Golf Courses? On Wa’ab? Environmental and Resource Implications of Proposed Golf Development

Norman, Henry (2012). Golf Courses? On Wa’ab? Environmental and Resource Implications of Proposed Golf Development (Report). MicroTech Consulting.

• Has attachment: File:WH5DRF53.pdf

Abstract: A technical and advocacy-oriented analysis examining the environmental impacts of proposed golf course development associated with the ETG tourism project in Yap State, Federated States of Micronesia; highlights extreme water consumption requirements for golf courses, noting estimates of 10,000–15,000 cubic meters of water per hectare annually and projecting unsustainable demand relative to Yap’s limited freshwater resources; documents risks of chemical contamination from pesticides, herbicides, and fertilizers, including runoff into groundwater and surrounding coral reef ecosystems; incorporates global case studies demonstrating biodiversity loss, soil degradation, and health risks associated with golf course maintenance; presents comparative data showing disproportionately high pesticide application rates relative to agriculture; includes extrapolation models indicating that even a small number of golf courses in Yap could generate severe environmental impacts. This document provides a focused technical critique of one specific component of the ETG proposal—golf course development—translating broader environmental concerns into concrete, quantifiable risks.