II. Coastal Management and Coastal Defense
2
Retreat and Accommodation
39
The resettlement option could raise significant transboundary implications. The
legal authority and institutional capability to manage or direct a relocation on a
temporary or permanent basis must be clearly established. Authority to facilitate
and encourage relocation from ~adnerable areas and to subsequently deal with the
use of abandoned lands may be needed. In extreme cases when individuals will
not leave areas subject to great risk, authorities for condemnation of land and
facilities may also be necessary.
Whether relocation is on a temporary or a permanent basis, accommodation for
displaced inhabitants must be provided. In some coastal states, relocation could
involve tens of millions of inhabitants. The relocation may be further complicated
by the lack of land within small coastal or island states. If relocation outside such
states is required, then the assistance of regional or international institutions may
be needed.
The first option for both measures is to discourage growth in population, or
additional development in vulnerable areas that would increase either the risks of
losses, or would increase to unacceptable levels the costs of later retreat. In order
to implement this option, the coastal state must have the institutional facility for
identifying vulnerable coastal zones. Many developing countries do not have the
institutional structures and will require assistance to develop a national plan for
management of coastal resources and coastal development. Alternatively, a state
might choose to encourage private retreat and accommodation actions through
non-regulatory measures, such as providing information to the affected
population.
In addition to an institutional structure to plan and manage coastal development,
legal authorities are needed to enforce restrictions or conditions on coastal
development if a coastal or island state chooses to take an active regulatory role
for implementing those strategies. Legal authorities may also be needed both to
ensure the integrity of natural coastal protection systems and to avoid placing
coastal populations and developments in jeopardy from sea-level rise. For
example, a coastal or island state may need new authority to restrict access or
activities to certain areas in order to protect natural systems (such as from the use
of nmngrove for firewood) as well as have the authorities to restrict residential
and commercial development (such as new settlements on deltas).
2
Retreat and Accommodation
39
The resettlement option could raise significant transboundary implications. The
legal authority and institutional capability to manage or direct a relocation on a
temporary or permanent basis must be clearly established. Authority to facilitate
and encourage relocation from ~adnerable areas and to subsequently deal with the
use of abandoned lands may be needed. In extreme cases when individuals will
not leave areas subject to great risk, authorities for condemnation of land and
facilities may also be necessary.
Whether relocation is on a temporary or a permanent basis, accommodation for
displaced inhabitants must be provided. In some coastal states, relocation could
involve tens of millions of inhabitants. The relocation may be further complicated
by the lack of land within small coastal or island states. If relocation outside such
states is required, then the assistance of regional or international institutions may
be needed.
The first option for both measures is to discourage growth in population, or
additional development in vulnerable areas that would increase either the risks of
losses, or would increase to unacceptable levels the costs of later retreat. In order
to implement this option, the coastal state must have the institutional facility for
identifying vulnerable coastal zones. Many developing countries do not have the
institutional structures and will require assistance to develop a national plan for
management of coastal resources and coastal development. Alternatively, a state
might choose to encourage private retreat and accommodation actions through
non-regulatory measures, such as providing information to the affected
population.
In addition to an institutional structure to plan and manage coastal development,
legal authorities are needed to enforce restrictions or conditions on coastal
development if a coastal or island state chooses to take an active regulatory role
for implementing those strategies. Legal authorities may also be needed both to
ensure the integrity of natural coastal protection systems and to avoid placing
coastal populations and developments in jeopardy from sea-level rise. For
example, a coastal or island state may need new authority to restrict access or
activities to certain areas in order to protect natural systems (such as from the use
of nmngrove for firewood) as well as have the authorities to restrict residential
and commercial development (such as new settlements on deltas).