Following Hurricane Dora on August 8, 2023, and including the devastating wildfires on Maui, the Maui Soil and Water Conservation Districts began working with the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) to identify disaster response programs that could assist landowners, especially farmers, in Upcountry Maui. The Emergency Watershed Protection (EWP) program was identified as the appropriate program.

Based on the impacted areas, the Maui Soil and Water Conservation District Boards agreed that the Central Maui Soil and Water Conservation District (CMSWCD) would serve as the lead and collaborate with the Olinda-Kula Soil and Water Conservation District. Thus, CMSWCD submitted the request for assistance to USDA NRCS.  

NRCS disaster response teams conducted a comprehensive assessment of Maui’s disaster damage and connected with landowners whose farms, ranches and other properties had been directly impacted by the disaster. The catastrophe left behind thousands of acres of loose and exposed soil and massive quantities of debris – conditions that present a significant risk of heavy soil erosion, flooding and infrastructure damage during a major rain event. 

To secure federal emergency funding to help address the damage, CMSWCD agreed to serve as project sponsor for the EWP project to manage and implement the emergency response for Pulehu, Olinda, and Kula. Maui County is sponsoring the Lahaina EWP program.  

The EWP program grant, totaling approximately $15 million, offers vital recovery support for local communities to reduce hazards to life and property caused by major storms, wildfires, floods, and other natural disasters. The funding enables CMSWCD to work with landowners to stabilize the landscape to address the burned area and protect communities and the ecosystems, including those located downslope of the burned area.

The EWP grant will involve multiple activities: removing large quantities of debris from difficult terrain; establishing fire breaks; developing sediment traps; revegetating scarred areas with appropriate plants; implementing feral deer control measures to protect new plants; and applying stormwater runoff control measures.

USDA NRCS Damage Survey Response reports provided initial recommendations for EWP projects. The final work activities may be adjusted to account for evolving conditions on the ground. All emergency response work will be done with the landowners’ consent, in compliance with applicable government requirements, and with NRCS’ concurrence.

For more information about the EWP projects in each of the impacted areas, visit the following webpages: