of fires at 400 per acre.

                                        The Improvement Scenario would result in a reduction of acres burnt from 400 to
                                300 acres or a 25% decrease in fire events.

                                        The weighted mean erosion rate for the watershed from fires was calculated at
                                        56 tons/acre/ year.

                      2. Buffers        Established at ?????

                      3. Residential Development           growth would equal 500 single family units at the end of the
                                planning period.

                      4. Off-Road Recreation      would continue to exist.

                      5. Fanning                           activities would increase minimally

                      6. Golf Course             Exists in the watershed and is a potentially viable development.

                      7. Roads                             No Action = Double at current standards with annual maintenance
                                                           on 25% of the roads.

                                                           Maintenance = Double with new roads having conservation
                                                 practices applied over 50%. No maintenance of
                                existing roads.

                                                           Improvement = Double roads, 75% of new roads designed with
                                                           conservation practices. Repair 25% of the worst
                                        eroding and designed roads. Restrict access to
                                sensitive areas (steep slopes). Some roads would be                                               phased
                      out (put to sleep). Retrofit viable roads as                                              priorities dictate.

                                                                            (15)

                                                                         Ugum Management Plan
                                                                         Wildlife Technical Report

                                                                            Robert W. Wescom

                                                                         Pacific Basin Agroforester

                                                            U.S.D.A. Natural Resources Conservation Service

                                                                                 May 1995

                            1.0      Introduction

                                              The purpose of this technical report is to desczibe the role of wildlife and the ecological
                                     processes associated with the wildlife component of the ecosystem within the Ugum watershed,
                                     and to identify management opportunities and environmental concerns relating to human
                                     activities within the planning area.
                                             For planning and management purposes the wildlife component are described in the
                                     content of the four broad ecosystems used in the Forests and Savanna Grasslands Technical
                                     Report. These ecosystems are: ravine forest; savanna grassland/badlands; wetlands; and
                                     riparian. Wildlife is regarded as an integral population within the defined ecosystems.
                           2.0       The Ecological Basis for Wildlife Management
                                              Isolation is a major factor affecting biotic diversity on islands. As an oceanic island
                                     Guam began with no terrestrial animals, but over time various species gradually colonized and
                                     an ecosystem developed. Immigration and colonization by wildlife species were greatly
                                     influenced by the isolation. Island biogeography suggests that prior to human inhabitation, the
                                     number of species stabilized. New species colonized Guam at a rate equal to the rate at which
                                     existing species went extinct. The diversity of wildlife species on Guam was limited by the
                                     distance from any continent. Not only was Guams small physical size and isolation
                                     determinants of diversity, but also the relatively few plant species on which the animals can
                                     forage for foliage, fruit, pollen, other animals, etc.
                                              The arrival of human settlers greatly altered the biotic diversity on Guam. Early settlers
                                     not only introduced new food crops but a wide array of insect, animal, and bird species as well.
                                     In some cases the introduced animals became part of the food web of the native animals, in
                                     others the introduction of non-native animal species has resulted in the extinction of certain
                                     species.
                                              As a result of introductions, both intentional and unintentional, the number of animal
                                     species present of Guam has never been greater. Unfortunately, the diversity in native animals
                                     has declined as a result of habitat changes as well as competition and predation by introduced

                                     animals.

                                                                                                                                        I

                                             information on the life history of many, if not most, of the native animals is inadequate.
                                    This report relies on the premise that the wildlife component on the ecosystems will be
                                    maintained as long as the habitat and ecological processes within an ecosystems remain
                                    functional. A notable exception to this is the introduction of non-native animals which can
                                    either out compete native animals or predators that can disrupt the ecological balance
                                    sufficiently to cause a species to become extinct, e.g. brown tree snake.
                           2.1      Ravine Forest Ecosystem
                                             The floristic richness of ravine forest results in diverse habitats. The Ugum Planning
                                    area contain some of the largest contiguous stands of ravine forest remaining on Guam. The
                                    diverse flora, multistory structure, and energy pathways in the ravine forest create a great variety
                                    of habitat niches allowing for many species to coexist in an ecosystem with a minimum of direct
                                    competition.
                                             The importance of animals in the maintaining ecosystem health is often underestimated;
                                    animals aid in pollination of many plant species, cycling of energy, and controlling pest
                                    populations. The vegetation of the ravine forest provides food, shelter, or substrate for other
                                    animals. Food webs are complex with many potential energy pathways available.
                                    Photochemical energy stored as plant material is the primary energy source for the herbivores,
                                    such as many insect species. The insects in turn are an energy source for larger animal species,
                                    such as birds, reptiles, and small mainnials.
                                             Prior to the introduction of the brown tree snake (Boiga irregularis), the ravine forest
                                    supported populations of native bird species. Bird population surveys since the 1960's has
                                    shown a significant, if not devastating, reduction in avian populations. The ecological impact of
                                    the reduction of the native bird population in the ravine forest can only be described in general
                                    terms. Dispersal and/or scarification of seed of plant species which rely on birds has been
                                    significantly reduced. Populations of certain native plant species may be adversely affected.
                                             The ravine forest is suitable habitat for the Mariana fruit bat (Pteropus mariannus
                                    mariannus). Population statistics for the species are not available but a declining population
                                    trend is most likely the case as a result of the introduction of the brown tree snake. Ecologically,
                                    the bats are important in the dispersal of plant seed.
                                             The presence of feral pig (Sus scrofa) in the ravine forest has certain ecological
                                    implications. The feral pig is not native to Guam, and the population of feral pigs has is largely
                                    keep in check by availability of suitable habitat and hunting pressure. There is strong evidence
                                    showing that the feeding habits of feral pigs, where roots of certain tree species are excavated,
                                    is causing localized erosion.
                                             The Philippine deer (Cervus mariannus) is another introduced animal species which has
                                    become naturalized over the past 200 years. The Philippine deer utilizes the ravine forest for

                                                                                                                                       2

                                     cover and foraging. Population statistics for the species are not available, but a stable or slightly
                                     increasing population trend is estimated. Philippine deer freely move between the savanna.
                                     grassland and the ravine forest to feed.
                                              The ecological function and importance of the numerous animal species that comprise
                                     the ravine forest ecosystem can not be adequately described in this short technical report.
                                     Raulerson, et al (1978) reports the results a biological study conducted in the vicinity of Ugum

                                     dam site.

                           2.2       Savanna Grassland Ecosystem
                                              While the floristic richness of the savanna grassland ecosystem is inferior to the ravine
                                     forest, animals are an important component of the ecosystem. Soil animals perform a significant
                                     role in organic matter decomposition and mineral cycling in the savanna grassland ecosystem
                                     by:
                                     I .      Physically disintegrating tissues and increasing the surface area available for bacterial
                                              and fungal action.
                                     2.       Selectively decomposing material such as sugar, cellulose, and lignin.
                                     3.       Transforming plant residues into hurnic materials.
                                     4.       Mixing decomposed organic matter into the upper layer of the soil.
                                     5.       Fomiing complex aggregates between organic matter and the mineral fractions of soil.
                                              While soil-dwelling animals, microfauna, and mesofauna serve important ecological
                                     firrictions in all ecosystems, their role in the savanna grasslands is even more critical since the
                                     soils are generally nutrient deficient.
                                              The quantity and quality of niches in the savanna grasslands is limited resulting is fewer
                                     species being present. Most of the avian species and all of the larger mammal species observed
                                     have been introduced. The savanna grasslands is suitable habitat for Philippine deer (Cervus
                                     mariannus). The deer utilizes the savanna grasslands for cover and forage. The Philippine deer
                                     feed nocturnally and therefore is rarely observed during daylight hours. The Philippine deer is
                                     well noted for foraging on new shoots of swordgrass (Miscanthusfloridulus). Ecologically, the
                                     deer utilizes a niche that was not occupied prior to its introduction and therefore does not
                                     directly significantly compete with native wildlife species. Legal and illegal hunting of the
                                     Philippine deer is a key factor in regulating the deep population. Human activity involving the
                                     hunting of the Philippine deer has had significant effects on the ecological function of the
                                     savanna grassland ecosystem as described in the Forest and Savanna Grassland Technical

                                     Report.
                                              The savanna grassland is also suitable habitat for black francolin (Francolinus
                                     francohnus). Because the black francolin nests in the savanna grasslands it has been less
                                     susceptible to predation by the brown tree snake, and the population of the black francolin is

                                                                                                                                        3

                                  stable and perhaps increasing slightly. Other native or introduced birds are rarely occurred
                                  utilizing the savanna grasslands.
                                          The feral Asiatic water buffalo (Babalus bubalis) utilizes the savanna grassland
                                  ecosystem. The population of the water buffalo is largely controlled by hunting.
                                          A number of reptiles, snails, geckos, skinks, and small mammals such as rats (Rattus
                                  spa) are components of the savanna ecosystem. The frequent wildland fires that bum through
                                  the savanna grasslands is a factor in regulating the population dynamics of these small animals.
                         2.3      Wetland Ecosystem
                                          The volcanic clay and argillaceous limestone soils within the Ugum watershed retard
                                  water percolation and permit surface waters to accumulate. Many interior wetlands are located
                                  along the upper drainages of rivers and smaller tributaries. Wetlands vary greatly in habitat and
                                  include freshwater marshes and running water (lotic) environments.
                                          Freshwater marshes dominated by dense, nearly pure stands of Phragmites k-arka that
                                  are 2-5 in in height are also common. Less prevalent species including Panicum muticum, as
                                  well as sedges (e.g. Eleocharis ochrostachys and Cyperus spa.) and the fcm Acrostichum aureum
                                  are often present. The freshwater marshes are suitable habitat for the common moorhen
                                  (Gallinula chloropus), an endangered species. The moisture regime of the freshwater marshes
                                  may be seasonal, and wildland fires during the dry season can temporary alter the habitat in the

                                  marshes.

                                          The seasonal wetness of the terrestrial wetland communities attracts a number of

                                  animals from other ecosystems. Many animals may only make brief visits to the wetland
                                  ecosystems before returning to their original niches. While these visits may be temporary the
                                  wetlands function as an important component of the landscape ecology by providing a source of
                                  water formany species of animals.
                                          The lotic environment is suitable habitat for a variety of native fish and aquatic
                                  invertebrates, including gobies, eels, and shrimp. Tidal intrusion affect the species diversity in
                                  the lower section of the Ugurn River.
                         2.4      Riparian Ecosystem
                                          Freshwater swamps of woody vegetation are found along river courses, and in wet
                                  depressions in forests. Hibiscus tiliaceus is usually a dominant species. In the lower reaches of
                                  the Ugurn watershed, Barringtonia racemosa is a prevalent species. Pandanus tectorius,
                                  Cynometra ramiflora, Cocus nucifiera, Bambusa vulgaris, and Areca catechu may also contribute
                                  significant habitat in the freshwater swamps. The multistory structure of the woody vegetation
                                  creates numerous niches suitable for wildlife. Although suitable avian habitat still exists
                                  predation by the introduce brown tree snake has eliminated much of Guam's native forest birds.

                                                                                                                           4

                                    The island's only large population of island swiftlets (Aerodramus vanik-orensis) forages
                                    exclusively over the Talofofo River valley adjacent to the lower Uguin watershed.
                                             Soil animals, reptiles, snails, geckos, skinks, and small mammals are components of the
                                    freshwater swamps. Feral pigs also utilize this habitat and are important in nutrient and mineral
                                    cycling.
                          3,0       Resource - values/products/activities
                                             Wildlife on the public and private lands within the Ugum. watershed are valued for
                                    many uses including: harvest of wild and feral game animals, birds, fish, shrimp, and eels. The
                                    sustainable population of all wildlife species is a function of quality habitat as well as harvest

                                    pressure.
                          4.0       Alternative mitigation measures
                                             Few measures have been taken to manage wildlife resources in the Ugurn watershed.
                                    Most of the watershed is privately owned, with the Government of Guam owning portions of the
                                    headwaters. Access is limited to a large portion of the water and while this is not intended as a
                                    mitigation measure, the practice has served to partly limited hunting as well as adverse

                                    modifications to much of the wildlife habitat.

                                             Existing data regarding the inter-relationships, energy pathways, and food webs
                                    involving the wildlife component of the various ecosystems, restrict the availability of
                                    management options. The fact that suitable wildlife habitat exist to support the ecological
                                    functions allows some flexibility in the approach to maintain viable populations of all species.
                                             Mitigation measures center around maintaining habitat and linkages between habitats.
                                    Mitigation measures should be activity specific.

                          4.1       Agriculture
                                             Commercial agriculture activities within the watershed are limited to a few hectares.
                                    Cropping is generally rotated each year because of weed and pest problems that increase if
                                    cropping is continuous. Because commercial agriculture is frequently a clean-till operation,
                                    wildlife value of cropped land is limited. Mitigation should include careful selection of sites to
                                    be used for agriculture. In general, clearing of ravine forest, riparian, and wetland vegetation
                                    should be avoided. Once the vegetation in these ecosystems is cleared, wildlife values are

                                    diminished.

                                             Agricultural activities within the savanna grasslands would have the least adverse
                                    impact on wildlife values, as long as careful consideration is given to site selection, and
                                    agronomic practices. Preventive mitigation to prevent off-site impacts, such as sedimentation of
                                    wetlands, can be accomplished through conservation planning prior to tillage and planting and
     -A                             the installation of appropriate conservation practices.

                                                                                                                                      5

                                            Wildlife values in and around agriculture site could be improved by establishing trees
                                   and shrubs that provide food for wildlife species.
                          4.2      Golf course development
                                            There are presently no existing golf course developments within the watershed. A golf
                                   course development modifies the natural ecosystem and generally results in an environment not
                                   suitable for many native wildlife species. Any modification or destruction of wetlands should be
                                   mitigated with the construction or enhancement of other wetlands. Conversion of ravine forest
                                   or riparian vegetation to lower quality should be mitigated with improvement of wildlife habitat
                                   in adjacent areas. Savanna grasslands could be converted to a more suitable habitat by
                                   establishing trees and shrubs.

                          4.3      Road construction

                                            Access into most of the watershed is presently limited by the extent of the road system
                                   and gates controlled by the private land owners. Increased access would generally have an
                                   adverse impact on the wildlife values of the watershed. Hunting pressure would increase with
                                   access which would result in more frequent wildland fires. Access would also encourage
                                   development (agricultural and residential use) of the forested ecosystems. Mitigation would
                                   Include proper road location and construction to specific standards that would reduce off-site
                                   impacts. Clearing of vegetation should be of minimum width. Revegetation of disturbed cut
                                   and fill areas of constructed roads would also reduce off-site impacts.

                          4.4      Recreation activities

                                            There are presently three categories of recreational activities occurring within the
                                   watershed: hunting, developed river-oriented, and undeveloped wildland-oriented. Natural
                                   vegetation and wildlife are regarded as important components of each category of recreation.
                                            Important game species include the Philippine deer, feral pig, feral Asiatic water
                                   buffalo, and black francolin. Hunters started wildland fires to provide access and draw the
                                   Philippine deer into the open, illegal hunting are two serious problems associated with hunting.
                                   Public awareness and enforcement of Guam game laws would help mitigate the hunting

                                   concerns.

                                            Developed river-oriented recreation is presently limited to the Talofofo Falls site.
                                   Providing interpretive visitor information regarding wildlife values would increase the

                                   awareness of the recreationists.

                                            Undeveloped wildland-oriented recreation centers on transporting tourist into the
                                   wildlands. Tourist experience a 4x4 jeep ride, observe the wildland vegetation and wildlife.
                                   Maintaining wildlife values is important to this industry. Presently, wildlife viewing is probably
                                   limited because the Philippine deer is nocturnal, and many of the native bird species have been
                                   extirpated as a result of the brown tree snake. Increasing the frequency and diversity of wildlife

                                                                                                                                6

                                     sightings would benefit this industry. Mitigation could include active recovery plans for native

                                     wildlife.

                           4.5       Residential construction

                                               Residential construction within the watershed is presently very limited, there are no
                                     permanent homes constructed within the watershed boundary. Some landowners are in the
                                     process in sub-dividing portions of their property for the purpose of selling to individuals. In
                                     general residential construction has an adverse impact on native wildlife habitat and species
                                     populations. Mitigation should include proper land use zoning, lot sizes, and construction
                                     standards which prevent off-site impacts. Clearing of ravine forest, riparian vegetation, and
                                     wetland vegetation should be avoided. Prior to vegetation removal and ground disturbance,
                                     effective sediment control and erosion control structures must be in place to avoid adverse
                                     impacts to the lotic communities. Encouraging home builders to protect or plant native trees and
                                     shrubs would help mitigate the loss of vegetation.
                                               Increased human population to the wildland areas would probably result in an increase
                                     incidence of illegal hunting and wildland fires. Public awareness and enforcement of Guam
                                     game and fire laws would help mitigate problems associated with increased human population.
                                               The population of feral dogs and cats would also increase with increase residence.
                                     These feral animals would hunt and harass native wildlife species. Active monitoring and
                                     capture of feral dogs and cats would help mitigate this problem.
                           5.0       Recommended mitigation measures
                                               For each of the management plan scenarios, except the No Action scenario, the
                                     recommended mitigation measures include both preventive mitigation and corrective mitigation
                                     measures. The intensity of the mitigation measures increase as the level of ecosystem protection

                                     increases.

                           5.1       Scenario 1: No Action

                                               Recommendation mitigation under the No Action Scenario is limited to voluntary
                                     cooperation with individuals land owners in assessing potential preventive conservation
                                     practices on agriculture lands. Minimum adoption and implementation of conservation practices
                                     are expected under this scenario.
                           5.2       Scenario 11: Maintenance, Current Zoning
                                               Recommended mitigation under the Maintenance, Current Zoning scenario include
                                     conservation measures which would permit development without measurable degradation of the
                                     existing ecological processes.
                           5.2.1     Agriculture
                                               The objective of agriculture under this scenario is to promote sustainable agriculture
                                     through proper site location and adoption of conservation practices. The Government of Guam,

                                     through the Soil and Water Conservation Districts, would actively support conservation plaiming
                                     on all agriculture lands within the watershed. Voluntary adoption and implementation of
                                     conservation practices specifically to maintain wildlife values would be emphasized. The goal
                                     of conservation practices in this scenario is to protect wildlife habitat and water quality and
                                     quantity by: 1) preventing non-point source sediments from reaching stream courses-, 2)
                                     maintaining forest vegetation; and 3) establishing suitable wildlife tree and shrub species in and
                                     around fields. Generally agricultural fields would be located within the savanna grassland
                                     ecosystems on flat or only gently slopes, Conservation practices to benefit wildlife habitat

                                     would be:

                                               Streambank and shoreline protection (580)
                                               Tree planting (612)
                                               Water- and sediment control basin (63 8)

                            5.2.2    Golf course development
                                               The objective of golf course development under this scenario is to promote economic
                                     development. Appropriate agencies within the Government of Guam would require that
                                     potential environmental impacts are identified through an assessment and that wildlife impacts
                                     are effectively mitigated through preventive and corrective measures. Preventive mitigation
                                     would include minimizing the clearing of ravine forest, and impacts to wetlands and riparian
                                     zones. Biological assessments would be conducted in order to avoid impact habitat currently
                                     occupied with native birds and bats.
                                               Streams and rivers adjacent to or downstream of golf course development would be
                                     monitored to determine impacts to lotic communities.
                                               Corrective mitigation would include replacement plantings of cleared ravine and
                                     riparian vegetation. If wetlands are adversely impacted by the golf course development,
                                     constructed wetlands would be developed to mitigate the loss of wetlands.

                            5.2.3    Road Construction

                                               The objective of road construction is to provide access to other uses in the watershed.
                                     Appropriate agencies within the Government of Guam would require roads be designed and
                                     constructed to appropriate standards for the intended use. Preventive mitigation would include
                                     avoiding sensitive areas, such as wetlands and unstable slopes. Corrective mitigation would
                                     include re-establishment of vegetation on cut and fill slopes.

                            5.2.4    Recreation

                                               The objective of recreational activities is to promote economic development and public
                                     enjoyment of the natural environment. Appropriate agencies within the Government of Guam

                                                                                                                                             8

                                      would permit commercial recreational activities that would no contribute to habitat destruction.
                                      Government would actively encourage tour operators to include wildlife awareness material in

                                      their tours.

                             5.2.5    Residential construction

                                                The objective of residential construction is to promote economic development as well
                                      as an opportunity for private individuals to improve their quality of life through home
                                      ownership. Variances to existing zoning would be rare. Single family homes would be
                                      encouraged. Building permits would not be issued for construction within the riparian
                                      ecosystem. Filling or damaging wetland ecosystem would not be permitted. Retention and
                                      planting of trees and shrubs around homes would be encouraged.
                             5.3      Scenario III: Improvement, Adjusted Zoning and Land Use Policy
                                                Recommended mitigation under the Improvement scenario include adjustments to
                                      zoning to prevent degradation of wildlife habitat and to commit to long-term wildlife recovery
                                      plans while still permitting economic development.
                             5.3.1    Agriculture
                                      The objective of agriculture under this scenario is to promote sustainable agriculture through
                                      proper site location and adoption of conservation practices. Government of Guam, through the
                                      Soil and Water Conservation Districts, would actively support conservation planning on all
                                      agriculture lands within the watershed. Zoning and land use policy would limit agriculture
                                      activities to specific soils and slopes. A conservation plan would be required and practices
                                      designed to protect and enhance wildlife habitat would be encouraged. Generally agriculture
                                      fields would be located within the savanna grassland ecosystems on flat or only gentle slopes.
                                      Conservation plans would consider the following practices:

                                                Streambank and shoreline protection (580)
                                                Tree planting (612)
                                                Water- and sediment control basin (638)
                                                Wildlife upland habitat management (645)
                                                Wildlife wetland habitat management (644)

                             5.3.2    Golf course development
                                                The objective of golf course development under this scenario is to promote economic
                                      development while maintaining wildlife habitat. Appropriate agencies within the Government
                                      of Guam would require that potential environmental impacts are identified through an
                                      assessment and that impacts are effectiveness mitigated through preventive and corrective
                                      measures. Preventive mitigation would include minimizing the clearing of ravine forest, and

                                                                                                                                              9

                                     impacts to wetlands and riparian vegetation. Corrective mitigation would include replacement
                                     plantings of cleared ravine and riparian vegetation. If wetlands are adversely impacted by the
                                     golf course development, constructed wetlands would be developed to mitigate the loss of
                                     wetlands. Golf course would be encouraged to retain and establish trees and shrubs that have
                                     high wildlife value.
                                              Areas n-dned for top soil would be closely monitored and corrective mitigation would
                                     be required, including timely revegetation and wildlife enhancement plantings.

                            5.3.3    Road construction

                                              The objective of road construction is access to other uses in the watershed. Appropriate
                                     agencies within the Government of Guam would required roads be designed and constructed to
                                     appropriate standards for the intended use. Preventive mitigation would include avoiding
                                     sensitive areas, such as wetlands and unstable slopes.

                           5.3.4     Recreation

                                              The objective of recreational activities is to promote economic development and public
                                     enjoyment of the natural environment. Appropriate agencies of the Government of Guam would
                                     permit commercial recreational activities that would not contribute to habitat degradation.
                                     Wildlife interpretative materials would be made available to recreationists. Enforcement of
                                     Guam game laws would be strengthened through cooperative agreements with land owners.

                            5.3.5    Residential construction

                                              The objective of residential construction is to promote economic development as well
                                     as an opportunity for private individuals to improve their quality of life through home
                                     ownership. Zoning for residential construction would incorporate protection and enhancement
                                     of wildlife habitat. Variances to zoning would be rare. Single family homes would be
                                     encouraged, Building permits would not be issued for construction within the riparian
                                     ecosystem. Filling or damaging wetland ecosystem would not be permitted. Retention and
                                     planting of trees and shrubs around homes would be encouraged.

                                                                                                                                          10

                            6.0      Results of mitigation measures

                            6.1      Ravine forest

                            6.1.1    Scenario 1: No Action

                                               Wildlife habitat would be reduced as development for other uses convert habitat.
                                     Where ravine forests are cleared for agricultural activities, wildlife populations which could not
                                     successfully mitigate would be destroyed. Agriculture insect pest would increase. Abandoned
                                     agricultural land would be poor habitat for the original ravine forest wildlife species. Wildlife
                                     diversity in and around agricultural fields would decline.
                                               Road construction through ravine forest would permit access that would lead to
                                     additional clearing of habitat. Erosion from poorly designed and constructed roads would
                                     increase sediment loading of streams and creeks, adversely affecting lotic wildlife species.
                                               Golf course development would result in some clearing of ravine forest leading to a
                                     decline in suitable habitat. No native bird populations would increase in and around golf course
                                     development.
                                               Recreational activities involving off-road vehicle use would increase. The number of
                                     pioneered roads through the ravine forest would also increase and hunting of feral pigs would

                                     increase.

                                               Increasing number of private residences would clear suitable habitat. Number of feral
                                     dogs and cats would increase adding stress to wildlife populations. Water quality would decline
                                     and lotic wildlife populations would be adversely affected.
                                               No recovery of native bird populations would be possible. Incidence of wildland fires

                                     would increase.

                            6.1.2    Scenario 2: Maintenance

                                               Less area than the No Action scenario would be cleared over the new twenty years.
                                     Native bird populations would remain the same or decrease as a result of continued predation by
                                     the brown tree snake. Agricultural activities would be limited to appropriate soils and slopes
                                     thereby not having an adverse impact on wildland species.
                                               Hunting pressure would remain the same. Golf course development would not
                                     materially impact wildlife species between suitable wildlife habitat would be created to mitigate
                                     for habitat converted. Recreational activities would increase but not materially impact wildlife

                                     habitat.

                            6.1.3    Scenario 3: Improvement
                                               Only limited areas of the ravine forest would be cleared for development and roads.
                                     Forestland cleared for agriculture would remain productive through conservation practices.
                                     Existing forest vegetation would remain suitable as wildlife habitat. Ecosystem processes would

                                     remain functional.

                                               An active recovery effort for native bird species would set the stage for increasing bird
                                     populations. Recreational activities involving wildlife viewing would increase.
                            6.2      Savanna grasslands

                            6.2.1    Scenario 1: No Action

                                               Wildlife habitat of the savanna grasslands would expand as forested ecosystems are
                                     cleared for agriculture and abandoned over the next twenty years. Portions of the savanna
                                     grasslands would temporarily be converted to agriculture use but would convert back to
                                     grasslands. Wildland fires would continue to maintain the existing habitat. Erosion from burned
                                     grasslands would continue to degrade the lotic habitat. Construction of roads through the
                                     savanna grasslands would encourage legal and illegal hunting of Philippine deer and burning of
                                     the grasslands to remove wildlife cover.
                                               Golf course development would result in a reduction of ravine, riparian, and wetland
                                     habitat. During the construction phase sediment entering the rivers and streams would degrade

                                     the lotic communities.

                                               Recreation activities involving off-road vehicle use would increase but emphasis on

                                     wildlife values would not occur.

                            6.2.2    Scenario 2: Maintenance

                                               Existing value of savanna wildlife value would be maintained. Legal and illegal
                                     hunting would continue at current levels.
                            6.2.3    Scenario 3: Improvement
                                               Wildlife habitat value would improve as savanna grasslands arc planted to trees.
                                     Wildland fire frequency would decline permitting more woody shrubs and trees to become
                                     established within the savanna grasslands resulting in a slight improvement of habitat value.
                                     Public awareness of adverse impacts of wildland fires to wildlife value would increase as a result
                                     of interpretative programs.

                            6.3      Wetland

                            6.3.1    Scenario 1: No Action

                                               Wetland habitat would be degraded where development occurred. Some wetland
                                     habitat would be cultivated for agriculture. Golf course development would impact wetland
                                     habitat through filling and alterations to sub-watershed hydrology. Chemical pollution from
                                     fertilizers and pesticides would enter wetlands. Residential construction would fill or degrade

                                                                                                                                           12

                                      wetland values. Wildland fires would periodically bum through the wetlands. Road
                                      construction through or adjacent to wetlands would disrupt hydrology of wetlands. Habitat

                                      suitable for moorhens would be reduced.

                                                Sedimentation from terrestrial ecosystems would degrade lotic communities resulting in
                                      a declining population of aquatic wildlife.

                             6.3.2    Scenario 2: Maintenance

                                                Area in wetlands would remain appropriately the same. Specific wetlands would be
                                      filled or degraded by development but constructed wetlands would mitigate these impacts.
                                      Agriculture would not impact wetlands, Wildland fires would continue periodically bum
                                      through the wetlands. Road construction would be designed and located to avoid degrading
                                      wetland quality. Moorhen habitat would not increase or decrease.
                                                Quality of lotic communities would not change.
                             6.3.3    Scenario 3: Improvement
                                                Conservation on agriculture lands would reduce soil erosion and farm-related
                                      sedimentation of wetlands. Constructed wetlands resulting from golf course development would
                                      be of high quality and provide suitable moorhen habitat. Designed roads would have reduce
                                      road-related sedimentation of wetlands, Residential construction would avoid degrading

                                      wetland values.

                                                Water quality would improve resulting in an increase in aquatic life.
                             6.4      Riparian

                             6.4.1    Scenario 1: No Action

                                                Riparian vegetation would be cleared for development activities degrading the wildlife
                                      habitat. Native bird populations would continue to decline. Bat population would decline over
                                      next twenty years. Agricultural fields tilled in the riparian zone would be a source of sediment
                                      to streams and rivers. Golf course construction would result in clearing of riparian vegetation
                                      with an increase in sedimentation entering the streams and rivers. Fertilizer and pesticide
                                      pollution would enter streams and rivers at a greater rate. Roads constructed through riparian
                                      would degrade habitat and be source of sedimentation. Residences constructed within the
                                      riparian ecosystem would degrade habitat and be a source of sedimentation. Hunting of feral pig
                                      would increase as a result of increased access to the riparian area.
                                                Aquatic life would be adversely affected as riparian vegetation is cleared and sediments
                                      enter the streams and rivers at a higher rate.

                             6.4.2    Scenario 2: Maintenance

                                                Limited activity would be allowed in the riparian ecosystem. Habitat would remain
                                      unchanged. Native bird populations would remain the same or decrease as a result of continued
                                      predation by the brown tree snake.

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                            6.4.3    Scenario 3: Improvement
                                               Minimum clearing of riparian vegetation would occur under this scenario. Ecological
                                     processes within the riparian ecosystem would function properly. Habitat values would not be
                                     degraded. Recovery actions could result in increase native bird populations within the riparian
                                     zone. Public awareness on the value of riparian wildlife values would increase as a result of
                                     interpretative programs.

                                                                               END OF REPORT

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