Opinion ID: 2629221
Heading Depth: 5
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: The USGS Model

Text: The USGS Model, proffered by DHHL, analyzed the long-term effects of current and additional withdrawals on groundwater levels on the entirety of Moloka'i. The USGS Model predicted that pumping 1.326 mgd from the proposed well would cause a drawdown at the Kualapu'u wells of up to 0.5 foot and approximately 1.0 foot in the vicinity of the Kamiloloa well itself. In this connection, the study opined that the largest effects occur in areas nearest the well and effects diminish with distance from the well. The resulting water-level decline was likely to be less than normal seasonal fluctuations of the groundwater level and of the same order of magnitude of normal semi-diurnal water level fluctuations created by varying barometric pressure. In other words, the impact is relatively small. With respect to the nearshore environment, the USGS Model predicted that pumping 1.326 mgd from the proposed well would result in a reduction of coastal discharge by three percent over a thirteen-mile stretch of coastline. Based on the foregoing studies and the actual pumping levels permitted by the Commission ( i.e., 655,928 gpd), the Commission concluded that the proposed use would have a minimal impact, if any, upon DHHL's wells in Kualapu'u and, therefore, would not interfere with any existing legal uses in the Kualapu'u aquifer system.