Jordan Rift Valley- Environment

Projects in the environment sector underscore the function of the JRV as a shared resource. The overall goal of the environmental projects within the JRV Master Plan is to promote sustainable development of the region. These projects are not development projects in their own right, but rather help establish boundaries and the ecological framework in which sustainable development can be attained. Joint projects in this sector involve collaborative conservation measures, including the establishment of bi-national parks and nature reserves.

a. The Jordan River

The River Jordan is one of the most striking symbols of the Land of the Bible, and deeply permeates the history and cultures of the region. The People of Israel crossed over the River Jordan upon entering the promised land. Christianity chose the Jordan River as the site for baptismal and purification ceremonies. The area's charm and the mystery in present and past times as a venue for countless pilgrimages and monastic asceticism. In light of the river's profound religious, historical and cultural heritage, it seems a natural and optimal focal-point for cooperation between Israel and Jordan.

The River Jordan has always served as a meeting point between nations and countries. During the years of relative calm along the border, wide expanses of land were made into agricultural lands on both sides of its banks. Due to the regional political tension, the area remained a highly sensitive security zone, which was in fact declared off-limits to the public - including the local public on both banks and international visitors.

Practically speaking, the river's inaccessibility to the public during the recent decades impacted favorably on the river banks, leaving them relatively immune to the intense development projects initiated within Israel and Jordan. The special serpentine route and marl slopes separating the two sections of the river valley have given rise to natural and landscape values that are unique to the area.

The project presented in the JRV Master Plan calls for the conservation of the Jordan Riverine area by establishing a establishing a bi-national nature reserve. The reserve would promote conservation and could serve as the basis for the development of eco-tourism in the region. It would run some 100 kilometers along the length of the river and encompass both banks.

Necessary infrastructure for eco-tourism, including ranger stations and other facilities will be built. A network of hiking paths enabling access to the waterways and view-points of the area's flora and fauna, will be constructed; including the reconstruction of archaeological and other sites. The development of the area's tourism potential must be facilitated through the construction of access-paths, parking lots, and appropriate road-signs, which observe and protect the interests and requirements of the environment's values. Eco-tourism centered around migratory bird watching activities can also be development.Designated sections of the river can be developed to serve the needs of pilgrims to the area. The Jordanian Ministry of Tourism has prepared a prefeasibility study on the development of a baptism site near the King Hussein Bridge.

Infrastructure elements include a visitor center and ranger stations along the length of the park. Other inputs include: labor, administration, electronic and video equipment and other materials. It is estimated that the project will cost $1 million dollars, with approximately $250 thousand allocated for investment in physical facilities.

The Dead Sea is a unique lake given its geographical distinction as the lowest point on earth, its mineral composition, seclusion and climatic conditions. The Dead Sea with the surrounding Judean desert is one of the most frequently visited areas in Israel. Surveys conducted by the Israel Ministry of Tourism in Europe and other countries have shown the Dead Sea to be a highly rated destination, sometimes second only to Jerusalem. Tourist attractions in the area include historical sites, health spas, desert sites, and even industrial works. In the coming years, the region is expected to experience large-scale development of accommodation facilities on both the eastern and western sides of the Sea (see section on tourism).

A Master Plan for the East Coast of the Dead Sea has been prepared by the Jordan Valley Authority. In addition to resorts and health spas, a "Dead Sea Panoramic Complex" is being evaluated. The complex will include a panoramic lookout/resthouse and spa, as well as a cable car that would connect the Zara coast with Main Spa. In addition, a Madaba-Dead Sea parkway has been proposed to facilitate tourism traffic to and from the Dead Sea. At the southern end of the Dead Sea, a proposal has been made to upgrade tourist attractions at Karak, including establishment of a stone-paved tourist street, a vistor center and castle observation points. The UK government is sponsoring a project to provide signboards in the castle and city, and USAID plans to implement maintenance work on the Castle and outer city walls.

Comprehensive planning for the Dead Sea region has been incorporated in a tri-lateral scheme between Jordan, Israel and the United States for the development and integration various tourism facilities on and adjacent to both banks of the Sea. Cooperation would take the form of planning, management and promotion of the area and could include setting up transboundary sightseeing in the region. USAID/MERC has pledged $150 thousand for a preliminary feasibility study and $500 thousand for implementing the project. A technical committee was established in March 1996. It was agreed that a common logo for the park will be designed, funded by USAID/MERC.

The shores surrounding the Dead Sea will be interspersed with a collection of various types of spas and health center. A string of sites can be developed along a scenic route encompassing the Dead Sea, each of which is a point of interest. The network will consist of both large-scale attractions, such as visitor centers, and smaller scale attractions such as observation points.

Israel and Jordan have submitted lists of potential sites and attractions to be included in the Lowest Park on Earth project. These sites accent the diverse natural and cultural assets listed above and will provide visitors with a deeper understanding and appreciation of the Dead Sea.

a. Proposed sites on the Western side:

1. The Inn of the Good Samaritan: an old caravansary connected with Christian tradition and entrance to the Lowest Park on Earth from the Jerusalem-Dead Sea road.

2. Qumran : the remains of the ancient Essenian town where the Dead Sea Scrolls were found. This site places special emphasis on the region and the bible, the beginning of Christianity, baptism, monasteries and asceticism in the Judean Desert.

3. Ein Feshkha/Einot Zukim Spring: the site combines freshwater pools with a public beach on the Dead Sea. The freshwater springs attract rich animal life, including large mammals and can be developed for wildlife observation, especially at night.

4. Palestine Exploration Fund (P.E.F.) Point: site marking Dead Sea levels from about a century ago by the P.E.F.. An observation point is planned for this site. The rock is named after the British Research Foundation of Israel. Under the initiative of the fund, in 1900 the researcher McAlister established a line, which served as the reference point to measure the changes in water level.

5. Meitzad Mezin: remains of an ancient fortified harbor and pier are located at the mouth of the Qidron stream. A winding beach along the northern end of the stream facilitates access to the water, without having to wade through mud. The remains of a Roman boat and a single tree are located at this site.

6. Metzokei Dragot: a series and cliffs crossed by the Draga stream and ravine. Metzokei Dragot is easily accessible from the shores of the Dead Sea and currently serves as acenter desert tourism, including hiking and rock climbing. From the paved road ascending to Metzokei Dragot there is a turnoff along a scenic route to an impressive look-out point.

7. Ein Gedi Nature Reserve: an oasis containing waterfalls from the Arugot stream and antiquities. It also serves as an animal and plant sanctuary. The Hamei Mazor area, for example, contains several phenomena unique to the Dead Sea: sulfur springs with the colorful organisms living in them, aragonite crystallization, fossilized wavelets, and the accumulation of halite at the water line.

8. Massada : a mountain-top Herodian fortress, scene of the zealots last stand against the Roman Empire. In addition to the story of Massada, the following discussion themes are relevant: man and desert, refuge and rebellion, Jewish and Roman history, and the myth of heroism. Footpaths should be prepared in the area of the ravines, south of the entrance road to Massada, which will also be suitable for moonlit night walks with suitable illumination.

9. Nahal Boqeq and Meitzad Boqeq: a stream and remnants of an ancient fort. A partially marked path runs along the stream, which flows virtually all year round. The fort, dating back to Hashmonean, Herodian and Roman times, has been excavated but not restored, though the site is illuminated at night.

10. Nahal Zohar and Meitzad Zohar: a stream and remnants of an ancient fort. The fortress from Roman-Byzantine periods, including ruins of water systems has not yet been excavated.

11. The Arubotaim (chimneys) : a cave located on the eastern slope of Mt. Sedom, with two salt "chimneys". The Sedom Mountain houses other caves, tunnels, caverns and salt formations, such as the Sedom Cave and Flour Cave.

12. Dead Sea Works Observation Point: an impressive look-out point over the east canal which brings water from the evaporation ponds to the Dead Sea.

13. Salt Springs in the Sedom Valley: a collection of springs amidst rich vegetation, alongside various archeological ruins.

The following list suggest possible sites for development on the eastern side of the Dead Sea. This list does not represent the list of sites submitted by the Jordanian government within the framework of the Lowest Park on Earth project.

1. Madaba - According to biblical sources, Madaba was the site that Davids forces defeated the Ammonite and Aramean coalition. The Nabateans governed the city during the first century AD and afterwards it became a provincial Roman city and a religious center during the Byzantine era. Madaba is most noted for its mosaic floors from the Byzantine era.

2. Mt. Nebo - located less than 10 kilometers west of Madaba and is reportedly the resting place of Moses. The Syagha monastery at the summit includes Byzantine mosaics.

3. Khirbat el Mukhayyad- Directly east of Mt. Nebo, this town was mentioned in the bible. Tombs in the vicinity date back 2000 years and a small church from the sixth century is carpeted with mosaic scenes.

4. Ain Musa - the site believed by some to be where Moses created a spring by striking a rock. In addition to the rock and spring, two Byzantine churches were discovered at the site. The Church of the Deacon Thomas boasts elaborate mosaic floors.

5. Mukawir - ruins of a Byzantine church. In two small buildings not far from the site, Bani Hamida textiles are made. Bedouin women employ traditional technology to spin wool.

6. Wadi Mujib Nature Reserve- overlooks the Dead Sea and is one of the most impressive scenic sites in Jordan. Development of a nature reserve to extend out to the Dead Sea is proposed as part of the JRV Master Plan. The proposed reserve would include critical sites such as the Mujib delta, the Zara Main gorge and the outfall of the Zara hot springs.

7. Karak- an ancient walled city which reached its height during the Crusader Period located 80 kilometers south of Madaba.

8. Safi - located at the Southeast extremity of the Dead Sea it hosts the Jordanian Potash industry.

9. Deir Ain Abata - believed by some to be the cave where Lots daughters gave birth to Moab and Ammon. The site overlooks the Dead Sea and houses remnants of a Byzantine monastery.

10. Wadi Zarqa Main - hot springs with sulfurous mineral water and waterfall in the northeast region of the Dead Sea.

11. Wadi El Hasa - a deep sided valley that runs southeastward from Safi. West of this wadi there are ruins of a great Nabatean Temple, Khirbet et Tannur (Temple of the Gods). There are also a couple of hot springs nearby at Burbeita and Afras.

12. Dhiban the site where King Meshs fabled capital of Moab is said to have stood. The site dates back 3000 years and includes Roman, Nabatean, Byzantine and Moslem Period relics.

13. El Qasr - remains of a Nabatean temple dating back to the first part of the third century AD.

The Dead Sea region is extremely hot for most hours of the day virtually throughout the year. Visits to the various sites, particularly in late afternoon hours should be permitted, and several sites should be adapted for nighttime activities. This will serve both to reduce the visitor load to the sites during the day and increase recreation possibilities for tourists .

1. Moonlit tours with the aid of limited artificial lighting are possible. Selected sites should be suitably illuminated and fitted with necessary safety measures. Several routes could be opened for night touring. The relative absence of clouds in the region, good weather conditions and relative darkness at night, make the area suitable for astronomic activities on various levels.

2. Cliff illumination - most of the Dead Sea shores are dark at night except for Massada and the mountains opposite the Ein Boqeq hotels. Other sites on both sides of the Sea can be illuminated.

3. Visitor centers and museums could be open at night. Handicraft houses could be opened close to accommodation sites, where visitors will be able to work with and shop for indigenous materials and crafts, such as havar pottery, salt sculpting, stone mosaics, etc.

The Dana Nature Reserve in Jordan and the Nahal Sheizaf and Yahav Nature Reserves in Israel are located in the Wadi Araba/Arava opposite one another with a 12 km strip of land between them. Inclusion of this land corridor to link the two reserves would create a continuous strip of protected land, extending from the mountains in Jordan and including the valley floor in both countries. Beyond the Sheizaf Reserve, linkage to eco-systems of the Mahktesh Ramon and the Sinai Peninsula are possible.

There are currently three possible threats to the environmental integrity of the Dana reserve:

• grazing by Bedouin herds;
• plans to renew copper and manganese mining in the interior of the Reserve;
• plans to construct a dam at Wadi Fidan;

This project is a joint initiative of the Royal Society for the Conservation of Nature in Jordan and Israels Nature Reserve Authority. Its primary objective is to conserve a significant portion of the Arava/Wadi Araba by establishing a bi-national reserve. This reserve would constitute a continuous geographic area spanning both sides of the border. The project involves:

• extending the existing Dana Reserve boundaries down to the borderline;
• incorporating Wadi Feinan in the Dana Reserve area;
• recovering endangered species and reintroducing extinct species to the area;
• developing eco-tourism;
• strengthening bi-national linkages and reserve management.

The main operational inputs and infrastructural needs include:

• Two Jordanian and one Israeli professional staff to administer the Reserves and establish bi-national linkages;
• 20 additional local staff to protect the expanded reserve area, operate visitors centers and provide guided tours;
• 4 four-wheel drive vehicles;
• computer and video equipment;
• construction of tourist facilities and visitor centers in Wadi Feinan and at the border;
• construction of ranger centerin Wadi Feinan and the bottom of the Wadi Araba Valley.
• materials for maintenance, signs, boundary demarcation, fuel, power, etc.;
• facilities to recover and reintroduce endangered species;
• border facilities and arrangements to enable limited cross-border eco-tourism.

The total cost of the project on both the Israeli and Jordanian sides is estimated at $1.9 million as specified in the table below:

Activity	Jordan	Israel
Extension of the Reserve:
Dana western extension	100*	—
Dana southern extension	100	—
Incorporation of Yahav Reserve	—	100
Reserve Management: Additional Costs**	500	50
Species Reintroduction/Recovery	200	150
Tourism/Recreation Development***	500	—
Bi-national Linkages	100	30
Subtotals	1,550	350

* Assumes some costs to be met by the Global Environment Fund, not included.
** For a five-year management program and costs not included in current costs.
*** A joint cost attributed wholly to Jordan to allow donor support.
Source: Based on Harza Group, Integrated Development of the Jordan Rift Valley: Prefeasibility Studies for Selected Projects, August 1997.

b. Rahma-Gharandal Sands Conservation Area

The overall objective of this project is to preserve the only remaining extensive area of sand desert in the Wadi Araba/Arava. The dunes extend 7,500 hectares and drifts between the Wadi Araba Highway and the Israeli-Jordanian border. It involves conservation of biological resources of the Rahma-Gharandal sands and wildlife. While essentially a Jordanian project, the sand reserve in Jordan be extended south to incorporate the largest of the Wadi Araba/Arava sabkhas in both countries and the Hai Bar Wildlife Reserve in Israel. Total investment in this project is estimated at $950 thousand.

Every summer, between August and October, enormous populations of house flies invade the Jordan Valley and the Northern Arava. The northern Dead Sea area also suffers from this problem, despite continual efforts that have been made to control it. A coordinated program of pest control can be launched between Israel and Jordan, to help eradicate this environmental nuisance. This project is a joint endeavor between Israels Ministry of Environment and Jordans Ministry of Agriculture.

In July 1997 the two sides decided to embark on a two-stage joint action program. The first stage will focus on combating development of fly larvae by employing integrated pesticide treatment of manure with IGR and organophosphorous or Pyrethroid. Complementary treatment will aim at decreasing the adult fly population. This will include local pesticide treatment on the walls and foundations surrounding main breeding areas and capturing of adult flies in traps.

The cost of this program for one year has been estimated at between $150 thousand -300 thousand.

This project will establish a comprehensive, computerized land resources and environmental baseline for long term environmental management of the Wadi Araba/Arava. It is a joint initiative between Jordans Ministry of Agriculture and the Planning Department of Israels Ministry of the Environment. The proposed study area occupies approximately 3,800 square kilometers and extends over a distance of 150 km. To date GIS applications in the Wadi Araba/Arava are restricted by the lack data and full scale detailed maps.

Project objectives include:

• to assemble a comprehensive range of environmental field data for the entire Wadi Araba/Arava Valley;
• to initiate comprehensive database management and GIS systems for environmental resources;
• to incorporate GIS and database in environmental planning and management;
• to establish a free exchange of resource data;
• to establish methods of classification and mapping of the key elements of environmental sensitivity;
• to examine options for extending the project to incorporate the entire JRV.

The component parts of this project can be categorized under four main headings:

Soil and land suitability surveys, analysis , correlation and mapping: Three observation points per square kilometer and observations will be recorded in accordance with standard profile database forms based on SCS methodology. Fieldwork will be based on 1992 air photos of the Wadi Araba and soil and land suitability maps will follow existing methodology. Jordanian soil and land suitability mapping will be correlated and coordinated with existing Israeli data.

Additional environmental field survey and data collection: These will include not only land but additional key environmental resource parameters and an analysis of interrelationships between various environmental units and subunits.

Environmental Resources Database/GIS (ERDAG): This component is concerned wit the storing, analyzing, mapping and display of environmental data. A multivariate statistical approach will be used to map the potential distribution of landscape types, based on the field data collected. The model will be elaborated by Jordanian and Israeli scientists based on observations regarding topography, soil parameters, climate, hydrological parameters, land use, vegetation and socio-economic variables. The JRV Environmental Profile included in the JRV Master Plan will be updated accordingly and transformed into a computerized database.

Environmental Sensitivity Analysis: Ecological sensitivity to development of the region will be analyzed and mapped in a manner similar to studies conducted by Israels Society for the Protection of Nature in Eilat. Potential development project alternatives can be graphically presented as overlays on the sensitivity map in order to provide preliminary assessments of potential environmental impacts.

Infrastructure and operation inputs for this project include: foreign consultants as well as Israeli and Jordanian field and support staff; accommodations for foreign and local field staff; vehicle rentals and maintenance; office equipment, maps, satellite imaging and aerial photos; laboratory services, reporting materials, database/GIS inputs, training and participation in seminars.

Cost estimates are outlined in the table below:

Item	Projected Cost
Foreign Consultants	200
Jordanian Staff (professional, support & field)	300
Israeli Staff (professional, support & field)	200
Accommodations (consultants & field)	100
Vehicle hire and maintenance	150
Travel & freight	20
Field equipment/materials	25
Office equipment	25
Maps, air photos & satellite imagery	50
Laboratory	40
Reporting	30
Field allowances	50
ERDAG Establishment	256
Training courses and seminars	100
Miscellaneous & contingencies (10%)	150
Total	1696

Source: Based on Harza Group, Integrated Development of the Jordan Rift Valley: Prefeasibility Studies for Selected Projects, August 1997.

6.6. Dead Sea Special Studies

This project will be comprised of two major studies for the Dead Sea region. The first focuses on the current and anticipated physical and chemical changes in the Dead Sea. The second concentrates on land stability in and around the Dead Sea. The primary objective of the studies is facilitate the evaluation of the Red Sea-Dead Sea Canal and will help resolve uncertainties regarding its environmental impact. They will also benefit the two large chemical concerns, the hotel industry and local farmers.

Objectives of these studies include:

• modeling the development of stratification, changes in water salinity and density over time;
• modeling changes in the rate of evaporation;
• predicting changes in the chemistry of the upper layer during stratification;
• quantifying rate of gypsum formation;
• evaluating the "bleaching effect", its possible duration and impact on evaporation;
• predicting production and distribution of hydrogen sulfide and ammonium in Dead Sea;
• predicting the level and movement of trace metal through chworks processes;
• investigating processes leadingto sink hole formation and identifying likely localties where it will occur.

Collapse of ground, or subsidence, in and around the Dead Sea have been recorded from time to time on both the east and west shores. This phenomenon has been studied in Nahal Zohar, Ein Gedi and the evaporation pond of the Dead Sea Works. In Jordan, subsidence has been noted as far back as the 1960s. During he past few years the number of occurrences at Ghor Hadeitha and the Araba Potash Companys evaporation ponds have increased.

These incidences of subsidence are lineraly ligned and appear to be related to fault lines in Ghor Hadeitha and at the Arab Potash Company works. Collapse structures in Israel are believed to result from "piping", a natural process in which water creates preferential paths within the land by removing fine materials.

Research on this phenomenon has been conducted at the University of Jordan. The proposed study would extend this research with deeper drilling and more comprehensive geological and hydrological studies.

The Dead Sea chemistry and physics study involves four key tasks:

• computer modeling of various phenomena;
• desk studies on the processes of gypsum percipitation, anoxic layer formation, hydrogen sulfide and ammonia production;
• field studies to monitor movement of trace elements through intake brine, cystallization and end-brines;
• final reports analysing each phenomenon and possible interactions between them.

The land stability study will be conducted in tandem in Jordan and Israel. Major tasks include:

• review of professional literature;
• pre-field work analysis using arial photos;
• geolgical mapping to determine active faults;
• core sampling by drilling at 10 sites;
• geophysical surveys;
• synthesis of reports and data from both countries and production of report projecting land collapse occurances with and without the Red Sea Dead Sea Canal.

Estimated project costs are detailed in the table below:

Source: Based on Harza Group, Integrated Development of the Jordan Rift Valley: Prefeasibility Studies for Selected Projects, August 1997.

The Studies would be part of the Master Plan feasibility study for the RSDSC and should be financed accordingly. Alternatively, international funding should be sought.

The Middle East, being located at the intersection of three continents, acts as a giant funnel twice a year, when hundreds of millions of birds migrate back and forth between nesting grounds across Eurasia to wintering sites in Africa. The stork, white pelican, lesser spotted eagle and the Levant sparrowhawk are among the many species traversing the Jordan Rift Valley and the East Mediterranean coastline. Israel is committed to the various international agreements and regulations protecting migrating birds and participates in the internationally-coordinated census of water fowl.

An International Center for the Study of Bird Migration is being established in Israel near Latroun. This Center is helping coordinate the creation of a network of weather and bird radar systems that will be set up at key points throughout the Middle East and will feed information into a central database at the Center. These collaborative efforts will further the understanding of bird migration and enable experts to follow the movement of concentrations of birds in real time and facilitate warning systems of impending "bird strikes" to military and civilian air traffic controllers. In addition, the radar facilities can be used for weather forecasting and for real-time data centers for birdwatchers. Proposed sites for an eight-radar network include locations in or near the Jordan Rift Valley development area: Upper Galilee, Latroun, adjacent to Amman, the Negev Desert, Northern Gulf of Aqaba, Northern Gulf of Suez, Sharm el-Sheikh and Bab el Mandeb in Yemen.

Established and proposed birdwatching stations in Israel include: the Hula Valley Swamp, Kibbutz Kfar Rupin in the Beit Shean Valley, Field Study Center Maagan Michael on the coastal road, Jerusalems Rose Garden near the Knesset, the Ein Gedi Field Study Center at the Dead Sea, the Hatzeva Field Study Center in the northern Arava Valley, the Sde Boqer Desert Field Study Center in the Negev Desert and the International Birdwatching Center in Eilat. A participating station has been set up in the PA at Beit Jallah and an additional station is being planned for Jericho.

The International Center is also coordinating an international educational program, in which school children in Europe, Israel, Jordan, the PA and Egypt track birds migrating between Europe and Africa. The education program not only imparts knowledge on migration, but introduces students to advanced data mining and research methodologies and Internet communications. Fifty Israeli and several Palestinian schools are already participating in the program and The Royal Society for the Conservation of Nature in Jordan is considering involvement in the project through its school programs.

This project was reviewed in the Harza JRV Interim Report to the JRV Steering Committee. The report recommends that the JRV Integrated Development Study should include a component aimed at providing the radar stations at Eilat and Amman, or alternatively on the Jordanian side of the JRV, and promoting the integration of the existing Israeli birdwatching stations as bi-national stations, possibly with the establishment of two similar integrated stations on the Jordanian side to fill the gaps between Eilat/Aqaba and Hazeva, and Beit Shean and Ein Gedi.

These stations would also serve eco-tourism in the region and could be incorporated in other projects such as the bilateral parks envisioned for the Lower Jordan River and the Wadi Araba/Arava.

The cost of the International Center at Latroun is estimated at $8.4 million and the radar network at $35 million.