2016-2020 ASSESSMENT AND STRATEGIES FY 2016 – FY 2020 Prepared in accordance with: COASTAL ZONE MANAGEMENT ACT SECTION 309 PUERTO RICO COASTAL ZONE MANAGEMENT PROGRAM DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES PUERTO RICO COASTAL ZONE MANAGEMENT PROGRAM | 2016-2020 VERSION 31 AUG 2015 1 introduction ................................................................................................................................................................................... 5 Conformance to OCRM Guidance .......................................................................................................................................... 5 Prior Cycle of Sec.309 Assessment and Strategy ................................................................................................................... 6 2 summary of recent section 209 achievements ......................................................................................................................... 8 Public Access................................................................................................................................................................................ 8 Wetlands ........................................................................................................................................................................................ 9 Coastal Hazards ......................................................................................................................................................................... 10 3 program enhancement assessments ........................................................................................................................................ 12 1.1 Wetlands Assessment ................................................................................................................................................... 12 S309 Enhancement Objective ..................................................................................................................................... 12 Resource Characterization ........................................................................................................................................... 12 Management Characterization .................................................................................................................................... 15 Enhancement Area Prioritization ............................................................................................................................... 15 In-Depth Resource Characterization: WETLANDS .............................................................................................. 17 In-Depth Management Characterization: WETLANDS ....................................................................................... 19 TABLE OF CONTENTS Identification of Priorities: ........................................................................................................................................... 20 Enhancement Area Strategy Development: ............................................................................................................. 23 1.2 Coastal Hazards Assessment ............................................................................................................................................ 24 S309 Enhancement Objective ..................................................................................................................................... 24 Resource Characterization ........................................................................................................................................... 24 Management Characterization .................................................................................................................................... 30 Enhancement Area Prioritization ............................................................................................................................... 31 In-Depth Resource Characterization: COASTAL HAZARDS............................................................................ 33 In-Depth Management Characterization: COASTAL HAZARDS ..................................................................................................................................................................... 34 Identification of Priorities: ........................................................................................................................................... 36 Enhancement Area Strategy Development: ............................................................................................................. 38 1.3 Public Access Assessment ........................................................................................................................................... 40 S309 Enhancement Objective ..................................................................................................................................... 40 Resource Characterization ........................................................................................................................................... 40 Management Characterization .................................................................................................................................... 41 Enhancement Area Prioritization ............................................................................................................................... 42 Puerto Rico Coastal Zone Management Program: Assessment and Strategies 2016-2020 2 Puerto Rico Coastal Zone Management Program: Assessment and Strategies 2016-2020 2 1.4 Marine Debris Assessment .......................................................................................................................................... 43 Section 309 Enhancement Objective ........................................................................................................................ 43 Resource Characterization ........................................................................................................................................... 43 Management Characterization .................................................................................................................................... 45 Enhancement area prioritization ................................................................................................................................ 47 Section 309 Enhancement Objective ........................................................................................................................ 48 Resource Characterization ........................................................................................................................................... 48 Management Characterization: ................................................................................................................................... 52 Enhancement area prioritization ................................................................................................................................ 53 Section 309 Enhancement Objective ........................................................................................................................ 54 Resource Characterization ........................................................................................................................................... 54 Management Characterization .................................................................................................................................... 56 Enhancement Area Prioritization ............................................................................................................................... 56 1.7 Ocean Resources Assessment .......................................................................................................................................... 58 Section 309 Enhancement Objective ........................................................................................................................ 58 Resource Characterization ........................................................................................................................................... 58 Management Characterization .................................................................................................................................... 62 Enhancement Area Prioritization ............................................................................................................................... 63 1.7 Energy & Government Facility Siting Assessment....................................................................................................... 65 Section 309 Enhancement Objectives ....................................................................................................................... 65 Resource Characterization ........................................................................................................................................... 65 Management Characterization .................................................................................................................................... 67 Enhancement area prioritization ................................................................................................................................ 68 1.8 Aquaculture Assessment ...................................................................................................................................................