NMI coral reef resources to be mapped

The Northern Marianas may soon have a more accurate and detailed map of its coral reef resources after an inter-agency task force recently revealed plans of carrying out such project in the Pacific island jurisdictions of the United States.

This was discussed in a recent Mapping and Information Synthesis Working Group Implementation Plan Workshop held last Sept. 14-17 in Honolulu, Hawaii, which was attended by acting Coastal Resources Management Director Peter Barlas and John Jordan, manager of the Geographic Information System.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration and the Department of Interior funded the workshop. These agencies will provide the support in coming up with a detailed coral reef map which would use various types of technology including satellite imagery and hyperspectural aerial photography.

Barlas said the planned coral reef map will assist the lawmakers in passing legislation that will set aside marine protected areas in the CNMI. “They can formulate legislation while still provide the people of the CNMI traditional and cultural access to the resources,” said Barlas.

Ninety percent of the coral reef resources in the Pacific are found in the areas surrounding the Northern Marianas, Guam, Hawaii and the American Samoa.

During the workshop, the CNMI delegation recommended the possibility of mapping the islands of Saipan, Rota and Tinian first because the coral reefs surrounding the populated islands are subject to anthrophogenic stresses and disturbances.

“We need an accurate and detailed map identifying these resources which will allow us to engineer solutions or reduce the stress levels to these resources,” said Barlas. He said the inter-agency group accepted the recommendations made by the CNMI delegation on how to enhance such plan.

Currently, the coral reef areas of Puerto Rico, Virgin Islands and Florida are being mapped. The Pacific Islands will be carried out in 2000-2001.

When the CNMI get its detailed maps, CRM suggested the creation of a community-based hearing committee composed of representatives from various groups that will help guide the Northern Marianas officials in taking the right direction.

President Clinton issued Executive Order 13089 which established the Coral Reef Task Force in June 1998. It appointed governors of U.S. jurisdictions as full fledged members. Governor Pedro P. Tenorio, however, designated Barlas to attend the meeting and report to him the progress of projects in connection with the coral reef issue.