30/VI/03

NOTES FOR ECORESTORATION PROJECTS: Ministry of Irrigation

There are 6 ecorestoration projects currently under consideration: 5 that are candidate pilot studies for ecorestoration which were suggested as a result of the USAID Recon Marsh Mission in June; and one which is a $1M construction project that was approved as part of the special $100M Bremer program for restart of ongoing construction projects.
The Basra constr project is essentially undoing the damage associated with the construction of a defensive embankment set up along the Shatt-al-Arab river, which blocked off the tidal inlets which sustained an estuarine marsh system and palm plantation.
All 6 projects need to immediately begin an ecological survey program consisting of the following components:

Cartographic/topographic survey to prepare sites base maps for identifying sampling sites and topographic relief to enable a correct hydraulic analysis of flow patterns; visit all 6 sites with teams to undertake preliminary assessment and maps by end of July.
Water quality sampling strategy (end of July)
Ecological biological sampling and monitoring strategy (end of July)
Soil sampling strategy (end of July)
Preparation of basic existing physiographic information and historic hydrologic, hydrographic, chemical, biological and pre-alteration historic information for each site. Prepare basic background info reports for each site (byend of July)

Organize teams for each project:

Project Leader
Water quality expert
Soils expert
Cartographic expert
Biologist/ecologist
Hydrologist/hydraulics expert
Technicians for data collection and surveying

5. Overall program will be under the management of the Ecological Analysis Center. Funding travel and per diem expenses will come from that budget (no salary costs shall be included). A program manager for the ecological sampling and monitoring program will be appointed to oversee the work of the program, disburse the funds, maintain schedules, and assure the technical quality of the work. The program manager will report monthly on the progress of the projects to the DG’s of the Ecological and Hydrological Analysis Center, and the Survey Commission.

6. The preliminary sampling strategy will be discussed and approved by the 3 DG’s, and field work will begin by July 15 and will continue throughout the year to develop a good baseline of information for subsequent decisions about options for restoring the marshes.

7. The sampling and long term monitoring program shall include plans for using technical experts, students, field laboratory equipment and technicians from local universities closest to the sites under study. One of the aims of this program is to develop a series of cooperative student program agreements and longer term research relationships with Iraq’s Centers of learning, and engage their departments and students in developing curricula which meet the needs of modern water management, environmental engineering and economic analysis.