Coastal Engineer Updates the Kosrae Shoreline Management Plan of 2000

Doug Ramsey, a coastal engineer working with the National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research in New Zealand, Visited Kosrae State from April 15^th-27^th.  Mr. Ramsey came to Kosrae as part of the FSM PACC project to update the 2000 Kosrae Shoreline Management Plan. He spent two weeks on the island, meeting with the Governor’s office, Kosrae State Legislature, representatives from utilities and housing, engineers from the Department of Transportation and Infrastructure, and the general public in all five of Kosrae’s villages.

Mr. Ramsey’s presentation explained the varied impacts of coastal erosion in Kosrae in each village. By superimposing 1944 photos on current ones, people could see the changes in Kosrae’s shoreline in the last 80 years. He explained that the primary cause of the recent erosion is the removal of coral boulders from the reef flats as filling material for roads and buildings foundations after WWII. The coastal structure of Kosrae, Mr. Ramsey explained, is a result of sand and broken coral on the reef flat, which builds up and eventually begins accumulating soil and vegetation. When people build on these coastal areas, there is a substantial risk of coastal flooding as waves will continue to pass over the beach into developed areas.

Moving on to a discussion of potential adaptation strategies for dealing with Kosrae’s erosion, Mr. Ramsey emphasized that seawalls are not a viable permanent solution, because the can cause damage in nearby areas and are very costly.

Mr. Ramsey argued that more fruitful adaptation approach would be to move inland in the future, avoiding construction on the sea shore and building on stilts. Mr. Ramsey told the public that extreme changes are not expected until two generations (approximately 50 years), but we should nonetheless begin preparations now.

In his meeting with the Governor, the Governor’s Cabinet, and Utilities representatives, Mr. Ramsey suggested that the rehabilitation and improvement of the farm roads be undertaken so as to provide an alternative to the coastal road in endangered areas. The coastal erosion is already near the road in parts of Malem, Lelu and Tafunsak municipalities. Kosrae currently runs the risk of roads, utilities and housing being impacted in these

areas during tidal or weather situations in which large waves are present. Additional risks include the possibility the access to the Airport and Seaport facilities in Kosrae could be cut off.

As part of the rehabilitation and improvement of the farm roads, they should be climate proofed as required by State Law 10-2, using the guidelines used in the FSM PACC Pilot Road project ( bigger culverts,better drainages,etc.), for the expected increase of rainfall.

Mr. Ramsey also met with the KRMA Board and the Housing representatives to suggest that they avoid issuing permits for further development in highly endangered coastal areas.

Mr. Ramsey based his analysis of coastal erosion and management in Kosrae on his extensive experience working from 1998-2000 in Kosrae as part of the Kosrae Island Resource Management Authority (KIRMA), formerly known as the Kosrae Development Review Commission. During his previous work in Kosrae. Mr. Ramsey prepared the Kosrae Shoreline Management Plan of 2000.

Mr. Ramsey’s work was funded by the German Technical Cooperation Agency, GIZ and the SPC North  Pacific, based in Pohnpei.

                                     Mr. Ramsey and Mr. Abraham with the Kosrae State Legislators.

                                        Mr. Ramsey addresses the Governor's Cabinet Members

Kosrae Tide Tables Prepared by Using Kosrae Data

Kosrae has a new set of tide tables, developed by using data collected with FSM PACC meteorological equipment. Read the article published by SPREP in this link http://www.sprep.org/climate-change/better-coastal-management-in-kosrae-with-tidal-predictions

May 2013 tide table example

Work on Pilot Project Road

Work on the FSM PACC pilot project's coastal road resumed again after some delays. The Lacl to Loes road is to be climate proofed, to withstand the expected increase in rainfall ans sea level rise. To achieve this, the road is to be raised and the culverts changed to bigger ones. This will allow the rainwater runoff and the high tide water to flow under the road, avoiding damaging it. Two filling materials areas had been designated and with heavy equipment donated by the Government of Japan, work has resumed.

                                             New excavator extracting sub-base material.

A contractor has begun to build the head walls of the new culverts. The new culverts are 36 inches in diameter. During an inspection of the work being done, we observed water flowing in the culverts. In the mangrove area, water from a rising tide move inland. In the freshwater swamps areas, water was flowing from the upland.

                                                           Head walls of the new culverts.

Today, March 28, The Department of Transportation and Infrastructure, carried out the Box culverts pre-bid with six contractors. Mr. Bahillo, the project engineer, explained to the contractors the specifications of the work required.

                                    

                                                     Contractors attend Pre-bid meeting.

"Adapting to a Changing Climate" booklet

The Pacific Islands Climte Education Partnership PCEP has a site where you can download the booklet
" Adapting to a Changing Climate" This booklet was produced by The Micronesia Conservation Trust in collaboration with The Micronesia Challenge. The booklet is part of an awareness kit which included a flipchart and a Facilitators guide. This kit has been used by climate change educators in the Federated States of Micronesia and includes information on climate change, adaptation strategies and the resiliense/vulnerability of healthy and degraded environments. The booklet can be downloaded at the PCEP site with this link http://pcep.dsp.wested.org/content_items/1524355

                             The Climate Change toolkit used by FSM environmental educators.

FSM PACC Project presented to the Kosrae's Governor and Cabinet

On March 7,FSM PACC Coordinator, Mr. Simpson Abraham; presented the project’s updates to the Governor and his Cabinet. He went over the PACC Strategic Planning meeting in Samoa where it was decided that the project will be extended to 2014. It was discussed in this meeting that the PACC Plus, Australian Fund, will give an additional 6 million dollars for 13 PACC countries. To be eligible for this fund, 70% of the original budget has to be spent. The FSM PACC project remaining balance is $445,000. One of the issues discussed was the land owners being complained about their land being touched without being notified. The Governor and the Cabinet explained that the road and the swamp area are government’s property and there is no certificate of title required.

 Mr. Abraham also informed the Cabinet that in April, a team of coastal experts will be visiting the island to update the Kosrae Shoreline Management Plan of 2000. This team and their work will be funded by Germany Government (GIZ), with a budget of $100,000.

Another issue discussed was the designation of disaster evacuation routes project proposal. Mr. Abraham informed the Governor and his cabinet about Mr. Kosi Latu’s, SPREP’s Deputy Director General, visit to Kosrae and his interest in this project.  Mr. Latu is willing to provide financial assistance to this project if it is on Kosrae’s Priority List. The proposal will be written by the state Governor and will be sent to Mr. Latu for his Review and approval. 

Walung village solar systems

We received the visit of Mr. Rupeni Mario and Mr. Emanuele Taibi from the Secretariat of the Pacific Community / European Union's Renewable Energy Project ( SPC/EU REP). They came to check the  schedule for the installation of the solar systems for the people of Walung village. Walung is not part of the island's electrical grid. The solar system is beign installed in every household, and includes one or two energy efficient light bulbs. Mr. Mario and Mr. Taibi, interviewed two of the persons with the system installed. Both told them that they have save money that they used to spend in kerosene for their lanterns. and the light bulbs stay on duting the whole night. Mr. Mario and Mr. Taibi also met with the staff of the Kosrae Utilities Authority to establish a  payment system for this equipment, which will allow for replacement parts in the future. These project will benefit Walung students ( study at night), their families ( save money on kerosene) and the environment ( less use of fuel and less emissions).

Mr. Taibi talks with Mr. Hamlet Jim, about their solar system.

Mr. Kosi Latu, Deputy Director General of SPREP



On March 23, we received the visit of Mr. Kosi Latu, Deputy Director General of SPREP. He came to see some of Kosrae's projects. He went with Mr. Simpson Abraham and project engineer, Mr. Abraham Bahillo; to the FSM PACC's pilot project in Okat. This is the road to be climate proofed for the expected increase in rainfall and sea level rise. To achieve that, the culverts are beign replaced with wider ones and the road raised between one or two feet. This project is a way to improve the coastal zone management, as 75% percent of the population and infrastructure is found in the coastal zone. The lessons learnt from this project will be used in the construction of better roads in the future, as these are the plans for the relocation of roads inland.  On March 25, Mr. latu met with Kosrae's Governor, Honorable Lyndon Jackson. They talked about the FSM PACC project and other projects that can be done in Kosrae. Mr. Latu also met with the Directors of Kosrae Island Resources Management Authority ( KIRMA) and the Department of Transportation and Infrastructure ( DT&I). He also visite the Fukuoka Semi Aerobic land fill and the recycling facilities. Mr. Latu left Kosrae fro the Marshall Islands that afternoon.   

                                                                                                                                    

                                                 Mr. Kosi Latu visits the pilot project site.