## 2 Utilization of Local Forest Resources toward Reconstruction

A large number of disaster survivors have been forced to seek refuge in temporary housing in the aftermath of the Great East Japan Earthquake. At present, 110,000 people are enduring the inconveniences of refugee-like living conditions in temporary housing. Many of these temporary homes are prefabricated from inorganic materials, such as zinc, iron, and other metals. Living in these homes for long periods of time is unpleasant in terms of livability and comfort. Thus, increasing attention is being paid to the creation of temporary housing made of wood from local lumber.

In Sumita Town, Iwate Prefecture, wood homes made from local lumber have been common since before the earthquake disaster. Approximately 90% of the town's area is forest, which is known for its quality Kesen cedars, and the town itself is known for its long history of Kesen carpentry. Sumita utilizes its wealth of quality forest resources and advanced woodworking technology as a foundation for the development of an integrated supply chain in the town that extends from afforestation to home production. Furthermore, Sumita Town has invested in practices that seek to ensure forest resources are used sustainably. These include utilizing woody biomass resources as wood pellets and boiler fuel, and acquiring certification by the Forest Stewardship Council: Forest Management (FM) Certification, which certifies that appropriate forest management is taking place; and Chain of Custody (CoC) Certification, which certifies that the wood in wood products has come from approved forests.

In order to further expand these practices, Sumita Town has promoted the development of temporary housing that utilizes local lumber. This practice was originally intended as a means of communicating the excellence of Japanese lumber overseas, primarily through its use in international assistance efforts such as Official Development Assistance (ODA).

In the wake of the Great East Japan Earthquake, Sumita Town put this know-how to use. Within only two-and-a-half months after the disaster, they had constructed 93 temporary homes in three complexes within the town using locally sourced lumber. This housing has been used to accommodate disaster survivors from the adjacent cities of Rikuzentakata and Ofunato, among other locations (Photo3-1-1). This proactive effort on the part of a local government impressed many people, prompting them to volunteer to help Sumita Town in its efforts.

Furthermore, Sumita Town's wooden temporary housing is inexpensive thanks to the fact that it is made by local builders using locally sourced lumber. The cost per home, when ancillary work such as septic tanks is included, is around 3.5 million yen; in comparison, the average cost per home for prefabricated housing set up in Iwate Prefecture is 5 million yen. The wood-based construction also has a feel and smell that imparts a sense of warmth and comfort to residents. These selling points—cost, livability, and comfort—have benefited the local community and have also attracted the attention of a great many stakeholders, including local governments.

The people of the local community have come to realize the value of the forest resources where they live. Many people, including volunteers and other local governments, have been impressed by this demonstration of how the town has fully applied its successes, achieved from persistent efforts to rebuild local industries, to the support and care of disaster survivors. This leads to the creation of new interpersonal bonds that make a significant contribution to local revitalization.

This utilization of local natural resources is a good example of how forest resources can be used in working towards the realization of a future sustainable society. It is a model not only for earthquake-affected areas, but also for a great many communities throughout Japan.

Photo 3-1-1 Wooden Temporary Housing in Sumita Town

Temporary Housing Complex (bird's-eye view)

Photos: Sumita Town

Wooden temporary housing provided to disaster survivors (exterior and interior)

Figure 3-1-1 The Potential Renewable Energy in the Tohoku Region

Source: Ministry of the Environment

## 3 Damage and Reconstruction in Natural Parks

## (1) Damage in Natural Parks

During the Great East Japan Earthquake, there was severe damage to public facilities that had been meant to enable visitors to utilize natural parks along the coast, and to organizations operating nature experience programs, such as ecotourism.

The result of an on-site survey of usage facilities associated with park-work facilities connected to Rikachu Kaigan National Park found that 56% had sustained some form of damage (Ministry of the Environment survey, of a total of 121 park-work facilities, as of September 2, 2011). In particular, the survey found that the tsunami had destroyed many of the facilities along the coastline, including camp site, hotels, parking lots, and trails. The sandy shores of bathing beaches had disappeared in some cases, and fissure damage was evident on the Oshika Peninsula (Minami Sanriku Kinkasan Quasi-National Park), which had been close to the earthquake’s epicenter.

The Pacific coastline of the Tohoku region provides various nature programs, such as sightseeing boats and small fishing vessel excursions, sea kayaking, fishing, and history and culture experiences. Of the 213 nature experience programs that were in operation along the coast between Hachinohe City in Aomori Prefecture and Soma City in Fukushima Prefecture, the survey found that, as of August 2011, a total of 100 programs (47%) had been affected

Photo 3-1-2 Devastated Camp Site at Rikuchu Kaigan National Park (Naka-no-Hama (Miyako City, Iwate Prefecture))

(Photograph taken April 7, 2011 by the Ministry of the Environment)

by the earthquake disaster, with 91 programs (43%) listed as “partially or not rehabilitated” (Report on the Current Operational Status of Major Nature Experience Programs on the Sanriku Coast, Ministry of the Environment, 2011).

On the other hand, with the exception of pine forests and some beaches, a great many of the scenic coastal areas that were the reason why the coastal natural parks earned their designations, such as sea cliffs, ria coasts, and unique rock formations, are just as awe-inspiring now as they were prior to the earthquake and tsunami.