Project number: 4.01

PROJECT AREA	Conservation of Forest Ecosystems
PROJECT TITLE	Upgrading and Management of Parks, Recreation Areas and Other Attractions
LOCATION	National Parks and Recreation Areas
DURATION	Four (4) years
BENEFICIARIES	General public and visitors/ecotourists

BACKGROUND

Dominica's main tourist attractions, unlike other Caribbean islands with white sandy beaches, are its scenic forested national parks and freshwater lakes, rivers, streams and waterfalls. Some of the most spectacular features include Freshwater Lake, Boeri Lake, Titou Gorge, Boiling Lake, Valley of Desolation, Trafalgar Falls, imperial and redneck parrot habitat, Fort Shirley historic site and the freshwater marsh at Cabrits. Morne Trois Pitons and Morne Diablotin are the two highest peaks with mature and montane rainforest as well as elfin woodland zones.

In order to support the ever increasing needs of foreign and domestic visitors to Morne Trois Pitons National Park, Cabrits National Park and to the proposed Morne Diablotin National Park a significant amount of basic health and safety concerns must be immediately addressed by the GOCD particularly the National Parks Section, Forestry and Wildlife Division, Ministry of Agriculture. There are only three officers in the National Parks Section with one of them on study leave in the United States. Inadequate staffing of the National Parks Section must be immediately addressed. There is a need for onsite staff in all the national parks of Dominica on a permanent basis. In order to implement site protection and management, to offer visitor safety and security, and to begin basic resource interpretation and environmental education, the following systematic three-part project is proposed.

THE PROBLEM

Dominica has no National Parks Service, no on-site visitor or resource management, no visitor support facilities available, and a great need to host an ever increasing level of visitors and resulting visitor impacts to the National Parks System. There are two national parks in Dominica. Park management plans exist in their basic formulation but there is no staff, no equipment and no field support infrastructure to permit the government to implement even the basics of national parks management on-the-ground. These deficiencies must be addressed immediately if the Forestry and Wildlife Division is to begin to provide sustainable resource management while supporting associated economic development through the development and management of a Dominica National Park System.

OBJECTIVES

The overall objective of the project is to provide a basic capital investment programme over a four year period to enhance the capability of the Dominica National Parks to safely and securely host and educate increasing numbers of international and domestic park visitors while developing a basic resource management programme through the creation of a functional National Parks Service within the Forestry and Wildlife Division.

In order to accomplish this broad, comprehensive objective, the following specific goals and objectives are suggested:

1. Correction of immediate visitor and staff health, safety and security needs by providing basic support facilities and on-site staffing at all critical locations within the national parks.

2. Provide educational support and employment opportunities for a basic national parks system staff organization of 3 naturalists, 3 ecologists, 1 archaeologist, 6 maintenance and security staff and 3 park superintendents together with headquarters support of a National Parks Section head, clerical support and 4 drivers (one for each park and one for the headquarters staff).

3. Provide for basic technical equipment and staff training needs to implement utilization of visitor user survey data collection procedures.

4. Design and place visitor information centres at each national park with on-site staff officer.

5. Conversion of the existing Forestry and Wildlife Division office at the Roseau Botanical Gardens into gardens, visitor centre and visitor comfort station when the Forestry and Wildlife staff is placed in a new and up-to-date office complex.

6. Mitigation or restoration efforts must begin to off-set effects from incompatible uses at all locations, including those caused from quarrying, agriculture, hydro-electric site development, construction of roads, commercial activities and natural causes.

7. Implementation of a user fee and donations collection system.

8. Development of a National Parks Nature Association in cooperation with the Dominica Conservation Association.

9. Development of a guide service, and concessionaire training and licensing system with built in monitoring of performance. To be done in cooperation with the Division of Tourism.

10. Sedimentation protection for the Emerald Pool (originating from the quarry site nearby).

11. Development of a resource interpretation programme by appropriate means including signs, publications, guided tours, naturalist talks, cassette auto tours, etc.

12. Creation of a national parks applied research and environmental education organization based on the Archbold Centre and Clemson University activities.

13. Develop and implement regulations governing uses and activities of the National Park System.

14. Implementation of zoning systems for intensive public use areas, resource protection areas, and extensive public use areas.

15. Permit nature association concessions at park visitor centres.

16. Develop a "Dominica - the Nature Island" parks pass.

17. Explore the development of a programme to utilize United States Peace Corps or other international volunteer support to supplement Forestry and Wildlife Division staff in the management of the national parks.

The overall purpose of these specific objectives is to provide Dominica with a basic infrastructure and foundation to operate the national parks in a long-term sustainable manner. The means for generating annual revenue return to the government of Dominica will be developed. The operation and maintenance of park recreational and interpretive facilities could, however, be best handled by an autonomous government corporation to ensure adequate returns on investments which many not typically occur via direct governmental management of "commercially" focused facilities and operations.

ACTIVITIES

The project is a four year capital investment and organizational building programme leading to key improvements for visitor health and safety, resource protection and interpretation, implementation of park management plans and monitoring for the years 1992 to 1995.

The activities which the project would carry out are as follows:

1. Provide fellowships for training at the professional level and technical level for sixteen individuals in resource conservation and ecology, parks management, archaeology, and technical support in the field.

2. Upgrade the existing vehicular access for the Laudat-Freshwater Lake Road, installation of a vehicular access road for site maintenance over the old Fort Shirley access trail, and the existing Syndicate - Dyer Estate - Morne Plaisance parrot viewing trailhead access roads.

3. Upgrading the surface and alignment, and provide directional signing, on the existing hiking trail system.

4. Provide nonslip surfacing treatments to the rock entry-way at Cabrits National Park.

5. Installation of permanent visitor observation sites at Emerald Pool (2), Boiling Lake, Middleham Falls, parrot observation sites (2), and Trafalgar Falls.

6. Relocate vehicular parking at Emerald Pool trailhead out of the road curve to provide for 30 vehicles.

7. Eliminate wild, free roaming dogs in parks and forests reserves.

8. Upgrade parking at all new visitor centres.

9. Construct and place two floating docks on the Freshwater Lake.

10. Continue the stabilization and restoration of historic structures at Fort Shirley in Cabrits National Park.

11. Implementation of guided tours at the Roseau Botanical Gardens together with an introduction to the National Parks System.

12. Construction of an elevated walkway through a section of the Cabrits freshwater swamp with the construction of an underwater trail for divers in Douglas Bay.

13. Complete the purchase of private land inholdings, provide reasonable compensation and account for needed right-of-ways and legal fees for completion of the National Parks System.

OUTPUTS

Education and Training

(a) Ten (10) individuals will receive professional degrees in Forestry, Ecology/Conservation Biology, Wildlife Recreation Management, and Archaeology.

(b) Training on visitor use survey sampling will be provided to over fifteen forest rangers, guards and officers.

(c) Interpretative materials, signs and educational materials will be developed for all national parks.

User Needs

(d) Creation of visitor comfort facilities for the long-term management and enjoyment of park users.

(e) A useable trail system, accessible without guides.

Resource Protection Capabilities

(f) Implementation of functional management plans for each national park.

(g) Resource impact mitigation, particularly relating to incompatible uses and activities occurring within the national parks.

Research and Environmental Education

(h) Implementation of an applied research programme in cooperation with the Archbold and Clemson University programmes in Dominica.

National Parks System Development

(i) Opportunity for revenue generation and the development of a self-supporting national park programme.

(j) Protection and enhancement of cultural and historic resources.

(k) Increased employment opportunities for local and rural communities in park areas.

(l) Entry into the nature tourism destination circuit of world travellers and cruise ship tourists.

(m) Enhance self pride in the National Parks System by the people of Dominica and the Caribbean community as a whole.

INPUTS

From the Government of Dominica

In Dominica, the government is not presently able to provide basic support other than the lands of the national parks and labour support for facilities construction related to activities previously mentioned. Direction will be provided by the National Parks Section director together with current Forestry and Wildlife Division support staff - which is minimal and barely able to keep up with daily demands now placed upon them.

Governmental Financial Contribution

Dominica is requested to contribute an average of 20% of the financial capital for the implementation of this project to supplement donor organization contributions. This may occur as one time legislative allocations or by logistical support from existing sources within government (i.e. engineering design, tax waivers, human labour and more).

Input from Donor Organization(s)

International Staffing and Technical Support

- One Project Manager (Civil Engineer) for 48 months

- One Environmental Education expert for 36 months

- One Conservation Biologist (Ecologist) for 12 months

- One Archaeologist for 36 months

- Specialized consultants in wildlife management, forest information management, electronic communications, and marine/freshwater biology - 36 months

Equipment and Materials

- Non-expendable materials including vehicles, research equipment, radio communications, educational materials, all construction materials and finishing materials, etc.

- Expendable materials including supplies, site designs, printing and reference needs.

Donor Organization Overview (Missions)

- Site reviews shall be taken by the donor agency or agencies biannually during the life of the project.

PROJECT WORK PLAN AND TERMS OF REFERENCE

1. A detailed work plan for the implementation of the project will be prepared by the Project Manager within one month of assumption of duty. It shall have the concurrence of the Director of the Forestry and Wildlife Division, the donor organization(s) and shall become a part of the project document.

2. Close liaison shall be made between the Project Manager, the Director of the Forestry and Wildlife Division, donor organization(s) and the FAO Regional Office for Latin America and the Caribbean.

INSTITUTIONAL FRAMEWORK

The Forestry and Wildlife Division, Ministry of Agriculture shall be the implementing agency for the Government of Dominica. Support shall be provided by the Division of Tourism, National Development Corporation.

REPORTING MONITORING AND EVALUATION

Reporting

The donor organization(s) shall stipulate reporting and review requirements for the life of the project. Monitoring and implementation requirements shall be included as well.

Evaluation

The project shall be evaluated in accordance with the policies and procedures established by the donor organization(s) in agreement with the Government of Dominica.

The organization, terms of reference and timing of the evaluation will be decided in consultation between the government, the donor organization(s) and the executing organization(s).

A summary report based on monitoring, and final evaluation shall be provided by the Project Manager based on an agreed time frame acceptable to all parties involved. The report will assess the extent to which the project has met its scheduled activities, met its objectives, accomplished outputs and will make recommendations to future needs arising out of project implementation.

PROJECT DURATION

The project will be of four (4) years duration and may be implemented in three phases over the four (4) year period as follows:

Phase 1: Years 1 and 2 to address visitor health, safety and security concerns.

Phase 2: Years 2 and 3 would address infrastructural park facilities.

Phase 3: Years 3 and 4 - these would be the final site development needs for interpretation of resources and for facility and resource protection.

BUDGET (US$)

ITEM	YR 1	YR 2	YR 3	YR 4	TOTAL
1.0 Personnel Services
a. Project Manager 48 months	50,000	52,000	55,000	57,500	215,000
b. Env. Educational Expert 36 months	-	40,000	42,000	44,000	126,000
c. Ecologist 12 months	-	-	-	44,000	44,000
d. Archaeologist 36 months	-	40,000	42,000	44,000	126,000
e. Consultants 36 months	-	40,000	80,000	80,000	200,000
f. Staff support 48 months	16,000	16,000	16,000	16,000	64,000
2.0 Contractual Support
Report production	1,000	2,000	1,000	2,000	6,000
3.0 Fellowships
a. M.S. for 3 Park Superintendents	-	45,000	45,000	-	90,000
b. B.Sc. for three Naturalists	30,000	30,000	30,000	30,000	120,000
c. B.Sc. for three Ecologists	30,000	30,000	30,000	30,000	120,000
d. B.Sc. for one Archaeologist	10,000	10,000	10,000	10,000	40,000
National Parks Infrastructure Needs - 4.0 Health, Safety and Security Needs - Phase I
a. Laudat-Freshwater Lake Access Road (3/4 mile total)	135,000	200,000	-	-	335,000
b. Cabrits interior access road (1/3 mile total)	25,000	10,000	-	-	35,000
c. Syndicate Morne Plaisance and Syndicate to Dyer Estate roads (2 miles total)	75,000	100,000	-	-	175,000
d. Emerald Pool Parking area for 30 vehicles	10,000	-	-	-	10,000
e. Trail system upgraded (7 miles)	20,000	15,000	-	-	35,000
f. Nonslip surfacing for Cabrits access rock walkway	2,000	-	-	-	2,000
g. Permanent site observation decks (6 locations)	6,000	6,000	-	-	12,000
h. Elimination of wild dogs	500	500	500	500	2,000
i. Park Vault type toilets (6 locations)	30,000	30,000	-	-	60,000
j. 5 rain shelters	5,000	-	-	-	5,000
k. 15 tables and 30 benches	2,500	2,500	-	-	5,000
l. Drinking water wells and pumps (5 locations)	10,000	10,000	5,000	-	25,000
m. Freshwater Lake floating docks with strobe lites	2,500	2,500	-	-	5,000
n. Utilities for 3 future visitor centres	10,000	10,000	-	-	20,000
o. Garbage collection and disposal system (3 locations)	1,500	1,500	1,500	1,500	6,000
p. 6 staff field work huts with 3 located as future fee collection stations	3,000	-	-	-	3,000
q. Vehicles - 3 x 4-WD	20,000	40,000	-	-	60,000
r. Water crafts - 1 motor boat and 2 canoes	10,000	2,000	-	-	12,000
s. Botanical Gardens Forestry Office washroom addition and Upgrade (for future visitor centre conversion)	15,000	-	-	-	15,000
t. Mobile radio communication system (base and vehicles with installation)	25,000	-	25,000	-	50,000
SUB-TOTAL PHASE I	545,000	736,500	383,000	359,500	2,024,000
Suggested Division of Support: Government 20% or 404,800 Donor 80% or 1,619,200
5.0 Resource Interpretation and Protection Needs - Phase II
a. Stabilization and complete restoration of Fort Shirley structures	-	50,000	100,000	150,000	300,000
b. Interpretive trails for Cabrits swamp and Douglas Bay, with parking and toilets	5,000	25,000	5,000	-	85,000
c. Interpretive signs for all major features	-	50,000	25,000	10,000	85,000
d. Guided tour programme for the Botanical Gardens	-	2,000	1,000	-	3,000
e. Sediment catchment basins for Emerald Pool area with scheduled cleanouts	-	10,000	1,000	1,000	12,000
f. Rehabilitation of Cabrits Trail at Emerald Pool with const. of parallel hiking trail. Construction of stone walkway at Cabrits entry to the Fort Shirley site	-	5,000	1,000	1,000	7,000
SUB-TOTAL PHASE II	5,000	142,000	133,000	162,000	442,000
Suggested Division of Funding: Government 25% or $110,500 Donor 75% or $331,500
6.0 Site Facilities and Park Management Programme - Phase III
a. 3 Visitor centres	-	150,000	150,000	150,000	450,000
b. Development of a user sampling and survey system	-	2,500	1,000	1,000	4,500
c. Development of a "Dominica - The Nature Island" park and recreation pass	-	-	5,000	3,000	8,000
d. Land use and visitation regulation system development	-	-	-	10,000	10,000
e. Survey, design, construct and equip 3 camping sites with 5 units each including all support facilities	-	-	75,000	100,000	175,000
f. Formulation of cooperative environmental education and applied research programme with Archbold Centre of Clemson University	-	-	10,000	10,000	20,000
g. Zoning system for all parks	-	20,000	10,000	-	30,000
h. Design and implementation of nat. res. Management agreement with US Peace Corps and other international volunteer organizations for park management support, environmental education and interpretive planning	-	5,000	10,000	20,000	35,000
i. Future land purchase and exchange with compensation and legal fees	-	25,000	25,000	25,000	75,000
SUB-TOTAL PHASE III	-	202,500	286,000	319,000	807,500
Suggested Division of Funding: Government 20% or $161,500 Donor 80% or $646,000
TOTAL COST	550,000	1,081,000	802,000	840,500	3,273,500