泡瀬干潟を守る連絡会Blog

次のメールが届いています。
前川盛治（泡瀬干潟を守る連絡会・事務局長）

英文で、泡瀬干潟裁判のことをつたえる資料としてお使い下さい。

皆様

よしのです。
池田愛美さんが、泡瀬干潟の最近のニュースと支援に対するお礼などを、
ラムサールフォーラムとWWNのMLに投稿し、てくださいました。

池田愛美様　ありがとうございます。


----- Original Message -----
From: IKEDA, Manami
To: ramsar-forum@indaba.iucn.org
Sent: Sunday, November 01, 2009 7:23 PM
Subject: Update from Okinawa, Japan


Dear Forum members,



Sorry for the long silence.

I hope things are going well with all of you.

As a person who asked you to sign the petition to save Awase tidal falt in Okinawa, Japan, I would like to thank you for your support and give you an update on the reclamation issue.

Mayor of Okinawa City expressed her decision not to appeal to a higher court after being defeated at the second trail.

Although it may sound like a victory to wetland NGOs and citizens who filed a suit against the city and the prefecture to try to halt the appropriation of public funds for the reclamation project, it is not as there are still possibilities for the local governments to resume the reclamation work.

I hope an essay prepared by a member of the wetland community, who wants to remain anonymous will offer a good food for thought.



***********************************************************************************************

Awase Tidal Flats: Is it saved or not?

- An example of unstoppable public works in Japan.



The appeal court made its decision over the Awase reclamation project in Okinawa, Japan, on 15th October 2009, supporting the decision made by the Naha District Court last year to suspend public funds to carry on the project.



The main reason for such decisions by courts was that the project does not have sufficient rational for its economic feasibilities.



Many conservation NGOs and citizens have pointed out the uniqueness of the area, as one of largest remaining tidal flats in the Okinawa region.

In fact, the Awase tidal flat area is a mosaic of tidal flats, shallow water, sea grass beds and coral reef, supporting unique biodiversity. A poor EIA was carried out and then the reclamation project was started.

Even after the project started, some new sea grass species and various endangered species were recorded. If saved, pointed out experts, the Awase tidal flat area undoubtedly meets the criteria for international recognition under the Ramsar wetland convention.



The Mayor of Okinawa City announced last week that she would not appeal to the higher court but accept the decision made by the appeal court.

However, she also revealed her intention to reconsider the land use plan for the project in order to resume the reclamation works. Okinawa Prefectural government will support the project too.



Since the first court decision was made last November, both Okinawa City and Prefectural government together with the central government simply carried out the reclamation works, constructing a seawall and putting dredged soil into the site.



The land use plan for the site was made during Japan's bubble economy era in late '80s, making the site as a main base for sports, conventions and international exchange programs. Economic ripple effects have been expected but nowadays not very convincing.



Okinawa City may submit a revised land use plan for the site in 2010 and apply for the renewal of the authorization of reclamation works. All levels of government, municipality, prefectural and central, will never stop destroying once beautiful Awase tidal flats? We spent a lot of money in destroying important wetlands in 20th century. We have to use money to restore wetlands in this century, don't we?



********************************************************************************************



Thank you very much for your concerns.

Wishing you a good bird watching season,



Manami IKEDA

JAWAN / RAMNET-J




++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

The services and facilities to support this list are provided by The Information Management Group, IUCN, Gland, Switzerland.