Funding for local reef protection assured

The United States Coral Reef Task Force has assured the Northern Marianas that funds in connection with coral reef protection will be given to the CNMI for the implementation of its own programs, said Coastal Resources Management acting Director Peter J. Barlas.

Aside from implementing conservation measures, information and educational campaign are all part of the programs under the United States All Islands Coral Reef Initiative.

A two-day meeting of the task force in Washington D.C. was attended by Mr. Barlas last week where he also met with officials of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. CRM has submitted a detailed description of the coral reef protection plan to the task force.

During the meeting, Mr. Barlas informed the task force that the CNMI has already a new law designating Managaha Island and its surrounding waters as marine conservation area.

President Clinton issued Executive Order 13089 establishing the Coral Reef Task Force in June 1998 which appointed governors of U.S. jurisdictions as full fledged members.

Governor Pedro P. Tenorio, however, designated Mr. Barlas to attend the various meetings and report to him the progress of projects in connection with the coral reef issue.

Earlier, the Office of Insular Affairs has provided a technical grant to the CNMI which will allow the production of coral reef information materials for elementary school children.

An educational CD will be produced by the CNMI with the assistance of the University of Guam showing the islands’ coral reefs and conservation programs.

CRM has issued a request for proposal for the creation and installation of coral reef protection signs along the coastline of selected beaches which include Managaha, Smiling Cove, LaoLao Bay, Micro Beach, Rota Swimming Hole, Tachonga Beach, Kammer and Taga Beach.

Mr. Barlas said 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.

Aside from NOA, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration and the Department of the Interior will provide the support in making 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. When the CNMI get its detailed maps, CRM suggested the creation of a community-based hearing committee composed of representatives of various organized groups that will help guide the
Northern Marianas officials in taking the right direction.