2026 WERI FSM Advisory Council Meeting
NOTICE:
EVENT CANCELLED DUE TO TYPHOON CHAMPI
Due to Typhoon Champi, the FSM Advisory Council Meeting originally scheduled for Wednesday, October 21, 2026 in Pohnpei has been cancelled.
This decision has been made as a precautionary measure to ensure the safety and well-being of participants, particularly those traveling from different islands. Given the adverse weather conditions and travel-related challenges, we believe cancelling the meeting is the most appropriate course of action at this time.
We sincerely apologize for any inconvenience this cancellation may cause, especially those who have already made travel arrangements and preparations to attend.
We greatly appreciate your understanding, cooperation and continued support. We will notify everyone of the new meeting date as soon as it has been confirmed.
Thank you for your patience and understanding.
Guam USA · Federated States of Micronesia (FSM) · Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI)
Wednesday, October 21, 2026
Doors open 8:30 AM
9:00 AM - 1:00 PM
Cliff Rainbow Hotel, Pohnpei
The annual meeting is a forum for discussion of water resources management and development, and exchange of thoughts about solutions to issues relevant to freshwater resources in FSM. The meeting will start with greetings and introduction of participants, the WERI director’s talk about WERI and USGS 104b program, and be followed by presentations on current and completed projects. Round table discussions will be focused on research, education, training needs and outreach activities, and feedback. A questionnaire form will be distributed to collect topics on updated research and training needs in water resources management and development in FSM.
WERI hosts the annual Advisory Council Meetings for the Western Pacific: Guam, FSM, and CNMI. WERI reaches out to water and environmental stakeholders in government agencies, military, and private sectors, as well as anyone who is interested in WERI’s scientific research information. WERI presents its mission and vision, current status, project update, and recently accomplished research work. We provide professional perspectives and scientific information to questions concerning water resources, water quality, climatology, groundwater modeling, and information access/transfer. We also solicit research interests and concerns.
Agenda
- 08:30 AM | Doors Open
- 09:00 AM | Welcoming Remarks & Introduction – Dr. Hiroshan Hettiarachchi, Director, WERI
- 09:10 AM | Remarks from WERI Director – Dr. Hiroshan Hettiarachchi
- 9:15 AM | Overview of WERI, Review of USGS 104B Program, and CFP Schedule
- 09:30 AM | Briefings on Current and Completed Research Activities
- Piggeries and Their Impacts on Water Quality in Pohnpei, FSM
Dr. Yuming Wen, Professor, WERI - Integrated Watershed Management based on Ridge-to-Reef approach for Improving Coastal Water Quality on the Pacific Islands
Dr. Myeong-Ho Yeo, Ms. Annabelle Ludwig, Ms. Adriana Chang, WERI - Drinking Water Quality Status of the FSM Islands
Ms. Claire Marzan, Research Assistant, WERI
- Piggeries and Their Impacts on Water Quality in Pohnpei, FSM
- 10:30 AM | Break
- 10:40 AM | Presentations from FSM
- Yap: Water Quality – Anastasia Perogolo
- Kosrae: Access to Safe Drinking Water in Kosrae Island – Norlin Livaie
- Pohnpei: Water Challenges – Leerenson Airens
- 11:40 AM | Roundtable Discussions
- Update of FSM water resources issues
- Discussion of critical water research, education and training needs
- 12:10 PM | Lunch, Questionnaire Forms