FORT SHAFTER – The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) recently engaged with partners in the Pacific Territories to develop Post-Disaster Watershed Plans for American Samoa, the Commonwealth of the Northern Marianas Islands (CNMI), and Guam.

The Watershed Plans were developed in response to major storm events that threatened the Territories in 2018 - Tropical Cyclone Gita (American Samoa), Super Typhoon Yutu (CNMI), and Typhoon Mangkhut (Guam). These three storm events resulted in widespread damages throughout the Territories. For instance, Super Typhoon Yutu struck CNMI in October 2018 resulting in two fatalities and more than 100 injuries. The storm was equivalent to a Category 5 hurricane producing maximum sustained winds of approximately 180 miles per hour and torrential rain, which led to flooding, power outages, significant damage or destruction to critical infrastructure and buildings, along with significant environmental degradation. Super Typhoon Yutu is the strongest recorded typhoon to impact CNMI and the second strongest to strike the U.S. or its territories.

The intent of the Watershed Plans is to provide recommendations both within and outside of USACE authorities that will help to rehabilitate and improve the resiliency of damaged infrastructure and natural resources, reducing risks to human life and property from future natural hazards.

The plans recognize the inherent resilience of Pacific Islands’ cultures developed over thousands of years of oceanic living, and traditional way of governance. Social and economic drivers and environmental risks were assessed during plan development through engagement with the public, federal and territorial agencies, and in consultation with subject matter experts and current research reports.

To learn more about the study areas or to view the three Watershed Plans go to:

American Samoa:
https://www.poh.usace.army.mil/American-Samoa-Watershed-Assessment-Plan/
Commonwealth of the Northern Marianas Islands (CNMI): https://www.poh.usace.army.mil/Missions/Civil-Works/Civil-Works-Projects/CNMI-Watershed-Plan/
Guam: https://www.poh.usace.army.mil/Missions/Civil-Works/Civil-Works-Projects/Guam-Watershed-Assessment/