Quarterly Performance Monitoring Report First Quarter, FY08 Environmental Protection Authority
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Quarterly Performance Monitoring Report First Quarter, FY08 Environmental Protection Authority I. Progress on Outcomes A. Status of Outcomes, Progress through end of the 1Q EPA identified 3 Outcomes. Outcome 1 contains 5 Output Groups; Outcome 2 contains 4 Output Groups; and Outcome 3 contains 1 Output Group. This section provides an overview of the impacts and progress to date in FY08 with regard to the Outputs/Output Groups in each Outcome. Outcome 1: To Increase the Effectiveness of Environmental Protection and Environmental Programs in the RMI Output Group 1.1– Improve Environmental Health and Water Quality Output 1.1.1: Improved public water supply quality The RMIEPA had concluded an agreement with USEPA towards the certification of its laboratory. The certification process will commence middle of this year with visit from Technical staffs from American Samoa laboratory. This will improve the quality of the professional works of RMIEPA in monitoring our water resources. A Project Proposal for 500K under the Regional International Water Resources Management Program with SPREP was submitted for GEF Funding consideration. The objective of the project is to protect the underground water lens at Laura Village from further degradation and pollutions. Of the 77 city water samples collected at Laura only 46 or 67% were safe and for private homes, of the 11 catchments only 3 or 43% were safe. The bottle water tests showed that of the 16 bottles collected for sampling only 8 or 50% were safe. There were 10 food establishments whose water sources were tested and found only 1 or 10% was safe. Output 1.1.2 Improved Community-based Management of Water Supplies Marshall Islands is a recipient of the Pacific Island Hydrological Cycle Observation System (HYCOS) funded by EU and its aim is to strengthen the human and technical capacity of water resources management providing high quality, reliable and long term information for decision making on water catchments and aquifer management issues. Rehabilitation of most of the monitoring boreholes in the 10 USGS sites around Laura. The task was achieved with air injection using an air compressor that we hired from PII. : 3 wells were monitored for 6 weeks using divers that record the water level. It is possible to see the effects of tides and pumping in the results. An intensive geophysics survey was achieved, using both electric methods (VES) and electromagnetic methods (EM-34). During these measurements, the ground resistively was measured along six transects as well as in 10 different points in Laura. With further analysis of the data, the mapping (size, depth, volume) of the freshwater lens will be possible and depicted on a 3 dimensional map. Water quality: Collection of samples on a weekly basis was performed in order to analyze the samples for Colliforms (bacteria), chloride content, Salinity, Nitrate. The sample collection will be performed on a monthly basis from now on. Water testing and monitoring at Jaluit Atoll showed that of the 46 water catchments tested at Ionene only 9 or 19% were safe. In jabwor Community, of the 114 water catchments only 17 or 14% were safe. On toilets, at Ionene community, of the 36 homes, 13 or 36% have not toilets. And on Jabwor, of the 100 homes visted, only 10 or 10% lack toilet. Output 1.1.3 Ensure appropriate marine water quality for planned/actual use including recreation, conservation, fishing, industrial The coastal monitoring areas from Ejit Island to the Bridge were tested and the results were identified as followed: 20 sites or 86% of the samples were found safe. As part of the Disaster Risk Reduction Task force, EPA participated in the final review of the National Disaster National Plan. The plan will be forwarded to Cabinet for approval. Inspection of the sewage outfall confirmed that the sewage pipe is broken right at the edge of the shallow reef crest. A letter to the affect will be sent to MWSC for the repair of the damage. Sampled tests showed that Western site of the outfall are very contaminated while the eastern site is safe. Output 1.1.4 Coordinate roles/responsibilities between MOH and EPA for sanitation programs on issues including but not limited to fecal pollutants, vector borne disease, access to toilets (household), and health impacts of pigpens The EPA Task Force (MoH and MalGov’t) continued to carry out its inspection of public food establishments and stores. 27 incoming foreign vessels were inspected and cleared of upon arrival at the port. There were more than 10 complaints from the residents of DUD Area in which the staffs responded to. These complaints were received by phone and people coming to the office to report. Output Group1.2 – Coastal and Land Management Output 1.2.1 Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) and Environmental Permitting Sixty five (65) Major Earthmoving projects currently being monitored for compliance. Fifteen (15) Major Earthmoving permits issued for seawalls, Small reclamations, office buildings etc. Thirty two (32) Minor Earthmoving permits issued for Residential House construction, sewage connection, septic tank or water connection. Anderson Asphalt Plant Decommissioning in Process with Anderson selling plant to PII who have confirmed that plant will be removed from site Lojemwa Lagoon Quarry Monitoring Report Identified excessive damage to reefs and erosion of road and land and application for renewal of permit under approved EIA declined and due for decommissioning Jan 3rd 2008. Lojemwa Ocean Quarry Monitoring Report concluded that the operation is in compliance with permit and EIA conditions and would be surveyed again in July when the current permit expires. Anil Developments Reclamation is on hold as their dredge is broken. EPA instructed Anil to remove all contaminated fuels from Litibouki vessel and sink in deep water ocean side off Rong Rong and not sue as landfill. The Environmental Management Plan (EMP) required by the Board after the approval of the EIA for the Ching Fu dry dock was submitted and approved by the EPA and now a permit has been issued for the dock. Final EIA for the Uliga Elementary School Consortium Reclamation approved by EPA with condition that material for this large project must come from overseas and not coastal dragline dredging. If this is not financially viable local sources can be used but only via suction dredge to source material below 30 feet in the lagoon to protect coral reefs and prevent erosion. Rock armor to come from within reclamation area itself to prevent need for open mine elsewhere in Majuro. The RMIPA Airport Rescue and Fire Facility (ARFF) reclamation EIA has been approved and the EPA is now waiting for the contractor PII to apply for an Earthmoving permit. The EIA Scoping Report for the Good Fortune Bay 50,000 ton fish farm project in Majuro Lagoon has been approved and the EPA is now awaiting the draft EIA for review and consultation. The EIA Scoping Report for the RMIPA Road Re-alignment project has been approved and the EPA is now waiting for the draft EIA for review and consultation. The EIA Scoping Report for Kurt Pinho Resort on Jelto Island has been approved and the EPA is now awaiting the draft EIA for review and consultation. System of regular bi-monthly meetings established with AG to review violations and a standardized range of fines established for violations of the EPA Regulations agreed with AG Improved awareness raising on Radio and Journal and compliance monitoring by Coastal Department has reduced the number of violations to only I this Quarter. Violation Notice sent to Malgov for Illegal sand mining at airport beach. Malgov have refused to pay the agreed $500 fine and the AG is now following up with civil proceedings. Due process system established for action to be taken between AG and EPA for unpaid fines to follow through on violations and prosecute in court. AG files charges in court for the prosecution of Sam Leon Illegal commercial sand mining operation where $180,000 was made illegally from sand mining AG files charges in court for the prosecution of PII for purposeful grounding of the Emerald vessel on the shallow reefs of Enemanit Island and contamination of local fishery and pollution of marine water quality Output 1.2.2 Coastal Management Programs (National and Local) Draft RMI National Coastal Management Framework to be resubmitted to Cabinet for approval after Elections. EPA has been waiting for Cabinet approval for 8 months. Draft Development Regulations to be submitted to Cabinet after approval of above Coastal Management Framework. Review of Kwajalein Atoll Coastal Management Plan and presentation to traditional leaders and KALGOV in January. Draft Management Plans for Wotje and Majuro are ready for presentation to traditional leaders and local Government for endorsement Draft Majuro Management Plan has been sent to University of Tokyo so that scientists working on erosion studies for the last 5 years can comment. Use of GIS to monitor current dredging operations as boundary is mapped to assess extent of quarrying in line with agreed conditions in EIA and permits. Condition attached to approval of EIA of UESC reclamation that lagoon side dragline dredging is not permitted and that suction dredging should be used. Ongoing awareness in weekly radio programs and adverts every month in the Journal on coastal issues Proposal prepared for SOPAC-GEF medium sizes grant for Protection of Groundwater Lens at Laura Request to SOPAC for final submission of Technical Report on Aggregate Extraction in Majuro lagoon to support suction dredge technology Live rock now requires EIA so the two operations have since stopped dong live rock. Coastal team presented at the MIMRA Aquarium Trade meeting to all stakeholders to remind them of the EPA Regulations and the process involved for obtaining permits to remove live rock and corals.