Marshall Islands
Project Intervention Area: Formal notification was received from RMI Foreign Affairs that Majuro Atoll is to be the chosen geographic area for Project intervention.
Key Result Area 1 - Sustainable development of coastal zones, in particular through identifying alternative sources of Aggregates
Activities completed or in process..
- Completed SWATH mapping needs assessment
- Marine bathymetry survey was conducted in Majuro atoll.
- Processing, analysis and development of bathymetric data is in process.
- From April to May 2006, Aggregates & Coastal Processes Adviser, Arthur Webb made a visit to Majuro, conducting various meetings, site visits and addressing the following areas:
- Swath Mapping
- Possibilities of developing lagoon backscatter from previous and new EU data Seismic survey / sampling
- Simple hydrodynamic model of ocean side borrow pit
- Potential vulnerability on RMI (Majuro) to tsunami
- Feasibility study:
- Community acceptance of aggregate pumping in all nearshore resource areas.
- Surface grabs sampling.
- Rapid environmental assessment of sites.
- All in cooperation with EPA.
- Review Canoe Program seawall / reclamation plan in cooperation with EPA (Souvenir).
- Negotiate with Nauru to develop aggregate resource
- Marine Survey
- Develop lagoon aggregate resource.
- Survey locations
- Hydrodynamic model of ocean side borrow pit
- Feasibility study of nearshore urban sand pumping
- Canoe Program seawall / reclamation plan.
- Nauru aggregate resource.
Key Result Area 2: Improved planning practices installed for safe and adequate water supplies and sanitation systems
Key Result Area 3: Implement comprehensive hazard and risk management tools within the framework of an integrated, holistic approach for sustainable development (Island System Management)
Activities completed or in process..
- The Hazard Assessment Adviser supported the review and updating of the National Mitigation Plan (Task No MH 3.2.1), which was required before 1st May 2005 (a deadline set by FEMA). The Plan was endorsed by Cabinet and submitted to FEMA for approval. A letter of approval from FEMA was received on 29th April. This "emergency" response and concentrated assistance to the NDMO in formulating RMI's FEMA application represented a significant early input of EDF9 technical assistance and personnel resources.
Key Result Area 4: ISM Infrastructure established and in use in each Country
Activities completed or in process..
- The RS/GIS Specialist undertook an initial one-week RS/GIS needs assessment review, followed by a two-week training workshop on Tabular and Spatial Data Handling (from 16th June to 11th July). He was assisted in the latter training activity by Mr. Caleb McClennen? of the RMI Environmental Protection Authority, who champions the RMI’s GIS Users Group. Fourteen participants representing a wide variety of government agencies including the power, telephone and water utilities as well as the environmental, marine, land, and statistics offices attended.
Key Result Area 5: Strengthening the capacity of Pacific ACP States
Activities completed
Mr Rito Akilang has been recruited as Marshall Islands Country Intern.
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