WASHINGTON, D.C. -- U.S. Senator Daniel K. Inouye is pleased to announce the authorization of the Upcountry Maui Watershed Project by the U.S. Department of Agriculture's (USDA) Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS). Project installation is estimated to cost $9.2 million, which will be shared by the USDA and the State of Hawaii Department of Agriculture. Land surveying and preparation of engineering designs will commence with the authorizing action.

Senator Inouye said, "The Upcountry Maui Watershed program will increase irrigation water availability and reliability to farmers in the Upper Kula communities between Olinda and Keokea by supplying farmers with untreated water through a separate distribution pipeline system. I wish to commend NRCS State Conservationist Ken Kaneshiro for his leadership in guiding this important project forward. We must now work to ensure that funds are fully available for all phases."

Project improvements include 9.4 miles of main distribution pipeline and 20.4 miles of lateral and sublateral pipelines extending from the recently constructed Kahakapao Reservoir to nearly 500 acres of cropland spread throughout the service area. The Final Environmental Impact Statement for the Upcountry Maui Watershed Project was completed in March 1997.

The Upcountry Maui Watershed project is a cooperative effort of the Olinda-Kula Soil and Water Conservation District, the State of Hawaii Department of Agriculture, and the Maui County Department of Water Supply.