THE BAHAMAS NATIONAL REPORT INTEGRATING MANAGEMENT OF WATERSHEDS AND COASTAL AREAS IN SMALL ISLAND DEVELOPING STATES (SIDS) OF THE CARIBBEAN TABLE OF CONTENTS EXECUTIVE SUMMARY ...................................................................................................... 5 1.0 COUNTRY ORIENTATION............................................................................................. 6 1.1 Landscape...................................................................................................................... 6 1.2 Demographics ............................................................................................................... 6 1.3 Economy ....................................................................................................................... 6 1.4 Climate.......................................................................................................................... 7 2.0 CURRENT WATERSHED/WATER RESOURCES MANAGEMENT ISSUES............. 9 2.1 Summary of Observations............................................................................................. 9 2.2 Fresh Water Resources of The Bahamas ...................................................................... 9 2.3 Natural Influences on Fresh water Supply: Residence Time and Internal Flow ........ 10 2.4 Impacts to Fresh water Resources............................................................................... 11 2.4.1 Role of Hurricanes and Tropical Storms in Releasing and Dispersing Pollutants in Coastal Areas ............................................................................... 11 2.4.2 Impacts from Sea Water Intrusion on Fresh water Resources ........................... 12 2.4.3 Impacts from Waste Generation ......................................................................... 13 2.4.4 Impacts from Sewage.......................................................................................... 13 2.4.5 Methods of Sewage Collection and Disposal...................................................... 14 2.5 Demands on Fresh Water Resources: Abstraction Systems ....................................... 14 2.6 Tourism Sector Demands on Water Consumption and Waste Disposal..................... 15 2.7 Service Industries Demands on Water Consumption and Waste Disposal................. 16 2.8 Water and Sewerage Regulatory Authority: The Water and Sewerage Corporation . 16 2.9 Conclusions................................................................................................................. 16 3.0 CURRENT COASTAL ZONE MANAGEMENT ISSUES............................................. 18 3.1 Summary of Observations........................................................................................... 18 3.2 Applicable Regulations............................................................................................... 19 3.2 Marine Parks of The Bahamas.................................................................................... 20 3.2.1 The Bahamas National Trust Act By-Laws 1987................................................ 20 3.2.2 Bahamas National Parks .................................................................................... 21 3.3 Coastal Habitats and Ecosystems Management Issues............................................... 23 3.3.1 Coral Reef Management Issues .......................................................................... 23 3.3.2 Mangrove and Wetland Management Issues...................................................... 23 3.3.3 Sand Beach and Dune Systems Issues ................................................................ 25 3.3.4 Iron (Rocky) Coastline Management Issues ....................................................... 26 3.3.5 Seagrass Beds Management Issues..................................................................... 26 3.3.6 Dunes and Other Natural Shorelines.................................................................. 26 3.3.7 Public Access to Coastal Areas .......................................................................... 26 3.3.8 Inland Lakes........................................................................................................ 26 3.4 Coastal Infrastructure and Management Issues .......................................................... 27 3.4.1 Infrastructure and Utilities Management Issues................................................. 27 3.4.2 Marinas and Mooring Areas............................................................................... 27 ICF Consulting 1 Integrated Coastal Management Planning 3.4.3 Dredging ............................................................................................................. 28 3.4.4 Electrical Utilities and Solid Waste Facilities.................................................... 29 3.4.5 Coastal Land Use Planning Issues ..................................................................... 30 3.5 Climate Change and Natural Disasters ....................................................................... 31 3.6 Transboundry Threats................................................................................................. 32 3.7 Information Management Issues................................................................................. 32 3.8 Social and Cultural Issues Relating to Implementing Coastal Management.............. 32 3.9 Governmental and Non-Governmental Eco-Conscious Organizations in The Bahamas...................................................................................................................... 32 3.10 Institutional Issues....................................................................................................... 35 4.0 PRELIMINARY RECOMMENDATIONS FOR DEVELOPMENT IN THE COASTAL ZONE OF THE BAHAMAS......................................................................... 38 4.1 Introduction................................................................................................................. 38 4.2 Process to Determine Build and No Build Zones Based on Flood Hazard and Erosion Analysis in The Bahamas.............................................................................. 39 4.3 Determine Appropriate Infrastructure Design Process for the Coastal Zones of The Bahamas............................................................................................................... 42 4.4 Requirements for Guidelines for Development at Each Coastal Zone....................... 46 4.4.1 Process to Develop Database of Coastal Information ....................................... 46 4.4.1.1 Select Specific Islands for Detailed Wind, Wave, and Water Level Analyses (e.g., Grand Bahama, New Providence, Eleuthera, Cat Island) ....................... 47 4.4.1.2 Collect WIND Data for ‘Normal,’ ‘Storm,’ and ‘Extreme’ Events .................... 47 4.4.1.3 Generate Offshore Wave Conditions .................................................................. 47 4.4.1.4 Generate Nearshore Water Levels for Entire Island Shoreline.......................... 47 4.4.1.5 Undertake Frequency Analyses for Waves and Water Levels ............................ 48 4.4.1.6 Calculate Nearshore Wave Conditions and Related Exposure Zones................ 48 4.4.1.7 Characterize Shoreline Types and Develop Related Setback Recommendations By Shoreline Reach.............................................................. 49 4.4.2 Summary.............................................................................................................. 50 4.5 Introduction to Design and Approach to Construction in the Coastal Zone of The Bahamas...................................................................................................................... 51 5.0 STRATEGY FOR THE BAHAMAS NATIONAL COASTAL ZONE MANAGEMENT PROGRAM......................................................................................... 53 5.1 A Vision for ICM in The Bahamas............................................................................. 53 5.2 Definition of Coastal Zone.......................................................................................... 54 5.3 Components of a National Integrated Coastal Management Program........................ 54 5.3.1 Policies and Goals.............................................................................................. 55 5.3.2 Legislation and Regulations ............................................................................... 56 5.3.3 Institutional Arrangements ................................................................................. 56 5.3.4 ICM Plan Formulation ....................................................................................... 57 5.3.5 ICM Plan Implementation................................................................................... 57 5.3.6 Professional Staff Training................................................................................. 57 5.3.7 Public Education................................................................................................. 58 5.3.8 Monitoring and Enforcement.............................................................................. 58 5.4 Bahamas Integrated Coastal Planning Strategy.......................................................... 58 5.4.1 National and Regional Economic Development Strategies................................ 59 ICF Consulting 2 Integrated Coastal Management Planning 5.4.2 The Role of Integrated Coastal Management Planning ....................................