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Panama
>> Regional Overview >> Panama Overview Activity Data Sheet
PROGRAM: Panama
TITLE AND NUMBER: Panama Sustainably Manages the Canal Watershed and Buffer Areas, 525-004
PLANNED FY 2001 OBLIGATION AND ACCOUNT: $3,700,000 (DA)
PROPOSED FY 2002 OBLIGATION AND ACCOUNT: $4,500,000 (DA)
STATUS: Continuing
INITIAL OBLIGATION: FY 2000 ESTIMATED COMPLETION DATE: FY 2006Summary: Numerous studies, including one conducted by USAID in 1994, have demonstrated the link between land use in the Panama Canal Watershed (PCW) and the long-term operation of the Panama Canal. Efficient operation of the Panama Canal relies on the fresh water runoff across the 326,000-hectare watershed that provides the fifty-two million gallons of fresh water required for the passage of each ship. The mandate of the Panama Canal Authority (PCA) extends beyond the management of the Canal itself to include, in coordination with other Panamanian authorities, the protection, conservation, and maintenance of the water and natural resources of the PCW. The purpose of this Strategic Objective is to assist Panama to effectively manage and protect the PCW and to serve U.S. interests in the efficient operation of the Canal in a sustainable manner. The direct beneficiaries of this objective will be the Canal watershed ecosystem, the 143,000 residents living in the PCW, the urban populations of Panama City and Colon that surround the PCW, the industrial sector, which depends on fresh water for industrial uses, and the operators and users of the Canal. The indirect beneficiaries will be the 1.4 million people located near the canal, the population of Panama as a whole and the global economy.
Key Results: This objective, approved on January 14, 2000, consolidates activities under its predecessor objective (525-001) which expired on the same date. USAID has determined that four key results are necessary to achieve this objective: (1) Institutional arrangements for effective management functioning are adopted, (2) Natural resources in the PCW and buffer zone are managed effectively, (3) Civil society organizations are strengthened in order to actively support sustainable management in the PCW, and (4) Local government and private sector capacity for environmental management in the PCW and buffer areas are increased.
Performance and Prospects: Performance over the past year has been significant in key aspects of the portfolio.
Continued USAID assistance enabled the Government of Panama (GOP) to make significant progress toward strengthening both the institutional capacities of GOP entities involved in the management of the PCW and their capabilities to coordinate plans and actions. With technical assistance provided by USAID, the Inter-Institutional Commission (IIC) for the Canal Watershed adopted its first action plan, initiated the development of inter-agency agreements, began developing its financial planning capacity, and took steps toward the establishment of a data information center.
The Canal Watershed Monitoring Program, spearheaded by USAID with technical support provided by the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute (STRI), has been incorporated on a permanent basis into Panamanian institutions. The program, which will be overseen by the IIC, monitors the condition of the Panama Canal Watershed by tracking forest cover, hydrology, soil composition, biodiversity status and the location of human settlements.
USAID continued to support the GOP's efforts to improve its natural resources management capacity in the national parks located in the PCW. Construction of all basic infrastructure was completed and essential equipment provided to the parks. "Visitor Guides" of the protected areas and maps of "Protected Areas in the PCW" were produced. A training program for journalists on environmental issues affecting the PCW was implemented. The National Environment Authority (ANAM), with technical assistance provided by the Academy for Educational Development through a contract known as GreenCom, is leading an effort to develop an environmental education strategy for the PCW, in partnership with the Ministry of Education and the PCA.
A highly successful mass media campaign, featuring television, radio, and the print media contributed to heightening the awareness of the Panamanian population of the benefits and the issues related to the PCW. Other awareness-raising activities included seminars, workshops, and conferences. Community Environmental Plans were developed in four communities, either in the canal watershed or on its borders, to address solid waste management issues. Three targeted municipalities in the PCW have developed strategic, environmental and financial plans that will improve their management of municipal lands in the watershed. The financial plans are aimed at increasing revenues by a minimum of 15% to enable these local governments to address effectively environmental management issues and implement components of their strategic plans.
Following an assessment of factories in three industries (cement, tanneries, and electroplating), ANAM has established an inter-institutional commission for clean production and is formulating norms and standards for these three industries. Initial funding ($40,000) was obtained from USAID/Washington for these activities. The Regional Environmental Project for Central America (PROARCA) and the Bureau for Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC) also have conducted clean production activities that have been coordinated with the bilateral effort.
USAID plans to use $3,700,000 in FY 2001 funds as follows: $1,200,000 will be used to deepen the institutionalization process by developing protocols for data sharing with the information center and developing procedures to facilitate the interaction of the members of the Inter-Institutional Commission; $900,000 will support ecotourism and co-management of protected areas in the Panama Canal Watershed (PCW); $600,000 to strengthen administrative, technical and fundraising capabilities of selected NGOs, active in the PCW; and $1,000,000 to help consolidate gains in the establishment of environmental units in three municipalities in the PCW with clearly defined roles and permanent operational budgets.
In FY 2002 USAID plans to use $4,500,000 as follows: $1,500,000 to continue to support the strengthening of the Inter-Institutional Commission by developing and establishing financing mechanisms for watershed management and support for a network of institutions; $1,500,000 to continue support for ecotourism and co-management of parks in the PCW; $500,0000 to continue core training of selected NGOs, develop outreach skills on PCW environmental issues, and to support consensus-building for the improvement of PCW management; and $1,000,000 to support a Municipal Environmental Alliance through mutually supportive of environmental activities in the PCW.
Possible Adjustments to Plans: While no specific adjustments to plans are contemplated at this time, USAID continuously strives to identify windows of opportunity in its work with the PCA, ANAM, local governments, nongovernment organizations (NGOs), community groups, and the private sector to ensure that all appropriate actions are taken to promote USAID objectives. For example, the PCA has initiated studies to expand the PCW in order to increase the water supply available to operate the canal and to satisfy local municipal needs, especially Panama City and Colon. The PCA has approached USAID to explore possible assistance for this activity. USAID is considering this request, subject to the availability of funds, which may lead to an adjustment of our current plans.
Other Donor Programs: The Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) and the World Bank have initiated activities that will contribute to improved management of the PCW. Both entities are implementing activities in land management and PCW conservation. The IDB has assisted the GOP in the development of a National Environmental Strategy. The IDB also is implementing activities designed to strengthen comprehensive watershed management programs elsewhere in the country. Under the Common Agenda Initiative, Japan is assisting an NGO to establish a training center in the PCW. The center is providing environmental education and awareness training, as well as training in forestry and agroforestry techniques, for residents of the watershed and buffer areas, including Panama City and Colon. USAID is working closely with these donors to ensure that all activities are complementary.
Principal Contractors, Grantees or Agencies: Current grantees and contractors include the Academy for Educational Development (AED) GreenCom, Louis Berger, Inc. and International Resources Group (IRG).
Panama 525-004
Performance Measures:
Indicator FY97
(Actual)FY98
(Actual)FY99
(Actual)FY00
(Actual)FY00
(Plan)FY01
(Plan)FY02
(Plan)Indicator 1: Institutional arrangements for sustainable watershed management recognized by key PCW stakeholders. NA NA NA NA NA 68 72 Indicator 2: Actions taken by the Inter-Institutional Commission for the Canal Watershed (CICH) on strategies, policies, programs and projects that could affect the PCW NA NA NA NA 3 5 8 Indicator 3: Land use in the PCW compatible with the approved Regional Land Use Plan 55 NA NA NA 63 NA NA Indicator 4: Local governments have environmental action plans that conform with the Regional Plan NA NA NA 1 4 8 12 Indicator 5: Industries implementing policy or process changes that result in improved environmental NA NA NA 0 2 4 6 Indicator 6: Residents in the PCW and buffer areas served according to integrated solid waste management NA NA NA 14362 30000 50000 70000 Indicator Information:
Indicator Level (S)or(IR) Unit of Measure Source Indicator Description Indicator 1: S Percentage awareness of key institutional arrangements by mid-level staff of the eight organizations making up the Inter-Institutional Commission (CICH): six government agencies (PCA, ANAM, MIDA, ARI, MIVI, Gobierno y Justicia) and two non-governmental organizations (CARITAS and Fundacion NATURA). Questionnaire survey administered by GreenCOM subcontractors to 150 mid-level managers. See memo dated February 23, 2001 from Jose Ignacio Mata to the SO Team explaining the definition of mid-level staff in operational detail. Key PCW Stakeholders are defined for this indicator to be mid-level representatives of the eight member organizations of the CICH. (Note that this includes both government and non-governmental organizations.) Mid-level managers were defined to be "the one is in charge of the functions of a head of a department or unit when he/she is not present." The values shown in the table represent the mean score of correctly identified institutional arrangements out of the total of 12. Awareness of institutional arrangements was gauged by ability of interviewees to identify the specific GOP institutions responsible for each of 12 critical aspects of PCW management, including solid waste collection, management of protected areas, and safeguarding of water quality, among others. Indicator 2: IR Number of actions taken by the CICH CICH and contractor reports The indicator will measure progress on number of actions taken by the CICH during the calendar year on strategies, policies, programs and projects that could affect the PCW. Approval of these actions signals that CICH is functioning in its role to coordinate and oversee activities in the PCW and achieving consensus amongst stakeholders. Indicator 3: S Percentage of land area in conformance with the Regional Plan (1) Inter-Oceanic Regional Authority (ARI), (2) National Environment Authority (ANAM), (3) Contractor reports Percentage of land use (measured in hectares) which is compatible with the Regional Land Use Plan. Compatible refers to land uses that meet the technical criteria for inclusion under one of the six land-use categories defined in the Regional Land Use plan. Indicator 4: IR Number of local governments in the PCW that have environmental action plans that conform with the Regional Plan USAID contractor and grantee reports, municipal decrees, and environmental plans Environmental action plans will include environmental programs and projects that are in conformance with the Regional Plan. These environmental plans may be part of an overall strategic development plan for the district. The indicator will consider environmental action plans that are produced with the active participation of local government officials or formally adopted by the municipality's Consejo Municipal. Action plans must conform to the land uses outlined in the regional plan. Because USAID/Panama's local government strengthening program works primarily at the municipal level in the smaller municipalities of the PCW (Arraijan, Chorrera, Capira and Portobelo) the indicator will consider these municipalities in measurement. Similarly where USAID/Panama's local government program works at the lower level of the corregimiento (in the larger districts of Panama and Colon) these corregimientos will be considered. Indicator 5: IR Number of industries (cumulative) USAID contractor reports. The indicator will measure if at least one member of an industry (plant or company) has changed a policy or process resulting in environmental improvement as a direct result of USAID intervention. This indicator will rely heavily on self-reporting from companies that have received USAID assistance, but self-reports will be verified by USAID or its contractors. An industry will be considered broadly -- e.g., cement, pork farming, chicken farming, tanneries, banking (by promoting environmentally sound investments). Indicator 6: IR Number of people with access to solid waste collection services (cumulative) USAID implementers (e.g., FUNDEMUN and GEMAS) in cooperation with Municipal Officials and solid waste collectors). Estimates of number of residents served will be developed based on the number of households with access to public and private collection of solid waste in communities actively working to implement an integrated solid waste management (ISWM) plan. ISWM implies a comprehensive plan for collection, reuse (including recycling and composting) and disposal of solid waste. Because USAID/Panama's local government program works primarily at the municipal level in the smaller municipalities of the PCW (Arraijan, Chorrera, Capira and Portobelo) the indicator will consider all residents of these municipalities in measurement. Similarly, in the larger municipalities of Panama and Colon, where USAID/Panama's local government works at the municipal subdivision known as the "corregimiento", all residents of the corregimiento will be considered. All estimates will be made on a corregimiento by corregimiento basis. U.S. Financing
(In thousands of dollars)
Obligations Expenditures Unliquidated Through September 30, 1999 0 DA 0 DA 0 DA 0 CDS 0 CSD 0 CSD 0 ESF 0 ESF 0 ESF 0 SEED 0 SEED 0 SEED 0 FSA 0 FSA 0 FSA 0 DFA 0 DFA 0 DFA Fiscal Year 2000 3,500 DA 6 DA 0 CSD 0 CSD 0 ESF 0 ESF 0 SEED 0 SEED 0 FSA 0 FSA 0 DFA 0 DFA Through September 30, 2000 3,500 DA 6 DA 3,494 DA 0 CSD 0 CSD 0 CSD 0 ESF 0 ESF 0 ESF 0 SEED 0 SEED 0 SEED 0 FSA 0 FSA 0 FSA 0 DFA 0 DFA 0 DFA Prior Year Unobligated Funds 0 DA 0 CSD 0 ESF 0 SEED 0 FSA 0 DFA Planned Fiscal Year 2001 NOA 3,700 DA 0 CSD 0 ESF 0 SEED 0 FSA 0 DFA Total Planned Fiscal Year 2001 3,700 DA 0 CSD 0 ESF 0 SEED 0 FSA 0 DFA Future Obligations Est. Total Cost Proposed Fiscal Year 2002 NOA 4,500 DA 18,000 DA 29,700 DA 0 CSD 0 CSD 0 CSD 0 ESF 0 ESF 0 ESF 0 SEED 0 SEED 0 SEED 0 FSA 0 FSA 0 FSA 0 DFA 0 DFA 0 DFA
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Last Updated on: May 29, 2002 |
