cl Caribbean WaterWays

SGFF Newsletter of the GEF IWCAM Project
GEF

EH A Volume 1, Issue 3 September 2007
COU A S __ -..y 1.

In this ssue:
* Feature: A Partici-
patory Approach
to Watershed Man-
agement: The
Drivers River Wa-
tershed, Jamaica
(pgs. 1,2,3)

* Background on the
IWCAM Project (pg.
2)

* From Awareness
to Action (pg. 4)

* Key Interventions
of the GEF-IWCAM
Demonstration
Project-Jamaica
(pg.4)
* GIS in Support of
Planning for Wa-
tershed and
Coastal Areas
Management (pgs.
5,8)

* Partnership at the
National Level:
NICs (pg. 6)

* Partnerships at
Work (pg. 6)

* GEF 4th Biennial
International Wa-
ters Conference
(pg.7)

* GEF-IWCAM Re-
gional GIS Work-
shop (pg. 7)

* GEF-IWCAM Dem-
onstration Project
Status Update (pg.
7)

Ih11' Itlu' 1 tagoon

Sites of
interest in
the Driv-
ers River
Project
Manage-
ment
Area,
Portland,
Jamaica

PROJECT AREA

Waterhed Management Unit
Classification
Finai Ranings by WMU
" IW. R -W M -i" '' """

Fnal dRank"
"- a i

Project area highlighted in red dots

www.iwcam.org

Feature Article:

A Participatory Approach to
Watershed Management:
The Drivers River Watershed,
Jamaica

Background

Jamaica's Global Environment Facility-
funded Integrating Watershed and
Coastal Areas Management (GEF-
IWCAM) Demonstration Project, the
Driver's River Watershed Management
Area, is geared towards development
and implementation of a model Water-
shed Area Management Mechanism
(WAMM) for Eastern Portland that incor-
porates the lessons and experiences
gained in other Watershed Management
Units and Small Island Developing
States.

The overall degradation of the environ-
ment in the parish of Portland, Jamaica
has resulted in growing concerns for its
proper management. Environmental chal-
lenges are rooted in a number of interre-
lated causes, which have physical, socio-
economic and institutional dimensions.
The Drivers River Watershed Manage-
ment Unit is classified as the least de-
graded watershed in the parish of Port-
land. It was chosen for the demonstra-
tion project as it was considered ideal for
the introduction of interventions towards
preventing further degradation and for
establishing a model Watershed Area
Management Mechanism (WAMM).

The project started off with reconnais-
sance visits to the watershed by the Pro-
ject Management Team to give them
(Continued on page 2)

IWCAM Caribbean WaterWays Newsletter

SParticipatory Strategic
Planning Process

1. Current Reality Dialogue
An assessment of the current situation

2. Shared practical Vision
A practical Vision of the desired future

3. Underlying Obstacles
Analysis of issues that are blocking process

4. Strategic Actions
Proposed priority action arenas to move ahead

5. Implementation Planning
Detailed plan to carry out the new strategy

BACKGROUND ON THEIWCAMPROJECT

The Integrating Watershedand CoastalAreas Management in Caribbean Small
Island Development States (IWCAM) Project with a value of USD 112 million,
was approved by the Global Environment Facility (GEF) in May 2004. Imple-
menting agencies are the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and
the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). Executing agencies are
the Secretariat of the Cartagena Convention (UNEP-CAR/RCU) and the Carib-
bean Environmental Health Institute (CEHI) and the UN Office of Project Ser-
vices (UNOPS). The thirteen ..; :._; SIDS are:Antigua and Barbuda, The
Bahamas, Barbados, Cuba, Grenada, Dominica, Dominican Republic, Hait,
Jamaica, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines,
and Trinidad and Tobago. The length of the Project is years and commenced in
the second quarter of 2005. The Project Coordinating Unit is located at the CEHI,
as agreedby the Implementing and ExecutingAgencies and the :.
countries.

= ... s ', -

o
1=~

www.iwcam.org

(Continuedfrom page 1)
greater insight into existing issues. Environmental
challenges to be addressed through project interven-
tions include:

inappropriate garbage disposal,
unapproved development along the coast-
line,
dumping of wetlands and agricultural activi-
ties along waterways,
poor disposal of sewage.

The Demonstration Project utilized a participatory
approach from the outset to shape its work plan. The
project employed a two-way process of dialogue,
negotiation and decision-making between project
staff and watershed stakeholders. This process has
proven to be inclusive and helpful and will continue
to play an integral role in the project.

Three consultations were held over a two-month
period. They provided invaluable insight into the is-
sues impacting the project location and anticipated
outcomes resulting from project interventions.

Consultation 1: The Project Management Team
presentation to, and meeting with, the Portland
Parish Development Committee at the Portland
Parish Council, May 31, 2007.

The Portland Parish Development Committee of the
Portland Parish Council is the local government gov-
ernance mechanism for community involvement.
The objectives of this consultation were to:

* introduce the Parish Development Committee to
the GEF-IWCAM Project;
* pave the way for stakeholders' participation;
(Continued on page 3)

IWCAM Caribbean WaterWays Newsletter

(Contmuedfrom page 2)
* acquire background information on the water-
shed and how its management can fit into the
local government process.

Ownership of project interventions and the subse-
quent outputs and outcomes were successfully pro-
moted. Stakeholders pledged their participation and
insisted that the process of incorporating their inputs
continue throughout the implementation phase.

Consultation II: The Project Management Team
met with the Portland officers of the Executing
Agency, the National Environment & Planning
Agency (NEPA), May 31, 2007.

Meeting objectives were to:
discuss issues within the Drivers River
Watershed;
discuss strengthening the capacity of
NEPA, Portland in an effort to promote
sustainable watershed and coastal area
management;
identify key stakeholders for inputs and
assistance with the GEF-IWCAM project.

The consultation helped the Project Management
Unit to identify areas of critical concern within the
study area as well as what can be done by GEF-
IWCAM to strengthen sustainable watershed man-
agement in the area.

Consultation III: Drivers River
Workshop, June 27, 2007

Stakeholders

Seventeen persons participated in the Workshop

which was held at the Portland Parish Council, Port
Antonio. Participants were from a wide cross section

of organizations inclusive of public sector, private
sector, NGOs and community-based organizations.
The workshop objectives were to:

invite participation in the Demonstration
Project work planning process;
position the group to arrive at decisions/
proposed actions which are owned by
the stakeholders;
develop a work plan that takes into con-
sideration the realistic expectations of
participants, and promotes ownership of
process, outputs and responsibility for
outcomes.

Diagram I on page 2 summarizes the process that
was used to engage participants in a strategic plan-
ning process at the stakeholders' workshop. Work-
shop activities followed all five steps of the Participa-
tory Strategic Planning Process: current reality dia-
logue; shared practical vision; underlying obstacles;
strategic actions; and implementation planning. Par-
ticipation in the entire workshop was excellent.

All three consultations achieved their objectives,
enabling the Project Management Unit to prepare the
Final Draft of the Work Plan and the Budget. The
following issues were also resolved:

1. Agreement on project location, as the project
document was inconsistent in defining the study
area.
2. Establishment of a stakeholders working group
that will guide the project.
3. Identification of groups in need of capacity
strengthening.
4. Identification of critical needs (relating to water-
shed management) to be addressed.
5. Establishment of a relationship with relevant
stakeholders within the Drivers River Watershed
Management Unit.

Participation of stakeholders will continue throughout
project implementation. The completed work plan
will be presented at another stakeholders' workshop
in September 2007 and the formal Project Manage-
ment Committee will have its first meeting soon after.

This article was provided by the GEF-IWCAM Jamaica
Demonstration Project Management Unit.

See Pg. 4 for key interventions made by this Demon-
stration Project.

www.iwcam.org

IWCAM Caribbean WaterWays Newsletter

From Awareness to Action!

There are two international events taking place in Septem-
ber and October 2007 which have public education and
awareness goals consistent with those of IWCAM and in
whichyou may wish to participate in the future:

World Water Monitoring Day

World Water Monitoring Day (WWMD), October 18, 2007, is
a global education and outreach event designed to promote
personal stewardship and individual involvement in the protec-
tion of world water resources. Participants conduct basic water
quality monitoring tests and record their findings. The impor-
tance of monitoring water quality is stressed. The data collected
through WWMD activities can give an annual snapshot of local
water quality, and gives community groups, students, citizens,
and others the basic skills needed to participate in more formal
citizen monitoring programmes. Information collected from each
site over a number of years can provide insights into local water
quality trends over time. The website provides several useful
resources: media and community outreach templates which can
be adapted for local use; fact sheets on ground water; and, the
Kid's Stufffeatures three books which teach about ground water
and water pollution. Reports and summaries for past years,
including 2006 are also available.

Website: http://www.worldwatermonitorinqday.org

The International Coastal Cleanup

The 22nd Annual International Coastal Cleanup (ICC) will be
marked on Saturday 15 September 2007. This is the largest
one day event to clean oceans and waterways. The focus is on
educating and empowering people to become a part of the ma-
rine debris solution. In 2006, a total of 358,617 volunteers
cleaned 34,560 miles of shoreline around the world.

All of the GEF-IWCAM Participating Countries, with the excep-
tion of Cuba (which, as reflected in the 2006 Report, manages
to provide some data), are listed as international participants in
this activity which is coordinated worldwide by the Ocean Con-
servancy (OC) operating out of Washington D.C.

Website: http://www.oceanconservancy.orq/

For more information on how to participate in ICC 2007, contact
your Country Coordinator. A complete list may be found on the
ICC website at:

http://www.oceanconservancy.orq/site/DocServer/
Int Coordinators.pdf?doclD=1781

Key Interventions of the GEF-IWCAM
Demonstration Project Jamaica

In consultation with stakeholders, several key interventions were agreed
upon. These include:

Community Sanitation Improvement
Approximately half of the
total households within Driv-
ers River Watershed use pil
latrines and there are no
wastewater treatment sys.
tems in place. Secondar,
information from the 2001
census revealed that or
7,670 households, 3550
used pit latrines; statistics
from the NGO Build Jamaica
Foundation indicate that 90 i.:.
of basic schools have inade.
quate sanitary conveniences
The project will be replacing D. ti ri"
six pit latrines within schools
and communities with upgraded flush toilets and treatment systems
such as septic tanks and constructed wetlands. This intervention will
promote the social well being of beneficiaries as well as reduce water
pollution.

Community Workshops and Training
Community training workshops will promote environmental awareness
in an effort to increase people's knowledge and awareness of the envi-
ronment as well as associated challenges. Training activities will seek
to develop the necessary skills and expertise to address the challenges,
encourage different attitudes, increase motivation and commitment so
that members of the community are able to make informed decisions
and take responsible action.

Mapping of community resources will also be used to identify commu-
nity assets such as natural and manmade resources. For simplicity, the
community layout will be displayed on the ground using sticks, mud and
stones. The main purpose of this exercise is for community members to
appreciate assets that their community owns and to better understand
the benefits to be derived from conservation.

Transfer of Best Practices and Lessons Learned

Portland has had several projects, programmes and activities, which
have attempted to address many of the same issues. Such projects
include:
1. The Ridge to Reef Watershed Project (R2RW)
2. The Coastal Water Improvement Project (CWIP 1 and 2)
3. Environmental Audits for Sustainable Tourism (EAST)

Building upon lessons learned in previous interventions as well as docu-
menting best practice is a fundamental aspect of the GEF-IWCAM
Project. As a result this Project will also seek to identify best practices
from previous watershed management projects and community activi-
ties and implement them within the Drivers River Watershed.

www.iwcam.org

5 IWCAM Caribbean WaterWays Newsletter

GIS in Support of Planning for Watershed and Coastal Areas Management

GIS technology is an important tool for integrated data analysis and management. Recognizing this, the GEF-IWCAM Pro-
ject decided to incorporate the use of GIS in various components. Mindful of the complexity and cost associated with effective and
efficient use of GIS, the Project commissioned the conduct of a detailed capacity needs assessment study that would guide the process
through development of a Road Map.

What are the benefits of GIS?
integrated data storage and data retrieval capabilities.
a more systematic approach for the collection of data.
reduces the overall costs of data collection and management by facilitating data sharing among users.
increases comparability and compatibility of diverse data sets.
makes data accessible to a wider range of decision-makers.
encourages the spatial analysis of environmental impacts that would otherwise be more easily ignored because of analytical diffi
culty or high cost.
improves access to information and service to the general public
supports the decision making process
provides for effective communication on spatial issues

There are many examples of GIS applications relevant to watershed and coastal areas management:
Noise Pollution tracking and modeling Environmental Impact assessment
Water Pollution tracking and modeling Monitoring landslide occurrence
Air Pollution tracking and modeling Hazard Risk analysis
Soil Pollution tracking and modeling Non-point pollution analysis
Solid Waste management Hydrological modeling
Flood hazard mapping and management Sediment flow analysis Hill-shadedmap ofDominica
Coastal erosion modeling Monitoring of affected marine ecosystems (coral reefs)
Coastal Water-Quality Modeling Monitoring species abundance as it relates to the protection of important
species in watershed areas

The Road Map is based upon recommendations from the assessment which consisted of a desktop study which reviewed
the GIS capacity building activities in the Caribbean and a regional assessment of GIS capacity in the Caribbean as well as stakeholder
input via the Regional GIS Workshop (see page 7) which was held in Dominica in early-July. It consists of steps to be taken to bring
capacity up to a level where GIS data can be generated, manipulated and shared among Participating Countries within a common
framework. The actions to be implemented as a result of the assessment's recommendations would build data and information man-
agement capacity in participating countries and specifically at the level of the IWCAM Demonstration Projects.

The two background studies identified a number of common issues with respect to the implementation of GIS at a national level in
the region including:
the lack of an overall national GIS strategy;
(Contmued on page 8)

Examples of GIS products which may be offered to the public GIS-assitedand se map

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ii jk- ...: .::......... .

www.iwcam.org

IWCAM Caribbean WaterWays Newsletter

Partnership at the National
Level: National Intersectoral
Committees (NICs)
The overall objective of the GEF-IWCAM Prolect is lo
strngohen te commitment and capaly of te Pariipatung Coun- -
emas (PCs) lo implerrenl an ,ilegiated approach lo the manage
meon of watershed and coast areas Tnis is a oig challenge
Ha g Gf. M given the secoral approach wnich is ihe norm throughout the re-
Th e pflfna.e~ Shm Rv,e Mahfc
Ta niik
Nanonal Intersecrorai Commrnees (NICs) have been or are to
be seal up in eacn PC The role of the NIC is o10 integrate IWCAM
principles into national pohcy The NICs will aci as he mairi na-
tional policy bodea lor Inlegraling Waterahed and Coestal are
Managemen nio the national policy framework As such they area -
responsible fo discussing endorsing and promoting policy issues -
on ICAM
The conmpositon of each NIC ideally should include key repae-
senlatives of government NGOa and ite private sector For exam-
pie
Relevant Mrnitanes and Departmeni fe g Agnricullure Health.
Environment Fisheries.Tounsm Fofestry Plannng Finance)
Related projects (e g national projects or lana water or coalal
Leaferback wlle. GrandeAnAs zona management)
av. St Luca Environmental Communily Developmern, or Pnvale Sector Non- Ds ~,on( lm Caurcou, nacd
Govemmental Organ.sabbns
Ciic Organisaiona (e g Chamber of Commerce Rotary Club)
Local Academic Institulions (a g UWI in Jamaica. Barbados. or
Trinidad)
The NIC in each Panricipating Country is a key eleme of te -
project and ts early engager i and involvimentsm urpordant.
To date. tlres PCs have appointed NICs The Tnnsdad and To-
bago NIC as fom rialy l auncnec in November 2006 following a
Cabinet deca.in or itss establishmer~ Ir held ints ugural meetig
in January 2007 an nhas convene three meetings Io oate In both
Sairil Luca aind Aritgua & Barbuda esising inlersecoral cOrrirll
teas the Coastal Zona Managemenl Advisory Commllee ansd h
National Cooroinating Mechanism respectdivly will effectively be
NICs for The IWCAM Projea
Mangromv. Union ea, StLUncent
sad me Glenae is Sednaeta d run-of as Coast, St

t. Luca

The NICs are responsible for
SReviewng aind promoting he implementation of proIcw conI
cepts and objedrwes, as defined by Ihe Projec Steenng Comrat.
tee (PSC) at tie 0ojlg00 level
Providing fedb acu tlo tne PSC on projsec impilmentlaton a national leve
SReflecng he technical advice and guidelines from the Re-
glonal Tecthncal Advisory Group in he davelormeol and adoption
of national policy and legislation "
SUnoderialung or supporting the condud of Nahonal Holspol D=- .!, i.
agiosc Aases3menls
Ensunng ll aslakenorder partcipaton at hne national level rn ne-
." tonal project implementation.
Ensirnng 11l rmnlt,seadaral cooperailan and cooidination thin
N o ~l Rang e, T~ ~ govemrimen departmentLa s Jso
River balk, NohVemn Range, Trinidad
EngMshman s Bay, Tobago

Partnerships at

Work
GEF-IWCAM Exhibit,
Innovation Market-
place, GEF 4th Biennial
International Waters
Conference, 31 July-3
August 2007

In a series of 6 posters
GEF-IWCAM's exhibit
described the types of
partnerships which are
fundamental to project
implementation:

* Introduction

* Internal Partnership:
PCU to PC Demon-
stration Projects.

* External: including
community level.

* National: the Na-
tional Intersectoral
Committees (on this
page).

* Regional: the IWRM
and GIS Informal
Working Groups.

* International level:
including other IW
projects such as the
Pacific IWRM Pro-
ject.

The series of posters is
available on the IWCAM
website:

www.iwcam. org

Under Information and
Publications, in a special
folder titled:

IWCAM Partnerships at
Work Posters

www.iwcam.org

IWCAM Caribbean WaterWays Newsletter

GEF 4th Biennial International Waters
Conference
The 4th Biennial In-
ternational Waters
Conference of the
GEF took place from
31 July 3 August
2007 in Cape Town,
South Africa. Carib-
bean representatives
included two repre-
sentatives from GEF-
IWCAM Participating
Countries as well as
the IWCAM PCU and the Executing Indicators Jeopardy
and Implementing Agencies (CEHI,
UNEP CAR/RCU, UNDP and UNEP). Specifically, Linford
Beckles from Tobago, Joseph Toussaint from Haiti, Vin-
cent Sweeney from the IWCAM PCU, Patricia Aquing from
CEHI, Chris Corbin from CAR/RCU, Isabelle Vanderbeck
from UNEP and Paula Caballero from UNDP were present.

The GEF-IWCAM Project used the opportunity to present
posters on various partnerships, through the Innovation
Marketplace (which was the exhibition component of the
Conference; see pg. 6). GEF-IWCAM representatives used
this avenue to share information on the work being
planned within the region and the experiences gained dur-
ing development and early implementation of the project.
Country representatives and the project management team
actively participated in a number of parallel sessions as
well as the plenary sessions. These served to inform and
educate participants on the GEF experiences world-wide
and the new requirements of the GEF. One of the more
innovative approaches used to sensitize participants to
GEF International Waters Indicators was the session on
indicatorss JEOPARDY", which was modelled after the
television game show. Vincent Sweeney of GEF-IWCAM
was one of 4 contestants and "won" the competition!

C C..er 300 partici-
pants from all over
trie world attended
the Conference,
representing most, if
not all, GEF Interna-
tional Waters Pro-
lects

IWCAM's Partnerships Exhibit, Innovative Marketplace

IWCAM E-Bulletins are regularly published on the Pro-
ject web site. These cover topics such as:

* IWRM Roadmapping-Two Different Approaches
* From Awareness to Action
* Monitoring and Evaluation Check them out!

GEF-IWCAM Regional Geographic Information Sys-
tems (GIS) Workshop, 5-6 July 2007, Roseau, Domin-
ica
Representatives from GEF-IWCAM Participating Countries took
part in a Regional GIS Workshop which had the objective of
seeking regional consensus among GIS implementers and users
in the Caribbean on developing the Road Map (see article pg. 5)
and effectively mainstreaming the use of GIS for integrated wa-
tershed and coastal areas management in the region.

By the end of the Workshop the following had been achieved:
* Revision of the draft Road Map based upon the inputs of
participants;
* A regional consensus for mainstreaming GIS amongst
stakeholders; and
* Strengthening of the network of key stakeholders.

Many recommendations were made, notably:
* The need to develop a formal protocol for data collection
throughout the GEF-IWCAM Project so as to facilitate re-
gional analysis
and enable
GIS; and
* The need for
regional coordi-
nation of GIS
activities across
the Caribbean.

-kri* 1*' '~I
GE ^CM emnsraio Po.c Stau p

Antigua and Barbuda
The Bahamas*
Dominican Re-
public
Jamaica

Saint Kitts and Nevis
Saint Lucia

Trinidad and Tobago

Project Managemen Unit 1st

Antigua and Barbuda
The Bahamas*
Dominican Re-

Jamaica
Saint Lucia

ic lbu Trnidaad anad Tobag o

pAntigua and Barbuda
Jamaica

Saint Lucia
Trinidad and Tobago

* The Bahamas has two Demonstration Projects.

www.iwcam.org

"'''' '"'

IWCAM Caribbean WaterWays Newsletter

(Contmuedfrom page 5)

the lack of resources to train GIS personnel;
the overall lack of understanding of the uses of GIS for
the management of critical natural resources; and,
the use of project-approach mechanisms to develop GIS
which often results in the redundancy of GIS applica-
tions.
Current status of GIS infrastructure in the region as well as the
current level of global development in information and communi-
cation technologies were both considered in designing the Road
Map. The scope of the Road Map covers the mainstreaming of
GIS at a national level. With some minor adjustment, the road-
map may however, be adapted for programme-wide or region-
wide use as well.

The main aims of the Road Map are:
* to provide guidance to effective and efficient GIS implemen-
tation;
* to identify key resources required for GIS implementation;
* to identify key tasks that need to be performed;

* to help minimize the risk of failure in GIS implementation;
* to identify issues that could impede the mainstreaming of
GIS.
Towards the fulfillment of these aims, seven compo-
nents were identified as being needed for the development and
maintenance of effective mainstreaming of GIS at national levels
in the Caribbean. These are:
1. Comprehensive needs and requirements assessment;
2. Acquisition and management of data and databases;
3. Acquisition and management of technological resources;
4. Development and management of human capacity;
5. Development and management of institutional environment;
6. Development of end-user applications, products and ser-
vices; and
7. Monitoring and evaluation of the system.

An IWCAM Informal GIS Working Group will be ex-
panded to include more key stakeholders with knowledge of GIS
(as generators and users).

Figure 2., below, shows the relationship between
Road Map components.

Figure 2.

1??,, i

I RE'
taaiis

Participating Country Focal Points, Demonstration Pro-
jects and others are invited to submit articles. Please con-
tact Donna Spencer at dspencer@cehi.org.lc

GEF
Ii

Contact Information:
IWCAM Project Coordination Unit
P.O. Box 1111, The Morne, Castries, Saint Lucia
Tel: (758)-452-2501/1412; Fax: (758)-453-2721
E-mail: dspencer@cehi.org.lc

www.iwcam.org