Watershed Planning in El SalvadorBy: Steve Thompson

September 2010

Civil War1989 to 1992

• Gap between wealthy and poor• Priests begin to organize and lead peaceful

protests for social equality

• Archbishop Oscar Romero was assassinated

• FMLN was formed• Military attacked rural villages• 75,000 civilians killed• 700,000 civilians flee as refugees to Guadamala,

Honduras, and Panama

Civil War - 1989 to 1992

Civil War1989 to 1992

• Regan Administration considered the FMLN guerillas to be a new “Beach Head” for communists in Central America during the Cold War

• American Aid to Salvadoran Military– $5 million under the Carter Administration– $533 million under the Regan Administration

Peace Accord 1992• Refugees Return

• Contaminated soils and groundwater

• No services, utilities, schools or clinics

• Gangs bring violence and drug culture

Natural Disasters• Floods• Droughts• Vocanic

Eruptions• Earthquakes• Deforestation• Land Slides

La Coordinadora Grassroots group that unofficially formed in 1994

Originally included 14 villagesEcoViva formed in 1996

The Mangrove Association (NGO) was Created in 2008

• La Coordinadora grew to 76 communities• The Mangrove Association was created

– The Mangrove Association has about 50 staff– (Its partner EcoViva has 3 staff in the USA)

• PROGRAMS– Youth Empowerment– Basic Infrastructure– Building a Green Economy– Environmental Protection

Youth Empowerment

• Youth Programs

• Art School

• Radio Station

• Leadership

Building a Green Economy• Sustainable Harvests

– Organic Farming– Sustainable Fisheries– Income Generating Crops

– Cashews

• Building Local Markets

Environmental Protection

• Organic farming• Replant forests• Protect Jiquilisco Bay and

the Mangroves

• United Nations International Biosphere Reserve and Wetland of World Importance

• 5,000 acres protected and their goal is 75,000 acres

• Four species of sea turtles• Critical habitat for the

endangered Hawksbill sea turtle that nests exclusively in mangrove estuaries

• Villagers are co-managers

Jiquilisco Bay

Sea Turtle Hatchery

Basic Infrastructure

• Water

• Shelter

• Sanitation

First Impressions

Rio Lempa River

Ciudad Romero

• Kitchen

• Dishwasher & Laundry

Accommodations

Construction Standards

Water Systems

Water Quality Testing

Improve an Existing Water Supply

Water SystemSurvey

Hand Auger

Survey Wheel for Measuring Distance

Watershed Meeting

Watershed Tour

Watershed Tour

Hike

Jiquilisco bay

Last Day

Clemson University