Mesa Redonda 1998

A. General
1. Objectives
(a) To establish an administrative/management presence at the EP reserve
(i) to establish an administrative framework for implementation of the Management Plan in Belize and Guatemala
(ii) to establish a coordination mechanism between Belize and Guatemala to implement the Management Plan
2. Options for Management Entity
Belize Guatemala
Department of Archaeology CONAP
NGO (ID)   ?  delegates by Policy
Consortium NGO (ID)
3. Delegation of Authority
Belize Guatemala
By agreement (BAS Model) By Law RBM
 A contract with NGO establish a comité consultivo convene MRIII (?)
4. Non-Delegable Authority
Belize and Guatemala
(a) Enforcement
(b) Research Approvals
(c) Review and Application of Master Plan and Amendments
5. Duration
Belize Guatemala
(a) 5 years (a) 5 years
(b) 2-1/2 year review (BAS Agreement) (b) Annual Operating Plan
(c) Annual Operating Plan
6. Procedure for Plan Approval
Belize (BAS Model) Guatemala (RBM)
NGO Drafts
Dept. of Archaeology
(may require SI) NGO Drafts
CONAP
IDAEH
7. Technical Advisory Team
Description of TAT:
Knowledge of the resources of the EP reserve
Commitment to resource management and conservation
Liaison between management and community
Belize Guatemala
Advisory Team
(a) Composition
Village Council member
AdEP member
EP Program member
DOA member
BTB/BTIA member
EPAR member
Required TAT Meetings
Ad hoc Informal Liaisons Advisory Committee
(a) Composition
Municipality member
Community member
NGO member
IDAEH member
CONAP member
the EP reserve member
Required TAT Meetings
Ad hoc Informal Liaisons
8. Management Entity
Belize and Guatemala
Must consult with the Advisory Team  BUT the recommendations of the Advisory Team are not binding
9. International Coordination (2 levels)
Belize and Guatemala
(a) High
(i) Formal Agreement for cultural exchange
• UNESCO as a facilitator
OR
• Embassies as a facilitator
(b) Low
(i) La Carta de Intención
Belize Guatemala
Forestry CONAP
Depart. of Archaeology IDAEH
10. Responsibilities of Joint Technical Advisory Team(a) Review Progress of the Management and Operating Plan
(b) Develop and implement common standards for management (e.g. research, administration, tourism, community, etc.)
11. General Administration Issues for the EP reserve
(a) Create annual operation plan
(b) Create annual budget
(c) Register visitors and maintain visitor data
(d) Request/acquire necessary material/equipment
(e) Produce list of training needs and implement training program
(f) Manage reserve accounts
(g) Plan/regulate personnel requirements
(h) Explore legal/financial opportunities for long term sustainability of reserve
12. Issues of Concern
(a) Resolution of outstanding land issues (Belize /Guatemala)
(b) Develop education programs for Belize/Guatemala in management of resources at the EP reserve
(c) Utilization of the Reserve as a contiguous park
(d) Identify funding sources and alternative combinations
(i) external sources
(ii) internal sources

B. International Coordination
1. Objectives
To develop appropriate mechanisms to coordinate, manage, research and other activities at El Pilar between Belize and Guatemala
2. Activities
(a) Short Term
(i) informal technical exchange as basis for TAT – plan Mesa Redonda III and other exchanges
(ii) secure a Carta de Intención for general cooperation between the relevant government agencies
CONAP – Department of Forestry
Department of Archaeology – IDAEH
(b) Medium Term
(i) pursuant the Carta de Intención, establish a joint Technical Advisory Team under the jurisdiction of each management entity
(ii) develop and implement joint management strategy
(c) Long Term
(i) formal agreement for cultural exchange (UNESCO, Embassies)
(ii) prepare appropriate delegation agreement and, if necessary, statutory instrument
(iii) promote standing joint Technical Advisory Team for cooperative management at EP

C. Financial
1. Objectives
To develop a sustainable funding basis for the EP reserve (Belize/Guatemala)
2. Activities
(a) Short Term
(i) develop the EP reserve as a eco-tourist destination for immediate community benefits in marketing
(b) Medium Term
(i) accounts for direct economic development, social benefits and environmental conservation
• longer stays in Cayo
• concessions in the EP reserve
• visitor receipts at the EP reserve
• access to community facilities (Be Pukte, stores, restaurants, etc.)
• conservation at the EP reserve
• education in cultural/natural resources
(c) Long Term
(i) evaluate economic and conservation benefits at the local, regional and global levels

D. Facilities Maintenance
1. Objectives
To develop and maintain physical infrastructure within the reserve
2. Activities
(a) Short Term
(i) develop and implement a regular maintenance program for basic trails, informal facilities, improve restrooms
(b) Medium Term
(i) develop and maintain visitor way stations along trails and basic visitor center
(c) Long Term
(i) develop and maintain appropriate developed tourist facilities, bathrooms, visitors' centers with appropriate materials

E. Conflict Management
1. Objective
To be able to manage conflicts within the reserve administration between the reserve and the communities and between the two nations
2. Activity
Create a protocol for conflict resolution

F. Community participation
Formally part of administrative structure for short, medium and long term activities

G. Co-Management issues
Joint Belize/Guatemala or Government/NGO

Index | Introduction | Background | Management Considerations |Management Program
Administration | Implementation Schedule | Budget