Calvin College/Birzeit University
Country:
West Bank/Gaza
Award Date:
2002
Award Amount:
$100,000.00
Cost Share:
$61,470.00
Other Partners:
Timmermans Environmental Services; Palestinian Water Authority; Palestinian Ministry of Culture; Palestinian Ministry of Planning; American Center of Oriental Research
The partners developed an environmentally sound plan for sustained use of the Wadi al-Far’a basin’s water supply by the Palestinian population of the West Bank. A study of the hydrogeology and political ecology of the Wadi al-Far’a watershed helped create the plan. Partnership activities focused on establishing a model for the long-term conservation and use of the water supply for the Wadi al-Far’a catchment. Essential data for this model was gathered and distributed among partners to develop reports that focused on six sectors of research: topography, hydrology and geo-logy; water resources and water rights; land use; built-up areas; archaeological sites, and pollution and its effects. Faculty and students from Calvin College visited the region on numerous occasions. Partners developed a partnership web site for easier communication and research access. The Palestinian Ministry of Planning and Ministry of Culture made significant contributions to the partnership, including consultation and use of government facilities.