Coral baseline survey of Ma'alaea Harbor for light-draft vessels, Island of Maui, 1997-12 to 1998-01 (NCEI Accession 9900025)

In 1968 the United States Congress approved funding for renovations to the existing harbor. Subsequently, a General Design Memorandum and Final Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) was prepared in 1980 for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE, 1980). The project, however, did not receive funding until 1989 (Forestell and Brown, 1991). A supplemental EIS was prepared in 1994 which included additional data on algae and endangered humpback whales. This document also included the renovation plans from the 1980 EIS for enhancing existing harbor facilities, increasing the number of berths and construction of an additional breakwater fronting the harbor to reduce swell within the harbor.

This proposed modification and expansion of the harbor raised concerns about the negative impact on coral reefs in and around the harbor as well as the impact on recreational surfing sites and nearby coastline developments. Biological impacts include siltation on nearby reefs from dredging operations and physical destruction of the reef habitat during construction of the breakwater and channel entrance. All parties involved were interested in evaluating possible mitigation measures. In order to assess habitat loss and potential damage to the adjacent coral reef ecosystem it was necessary to determine the extent and structure of the coral habitat through a series of underwater surveys. This information in turn will be used to recommend type and extent of mitigation activity.