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DCRM to present results of wetlands study
The Division of Coastal Resources Management of the Bureau of Environmental and Coastal Quality and its consultant, the Wolfs Company, will be making two separate presentations on the results of the recent study they did on the economic value of wetlands in the CNMI.
The presentations on the project results will be held on Sept. 25 and are developed for different target audiences.
The first presentation will be for agency representatives and will take place at the BECQ main conference room from 9am to 11:30am.
The second presentation will be for the public and will take place at the American Memorial Park Visitor’s Center from 5:30pm to 7pm.
The consultant team was on island in April this year to gather data from various resource agencies and local experts about the CNMI’s wetlands. The results of the study would be used to inform future management decisions on potential projects concerning wetland conversion, restoration, and mitigation of such critical ecosystems.
Wetlands in CNMI serve various ecological functions such as groundwater recharge, water pollutant filtration, stormwater retention, and as buffers against flooding.
In addition, they also provide habitat for some endangered wildlife and occasionally serve as nurseries for juvenile marine life. Wetlands offer many recreational and educational opportunities for the CNMI. They are regulated and managed by numerous local and federal agencies as wetland systems fall under both state and national jurisdiction. The project results are intended to provide new information regarding the values of CNMI’s extensive wetland ecosystems.
If you have any questions related to the project, contact Rich Salas at 664-8318 or by email at rsalas@dcrm.gov.mp. (PR)
