DOCSLIB.ORG

Storage Capacity and Water Quality of Lake Ngardok, Babeldaob Island, Republic of Palau, 1996Ð98

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
Storage Capacity and Water Quality of Lake Ngardok, Babeldaob Island, Republic of Palau, 1996Ð98 U.S. Department of the Interior Storage Capacity and Water Quality of Lake Ngardok, Babeldaob Island, Republic of Palau, 1996–98 U.S. GEOLOGICAL SURVEY Water-Resources Investigations Report 99-4118 BABELDAOB A E S E N I P P I L I Lake H P Ngardok N A E C O C I F I C A P Prepared in cooperation with the REPUBLIC OF PALAU Storage Capacity and Water Quality of Lake Ngardok, Babeldaob Island, Republic of Palau, 1996–98 By Chiu Wang Yeung and Michael F. Wong U.S. GEOLOGICAL SURVEY Water-Resources Investigations Report 99-4118 Prepared in cooperation with the REPUBLIC OF PALAU Honolulu, Hawaii 1999 ENT OF T TM H R E A IN P T E E D R . I U.S. DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR S O . R U BRUCE BABBITT, Secretary M A 49 RCH 3, 18 U.S. GEOLOGICAL SURVEY Charles G. Groat, Director The use of firm, trade, and brand names in this report is for identification purposes only and does not constitute endorsement by the U.S. Geological Survey. For additional information write to: Copies of this report can be purchased from: District Chief U.S. Geological Survey U.S. Geological Survey Branch of Information Services 677 Ala Moana Blvd., Suite 415 Box 25286 Honolulu, HI 96813 Denver, CO 80225-0286 CONTENTS Abstract . 1 Introduction . 1 Purpose and Scope . 1 Previous Studies . 2 Acknowledgments . 2 Description of Study Area. 2 Data-Collection Methods . 5 Storage Capacity . 7 Water Quality. 13 Summary . 19 References Cited . 19 FIGURES 1–4. Maps showing: 1. The island of Babeldaob, Palau Islands, Western Pacific Ocean. 3 2. Cross sections and water-quality sampling sites, Lake Ngardok, Palau, 1996. 4 3. Bathymetry of Lake Ngardok, Palau, 1996 . 6 4. Bed elevation at cross sections, Lake Ngardok, Palau, 1996. 20 5. Elevation/surface-area and elevation/capacity curves for Lake Ngardok, Palau, 1996 . 8 6. Rainfall and lake elevation at Lake Ngardok, Palau, from July 1996 to July 1997 . 12 TABLES 1. Daily mean lake elevation at Lake Ngardok near Melekeok, Palau . 8 2. Elevation/surface-area and elevation/storage-capacity for Lake Ngardok near Melekeok, Palau, 1996 . 9 3. Daily total rainfall, in inches, from Ngardok rain gage near Melekeok, Palau. 10 4. Temperature, dissolved oxygen, and specific conductance at selected cross sections, Lake Ngardok, Palau, 1996. 14 5. Water-quality results at outflow station on April 3, 1996 and November 10, 1997, Lake Ngardok, Palau. 15 6. Pesticides, herbicides, and other volatile organic constituents found to be less than detection limits in water samples from outflow station on April 3, 1996 and November 10, 1997, Lake Ngardok, Palau. 17 7. Data from AECOS Inc. station 20, 1.4 miles downstream of Lake Ngardok outflow, Palau . 18 Contents iii CONVERSION FACTORS Multiply By To obtain acre 4,047 square meter acre-foot (acre-ft) 1,233 cubic meter foot (ft) 0.3048 meter inch (in.) 2.54 centimeter square mile (mi2) 2.590 square kilometer Water temperature is given in degree Celsius (°C), which can be converted to degrees Fahrenheit (°F) by the following equation: Temp.°F = (1.8 temp. × °C) + 32. Air temperature is given by degrees Fahrenheit (°F), which can be converted to degrees Celsius (°C) by the following equation: Temp.°C = (temp. °F – 32) / 1.8. Chemical concentrations are given only in metric units. These are milligrams per liter (mg/L), micrograms per liter (µg/L), or picograms per liter (pg/L). Milligrams per liter is a unit expressing the solute mass per unit volume (liter) of water. One thousand micrograms per liter is equivalent to 1 milligram per liter. One million picograms per liter is equivalent to 1 microgram per liter. Specific conductance is given in microsiemens per centimeter (µS/cm) at 25°C. Turbidity is given in NTU, nephelometric turbidity units. iv Storage Capacity and Water Quality of Lake Ngardok, Babeldaob Island, Republic of Palau, 1996–98 Storage Capacity and Water Quality of Lake Ngardok, Babeldaob Island, Republic of Palau, 1996–98 By Chiu Wang Yeung and Michael F. Wong Abstract As a result, complete mixing of the lake is probably rare. Near anaerobic conditions exist at the lake A bathymetric survey conducted during March bottom. Low dissolved oxygen (3.2 milligrams per and April, 1996, determined the total storage liter) measured at the outflow indicated that water capacity Lake Ngardok to be between 90 and 168 flowing past the outflow was from the deep oxy- acre-feet. Elevation-surface area and elevation- gen-depleted depths of the lake. capacity curves summarizing the current relations among elevation, surface area, and storage capacity INTRODUCTION were created from the bathymetric map. Rainfall and lake-elevation data collected from April 1996 To alleviate overcrowding in Koror, the current to March 1998 indicated that lake levels correlated capital of the Republic of Palau, the Palau government to rainfall values with lake elevation rising rapidly passed a resolution to relocate its capital to Melekeok in response to heavy rainfall and then returning to on Babeldaob Island, the largest of the Palau Islands. normal levels within a few days. Mean lake eleva- Melekeok is on the east coast of Babeldaob and a tion for the 22 month period of data was 59.5 feet nearby freshwater body, Lake Ngardok, was proposed which gives a mean storage capacity of 107 acre- as the major source of domestic water supply for the feet and a mean surface area of 24.1 acre. A float- new capital and nearby villages. To evaluate the storage ing mat of reeds, which covered 58 percent of the capacity and water quality of Lake Ngardok, and to learn more about freshwater lakes in tropical environ- lake surface area at the time of the bathymetric sur- ments, the Republic of Palau entered into a cooperative vey, makes true storage capacity difficult to esti- agreement with the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS). mate. Water-quality sampling during April 1996 and Purpose and Scope November 1997 indicated that no U.S. Environ- mental Protection Agency primary drinking-water This report describes storage capacity and water standards were violated for analyzed organic and quality of Lake Ngardok. A bathymetric survey of Lake inorganic compounds and radionuclides. With suit- Ngardok was done to estimate storage capacity in rela- able biological treatment, the lake water could be tion to lake water-surface elevation. Samples were col- used for drinking-water purposes. Temperature and lected in late March and early April 1996, and dissolved oxygen measurements indicated that November 1997, from the lake outflow for water-qual- Lake Ngardok is stratified. Given that air tempera- ity analyses. At selected lake cross sections, samples ture on Palau exhibits little seasonal variation, it is were collected at depth for analysis of water-quality likely that this pattern of stratification is persistent. properties and constituents. Introduction 1 Previous Studies Climate.--The Palau Islands have a uniform tropi- cal warm and moist climate throughout the year. Sea- No previous studies on the storage capacity and sonal changes are minimal. At the long-term weather water quality of Lake Ngardok exist, although various station on Koror Island, the mean temperature is 81.7°F estimates have been made. The U.S. Army Chief of (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Engineers (1956) estimated Lake Ngardok to be 2,400 1995). Mean temperature for the coolest months (Janu- ft long, 600 ft wide at the widest part, as much as 9 ft in ary and February) is 81.0°F and for the warmest months depth, and with a capacity of 46 acre-ft. Van der Brug (April, May, and November) is 82.2°F (National Oce- (1984) used these estimates in his water-resource inves- anic and Atmospheric Administration, 1995). Average tigation of the Palau Island. AECOS Inc. (1997) esti- annual rainfall is 148 in. (National Oceanic and Atmo- mated the lake area to be 16 acres and the capacity to be spheric Administration, 1995). Rainfall is variable from 46 acre-ft also. The AECOS Inc. (1997) study also month to month and is usually heaviest in June and July included water-quality data for a sampling point 1.4 mi (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, downstream from the Lake Ngardok outlet. 1995). Rainfall data for Babeldaob are available for short Acknowledgments periods from scattered locations. Van der Brug (1984) Special acknowledgment is made to Patrick Colin determined that climatic descriptions for Koror are rep- of the Coral Reef Research Foundation for providing resentative of conditions at Babeldaob. Comparison of the aerial photographs of Lake Ngardok. the available rainfall records for Babeldaob with those for Koror showed no significant difference in rainfall totals. Nance (1986) estimated that rainfall across DESCRIPTION OF STUDY AREA Babeldaob was between 90 and 110 percent of the rain- fall at Koror and that rainfall in the region of Lake Ngar- The Republic of Palau consists of a chain of dok is 90 percent that of Koror. islands in the western Pacific Ocean, east of the Philip- pine Sea, between latitude 6°53′ and 8°12′ north and Geology.--Babeldaob is a volcanic island formed longitude 134°07′ and 134°39′ east (fig. 1). Babeldaob primarily by the accumulation of volcanic breccia and Island is near the northern end of the island chain and, interbedded tuff which form three geologic formations: 2 with an area of 153 mi , is the largest of the Palau the Babelthuap Formation, the Aimeliik Formation, and Islands. Koror, the current administrative, commercial, the Ngeremlengui Formation (U.S. Army Chief of and population center of Palau, lies directly south of Engineers, 1956).
Load more

Recommended publications
  • The 16 STATES
    The 16 STATES Pristine Paradise. 2 Palau is an archipelago of diverse terrain, flora and fauna. There is the largest island of volcanic origin, called Babeldaob, the outer atoll and limestone islands, the Southern Lagoon and islands of Koror, and the southwest islands, which are located about 250 miles southwest of Palau. These regions are divided into sixteen states, each with their own distinct features and attractions. Transportation to these states is mainly by road, boat, or small aircraft. Koror is a group of islands connected by bridges and causeways, and is joined to Babeldaob Island by the Japan-Palau Friendship Bridge. Once in Babeldaob, driving the circumference of the island on the highway can be done in a half day or full day, depending on the number of stops you would like. The outer islands of Angaur and Peleliu are at the southern region of the archipelago, and are accessable by small aircraft or boat, and there is a regularly scheduled state ferry that stops at both islands. Kayangel, to the north of Babeldaob, can also be visited by boat or helicopter. The Southwest Islands, due to their remote location, are only accessible by large ocean-going vessels, but are a glimpse into Palau’s simplicity and beauty. When visiting these pristine areas, it is necessary to contact the State Offices in order to be introduced to these cultural treasures through a knowledgeable guide. While some fees may apply, your contribution will be used for the preservation of these sites. Please see page 19 for a list of the state offices.
    [Show full text]
  • A Summary of Palau's Typhoon History 1945-2013
    A Summary of Palau’s Typhoon History 1945-2013 Coral Reef Research Foundation, Palau Dec, 2014 © Coral Reef Research Foundation 2014 Suggested citation: Coral Reef Research Foundation, 2014. A Summary of Palau’s Typhoon History. Technical Report, 17pp. www.coralreefpalau.org Additions and suggestions welcome. Please email: [email protected] 2 Summary: Since 1945 Palau has had 68 recorded typhoons, tropical storms or tropical depressions come within 200 nmi of its islands or reefs. At their nearest point to Palau, 20 of these were typhoon strength with winds ≥64kts, or an average of 1 typhoon every 3 years. November and December had the highest number of significant storms; July had none over 40 kts and August had no recorded storms. Data Compilation: Storms within 200 nmi (nautical miles) of Palau were identified from the Digital Typhoon, National Institute of Informatics, Japan web site (http://agora.ex.nii.ac.jp/digital- typhoon/reference/besttrack.html.en). The storm tracks and intensities were then obtained from the Joint Typhoon Warning Center (JTWC) (https://metoc.ndbc.noaa.gov/en/JTWC/). Three storm categories were used following the JTWC: Tropical Depression, winds ≤ 33 kts; Tropical Storm, winds 34-63 kts; Typhoon ≥64kts. All track data was from the JTWC archives. Tracks were plotted on Google Earth and the nearest distance to land or reef, and bearing from Palau, were measured; maximum sustained wind speed in knots (nautical miles/hr) at that point was recorded. Typhoon names were taken from the Digital Typhoon site, but typhoon numbers for the same typhoon were from the JTWC archives.
    [Show full text]
  • Threatened Endemic Plants of Palau
    THREA TENED ENDEMIC PLANTS OF PALAU BIODI VERSITY CONSERVATION LESSONS LEARNED TECHNICAL SERIES 19 BIODIVERSITY CONSERVATION LESSONS LEARNED TECHNICAL SERIES 19 Threatened Endemic Plants of Palau Biodiversity Conservation Lessons Learned Technical Series is published by: Critical Ecosystem Partnership Fund (CEPF) and Conservation International Pacific Islands Program (CI-Pacific) PO Box 2035, Apia, Samoa T: + 685 21593 E: [email protected] W: www.conservation.org The Critical Ecosystem Partnership Fund is a joint initiative of l’Agence Française de Développement, Conservation International, the Global Environment Facility, the Government of Japan, the MacArthur Foundation and the World Bank. A fundamental goal is to ensure civil society is engaged in biodiversity conservation. Conservation International Pacific Islands Program. 2013. Biodiversity Conservation Lessons Learned Technical Series 19: Threatened Endemic Plants of Palau. Conservation International, Apia, Samoa Authors: Craig Costion, James Cook University, Australia Design/Production: Joanne Aitken, The Little Design Company, www.thelittledesigncompany.com Photo credits: Craig Costion (unless cited otherwise) Cover photograph: Parkia flowers. © Craig Costion Series Editors: Leilani Duffy, Conservation International Pacific Islands Program Conservation International is a private, non-profit organization exempt from federal income tax under section 501c(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. OUR MISSION Building upon a strong foundation of science, partnership and field demonstration,
    [Show full text]
  • Noteworthy Micronesian Plants. 3
    Noteworthy Micronesian Plants. 3. F. R. FOSBERG and JOANE. CANFIELD Department of Botany , National Museum of N atural History , Smith sonian Institution, Washin gton, D.C. 20560 This third paper of this series contains new distributional records and taxonomic notes mainly on the plants of the Palau Islands. Range extensions are recorded in the genera Hymenophyllum, Trichomanes, Schizaea, Cyclopeltis, Dipla zium, Humata, Nephrolepis, Apluda, Panicum, Pennisetum, Setaria , Sporobolus, Fimbristylis, Aneilema, Suriana, Xylocarpus , Euphorbia, M elanolepis, Ammannia , Melaleuca, Bacopa, Utricularia, Andrographis, Hedyotis, Sp ermacoce, Timonius and Youngia. Taxonomic notes are presented on Humata, Nephrolepis, Aneilema, Eriocaulon, Piriqueta, Eugenia, Leucas, Hedyotis, and Spermacoce . HYMENOPHYLLACEAE Hymenophyllum serrulatum (Pres!) C. Chr. , Ind . Fil. 367 , 1905. A delicate Malesian epiphyte with frond 6 - 8(- 30) cm long ; indusium lips bluntly triangular, receptacle protruding when old. It is distinguished from the more common H. polyanthos by the toothed rather than entire margin of the lobes and the bluntly triangular rather than ovate lips of the indusium. This constitutes a first record for Micronesia . CAROLINEISLANDS : Palau: Babeldaob I., W. Ngeremlengui Murrie ., locally abundant in forest below peak 1.7 mi. (2. 7 km) ESE of Almongui Pt. , I 00 m, 7 Dec . 1978, Canfield 613 (US). Trichomanes setigerum Backhouse Cat. 14, 1861. Moore, Gard. Chron . 1862: 45 , 1962. Holttum , Fl, Malaya 2: 104-105, 1954 . This species, with very finely dissected fronds , has previously been found in Borneo, Malaya, and Pala wan in the Philippines, according to Holttum , who places it in Trichomanes sect. Macroglena (Copeland's genus Macroglena), where it seems to fit well enough. It is a distinct surprise to find it in Palau .
    [Show full text]
  • Pacific Freely Associated States Include the Republic Low Coral Islands (Figure FAS-1)
    NOAA Coral Reef Ecosystem Research Plan PACIFIC FREELY Republic of the Marshall Islands ASSOCIATED STATES The Marshall Islands encompasses approximately 1,225 individual islands and islets, with 29 atolls and 5 solitary The Pacific Freely Associated States include the Republic low coral islands (Figure FAS-1). The Marshalls have a 2 of the Marshall Islands (the Marshalls), the Federated total dry land area of only about 181.3 km . However, States of Micronesia (FSM), and the Republic of Palau when the Exclusive Economic Zone (from the shoreline (Palau). These islands are all independent countries that to 200 miles offshore) is considered, the Republic covers 2 at one-time were governed by the U. S. as part of the Trust 1,942,000 km of ocean within the larger Micronesia 2 Territory of the Pacific Islands after World War II. Although region. There are 11,670 km of sea within the lagoons these countries are independent, they still maintain close of the atolls. Land makes up less than 0.01% of the ties with the U.S. and are eligible to receive funds from area of the Marshalls. Most of the country is the broad U.S. Federal agencies, including NOAA, DOI, EPA, and the open ocean with a seafloor depth that reaches 4.6 km. National Science Foundation. Scattered throughout the Marshalls are nearly 100 isolated submerged volcanic seamounts; those with flattened tops The coral reef resources of these islands remain are called guyots. The average elevation of the Marshalls mostly unmapped. is about 2 m above sea level. In extremely dry years, there may be no precipitation on some of the drier atolls.
    [Show full text]
  • Research Opportunities in Biomedical Sciences
    STREAMS - Research Opportunities in Biomedical Sciences WSU Boonshoft School of Medicine 3640 Colonel Glenn Highway Dayton, OH 45435-0001 APPLICATION (please type or print legibly) *Required information *Name_____________________________________ Social Security #____________________________________ *Undergraduate Institution_______________________________________________________________________ *Date of Birth: Class: Freshman Sophomore Junior Senior Post-bac Major_____________________________________ Expected date of graduation___________________________ SAT (or ACT) scores: VERB_________MATH_________Test Date_________GPA__________ *Applicant’s Current Mailing Address *Mailing Address After ____________(Give date) _________________________________________ _________________________________________ _________________________________________ _________________________________________ _________________________________________ _________________________________________ Phone # : Day (____)_______________________ Phone # : Day (____)_______________________ Eve (____)_______________________ Eve (____)_______________________ *Email Address:_____________________________ FAX number: (____)_______________________ Where did you learn about this program?:__________________________________________________________ *Are you a U.S. citizen or permanent resident? Yes No (You must be a citizen or permanent resident to participate in this program) *Please indicate the group(s) in which you would include yourself: Native American/Alaskan Native Black/African-American
    [Show full text]
  • Preliminary Draft
    Title preliminary D R A F T -- 1/91 D-Day, Orange Beach 3 BLILIOU (PELELIU) HISTORICAL PARK STUDY January, 1991 Preliminary Draft Prepared by the Government of Palau and the http://www.nps.gov/pwro/piso/peleliu/title.htm[7/24/2013 3:39:42 PM] Title National Park Service TABLE OF CONTENTS INTRODUCTION Background and Purpose BLILIOU (PELELIU) Study Setting Tourism Land Ownership and Tenure in Palau Compact of Free Association Bliliou Consultation and Coordination World War II Relics on Bliliou Natural Resources on Bliliou Bliliou National Historic Landmark Historical Park - Area Options Management Plan Bliliou Historical Park Development THE ROCK ISLANDS OF PALAU http://www.nps.gov/pwro/piso/peleliu/title.htm[7/24/2013 3:39:42 PM] Title Description The Reefs The Islands Soils Vegetation The Lagoon Marine Lakes Birdlife Scenery Archeology Existing Uses Recreation Fishing Land Use Conserving and Protecting Rock Islands Resources Management Concepts Boundary Options PARK PROTECTION POSSIBILITIES BIBLIOGRAPHY APPENDICES Appendix A Appendix B http://www.nps.gov/pwro/piso/peleliu/title.htm[7/24/2013 3:39:42 PM] Title Management Option Costs LIST OF FIGURES Figure Location Map, The Pacific Ocean 1 Figure States of the Republic of Palau 2 Figure Peleliu 1944; Bliliou Today 3 Figure Land Tenure 4 Figure Remaining Sites and Features, 1944 Invasion 5 Figure Detail 1, Scarlet Beach 6 Figure Detail 2, Purple Beach 7 Figure Detail 3, Amber Beach 8 Figure Detail 4, Amber Beach & Bloody Nose Ridge 9 Figure Detail 5, White and Orange Beaches 10 Figure Bloody
    [Show full text]
  • Airai State Government V. Iluches, 6 ROP Intrm. 57
    Airai State Government v. Iluches, 6 ROP Intrm. 57 (1997) AIRAI STATE GOVERNMENT and AIRAI STATE PUBLIC LANDS AUTHORITY (ASPLA), both represented herein by GOVERNOR, CHARLES I. OBICHANG who is also Chairman of ASPLA, Appellants, v. TITUS ILUCHES, ROMAN TMETUCHL, and TATSUO KAMINGAKI, Appellees. CIVIL APPEAL NO. 26-95 Civil Action No. 120-94 Supreme Court, Appellate Division Republic of Palau Opinion Decided: January 30, 1997 Counsel for Appellants: John K. Rechucher. ⊥58 Counsel for Appellees: Johnson Toribiong BEFORE: ARTHUR NGIRAKLSONG, Chief Justice; JEFFREY L. BEATTIE, Associate Justice; LARRY W. MILLER Associate Justice MILLER, Justice: In this action, Airai State Government and Airai State Public Lands Authority (ASPLA) seek to invalidate a lease previously entered into by ASPLA prior to the invalidation of the first Airai Constitution in the Teriong case. Looking backward from Teriong, they contend that the lease is invalid because the then-existing Airai State Government and ASPLA were invalid governmental entities at the time the lease was entered into. The trial court rejected this contention and they now appeal. We affirm. BACKGROUND The facts of this case are not in dispute. In 1985, Roman Tmetuchl, in his capacity as governor, applied for and received a permit to dredge and fill submerged coastal land near the Koror-Babeldaob Bridge in Airai; this “fill land” was to be the site of the Airai State Marina. On May 1, 1987, Tmetuchl, in his personal capacity, entered into a long-term lease agreement with ASPLA under which he obtained the right to use the subject land for a term of 99 years at a rate Airai State Government v.
    [Show full text]
  • The Use Offlaked Stone Artifacts in Palau) Western Micronesia
    The Use ofFlaked Stone Artifacts in Palau) Western Micronesia MICHAEL HASLAM AND lOLIE LISTON INTRODUCTION IN THE PAST DECADE, archaeological research in Palau (Fig. 1) has undergone a rapid acceleration in terms ofboth the quantity ofresearch conducted and the va­ riety of archaeological questions addressed. As a result, recent modeling of initial occupation (Athens and Ward 2001; Clark 2004; Clark et al. 2006; Fitzpatrick 2003a; Wiclder 2001); cultural chronologies (Clark 2005; Liston 1999; Phear et al. 2003, Wiclder et al. 2007); and settlement patterns (Liston in prep.a; Liston and Tuggle 2006; Masse et al. 2006) have dramatically advanced our understand­ ing ofPalauan and Micronesian cultural history. The recent recovery and special­ ized analyses of significant quantities of flaked stone artifacts allow for an inter­ pretation of Palau's flaked stone tool use in the context provided by these new chronological and settlement models. In this article, we summarize the archaeological analyses of Palau's chipped stone artifacts, review ethnohistorical sources for descriptions and potential use of lithic tools, and present the results of a recent microscopic use-wear and residue analysis of 20 flaked stone artifacts (Table 1; see also Fig. 2). Studies of micro­ scopic residues found adhering to stone tools typically provide evidence ofartifact function, ranging from a distinction between used and unused artifacts to species­ level identification of exploited biota, and may include assessments of hafting (e.g., Rots 2003) or non-utilitarian artifact roles. In addition to identifying poten­ tial tool function, this analysed assemblage, chiefly derived from approximately 2000-year-old inland complexes of earthwork and village sites, can therefore pro­ vide insight into the cultural transformations between Palau's temporally distinct earthwork and stonework eras.
    [Show full text]
  • Trusteeship Council, Nichael I1echan Intervievred Me for Gnnnett Heus Services
    UNITED NA110NS Distr. GENERAL TRUSTEESHIP T/PV.l525 COUNCIL 19 May 1982 ENGLISH MAY 2 1 1982 UN/SA COLLECTION Forty-n1nth Session VJi;RBATIH RF:CORD OF THE FIFTEET-T HUl\IDRED AT-ID T17El\TTY -FIFTH H!::ETING Held at Headquarters, l\Te-vr York, on Hednesday, 19 May 1982., at 10.3() a.m. President: Mr. POUDADE (France) Examination of the annual report of the Administering Authority for the year ended 30 September 1981: Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands (continued) Examination of petitions listed in the annex to the af,enda This record is subject to correction. Corrections should be submitted in one of the vrorking languages, preferably in the same lanruave as the text to which they refer. They should be set forth in a memorandum and also, if possible, incorporaten in a copv of the record. They should be sent, within one week of the date of this document, to the Chief·~ Official Records Editinp; Section, Department of Conference Services, room A-3550o 8!)6 United Nations Plaza. Any corrections to the records of the meetinp:s of this session i,rill be consolidated in a sinp:le corrir,endum, to be issued shortly after the end, of the session. 36 p EMS/5 T/PV.l525 2 The meetinp, was called to order at 11.15 a.m. EXAMINATION OF THE ANNUAL REPORT OF THE ADHINISTERING AUTHORITY FOR THE YEAR EliDED 30 SEPTE11BER 1981: TRUST TERRITORY OF THE PACIFIC ISLANDS (T/L.l228 and Add .l·-3) (_~ontinued) EXAMINATION OF PETITIONS LISTED IN THE ANNEX TO THE AGENDA (T/1836/Add.l) At the invitation of the President, Hrs.
    [Show full text]
  • A RAPID FIELD ASSESSMENT of the Rufous Night-Heron POPULATION of Palau, MICRONESIA ALAN R
    NOTES A RAPID FIELD ASSESSMENT OF THE RUFOUS NIGHT-HERON POPULATION OF PALAU, MICRONESIA ALAN R. OLSEN and MILANG EBERDONG, Belau National Museum, P. O. Box 666, Koror, Palau 96940 or P. O. Box 10232 Koror, Palau 96940; [email protected]. A medium-sized (58 cm) cinnamon-brown heron with a black crown and nape, Nycticorax caledonicus pelewensis is a nonmigratory subspecies of the Rufous Night-Heron that occurs only in the Palau and Chuuk islands of Micronesia (Pratt et al. 1987, Wiles 2005, Pratt and Etpison 2008). Its natural habitat is coastal wetland with mangroves for roosting and tidal flats for feeding grounds (Engbring 1988). The Rufous Night-Heron was selected as the flagship coastal species for Palau’s National Program for Monitoring Forest and Coastal Birds because it is a prominent feature of Palau’s coastal avifauna and, as a conspicuous territorial predator with a varied diet, it has practical value as an indicator of the biological richness of Palau’s coastal wetlands (Olsen and Eberdong 2012). In order to fully incorporate the Rufous Night-Heron into the national monitoring program, we needed a baseline population estimate for the Palau subpopulation. When we reviewed the reports of previous surveys of Mi- cronesia’s birds (Engbring et al. 1990, Engbring 1992, VanderWerf 2007) we found that the reports mentioned sightings of Rufous Night-Herons but did not provide a population estimate. Waterbird Population Estimates (Wetlands International 2014) hazarded a “best guess” population estimate of “1–10,000” for the subspecies. The chief obstacles to establishing a more precise population estimate for the subspecies are the lack of a well-defined breeding season and the lack of centralized roosting or nesting colonies where the birds can be conveniently counted.
    [Show full text]
  • Political Reviews • Micronesia 217 Palau
    political reviews • micronesia 217 Palau over Palau, from Kayangel in the The administration of President north to Angaur Island in the south. Kuniwo Nakamura and Vice Presi- This was achieved with about $35 dent Tommy Remengesau, nearing the million in funding from the United end of their second and last four-year States government. term, claimed a number of accom- Two high-priority construction plishments during the year under projects are the Koror–Babeldaob review. The national budget was bal- bridge and the 53-mile circle-island anced for the sixth consecutive year, road on Babeldaob. The government and external funding was secured for of Japan has agreed to provide some the new Koror–Babeldaob bridge, $25 million for the bridge (Tia Belau, channel and harbor development at 22 Jan–5 Feb 1999), which will Peleliu Island, and an international replace the structure built by the coral reef research center to be located Trust Territory government in 1977 on Koror’s M Dock. Attractive sports that collapsed in 1996. Further, some facilities were completed in time for $149 million in compact funds have Palau to host the August 1998 Micro- been allocated by the United States nesian Games, in which Palauan ath- for the massive Babeldaob road pro- letes performed exceptionally well. ject. The US Army Corps of Engineers In foreign relations, President will supervise the road building, which Nakamura accepted for the first time will be done by the Daewoo Corpora- the credentials of the ambassador tion of South Korea. Daewoo, the sec- from Greece, Constantin Drakakis, ond largest construction firm in South accepted Australia’s new ambassador, Korea, outbid four other finalists from Timothy Cole, who made a $40,000 South Korea, the People’s Republic of contribution to the Mindzenty High China, Japan, and the United States.
    [Show full text]