[ESIP-all] Iraqi Freshwater Marshes Opportunity

[Carol Meyer]

Dick Wertz asked me to send the following to you.
 
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Recently, a friend who has worked extensively with the government of
Kuwait,
asked me if the ESIP Federation had any interest in the freshwater
marshes
in Southern Iraq.  As I understand the situation, these unique havens
had
sustained a diverse array of plant and animal life and a rich culture
for
centuries.  Over the last twenty years, the recently deposed government
in
Iraq has apparently systematically diverted water from the Tigris and
Euphrates Rivers for other purposes.  As a result, the southern
freshwater
marshes have been greatly reduced in size and are being compromised by
saltwater that is flowing farther and farther up stream from the sea.
The
impact on the area's traditional residents has apparently been
devastating.
 
My friend believes that there is a group in Kuwait that would like to
help
Iraq resolve its freshwater marshes problem as first step in improving
relations with its old adversary.  The thinking seems to be along the
lines
of first initiating a valid scientific study of the problem and then
implementing a long-range development program aimed at reversing the
damage
done over the last twenty years.
 
I request that you advise me ASAP if your ESIP has any interest in the
Iraqi
Freshwater Marshes problem and, if so, what data or data analyses
capability
your ESIP could bring to a scientific study of the problem.  At this
point,
I am not looking for concept papers so much as short description of what
Federation members or a group of Federation members could bring to the
table.  Rough cost estimates for work that would need to be undertaken
would
also be most helpful.  If there is an interest I will pursue the
opportunity
with the appropriate figures in Kuwait.
 
 
Best regards,
 
Dick Wertz
 
Richard C. Wertz
Executive Director
Foundation for Earth Science
3985 Alcoa Drive
Fairfax, VA 22033
703-802-7363
703-802-7364 (fax)
dick.wertz at earthsciencefoundation.org
 
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