EVALUATION REPORT; COSTA RICA PILOT PROJECT FOR NATURAL RESOURCE INVENTORY AND INFORMATION SYSTEM (MORAIN/WAGNER REPORT)

This special evaluation covers the period 1/78-8/79 and is based on a review of documents and interviews with USAID and GOCR project personnel and user agencies. The evaluators were impressed by the detail and comprehensiveness of the work performed, especially as to the extensive documentation available for review. The team"s main conclusions are given in the attached PES (PD-AAF-924-F1). Although the project demonstrated the utility of RS data and techniques for Costa Rica, the team disagrees with several of the conclusions and recommendations of the implementing agency, Research Development Associates (RDA). Specific findings were: (1) The degree of RS utility and the exact GOCR needs for RS data have not been thoroughly investigated. (2) Digital analysis of LANDSAT data is currently infeasible in Costa Rica, nor has the utility of such data to operational programs such as the natural resource inventory been demonstrated. (3) The Instituto Geografico Nacional (IGN) should be given a clear administrative mandate for this inventory, and should set up an office to disseminate RS data to other GOCR agencies and a wide variety of public and private users. (4) The scope and use of resource information need to be more precisely determined before a geo-based information system can be created. (5) The recommended RS training for resource managers and data users should be carried out by Costa Rican professionals. Additional RS research should be directed to local needs. (6) The need for costly color products and the cost of building a color facility should be determined. Only black and white photography should be used until color data can be processed in-country. (7) Close ties should be developed with the international RS community. (8) A.I.D. should continue to support the application of U.S. RS technology in Costa Rica by providing funds to continue the training and inventory processes.