Project & Partner News

Download and provide feedback on this draft version of the NEMS. Send feedback by email to anu.bintorio@gmail.com by September 23, 2022.

OFFICIAL PALAU TAX REFORM SITE: https://www.palaugov.pw/taxreform/

The following is information on the implication of the new tax law to informal makit persons (such as small-scale farmers, fishers, food producers):

Beginning January 1, 2023: 

• Any person engaged in business and making less than $50,000 annually is only subject to the "additional business license fee of $100 '', paid in quarterly installments ($25/qtr)  in addition to the license fee of $50. (Total of $150/yr)

• Any person engaged in business and making between $50,000 and $300,000 is subject to 4% GRT or may voluntarily register for PGST. 

• If the person/business is a Palauan citizen, engaged in makit sector, and earns less than $15,000 for the year, they may apply for the social assistance program in which they may be eligible to receive assistance from the government in the amount of 4% of their revenue, up to $600. ($600 is 4% of 15,000). For this purpose, a makit person would be required to report earnings every quarter (this helps with recordkeeping in light of the recent pandemic relief from CARES Act). 

• If the person/business is a retiree, or receives fixed income from SS/Pension, they are still eligible for the social assistance program as long as the total of their income, including their retirement benefits don't exceed $15,000. 

• In addition to the social assistance amount of 4% of revenue, informal makit persons are eligible for child raising subsidies of $100 per child, subject to rules specified in RPPL 11-11. 

• It is important to note that at present, there is no exemption under the law for makit persons with regards to paying GRT. This means that at current, a person engaged in actively selling makit for the purposes of economic gain is subject to 4% GRT. In line with guiding principles for the reform, the tax office will continue to exercise its discretion in treating them as "casual sales" provided that compliance to the new tax law is expected beginning next year. 

• The tax office continues to work to ensure that processes are simplified and easy to follow. 

Question: I have one question, for those who have makit to stores and the store imposes 5-20% fee, do we still pay for the 4% GRT? 

Answer: The language provides that persons with "annual gross income" of $50,000 or less will be subject to the additional business license fee ($100 in quarterly installments). In line with current practices of gross revenue, a person would calculate based on total revenue receipts for the year. This means that we would assess based on the cash received. If the store fee is withheld from the payment to the makit person, we would treat the reduced amount as the gross revenue. However, if the store invoices the makit person separately, then we would assess based on the cash received prior to the store fees. Based on these calculations, a makit person would sum up total revenue for the year and determine which tax is applicable. 

Upon application, for existing businesses/persons, the tax office would review GRT filings for previous years and determine tax classification. For new registered persons/businesses, the registering person would estimate annual revenue and declare tax classification, and will be monitored through revenue reportings to see if they remain in the same tax class or would be moved up to GRT or PGST. The Bureau continues to work to finalize and simplify processes and will share forms in the next few days. Hope that answers your question. If not, please let me know. Mesulang

Reference:

§ 1506. Imposition of additional business license fee on non-PGST-registered persons.

(a) Every non-PGST-registered person with annual gross income of fifty thousand dollars ($50,000) or less must pay an additional business license fee of one hundred dollars ($100) for each calendar year. This fee is in addition to the standard business license fee payable under Section 1501 by all persons conducting business. The additional business license fee shall be collected in quarterly installments as provided for in regulations.

Please email or contact the Tax Office at 488-2702 with any additional questions or concerns regarding the new tax law or anything related to tax. Mesulang! 

Download a PDF of the Fruit Fly Graphic

The National Invasive Species Committee Office (NISCO) released results of a Fruit Fly trapping study. Read two Tia Belau news stories about this study.

Note: Ngatpang and Aimeliik were the control sites and may have Fruit Flies.

See the locations of all traps here:

• Babeldaob

• Koror

Find more information on Fruit Fly Prevention here.

See the September 6, 2021 entry.

The Mid-Term Evaluation Report (MTR, 2021), prepared by an independent evaluator, concluded that the GEF6 Project was overambitious and was in need of revisions to scope. As a results, the Project Board revised the Project's Indicators (Results Framework) and then the relevant activities associated with those indicators (LogFrame).

• Together, UNDP and the Palau Biodiversity Project (GEF6) developed Final Management Responses to the GEF6 MTR and a Plan of Action to address the findings of the MTR. 

• Board Approved Revisions to the Results Framework (Indicators)

• Board Approved Revisions to the LogFrame (Activities)

1. • November 16, 2021 Marine Spatial Planning - Technical Partners Meeting - Agenda

Background: 

MAFE is assisting States from Ngarchelong to Peleliu with Master Planning of their lands and waters, and part of this process is providing States with guidance about where their resources are located and the suitability of those areas for various uses. Through the GEF6 project, land use guidance maps have been developed to guide State decisions on land, and now MAFE is turning its attention to marine spatial planning. States have multiple, competing needs and desires for their marine spaces (conservation, fisheries, tourism, aquaculture, etc.). In this broad effort at MSP, MAFE will be providing States with spatial guidance about zoning and with spatial recommendations for actions that addresses multiple uses. Through this effort, MAFE hopes to utilize and align past sector-specific MSPs (e.g. aquaculture, fisheries, biodiversity conservation) into a coherent set of guidance for States, with recommendations for competing uses.

Community Input on Desired Marine Spatial Uses:

1.      Fisheries (fish) – areas to fish, areas to protect

a.  Habitat type, Feeding areas, Nursery Habitat (nearshore)[1], Spawning areas/Channels

b.  Offshore FAD locations, offshore fisheries (Fishing areas, fishing sites)

c.   Migration corridors

2.      Invertebrates

a.  Gleaning - areas to glean/collect (gleaning sites)

b.  Areas to protect

3.      Aquaculture – invertebrates (clams, sea cucumbers, mangrove crab) and finfish (rabbitfish, other fish)

a.  Suitability by type

b.  Accessibility

c.   Release points

4.      Culturally important areas, Cultural & Historical sites

a.  Sites connected to legends and stories?

b.  Historical sites

5.      Protected Areas/Bul – existing and potential

a.  PAN Sites

b.  Levels of Management per area

c.   Locations of buoys

d.  Bul and Seasonal Bul

6.      Economic uses (not fishing)

a.  Swimming

b.  Diving/Snorkeling

c.   Kayaking

d.  Shipwrecks

e.  Sportsfishing

f.   Whale watching

g.  Ports, Docks

h.  Other Commercial use

i.        Dredging and Filling

j.        Sand mining

k.  High impact marine uses – e.g. jetskis

l.        Leases

m. Use Rights

n.  Mines, UXOs

o.  Recreational activities, Recreational uses, zones, areas

p.  Eco-tourism areas

q.  Overwater bungalow suitability

7.      Coastal protection – from storms and sea level rise

a.  Mangroves

b.  Beaches/Beach Strand vegetation

8.      Climate resilience

a.  Coral spawning areas (tolerant),

b.  Areas able to keep up with sea level rise,

c.   Areas able to withstand stresses from storms

d.  Restoration areas? (e.g. coral restoration)

9.      Climate mitigation? (e.g. store carbon, wave energy)

10.   Biodiversity

a.  High biodiversity areas

b.  Live Coral Cover

c.   Seagrass

d.  Dugongs, Sharks, Apex, Keystone species

e.  Protected Species, Endangered species

f.   Turtle nesting sites

g.  Marine Birds

11.   Human

a.  Transportation corridors

b.  Taoch (or does this go in fishing?)

c.   Shipping

d.  Unsafe areas? Areas to avoid?

12.   Threats

a.  Areas receiving runoff, sedimentation, or pollution from land

b.  Culverts (e.g. in Peleliu direct runoff from road)

c.   Other Vulnerabilities – areas vulnerable to storms

d.  Poaching areas

e.  Marine trash – especially collection areas – where it is coming from

13.   Existing physical conditions

a.  Currents

b.  Bathymetry/depth

c.   Benthic habitat

d.  Channels

e.  Other Natural Resources (e.g. oil)

14.   Marine Water Classifications – EQPB

a.  Point source pollution points

15.   Research

a.  Monitoring sites

b.  Research Permits areas/Research sites

[1] Research shows that the biomass of several commercially important fish species more than doubled when adult habitat was connected to mangroves, reinforcing the need for conservation efforts to create corridors between nursing grounds and feeding grounds. 

Partners shared several documents this week:

1. The Bureau of Cultural and Historical Preservation released its 4th Quarter Newsletter. Check its "Registered Site Corner" to learn about Ngardmau's Olketokel er a Udoud el Bad. GEF6 has mainstreamed registered sites into its Land Use Guides.

2. New Zealand's Department of Conservation - Te Papa Atawhai - recently conducted a survey of IAS and Biosecurity Capacity Needs in Pacific Islands. The highest priority capability areas were:

   • Island biosecurity (domestic)

   • Invasive animal control

   • Project advisory group (invasive animal control)

3. The Nature Conservancy released the final version of its IAS Scoping Report entitled "SCOPING INTRODUCED & INVASIVE SPECIES CHALLENGES AND OPPORTUNITIES IN PALAU". Key findings include:

   • Invasive species are a critical threat to Palau

   • Palau has a foundation of work addressing the threat of invasive species

   • Ensuring effective Biosecurity is a key enabling condition for effective invasive species abatement

   • Identifying sustainable financial mechanisms is a key enabling condition

   • Community understanding, endorsement, and participation is a key enabling condition

   • Addressing the threat of Macaques in Palau is a national priority

   • Opportunities exist to take Palauan proof of concepts to scale: rat and cat eradication

   • Opportunities exist to evaluate emerging technologies for mosquito suppression in Palau

   • Commitment to Integrated Pest Management and Vector Control is a key enabling condition for Coconut Rhinoceros Beetle and Fruit Fly abatement. 

   • Opportunities exist to identify biocontrol tools, and re‐visit the feasibility of fruit fly eradication

   • Investment in new Coconut Rhinoceros Beetle abatement methods for the Pacific are occurring

4. Dr. Miles shared a summary of October's #WeedsOnWednesday. Find all posts - with pictures - on GEF's Facebook or Instagram pages, or search for #Weeds. See pictuures on Flickr: Invasive Plants and Non-Invasive/Native Plants.

   • Invasive ornamental plants shared in October:

     •  Arundina graminifolia, or Bamboo Orchid

     •  Duranta erecta, also known as Golden Duranta, Pigeonberry, Golden Dewdrop, and other names;

     • Epipremnum aureum, or Pothos, Devil’s Ivy;

     • Allamanda cathartica, or Allamanda.

   •  As I explained when I began sharing this information on October 6, I have been noticing a lot of invasive plants being used in landscaping in Koror and Babeldaob, and I think this may be because the people planting these plants do not know that they are invasive.  So, starting last month, and every Wednesday for a while, I’ll be featuring one invasive ornamental plant (Weeds on Wednesday).  I hope that this will encourage people to stop using invasive plants in landscaping, and perhaps even begin using some of our beautiful native Palauan plants in their landscapes.

     • Use these instead: KORRAI, IXORA, BUSONGE, KESUK, HIBISCUS 

   •  Invasive plants generally are easy to grow, reproduce themselves prolifically, and spread quickly to new locations.  The more of them we plant, the sooner they will become problems.

   •  All of the plants I will be featuring score as “High Risk” in the Hawaii Pacific Weed Risk Assessment (HPWRA).  You can learn more about the HPWRA from this website: https://plantpono.org/

   •  Please share the information widely.  I hope that, with this knowledge, people will want to stop planting these plants, and remove them and replace them with native and/or non-invasive plants.

Two new reports about the GEF6 Project are available.  The Project was assessed as Moderately Satisfactory in both.

• Mid-Term Evaluation Report (MTR, 2021). Prepared by an independent evaluator.

• 2nd Project Implementation Report (PIR, 2021). Prepared by the Project Management Unit.

The Ministry's new Minister, the Honorable Steven Victor, spoke at the August meeting of the Palau Chamber of Commerce, a nonprofit organization representing the private sector. Among other topics, Minister Victor spoke about the need for diversification and partnerships to improve Food Security.

MAFE's Land Use Planning Coordinator then gave a presentation on the Palau Biodiversity Project ("GEF6") with particular emphasis on areas for private sector synergy, as well as on land use planning.

Download a PDF of the presentation: Palau Biodiversity Project and the Private Sector

See also:

• Babeldaob Land Use Guidance Maps

• Conservation Areas in Palau (2021)

• Babeldaob Base Map (Restrictions and Regulations)

• Recommended Low-Impact Development Sites

• Sites more suitable for High-Impact Development

For more information email anu.bintorio@gmail.com

• Final 2020 KAP Report (with data analysis for Results Framework, raw data, and survey form)

• Gender and Natural Resources 2020 National Report (Ebiil Society)

President Surangel Whipps Jr. delivered his first State of the Republic Address (SORA) on April 29, 2021 to a joint session of the OEK (Palau National Congress). Also in attendance were Ambassadors and other government and nongovernment officials. Although the speech was delivered in Palauan, an English translation was provided to the public and given to foreign dignitaries at the event. 

The SORA included a reference to the GEF6 project:

"Babeldaob regional development planning is being undertaken under the Global Environment Facility (GEF) 6 Project to implement the OEK mandate. I look forward to receiving those plans to be used as a bottom-up contribution to the long-term development of our nation."

Download the translation of the SORA.

Monday, May 24, 2021

• Tour at new National Landfill and tree planting

• Battery drive at  Koror and Airai

Tuesday, May 25, 2021

• Battery drive at Koror, Ngerchelong, Ngarrard, Ngardmau

Wednesday, May 26, 2021

• Battery drive at Koror, Ngeremlengui, Ngatpang, Aimeliik

Thursday, May 27, 2021

• Battery drive at Koror, Airai, Ngiwal, Melekeok, Ngchesar

Friday, May 28, 2021

• Battery Drive at Koror

• Kayak Coastal Clean up (Scoop-N-Go Challenge) 

Please email or contact the Solid Waste Management Office, BPW <swm.bpw@gmail.com> to confirm your attendance. 

1.   SWM, KSG SWM, EQPB – battery and e-waste drive (Peleliu: April 26; Others TBD)

a.   Tent in front of high school

b.   Pick up stations at Babeldaob

c.   Free pickup of e-waste

d.   Tent at old landfill for e-waste

e.   Tree planting at new landfill with high school students

2.   PVA

a.   Tree planting at Baderulchau (POSTPONED)

b.   Coastal cleanup at west coast (POSTPONED)

c.   Green Fair on April 22 (APRIL 22)

3.   PICRC: Aquarium family Friday – April 23; free admission (APRIL 23)

4.   PCS/PICRC: Earth Day RACE (POSTPONED)

5.   MNRET 

a.   26th Peleliu tree planting and coastal cleanup (Peleliu: April 26)

b.   27th Angaur tree planting and coastal cleanup (RESCHEDULED)

c.   29th Kayangel tree planting and coastal cleanup (MAY BE RESCHEDULED)

6.   Friends of PNMS: Litterati – started and ongoing until 22nd (THROUGH APRIL 22)

7.   KSG Department of Conservation and Law Enforcement (DCLE): Scoop-N-Go (April 26-30)

8.   OSCA (Ngardmau) Tree Planting: (MARCH 29)

Airai State signed a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) with MNRET on Wednesday, March 17 to undertake State Master Planning. All ten States on Babeldaob have now committed to updating or writing State Master Plans covering all development sectors. The ten States are also participating in island-wide ecosystem-based land use planning through the Babeldaob Joint Coordination Body (JCB), a prototype for the Regional Planning Commission required under Palau’s Title 31 (Land Planning Act). This work is being supported by the National GEF6 Project housed at MNRET. Peleliu is also undertaking State Master Planning. See pictures from the signing.

Amendments to PNCA Title 31, currently in the OEK Senate, mandate that States legislate and adopt Master Plans in order to access Capital Improvement Project (CIP) funds. This proactive GEF6 process is facilitating States to draft those plans so that they can sustainably develop their economic resources, be more self-sufficient, and be in compliance with national laws and regulations. A concurrent land use zoning effort will yield zoning maps and laws based on land, soil, economic, social, cultural, and other environmental criteria, and guide the selection of suitable sites for subdivisions and development projects. Through the Babeldaob JCB, States will coordinate cross-border issues such as water, and will work collaboratively to maximize the value of their agricultural and tourism sites.

Under the MNRET MOA, States will set up or equip Planning Commissions to update or write their own plans so that there is local ownership and buy-in and administrative longevity. Title 31 also requires each State to establish a State Planning Office to implement the Master Plans. Limited financial support for community costs is provided by MNRET through GEF6. A partnership with MNRET and PALARIS (MOF) is providing spatial data and analysis. The Palau Conservation Society (PCS) and MNRET are providing facilitation services to these States as a way of testing out the planning tools and templates that have been aligned with Title 31. Many other technical partners are collaborating to improve data input and decisions about land use or for capacity building.

Information on State Master Planning, including templates for public use, are on MNRET’s GEF6 website: https://sites.google.com/view/gef6palau/gef6-key-sectors/master-land-use-planning.

• Airai State signs MOA with MNRET; all ten States on Babeldaob undertake State Master Planning (Island Times, March 19, 2021)

• Pictures from the MOA signing (Photo caption: Airai State Government Treasurer and Budget Officer, Wanda Adolf, signed the MOA on behalf of the Airai Governor. Also pictured (left to right) are Dolmii Remeliik (GEF6 Project Manager), Johnson Joshua (Airai proxy to the Babeldaob JCB), and Anu Gupta (GEF6 Land Use Planning Coordinator).

President Surangel Whipps Jr. was briefed on the existing body of work (tools, templates, planning teams, Coordination Body, etc.) created through the GEF6 State Master Planning efforts plus through the ADB-funded Koror-Babeldaob Regional Urban Development Strategic Action Plan (KBRUDSAP, formerly KBUDSAP) on March 11, 2021. The sector-by-sector Situation Analyses and High-level Goals and Objectives developed through KBRUDSAP and the State development priorities to be included in State Master Plans can feed directly into a new National Master Planning effort kicked off by President Whipps Jr. in February 2021. 

The new Minister of Finance (MOF), Minister Kaleb Udui Jr. was briefed earlier on March 5, 2021, about the critical role that MOF plays in the GEF6 and KBRUDSAP efforts. The MOF Minister is the Chair of the KBRUDSAP Steering Committee, and the NEPC (housed at MOF) is on the GEF6 Project Board (represented by the Secretariat). 

The Governor's Association, represented by Ngeremlengui Governor Mary Frances Ilolang Remengesau, is one link between the KBRUDSAP and GEF6 Projects and is advocating for efficiency by building off existing efforts and information. Governor Remengesau sits on the KBRUDSAP Steering Committee and the GEF6 Project Board.

Both briefings were requested by Governor Remengesau. Lynna Thomas (MOF, KBRUDSAP) and Anu Gupta (MNRET, GEF6) gave the briefings, assisted by Charlene Mersai (NEPC) and Umai Basilius (PCS). 

• Powerpoint Presentation - Briefing to President Whipps Jr. on State and Regional Master Planning through GEF6 and KBRUDSAP 

For the first time in more than a year, a meeting of the National Invasive Species Council (NISC) was held on February 25, 2021. The NISC is a national coordinating body with government, regional, nonprofit, and community partners who work together to prevent, control, and eradicate Invasive Alien Species (IAS) and to improve biosecurity. The NISC was established by Executive Order No. 251 in 2008. Given the breadth of IAS work in Palau, the agenda was long and covered diverse topics.

• Feb 25 NISC Meeting Agenda

• See photos from the February 23 NISC meeting

• Draft Black & White List -  Invasive Plants and Trees

• Draft Black & White List - Marine and Aquatic Invasive Species

• Draft Black & White List - Invasive Animals+Diseases

• Intro to RISC

The GEF6 Project is supporting the NISC by working with the Coordinator and Assistant and programmatically. Find much more on invasive species under GEF6 Key Sectors.

A Taro Workshop focusing on Best Practices for scaling up taro production was held on February 23, 2021. 92 individuals participated, showing strong support for taro production, marketing, and cultural practices. In addition to sharing Best Practices, participants also began project planning for a Palau Small Grants Programme (SGP) Strategic Project. The Workshop was sponsored by the Palau Small Grants Programme (SGP) and MNRET Environmental Planning & Coordination Unit (EPCU GEF6) in partnership with Palau Conservation Society (PCS) and the National Environmental Protection Council (NEPC, MOF).

All presentations, best practices, pictures, programs, and links are online.

Workshop Objectives:

1. Community-based groups with taro projects connect and learn from each other

2. Learn about Best Practices in 1) Social sustainability, 2) Biodiversity and environmental sustainability, 3) Planning, coordination, supply, and markets, and 4) Added-value and diversification

3. Identify options for a SGP Strategic Taro Project and next steps

Statistics of Attendees:

Gender of Attendees/Participants

·       57 women (85%)

·       10 male (15%)

Gender of Presenters/Organizers

·       18 women (72%)

·       7 men (28%)

Gender of All at Workshop

·       75 women (82%)

·       17 men (18%)

Nationality of Attendees/Participants

·       96% Palauan (64 out of 67)

Nationality of Presenters/Organizers

·       80% Palauan (20 out of 25)

Employment Status of Attendees/Participants

·       Employed: Private    13 (20%)

·       Employed: Public     18 (27%)

·       Retired                    21 (31%)

·       Unemployed             15 (22%)

Age Ranges of Attendees/Participants

·       Only 17 of 67 attendees provided age (25%)

·       Women:

o   7 aged 35-59 (50%)

o   8 aged 60+ (50%)

·       Men:

o   1 aged 35-59 (50%)

o   1 aged 60+ (50)

The drafting of new Biosecurity Regulations to implement the 2016 Biosecurity Act has been a labor of love. And the work continues! The GEF6 Legal Counsel produced a draft set of regulations in January 2021, and BOA, Biosecurity, NISC, and Dr. Miles have been meeting regularly to review the regulations and refine them. This work requires aligning and cross-referencing against multiple laws and sets of regulations, plus a wealth of technical information. Through GEF6, an integrated single set of regulations, combining air and seaport, marine, terrestrial, quarantine, and other biosecurity aspects will be combined into one. The final set will also include the legal foundation for a cost-recovery system. The next meeting is set for March 25.

MNRET, PALARIS, and PCS held a workshop with the Governor's Association on the State Master Planning process and tools being developed and supported through the GEF6 project on February 9, 2021. GEF6 partners also sought feedback and expectations from the Governors.  MNRET (GEF6) gave a presentation on the overall Master Planning process and PALARIS discussed spatial data and land use planning. Partners discussed tools and templates that are available for States to use and provided advice on next steps (such as setting up or amending State Planning Commissions). Each Governor was provided with a packet of information to use to kick off Master Planning.

The team also gave and overview of PNCA Title 31, which includes specific requirements for State Planning Commissions and State Master Plans. 

• Agenda - Governors' Association Meeting - 2-9-21

• PowerPoint Presentation on Title 31 and Master Planning

• Powerpoint Presentation on Spatial Data for Land Use Planning

• Title 31:

  1. 1. House version of Amendments to Title 31

     2. Shorter summary of "Master Plan Elements required by Title 31",

• State Master Plan templates and tools:

  1. 1. 1. Master Plan Template

     2. 2. Template for State Planning Commission Law

     3. 3. Worksheet for creating a State Planning Commission Law

     4. Demonstration/Exercise - Master Planning in a Hypothetical State

See pictures from the February 9 Governor's Association Master Planning Workshop

Ngatpang Governor Otong signed an MOA with MNRET (GEF6) on February 3 to partner on State Master Plans. The following day, Melekeok Governor Polloi signed a MOA to also undertake State Master Planning. Per the MOAs, each State committed to creating a State Planning Commission and producing a collaborative and participatory State Master Plan in line with PNCA Title 31. 

• See pictures from the Ngatpang signing

• See pictures from the Melekeok signing

Both States were already (informally) participating in the Babeldaob Joint Coordination Body (JCB), a prototype Regional Planning Council. All 10 Babeldaob States sit on the JCB.

To update the spatial maps that will be used for land use planning on Babeldaob and Peleliu and marine spatial planning in Koror, GEF6 partners kicked off a months-long stint of field work with a visit to Ngarchelong on January 25, 2021. Partners diong the mapping field work include MNRET (GEF6), PALARIS, PCS, and the States themselves (including State Planning Teams and Public Works).  Partners are mapping sites and boundaries for current and potential tourist sites, trails, missing infrastructure, water sources (and amazing waterfalls!!), farms, new public facilities, and others. By the end of April, the team will have visited every State on Babeldaob plus Peleliu, some more than once. Each field day also kicks off with an introductory meeting about land use planning, spatial data, GIS, and the importance of having accurate spatial data to guide decisions.

MNRET (GEF6) worked with PVA to identify sites to map and will share data back to that PVA can update online information about tourism sites throughout  Palau. GEF6 and PALARIS also partnered with PPUC's Water Division to ensure that all public water sources and infrastructure are mapped. 

Updated maps will be sent to States for their approval before being stitched into a single Babeldaob map for integrated planning.

1. Pictures from Ngarchelong mapping 

2. Ngeremlengui pictures

3. Ngardmau pictures

4. Ngiwal pictures

5. Aimeliik pictures

6. Ngchesar pictures

7. Peleliu pictures

8. Ngaraard pictures

9. Ngatpang pictures

10. Melekeok is already well-mapped but some additional sites will be added or confirmed

11. Airai is already well-mapped but will be updated as well

12. Spatial mapping of marine resources in Koror will begin in March in partnership with PCS and KSG

The Nature Conservancy (TNC) - Micronesia Program, in partnership with the Bureau of Marine Resources (BMR), Palau Environmental Quality Protection Board (EQPB), and the Palau Community College (PCC), has developed a DRAFT "Guidance Manual for Aquaculture Spatial Planning and Management in the Republic of Palau" to guide sustainable placement of finfish and clam farms using an ecosystem approach. Comments and recommendations to strengthen the analysis in the document are welcome. Note that the analysis for Koror's Rock Islands Southern Lagoon (RISL) was done twice: once blocking out the World Heritage Site in the overall finfish and clam suitability maps and once blocking out only the no-take Conservation Areas. Once finalized, these ecosystem-based criteria and spatial maps will be mainstreamed into the Babeldaob JCB's Landscape-Seascape Plan and then used to inform individual State Master Plans.

Network for Fire Prevention

• Network for Fire Prevention Dry Season Response Action Plan (December 8 DRAFT)

Fire Best Practices

• Prevention: Education, Monitoring, Fast response

• Prevention: Fire Breaks (1 page) (PFX)

• Prevention: Fire - Fuel reduction, fuel break, fire break, vegetated breaks (PFX)

• Fire and Grass (Adapted from PFX)

• Erosion, Trees and Fire (Adapted from PFX)

• Greenstrips (Fire prevention)

Fire Workshop (November 2020)

• Fire on Babeldaob PPT - Julian Dendy, CRRF

• Survey of Post-Fire Vegetation - Tarita Holm, 2015

• Decision Support Tool for Conservation on Babeldaob, Povak et al., 2020 - Journal Article

• Decision Support Tool for Conservation on Babeldaob, - Online tool

• Using Native Vegetation as Firebreaks to Prevent Wildfires - PDF of presentation, Susan Cordell

• A Wildfire Prevention and Protection Plan for Palau - PDF of presentation, Clay Trauernicht et al.

• Network For Fire Prevention - Workshop Notes Day 1 - Nov 16 2020

• Network for Fire Prevention (DRAFT STRATEGY) - PAN, MOJ, Ebiil - 2020-2023

The Belau National Museum released a new report in early December 2020: "Abundance of Birds in Palau based on Surveys in 2005: Final Report, November 2020." The report was prepared by Eric A. VanderWerf and Erika Dittmar. The Palau Conservation Society organized and implemented National Bird Surveys in 2005. Eric VanderWerf was one of the 2005 surveyors. According to the report, "Most of the changes in species abundance that occurred from 1991 to 2005 were related to development and changes in habitat." Survey data are now 15 years old. BNM had scheduled a follow-up National Bird Survey for 2020, but has pushed it to 2021 due to the Covid-19 crisis.

• 11 species increased from 1991 to 2005. These species occurred in disturbed open habitats and roadsides, such as the Chestnut Munia, or that are able to use a variety of habitats including secondary forest, agroforest, and suburban areas, such as the Banded Rail, Micronesian Myzomela, Palau Fantail, and Palau Flycatcher

• 4 species DECLINED at least locally. Most species that exhibited declines, such as the Slaty-legged Crake, occur primarily in forested habitats, suggesting loss of forest habitat was the cause of decline. 

• 14 species showed NO CHANGE. Species that are sometimes hunted, including the Micronesian Imperial Pigeon, Palau Fruit-dove, and Nicobar Pigeon, were stable or even increasing, indicating their populations were not being seriously affected. 

• The population of Micronesian Pigeons was estimated at 18,344±1,959 in 2005 and 13,718±1,367 in 1991. Due to the uncertainty, the change was classified as "No Change."

• The population of Micronesian Megapodes was estimated at 700±308 in 2005 and 497±291 in 1991. Due to the uncertainty, the change was classified as "No Change."

• For 3 species the trend was not clear because they were rare and difficult to detect.

Feedback on this report is welcome.

An article published in the Island Times on November 10, 2020 about Ngaraard's Restoration/Tree Planting activity needed some clarifications. GEF6 reached out to Island Times with the following corrections:

• "Planting began in October by members of GEF6." - There are no members of GEF6. GEF6 is a National Project that has created State Planning Teams and Joint Coordination Bodies. In this case, the planting was done by the Ngaraard State Planning Team and other volunteers.

• "The (JCB)... has said that the agro-forest initiative is part of a Babeldaob-wide plan to develop infrastructure and conservation in the States. " While the JCB would likely agree that Ngaraard's project contributes to the Babeldaob-wide plan, to be specific the JCB cannot be the party that "has said the agro-forest initiative is part of a Babeldaob-wide plan." The JCB did not comment on Ngaraard's plan.

• Further, the JCB would not have said that the Ngaraard plan was to develop infrastructure on Babeldaob.

• "The ... development of a housing project in Babeldaob which is being overseen by the JCB, with 440 lots already in the planning. " This was a big one and is not correct: The JCB is definitely NOT overseeing the development of a housing project with 440 lots. That is misleading and incorrect. There are multiple housing subdivision sites in each State, which add up to 440 lots currently planned. For those where locations may still be changed, plus for future lots, the JCB is coordinating on selecting criteria and setting high level zones to guide sustainable siting of those lots. The actual development of housing is a product of the State and other housing entities (e.g. the National Housing Commission, Palau Housing Authority) and not in any way overseen by the JCB or even MNRET. We are guiding on Best Practices for the selection of housing sites, based on the input and agreement of the JCB, and creating landscape maps that will feed into State Master Plans with their own Land Use Plans.

• Of course other States have also been active and would love to be included in future articles in the paper. 

President Remengesau Jr. approved new National Pandemic Safety Regulations for Tourism on November 18, 2020. It requires that during an official National Emergency due to Pandemic, all accommodation providers, tour operators, and food service establishments must obtain a Pandemic Safety Certification from the Bureau of Tourism (a GEF6 Partner) in order to engage in business with anyone in Palau on a tourist or visitor visa. 

This set of regulations is part of the nation's comprehensive set of National Responsible Tourism Regulations, in support of the "Pristine Paradise. Palau" brand:

• Palau National Pandemic Safety Regulations for Tourism (2020)

• Sunscreen Regulations / Regulations Prohibiting Reef-Toxic Sunscreens (2020)

• Palau Tour Operator Regulations (2019)

• Boat Owners Association Regulations (2019)

• In development: Accommodations Regulations and Tour Guide/Tour Guide Training Regulations

HONOLULU (Oct. 27, 2020) -- Higher temperatures, stronger typhoons, coral reef loss, and coastal flooding are among the major challenges detailed in a new report on climate change in the Republic of Palau. Threatened resources include low-lying coastal infrastructure and the millions of dollars that ocean ecosystems add to Palau’s economy annually, according to the report by the Pacific Islands Regional Climate Assessment (PIRCA), a consortium of government, NGO, and research entities. Climate Change in Palau: Indicators and Considerations for Key Sectors is one in a series of new PIRCA reports. Authors from the Republic of Palau’s Office of Climate Change, the Coral Reef Research Foundation, the Palau International Coral Reef Center, and the East-West Center—along with 30 technical contributors from government and nongovernmental organizations, research, and community groups—collaboratively developed the Palau PIRCA report.

 "We need to be informed of the environmental shifts occurring in Palau as a result of increased global warming. These shifts have and will continue to influence our livelihoods,” said Mr. Erbai Xavier Matsutaro, Palau’s National Climate Change Coordinator. “Therefore, making informed decisions from the best available science is vital and the catalyst for appropriate planning and effective resilience building. This report provides a glimpse of key issues that we need to be aware of and what they mean for Palau. Moreover, it serves as a guide with suggestions to enhance our resilience to climate change."

Key Messages

Climate Change in Palau lays out the changes Palau is already experiencing, and what lies ahead. The key messages for decision-makers include:

• Air temperatures have risen in Palau, and hotter days and nights affect human health. Heatwaves can exacerbate a range of preexisting health issues, and hot weather poses a particular threat to children and elderly people. 

• Oceans are warming, causing the conditions for coral bleaching events to become more common and severe. If current trends in rising ocean temperatures continue, Palau is likely to experience widespread coral bleaching in the next two decades. Coral reefs provide habitat for fish, coastal protection from storms, and bring tens of millions of dollars annually into the local economy.

• Sea level rise threatens low-lying coastal infrastructure, including schools and transportation, as well as ecosystems and cultural sites.

• Stronger typhoons are expected globally and around Palau. More intense tropical cyclones that pack higher wind speeds and more rainfall mean a greater potential for loss of life and damage from these storms.

Dr. Patrick Colin of the Coral Reef Research Foundation has been tracking the rise in ocean water temperatures around Palau for the last 20 years and has found, despite great year to year variability, that near surface waters are warming at a rate of about 0.2 degree C (half a degree Fahrenheit) every decade. Dr. Colin warns that, "While that may not seem like a great amount of warming, it takes the temporary rise of a few degrees for a few months to induce a coral bleaching event."

“This report is a wake-up call for all of us. We see what the future looks like and we need to take action to mitigate and build our resilience. The cost of inaction is too high,” said Dr. Yimnang Golbuu, Chief Executive Officer of the Palau International Coral Reef Center.

About Climate Change in Palau and the PIRCA

The collective efforts of the technical contributors, coordinating authors, and PIRCA Advisory Committee made the Palau PIRCA report possible. The report builds upon the US Fourth National Climate Assessment, offering a closer look at climate change impacts in Palau and providing information for a wide range of sectors.   

The PIRCA is funded and supported by the US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s RISA Program, the East-West Center, the US Department of the Interior’s Pacific Islands Climate Adaptation Science Center, and the US Global Change Research Program. In conjunction with other regional assessment efforts, the PIRCA provides guidance for decision-makers seeking to better understand how climate variability and change impact the Pacific Islands region and its peoples.

Contact Palau PIRCA authors:

• Erbai Xavier Matsutaro, Office of Climate Change of the Republic of Palau, Negerulmud, Palau, +680-775-3007

• Wendy Miles, East-West Center, Honolulu, HI, USA, +1-808-690-7932

• Zena Grecni, East-West Center, Honolulu, HI, USA, +1-808-944-7242

• Patrick Colin, Coral Reef Research Foundation, Koror, Palau, +680-488-5255

• Yimnang Golbuu, Palau International Coral Reef Center, Koror, Palau, +680-488-6950

During their October 14 meeting, representatives from Peleliu and Koror in the Joint Coordination Body (JCB) agreed to a new name: Oreor-Beliliou SEA (Shared Ecological Area) Joint Coordination Body. The Oreor-Beliliou SEA consists of islands, reefs, lagoon, marine habitats, and open ocean, both inside and outside the reef. The previous name was "Southern Lagoon" JCB; the shared ecological area is actually north of Peleliu.

• MNRET Newsletter July - September 2020

• All MNRET Newsletters

Palau EQPB adopted new EQPB EA/EIS (Environmental Assessment and Environmental Impact Statement) Regulations in August 2020. The new regulations include specific mention of biodiversity.  MNRET EPCU (Environmental Planning & Coordination Unit, GEF6) successfully advocated for the following revisions to the EA/EIS Regulations:

• Inclusion of a definition for "Biodiversity" to include species, genetic, and ecosystem diversity

• Revision of the definition of "Environment" to include biodiversity

• Revision of Significance Criteria to include substantial "loss of biodiversity, whether genetic, species, or ecosystem"

• Removal of exemptions to the EA/EIS requirements if actions will "result in the loss of or reduction in population of any  rare, endangered, or protected species"

• Revision of the requirements for EAs to include "noting presence of rare, endangered, or protected species"

• Revision of the requirements for EISs to include "population estimates and spatial range of rare, endangered, or protected species"

Read the MNRET EPCU (GEF6) comments here.

Our partners are doing great things! Communities are active with restorations and planning, and there has been good social inclusion. Read the updates from each Partner here:

• Sept 8 2020 STATE Partners Meeting Agenda and NOTES

• Sept 3 2020 AGENCY Partners meeting Agenda and NOTES

The Palau GEF6 Project recently completed its first Project Implementation Report (PIR). This is the first time the Project has analyzed its impact on biodiversity, threats, and gender and social inclusion.  The PIR includes ratings from the in-country Project Management Unit (PMU), the UNDP Country Office (in Fiji), and the UNDP-GEF Technical Advisor. All three rated Development Objective Progress (towards meeting the biodiversity outcomes) as "Moderately Satisfactory." Palau did receive one "Moderately Unsatisfactory" rating on Implementation Progress associated with low financial delivery. Corrective action is underway.

• Download the 1st Palau GEF6 PIR

1. Economic Security Sphere Presentations, Recommendations, & Discussion notes 

2. Food Security Presentations, Recommendations, Interview summaries, & Discussion notes (with links to interview notes)

3. Energy Security Sphere Presentations, Recommendations, & Discussion notes

4. Lunch & Learn: MNRET Information Management Presentations

5. Keynote Address by Miel Sequiera-Holm

MNRET GEF6 has been collecting and scanning resources and documents on Invasive Alien Species (IAS) and Invasive Species. The Best Practices section has these resources and many others. 

What is Invasive:

• Field guide to invasive species - with Pictures (NISC, 2020) 

• Official Black & White List: Species to Avoid (BOA, 2020)

• Invasive Plants of Palau - with Pictures AND PALAUAN language (NRCS & PNRC, 2002)

• Field guide to Invasive Plants for Protected Areas in Palau - with Pictures (Miles and I. Remengesau)

• Micronesia Invasive Species Guide - with Pictures (MRISC, 2006)

How to Control, Remove, Prevent:

• Removal of Kebeas-Merremia (BOA)

• Best Practices for Removal of Kebeas-Merremia (NISC, 2020)

• Removal of Teb-El-Yas_Mikania_Mile-A-Minute (Palau NISC, 2020)

• About Teb-El-Yas, Mikania, Mile-A-Minute (BOA)

• Fruit Fly Prevention - with Pictures (BOA & FAO, 2019) 

Other (Where are they located, what is invasive in Palau):

• Report on Invasive Species in Palau (2003) (Species recommendations page 20) (USDA)

• Update on invasive plant species (2008) (USDA, 2008)

• Report to Kayangel: 2015 Survey of Invasive Plant Species (BOA, 2015)

• Guidelines for invasive species planning and management on islands (IUCN, 2018)

• Guidelines for Invasive Species Management in the Pacific (SPREP, 2009)

Laws and Permit Applications:

• RPPL-9-58 Biosecurity Act

• Plant & Animal Quarantines and Regulation with Amendments

• Quarintine Import Permit Application (Cats & Dogs Only)

• Quarantine Import Permit Application (General Items)

MNRET GEF6 prepared a flyer that was handed out after the Food Security Session at the National Environment Symposium on August 18, 2020. Download a copy here.

MNRET presented on the INFORM Project, Palau Data Portal. Access the Portal here.

• MNRET is committed to mainstreaming biodiversity protection into development. Through the GEF6 project, MNRET prepared comments to strengthen biodiversity protection via the Palau Environmental Quality Protection Board (EQPB) regulations, which were recently revised and open for public comment.

• Read the MNRET GEF6 comments here. EA = Environmental Assessment. EIS = Environmental Impact Statement.

Melekeok State has shared its draft guidance document on Climate Smart Resilient Development. The guide outlines future expected impacts from Climate Change and provides for ways to minimize those impacts. It includes: Subdivision Guides, including draft subdivision layout design and draft lease agreements, and draft building permit recommendations; Water supply guidelines; Energy efficiency guidelines; Zoning and Building Code recommendations; Approved Street trees; a Homeowner's Guide, and more. Copyright and credit Melekeok State for all uses. 

• Draft Climate Smart Resilient Development Guide - Melekeok State (Copyright Melekeok State, Credit for all uses)

MNRET is bringing on a GIS Planning Expert to assist with land and marine spatial mapping and analysis, as part of Landscape and Seascape planning. The Position Description reflects a partnership between MNRET and PALARIS.

• Read the Position Description here.

• Contact GEF6 here.

Plans will be posted in the Digital Library under "Content" Documents.

• 2020 Ngeremlengui Restoration Action Plan (Ngeremetengel Heights)

• 2020 Ngchesar Restoration Action Plan (Mlonguis)

• Read the revised regulations here

• MNRET GEF6 Comments sent to EQPB on August 6, 2020 are here.

• Cross-reference with Safeguards, and with National Policies and Plans

• The GEF6 Project Board approved a budget amount for 2021 for each State at its June 23rd meeting. 

• Each of the 7 Babeldaob Partner States plus Peleliu will be eligible to receive up to $20,000 for 2021. 

• Koror has its own, separate MOU and budget.

• Areas/topics funded will be dependent on outputs of the Babeldoab JCB (including a list of priority actions and locations).

• Annual work planning for this amount will begin in September 2020.

• The GEF6 project is more than a year old, which means that MNRET must submit the project's first Project Implementation Report (PIR).

• The PIR reports on indicators from the Results Framework, Gender Mainstreaming Plan, Social and Environmental Screening Procedure (SESP), Risks, and Finances. The goal of the PIR is to judge the impact of the project on desired outcomes (e.g. improved environmental conditions). This is different from quarterly reports, that track activities.

• Mainstreaming the indicators used and reported on across projects and organizations would cut increase efficiency and accuracy and reduce duplicated effort. See the GEF6's Indicator Tracking Table here (still in progress).

• Other sources of indicators: The State of the Environment Report and the Sustainable Development Goals Voluntary National Report.

A collaborative effort between the 10 Babeldaob States and the Ministry of Natural Resources, Environment and Tourism (MNRET) to plan for the sustainable development of Babeldaob kicked off on June 17, 2020 with the inaugural meeting of the Babeldaob Joint Coordination Body (JCB).  The 11-person Babeldaob JCB is composed of one member from each Babeldaob State plus one member representing MNRET. As part of the Palau GEF6 National Project, MNRET also acts as the Secretariat for the JCB. 

MNRET worked with each Governor on Babeldaob to establish the JCB and ensure that its members represented a fair social and gender balance, and that members would be able to maintain strict ethics and social inclusion while planning for the entire island. Bylaws and Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for the Babeldaob JCB were approved by the Governors. After reviewing the Bylaws and SOPs, the Babeldaob JCB selected Officers with gender balance in mind. Ms. Marcia Inacio from Ngiwal and Mr. Chubby Mai from Ngchesar were nominated and accepted roles as Chair and Vice Chair, respectively. The JCB set its next meeting and agreed to its output of a Joint Vision for Babeldaob.

In the next year, the all-volunteer Babeldaob JCB will delineate and agree on broad zones for land and coastal waters: namely residential, commercial/sustainable use, conservation, and infrastructure zones. The Babeldaob JCB will also identify a suite of priority action areas and programs in the seven (7) key sectors of housing, agriculture, aquaculture, fisheries, forestry, invasive species, and sustainable tourism. Together, the broad zones and priority action areas will yield a Landscape Plan for Babeldaob that will then feed into individual State Master Planning processes as well as action on the ground to implement Best Practices in the seven key sectors. This planning process will incorporate existing National plans and policies such as the Koror-Babeldaob Urban Development Strategic Action Plan (KBUDSAP) and the National Biodiversity Strategic Action Plan (NBSAP).

A complementary process will begin in July for the Southern Lagoon, via a Joint Coordination Body between Koror and Peleliu. The Southern Lagoon JCB will develop a Seascape Plan after joint marine and coastal planning. 

As a signatory to international environmental conventions, Palau is able to access funding from the Global Environment Facility (GEF), currently in its sixth replenishment (GEF6). The Palau GEF6 grant is administered from GEF to Palau via the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) and executed in Palau by MNRET. The title of the National GEF6 is: Integrating Biodiversity Safeguards and Conservation into Planning and Development. To ensure transparency, all project materials are accessible to the public at https://sites.google.com/view/gef6palau.

Photo caption (group shot)

Members of the Babeldaob JCB at the kick off to GEF6 Landscape Planning. Seated from left to right are Anu Gupta (MNRET Secretariat), Chair Marcia Inacio (Ngiwal), and Vice Chair Chubby Mai (Ngchesar).

• Social, biodiversity, biosecurity, and financial safeguards that protect Palau's resources, mainstream National Biodiversity and Gender Policies, meet GEF and UNDP requirements have been proposed.

• A "Native and Non-Native Plant Policy" have been proposed.

• Engineering plans for a new Biosecurity Office are complete and will be put out for bid soon.

• Three new Biosecurity Officers have been hired through the Project and have already begun working at the airport, shipping port, and post office.

• Biosecurity Regulations are now being drafted.

• Black and White List completed

• Memorandum of Understandings (MOUs) are in place with 17 partners (9 States and 8 technical agencies). 

• 2020 Annual Work Plans are complete for all partners and MNRET.