Key Findings from Suriname NCAP Project

• 1 Adaptation Measures
• 2 Creating an enabling environment
• 3 Developing a spatial plan
• 4 Key adaptation measures
• 5 Next. . .

Adaptation Measures

The impact assessments and scenarios developed in the context of this project all confirm the findings and conclusions from previous studies that climate change will have serious impacts on the coastal zone and its sectors. In order to respond to these increasing threats, the project has developed an adaptation strategy for the most important districts of Paramaribo and Wanica. The proposed adaptation strategy consists of both adaptation measures that are part of common government policy and adaptation measures that constitute a specific response to the increased threat of climate change related hazards and impacts. In what follows, only an overview is given of those adaptation measures which were made in response to the increased threats from climate change related hazards and impacts.

The proposed adaptation strategy consists of three distinctive phases:

- Phase 1: 2008 to 2025, no extensive protection, no extensive development

- Phase 2: 2025 to 2060, implementation phase

- Phase 3: 2060 to 2100, fine tuning and monitoring

In the first phase the Government of Suriname will continue its activities regarding coastal zone and river bank management, whilst phase 2 will be characterized by implementation of the plan elaborated during phase 1. This will include among other things, stopping all developments and human activities north of the proposed dam, raising the vulnerable area to a status of protected area, continuing riverbank protection against the intruding water, and water management and implementation of spatial planning. Phase 3 is fine tuning and monitoring.

During phase 1 no-regret measures will be implemented along with protection measures, such as stopping further development in the northern parts of the study area and implementing further prevention measures against flooding. The coastal and riverbank protection measures in the existing inhabited areas will be maintained. Retreat will not be considered as a high priority option in this phase. In this phase a detailed adaptation strategy will be elaborated and specific action plans which are ready to implement will be developed.

During phase 2 the adaptation strategy and action plans, including the physical measures, will be implemented. The third and final phase will be focused on fine tuning and monitoring the implemented (physical) measures. For the development and implementation of the adaptation strategy and action plans a number of essential components need to be considered. Firstly, an enabling environment should be created for supporting the activities taking place in the context of the adaptation strategy. Secondly, a clear spatial plan needs to be developed defining the target use of specific areas. Finally, a number of key adaptation measures need to be considered in order to take early steps in the protection of crucial resources and economic activities in the coastal zone. The different components are discussed in more detail below.

Creating an enabling environment

The elaboration of the adaptation strategy and development of action plans will entail preparatory work in terms of:

• Development of necessary policies and laws;

• Establishment and strengthening of existing institutions and the creation of new supporting institutions (where necessary); and

• Establishment and elaboration of data collection and monitoring systems and increasing research activities and capacities.

It has been recognized that the creation of such an enabling environment will be a necessary condition for successfully implementing adaptation measures.

With regard to the development of necessary policies and laws, consideration should be given to already existing initiatives and documents. As Amatali (2008) has pointed out, important laws and regulations already exist, such as the Planning Act and Environmental Act. The problem is that these and other regulations are rarely enforced. Amatali has also suggested that the Draft Water Law needs to be updated and legislation needs to be put in place to regulate the use of the estuarine zone and natural riverbank (including mangrove vegetation) and to establish spatial planning and land-use policies.

In addition, existing institutions and agencies need to be strengthened and the co-operation between different institutions needs to be intensified and improved.

Apart from developing policies and laws, and strengthening institutions and organizations, the successful implementation of a climate change adaptation strategy and action plan will also depend on the availability of good-quality data and information. The importance of valid data has been expressed many times during this and other projects. Lack of data prevents researchers from obtaining in-depth analysis. The purpose of data collection and analysis is to gain insight regarding the current developments in climate change and sea level rise, to identify trends, and to be able to forecast change for a longer period. The following types of data will need to be collected on a regular basis in order to develop consistent and reliable databases:

• Climatic data in the study area;

• Data on the water level in the sea and the lower courses of the Suriname and Saramacca Rivers and wetlands in the study area;

• Data on discharge, stream flow, waves, sedimentation and water quality regarding the water resources;

• Topographical data;

• Data on the dynamics of the coast, riverbanks and riverbeds.

Research capacities will also need to be increased in order to expand the relatively small pool of climate experts in the country. This can, for instance, be done by the establishment of a postgraduate course on climate change in Suriname. The Anton de Kom University will be an important partner in this.

Developing a spatial plan

One of the key elements in the development and implementation of a climate change strategy and action plan will be the development of a clear spatial plan for the districts of Paramaribo and Wanica. As has been mentioned before, building activities and land use changes in Suriname are still taking place more or less randomly and the districts of Paramaribo and Wanica have also been excluded from the list of MUMAs. This has already resulted in the degradation of large areas and uncontrolled building activities in areas vulnerable to flooding and sea level rise. Consequently, various authors have proposed specific planning measures in order to prevent further degradation and to restore the functions of the estuarine zone north of Paramaribo (see Teunissen, 2001). Proposed measures include:

- Immediately stopping the land issuance north of the northernmost ridge Suikerrits on which the Ocean Road is situated and being developed;

- Withdraw any issued land which is not being used, or if it is not being used as agreed;

- Take the following measures on other already issued land, that is in (proper) use:

o do not issue additional building permits;

o give incentives to ensure that:

• mangrove forests remain intact; and

• the re-establishment of the mangrove forests is promoted.

- Prepare a coastal management plan for the Paramaribo-Wanica coastal zone, focusing on coastal protection and considering climate change impacts, including sea level rise. These proposals have been discussed with officials in charge of MUMA management, but no further steps have been taken yet.

Apart from these specific measures, spatial planning will also require the development of designated zones for natural areas, housing and building, agriculture and industries. In terms of climate change adaptation, the delineation and preservation of natural coastal areas will be particularly important because of the protective role they can play in mitigating the effects of sea level rise. Therefore, a rigid planning strategy will be needed that will ensure the protection of valuable natural zones in the coastal area.

Key adaptation measures

In the course of the project, a range of key technical and non-technical adaptation measures have been proposed and discussed. These and other measures have also been made spatially explicit in the map in figure below.

Measure 1: Stop all developments in the northern part (natural areas) of the districts of Paramaribo and Wanica

Measure 2: Intensive in-depth studies and research into the possible impacts of sea level rise.

Measure 3: Planting of mangrove forests

Measure 4: Construction of river dikes and defenses

Measure 5: Constructions of a sea wall and/or groins

Measure 6: A dike to prevent future flooding and sea water penetration, should be built further in land.

Measure 7: Relocation of communities

The study area can be roughly divided into the following sections:

Section 1: Northern part of the Study Area

This area is the most vulnerable in terms of land loss and areas that will be affected by a sea level rise of 1m. It is sparsely populated, with mangrove forests in the northeast and northwest. Mangrove forests in the middle part of the coastal zone have been almost completely cleared for agricultural purposes. Scattered human settlements are found on the ridges, which in general are located higher than the surrounding clay depositions. Bad natural drainage conditions have led to formations of swamps, deterioration of water quality, ranging from salt through brackish to fresh. Polder structures established in this region have caused subsidence in these areas, thereby enhancing its vulnerability.

For this region the following measures are proposed:

- Protection

o Soft protection – enhancing resilience of the coastal zone, through:

• Creating more space for the shore area; Creating conditions for mangrove growth; and Planting mangrove forests.

o Hard protection – construction of:

• Groins; Seawalls; Breakers; and Other structures.

o Construction of earth dams to prevent the urban areas from flooding

- Retreat

o The area north of the proposed earth dam will be exposed to sea level rise and should be preserved as a “green zone”. People living in this area should be given the opportunity to leave the location within an agreed period of time.

o Areas for relocation need to be determined.

- Accommodation

o This issue is closely related to urban water management. Previously, not enough attention was paid to building regulations in vulnerable areas. This is because the costs involved in building adapted structures are too high to enforce.

o The areas most suitable for the implementation of such measures are low lying areas, and river terraces in Paramaribo and north Wanica.

Section 2: Left Bank of the Suriname River

The capital city of Paramaribo is located on the left bank of the SurinameRiver as are the major port facilities and consequently all major infrastructure.Presently the area is not exposed to erosion except for certain locations where hard protection measures are in place. A substantial partof the left bank is occupied by industries, residences, hotels and other facilities. The lower parts of the left bank have been land filled to reachthe present required height for construction purposes. This has resulted in higher elevation than in the surrounding area and therefore functions as a barrier against flooding from high spring tides. For this section the following measures are proposed:

- Protection

o Soft protection:

• Preserve the mangrove forests along the river; and Create conditions for mangrove growth.

o Hard protection – construction of:

• Groins, if needed; River wall/dike; and Other structures.

It should be noted that protection will be required over the whole length of the river bank up to the southern border.

- Retreat

o This option is not appropriate here. Therefore it is even more important that regulations are put in place to prevent damage to the riverbank.

- Accommodation

o This issue is also related to urban water management. There are no specific measures outlined in this section regarding building regulations.

Section 3: Southern Part of the Study Area Including Lelydorp and the Surrounding Area

This area is characterized by relatively high elevations and relatively poor soil for agricultural purposes. The local town Lelydorp is the capital of the Wanica district and many governmental and other administrative facilities are based there. It is a transit zone between the areas in the north and areas in the south so a great deal of infrastructure for traffic and electricity goes through it.

For this section the following measures are proposed:

- Protection

o Soft protection

• No soft protection is proposed

o Hard protection

• No hard protection is proposed

- Retreat

o Not applicable.

- Accommodation

o This issue is related to urban water management.

o The implementation of appropriate spatial planning would be beneficial to this area. Section 4: Middle and Western Part of the Study Area including Saramacca Canal and the Kwatta Region

This area is characterized by low fertility, abandoned agricultural lands, large open channels and low population density. The Saramacca Canal is the main water way located in the center of the study area and it drains its surplus water into the Saramacca River in the west and the Suriname River in the east. The canal is also important for navigation of small barges and boats.

For this part of the study area the following measures are identified:

- Protection

o Soft protection

• No soft protection is proposed

o Hard protection

• No hard protection is proposed

- Retreat

o Not applicable.

- Accommodation

o This issue is also related to urban water management. The structures such as open and closed water ways, channels, pumps, sluices and other civil engineering structures require proper attention.

o Proper spatial planning would be beneficial to this area.

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