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<P>Hi all,</P>
<P>I work for a construction company about to commence a project in Palau (Belau) that involves some marine works including excavation and placement of a pipeline. Obviously in an area as unique as Palau, maintaining the exisiting environment during the construction stage is a high priority - not to mention trying to re establish some of the already damaged marine environment ( natural and man ) to allow people to continue enjoying the place.</P>
<P>I have browsed your site to try to find some info on the relocation of coral and would appreciate any advice you may have. </P>
<P>Our pipeline is approx. 300mm dia. and travels from the island to a depth of around 6 metres. This line is to be concealed when completed ie. remove coral heads, excavate trench, install pipe, backfill then replace corals heads previously moved. The exisiting coral heads are around 1 metre dia. with between 80 and 100% cover.</P>
<P>Our target is to mimimise the damage and stress to the relocated coral and to the adjacent coral and marine life. We are also trying to re establish some of the coral that has been damaged by stormwater run off from the island and by damage from anchors and the like. </P>
<P>During the construction stage we will be using a network of floating silt curtains to minimise the potential for damage due to dirty water runoff during rain events - but these will be our backstop - the aim is to limit and contain the dirty water on the island and not have it enter the ocean in the first place!</P>
<P>I would be glad to hear from anyone who has been involved in similar projects or can point me in the right direction to finding the info I need. </P>
<P>Thanks and kind regards.... Garry Kershaw </P>
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