NO structures will be built on Managaha at this time to control erosion and to stabilize its beach condition, according to the Coastal Resources Management.
“Let nature take its own course. The beaches will stabilize themselves,” according to Benny Pangelinan, CRM coastal programs coordinator.
Pangelinan, in an interview yesterday, said CRM’s recent visit to Managaha showed “sand buildup in the northeast section” where the fastest erosion rate had taken place in recent years.
Accretion or the accumulation of sand, however, is also taking place at a fast rate on the western portion of the island.
Even short-term measures—as recommended by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers—like putting sandbags, dump rock, timber walls and berms will not be implemented.
Pangelinan said the construction of any low profile breakwater or groin/headland, as well as armoring or revetment and other structures would only further aggravate the current rate of erosion on the island.
Even the short-term measures like berms would only be damaged if there is a storm, high tides or strong winds, he added.
“If we put structures on it, it would only do more harm than good, especially in the environment and tourism. If other agencies want to construct a breakwater, for example, they must also be prepared to face the bad consequences,” Pangelinan said.
Tasi Tours and Transportation, Inc., the concessionaire for tourism activities on Managaha, expressed concern that “not doing anything at all” will not slow down erosion.
David Igitol, director and general manager of Tasi Tours, said in a separate interview that the changing “appearance” of the island due to erosion may lose its tourism appeal.
“At this point, something should be done to control erosion. The northeast side had fast erosion, and now the northwest side is also eroding because of the movement of the water, but erosion will always be there,” said Igitol.
The “no action” plan is also one of the alternatives proposed by the Army Corps when it completed its Managaha Island Erosion Study.
Pangelinan said this will be CRM’s official position when it calls on other government agencies and private businesses to a meeting to discuss Managaha’s current condition.
“We are taking the ‘no action’ alternative. However, the concerns of other agencies will be fully evaluated,” said Pangelinan.
The meeting may take place in July, and CRM will invite legislators and officials from the Division of Environmental Quality, the Marianas Visitors Authority, the Marianas Public Lands Authority, Tasi Tours and the Carolinian Affairs Office.
Pangelinan said CRM is also not allowing the construction of additional palapalas on Managaha at this time. Some of these structures had already been washed away due to erosion.
The Army Corps, in a report, said over 100 ft. of Managaha shoreline had been lost between 1997 and 2001.
While the maximum erosion stands at 128.5 ft., the maximum accretion only reached 28.6 feet since 1997 as shown in the study of 15 sites on Managaha, the Army Corps added.
