posted Jul 31, 2009 8:48 PM by Chris Beaumont
Ambergris Caye Citizens for Sustainable
Development
PRESS RELEASE
Dated 31th July
2009 – for immediate release
Photographs attached
FISHING GUIDES “BROKEN HEARTED” AT
DELIBERATE DESTRUCTION OF FISH HABITAT
Laguna de San Pedro used to
be one of the jewels of Ambergris Caye; a habitat for countless juvenile permit
as well as trophy bonefish. Yes, used to
be, because as of 29th July, this priceless asset has been wantonly
destroyed by dredging. If this was the only laguna being destroyed it would be
unforgivable but its not. A channel is being dredged through all the mangoves
and lagunas from San Pedro town north through 5 miles of pristine fragile
priceless habitats. All for money and all illegally.
Wil Flack,(long time visitor
to San Pedro) and Abner Marin (Tour guide, fly fisherman,) visited the site to
check what was going on, and the photographs they took at the scene reveal
environmental damage on a huge scale.
Says Flack, “The damage to
the ecosystem is devastating. Local
fishing guides routinely take clients to the lagoon which is well know
throughout the world for its wonderful bonefish. Now, all that is gone, and the guides are
broken hearted. We made enquiries, and
found that the San Pedro Town Council approved the operation. Are they entitled to give approval for
environmental vandalism on this scale?
And what possible reason can there be to dredge up this fantastic piece
of water?”
Adds Marin, “One of the
tightest knit global communities is the sport fishing community. News about fishing, good and bad, travels
like wildfire. If anglers get to hear
that one of the top fishing spots on Ambergris has been destroyed by dredging, and
they will, then they will simply go elsewhere for their sport. It’s so hard to make a living from tourism in
these times, why has the San Pedro Town Council set out to make things
worse? Is it for the sake of a few who
want to engage in a get rich quick development?”
The dredging is being carried
out by David Mitchell of Grand Belizean Islands Co Ltd and Sugar Caye
Development, the development already in the news due to being located next to
the sewage ponds of San Pedro. The
dredging is to allow access for his road building machinery to reach the
location of his new East West road 5 miles north of San Pedro town.
Continues Flack, “People are
getting sick and tired of the way that big money from outside Belize seems to call the
shots. When it comes to development, the
environment is the very last thing considered, if it’s considered at all. Fines when they are levied are derisory. Belize is becoming a laughing stock
in the world, its credentials as a country which takes a responsible attitude
to the environment are fast fading, and it’s well known to be regarded as a
soft target by unscrupulous developers who want to make a fast buck and have an
easy ride.”
The ACCSD says that it is not
by any means against development, there are a number developers on the island
that abide by the law and have built quality sustainable developments.
Developers such Dave Mitchell and South Beachs Jeff Pierce believe they are
above the law and can do as they want.
The ACCSD respectfully
request the San Pedro Town council to individually and as a group officially
state their positions on this illegal dredging by Dave Mitchell. This dredging
has written approval by the board and the ACCSD would like the Town Board to explain
why they are engaged in environmental vandalism as the tourism industry on
the island is dependent on a healthy environment and they must protect the livelihoods
of all citizens of Ambergris Caye including the tour guides.
ACCDS has spoken to Craig
Moore of the Geology department and no permit has been issued for this dredging.
Ambergris Caye Citizens for Sustainable Development. website
- www.accsdbelize.com
Embracing development that "meets the needs of the present without
compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs."
…………ends………..
|
posted Jun 11, 2009 1:36 PM by Chris Beaumont
posted Jun 8, 2009 8:01 PM by Chris Beaumont
posted Jun 6, 2009 9:55 PM by Chris Beaumont
posted Jun 5, 2009 8:17 AM by Chris Beaumont
[
updated Jun 5, 2009 10:14 AM
]
Belize Institute of Enviromental Law and Policy (BELPO) have been
instrumental in bringing the plight of the Belize Barrier Reef World
Heritage site to the attention of UNESCO. As far back as November 2004
they had been petitioning for the Barrier reef to be places on the in
Danger list. Their hard work is now paying off.
Thank you BELPO, Candy Gonzalez, Melanie McField, Lisa Carne and all others involved |
posted May 28, 2009 10:08 PM by Chris Beaumont
Crooked Tree is a beautiful island village!
This is a village rich with natural and cultural history.
It’s the only inland island of significance in the country and probably
this entire hemisphere. This is one of the reasons that the
international community was quick to name it a RAMSAR site. But
despite this RAMSAR designation, this land area seems to illustrate that the
“ministah dah Boss” culture is alive and well. The Minister do not
have to adhere to the environmental regulations and after the scare they gave to
SATIM, it seems that every other environmental NGO has gotten “Lock Jaw.”
Everyone is afraid to speak! We all must be reminded that
we must speak out when we witness a wrongdoing or else we will continue to be in
this turmoil that now exists in our country. Let us remember a
wise saying by the Great Phillip Goldson, “The time to save our country is
before we lose it.”
Let me continue by clarifying that I am not against
development; I am against senseless development that can be classified as crimes
against the environment. I love Belize and that’s why I am
speaking out since APAMO has gotten “Lock Jaw.” The road across
the Crooked Tree lagoon can, and should be, classified as a crime against the
environment. We did the exact thing about twenty-five years ago
and we all saw the damage that it caused. Now we are repeating the
same mistake and it seems that we have learned nothing over the years.
We all can remember a time when Crooked Tree had nice
swimming areas with a hard-bottom lagoon ideal for recreation among many other
things. But now these areas have become mud pits. It
used to be fun to swim there but not now! This is because a road
was built across the lagoon and the bridges were not put in place until several
years later. What is amazing is that this is happening again and
the people of the village have said nothing publicly. Many of them
benefit from the tourism dollars and they are standing there watching a minister
killing the goose that’s laying the golden egg yet jaws remain locked.
I fully support the road across the lagoon if it is done
right. This can be done where it is a win-win situation for
everyone. If only the minister would follow the environmental
compliance plan outlined to the Audubon Society and the Minister by the
Department of Environment. It would cost only a few dollars more
to do it properly and we should view this as an investment in protecting our
precious natural resources. But this lack of foresight seems to be
our ministers way of doing things. Sure, the road
project gets done, but at what cost? A magnificent wetland area
will be reduced to an almost lifeless pond. Funny how history has
a way of repeating itself.
Wil Maheia
Leader
Peoples National Party
Res ipsa loquitor, Latin for "the thing speaks for itself," as
these attached pictures and Wil Maheia's statement surely
do.
And,
in addition to the problems Wil identifies in his attached statement, our
Minister, "Clear the Land" Castro, has accomplished the following by building
this road in a way that Wil says is in direct contravention of the environmental
compliance plan for the road:
- Exposed
Crooked Tree and other communities to much greater storm damage by removing the
natural storm protection provided by these wetlands;
- Contaminated the water systems for Crooked Tree and other
communities;
- Destroyed the water system that replenishes the aquifer that provides
water to Crooked Tree;
- Destroyed the habitat of the birds that are the primary reason that
tourists go to Crooked Tree - - thus ruining the tourism industry
there.
Where
WERE the Belize Audubon Society, the Department of the Environment and the
Association of Protected Area Management Organizations? Where were all of
US?
Is it
OK for our government to refuse to obey our laws? Is it OK for the Department
of the Environment to look the other way because this possibly irreversible
damage was done under the direct order of a minister of government?
If
it's ok for the current government to refuse to obey the environmental
compliance plan for the Crooked Tree road, then why wasn't it OK for former
Prime Minister Musa to divert a "few" million dollars from housing to cover the
debt of people providing a hospital? What's the difference? (How much did it
cost to build this road, anyway?)
Is it
OK that the Audubon Society seems to have been co-opted by the government (be it
PUP or UDP) because BAS gets most of its income from the government for
its management of Crooked Tree, Cockscomb and other protected areas? (As is the
case with most of our country's larger NGOs, such as the Southern Environmental
Association (formerly Friends of Nature) and Programme for Belize.)
And if
the Audubon Society and the Association of Protected Areas Management
Organizations have NOT been co-opted, why wasn't a lawsuit filed to obtain an
injunction against the building of this road when it did not include culverts
that may have prevented this environmental disaster and were mandated by the
Environmental Compliance Plan for the road?
These
are our biggest and most well-funded environmental organizations.
If we can't rely on them, who can we rely on? Surely not the
government, as has been amply demonstrated by the Crooked Tree road
disaster.
People
like Candy Gonzalez struggle alone, without funding, to attempt to require the
government and BEL to obey the orders of our Supreme Court. A tiny little
organization like ours has to take on an environmental disaster waiting in the
wings with the building of a marina on the seaside of the Placencia Peninsula; a
fledging organization like ACCSD faces the almost certain destruction of a
natural treasure, Hol Chan, all by itself; one organization, SATIIM, stands
alone wile the Sarstoon-Temash is threatened with seismic testing for the "God"
of oil, while our government refuses to instead invest heavily in the
sustainable power resources that we have in abundance -- wind, sun, bagasse.
Indeed, we all stand silently by while toxic fumes from battery acid,
arsenic in treated wood, cleaning fluids and and other toxic wastes float
out over the air of Belize City from a burning garbage dump, exposing people not
just to immediate respiratory problems but to long term terminal illnesses
including cancer, leukemia and birth defects in future generations -- not to
mention the water holding these toxins after the dump was flooded by NEMO. Our
government assures us that this water did not or will not reach the sea. Is
that true? And, even if it is, how much of the ground water was contaminated by
this toxic waste - water that WILL reach the rivers that provide drinking water
to much of the Belize District, even if it does not reach the
sea.
Is it
ok that DOE will not comply with its own laws regarding protected areas and the
cayes? Is it ok that a well-run and efficient organization is booted out of its
management of a protected area that directly affects the culture and birthright
of the third largest segment of our population?
If
it's not in our own backyard, then it's ok???????
What
is wrong with US, as organizations AND as individual people? Are we afraid?
And if we are afraid, what are we afraid OF? Afraid of losing our lives?
Probably no one is going to take us out and stand us in front of a firing
squad. So, what are our fears? Losing our businesses, our social standing, our
"contacts?" I have to think that none of those things are going to be valuable
to any of us if we lose our drinking water, our reef, our fish, our lobster and
conch, our birds, our jaguars -- and our people to floods and disease -- and
importantly, our personal sense of right and wrong, our ethics, our values --
ourselves.
Isn't
it time for more than a mostly ignored Lamanai Declaration, part deux? We have
power, but we're losing. Why?
Is it
because we're all just concerned with the one little part we have and we're
afraid that we'll lose that if we expand our horizons? What happens if GOB
takes away management of Cockscomb and Crooked Tree from BAS? What happens if
SEA no longer manages Gladden Spit and Laughing Bird? Who will? Who will make
the reports and assume the responsibility that is associated with the funding
agencies that provide so much support to GOB? Can GOB afford to lose these
organizations and their credibility? Can Belize afford to lose what little
remaining credibility it has left with the international tourism
community?
Corny,
but true, we have nothing to fear but fear itself. So, what are going to do?
And if we're going to do anything, we need to do it FAST. And if we're not going
to do anything, then I propose that we all just shut up, take what happens and
hope for mercy when it's time for our judgment day.
Mary
Toy - PCSD
|
posted May 18, 2009 7:00 PM by Chris Beaumont
[
updated May 18, 2009 8:01 PM
]
BTL FIBER OPTIC SUBMARINE CABLE
PROJECT TO AMBERGRIS CAYE
The Government of Belize is committed
to improve the standard of living of the people of Belize. To this end tourism development has been
earmarked as one of the most promising avenues of growth thus increasing the
demand for safe, fast and reliable telecommunication services. As always the more relevant issue is how to
steer this growth in a sustainable direction so that it will do the most good
for all the local and national stakeholders.
The question then becomes whether the approach to the project is
sustainable socially, economically and environmentally and if not how could it
fulfill these higher principles.
The Belize
Telecommunications Limited (BTL) has decided to embark on a venture that will
upgrade and improve a hundred fold the service of telecommunications not only
to the mainland sector of Belize, but also to the island of San Pedro [See Fig
1.0].
The project entails the
installation of a submarine cable from mainland Belize to Ambergris Caye, where
it will be incorporated into the network that presently exists on the island
[See Fig. 1.0]. This upgrade, by virtue
of Fiber Optic Cable (FOC), which is a state of the art tool in
telecommunications, will allow for quicker service time and allow easier access
and download times on the internet, which in the case of San Pedro, is
essential due to its importance to the tourism industry of Belize.
The FOC will run from
Maskall to Bomba, and from Bomba to the coastline overhead on the existing
Belize Electricity Limited (BEL) poles that presently exist [See Fig 1.2]. The FOC will then proceed underground and via
a submarine cable to the island of San Pedro.
Once the submarine cable
reaches land on the island, it will be incorporated into the grid via manholes
that have already been installed throughout the town.
It must be noted that
this project will take place during the dry season, so the there is the
minimization of impacts onto the environment, both land and marine. Additionally, work behind Ambergris Caye will
only be allowed during the coming in of the tide, which will aid in the
transportation of sediment away from the Hol Chan Marine Reserve an up into the
Chetumal Bay.
Presently, BTL has a
national network that traverses the entire country of Belize. This network allows for the fast and easy
access to telecommunications both nationally and internationally.
Additionally, there
already exist three developments that will complement the BTL Submarine
Cable. These are the BEL Power lines
that traverse the same area as will the BTL FOC from Maskall to the coast off
Bomba.
The second is the
existing submarine power cable that presently runs from the coast off Bomba to
the South Beach property on South Ambergris Caye.
The third is the
existing underground network that presently exists on the island, and is
presently being used by BTL in their grid network for the town of San Pedro.
Planned
Development
The proposed project
thus entails the installation of FOC from Maskall in the Belize District to San
Pedro Town [See Fig 1.0]. This venture
will be utilizing the existing infrastructure already in place belonging to
BEL, and then incorporating a submarine section and an existing network that
already exists.
Utilizing the existing
BEL poles to the coast off Bomba, which are a part of the BEL Power II Project,
the FOC will run to the coast, thus avoiding the need clear, trench or install
any new poles on mainland Belize.
Then the second stage is
the laying of a submarine cable from the mainland coast to San Pedro by
trenching in the seabed [See Figs. 1.3 and 1.4].
The third stage is then
the incorporating of the FOC to the existing grid network for the town of San
Pedro.
Due to the different
activities that will be taking place, we have decided for the purpose of the
EIA to break the activities into Three Stages.
Stage 1 thus comprises
of the following:
1. The splicing
of the FOC at Maskall and then land it near to the BEL transmission lines that
run to Bomba.
2. Attaching the
FOC to the poles and running the FOC to Bomba and subsequently to the
coastline.
3. Lower the FOC
from the poles and then dig a trench, within the buffer zone of the
transmission lines (approximately 30ft from the BEL trench), toward the beach.
4. Construct a
beach manhole where the underground FOC will be prepared to start the submarine
phase of the project.
Stage 2 of the project
is the actual trenching of the seabed for the submarine section of the
project. At this juncture, due to the
difference in the area to be utilized, we have broken this stage into two
phases. The first will be from the beach
by Bomba to just off the channel that is utilized by the barges that go to the
marine behind San Pedro Town, and the second is from the outcrop by the channel
to the coast line near the manhole on San Pedro Town.
Phase 1 of Stage 2 thus
comprises of the following:
1.
The trenching of the first ¼ mile of the seabed
utilizing a backhoe on a pontoon due to the depth constraints in the area.
2.
The protecting of the cable by utilizing an
articulated protection pipe that will provide extra protection to the cable
against props or any other threat that may arise from time to time. This could be from exposure of the cable due
to a storm or hurricane.
3.
The trenching of the seabed to a depth of 3 feet
and a width of 1 foot utilizing a jet plough.
At the point where the sea lanes (utilized by the BSI Sugar Barges) will
be crossed, the cable will then again be protected utilizing the articulated
protection pipe to ensure 100% protection of the FOC.
Phase 2 of Stage 2 thus
comprises of the following
1.
The trenching of the sea bed from the point
where the jet plough terminated to the coastline on San Pedro utilizing a
backhoe on a pontoon. This is necessary due
to the fact that there is bedrock [See Fig. *.*] at very shallow levels below
the seabed. This area will thus require
a piece of equipment that will break the bedrock, which happens to be very soft
slate like limestone. At one point,
where the cable will cross the access channel to the Marina behind San Pedro,
the cable will be protected utilizing the articulated ******** up to the point
that the cable comes up on shore at San Pedro.
This is to provide extra protection from vessels utilizing the area,
especially in the San Pedro Lagoon.
Stage 3 of the project
is the spicing of the FOC unto the existing network that exists on San Pedro.
Stage 3 comprises of the
following:
1. Digging of the access area and installing a
manhole.
2. Slicing of the submarine FOC unto the San
Pedro Grid.
3. Ensuring that the FOC is protected from exit
point to manhole
Fig:
1.0: Location Map of Project
Fig 2.0: Transmission
lines from Maskall to coast
Fig 3.0: Proposed
route of the Submarine Cable
Fig 4.0 Final
section of submarine cable, behind San Pedro
We feel that there will be some impacts on the environment
of the entire trench corridor, such as turbidity, loss of minimal sea-grass
habitat and benthic communities, and the interference with boat traffic.
It is however, felt that due to the fact that the same has
been done, and the only adverse effect will be only during the trenching, that
the impacts will be short term.
The route shown was chosen due to the fact that the cable
needs to be protect, especially behind San Pedro, thus the cable will be buried
in bedrock.
When the operation reaches behind the island, activities
will only happen during the incoming tide, so as to avoid the sediment plume to
affect Hol Chan Marine Reserve.
In respect to heavy metals, which may or may not exist in
the fine sediments, we have collected samples and sent them to the U. S. for
analysis. This will determine the extent
of heavy metals in the area and to possible impact it would have on the area.
This project will benefit the town of San Pedro because it will increase the
access to internet, and worldwide communications faster and easier. Real time streaming will then be available
resulting in quicker and up to date information. A simple example would be that San Pedranos
will be able to see the local news on the day that it was aired, and not the
day after.
Considering the increase in tourism for the area, this is a
leg up to the community.
Taking this into consideration, we would therefore
appreciate if you could look at the information and send us your comments on
the project.
1. Do you
for-see any major impacts, and what are they?
2. Do you feel
the project will benefit the area?
3. Do you think
the project will affect the flow of vessels during installation and post installation?
4. Do you feel
that San Pedro needs this project?
|
posted Apr 21, 2009 6:50 PM by Chris Beaumont
[
updated Apr 21, 2009 6:59 PM
]
From: Nadia Bood <nbood@wwfca.org>
To: bzmarsci@ub.edu.bz
Sent: Friday, April 17, 2009 5:29:11 PM
Subject: Mangrove Friendly Shoreline Development Challenge
Dear Colleagues, In recognition of the important ecological and socioeconomic benefits being derived from Belize's mangroves, and the vital need for their conservation, the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) is in the process of sponsoring a 'Mangrove Friendly Shoreline Development Challenge'. The contest is aimed at bringing attention to the fact that not only do mangroves offer physical buffer against storms, erosion, etc., they can offer an added aesthetic value in terms of landscape design. Developers, townships and property owners who have taken steps to conserve mangroves are being invited to enter. Attached is a copy of the contest advertisement. Kindly share with colleagues and friends. Best regards, Nadia -- Nadia D. Bood MAR Reef Scientist/CC Program Officer World Wildlife Fund-Central America 1061 Queen Helmet Street Belize City, Belize.
CA. Tel: ;) (501)223-7680Fax:(501)223-7681 Cell: (501)602-6015Email: nbood@wwfca.org |
posted Mar 31, 2009 11:59 AM by Chris Beaumont
My
name is Karen Villacres. My husband and I have been coming to Ambergris
for over 20 years. We own a parcel of land south of San Pedro. We love
Belize. We have traveled all over the world and I can tell you that
what you have in Belize is really something special. The first time
that I jumped in the water at Hol Chan I said a silent prayer to God
for creating something so magnificent. Every time I visit Belize I
come back feeling like a different person. For a few days after my
return I still see the sea every time I close my eyes. I am writing to
you because I am very concerned about the South Beach Project. I hope
that the Environmental Impact Studies being done concerning the project
are reliable. I say I hope so because I have lived long enough to know
that people are easily corrupt able when money is on the table. Please
do whatever it takes to preserve your gift from God. Incidentally, I
have seen the proposed
structures on line and although beauty is strictly in the eye of the
beholder, I feel compelled to render an opinion. This development
doesn't look like it belongs in Belize, it looks like it belongs in
Miami. It is completely out of character in my opinion. Did anyone or
any body approve the architectural designs? I'm curious. Also,why in
the world would you allow casinos of all things on Ambregris? Has
anyone involved with approving this project ever seen the kind of
clientele that are attracted to casinos? Please understand, my
motivation for speaking out is because as I stated earlier, I (we) love
Belize. We only want the best for what we consider to be a little piece
of Heaven. |
posted Mar 28, 2009 2:26 PM by Chris Beaumont
As you
may know
Earth Hour will be
celebrated TONIGHT, Saturday, March 28 from 8:30 to
9:30 PM. This is an
international event which will be
celebrated world wide. This event is collaborated by WWF which is a
non-profit organization. What we are doing is asking the community, the
schools
and the public to participate by turning off their lights for one hour.
By joining the campaign you will be showing your concern for climate
change. Earth Hour is an awareness campaign based on the responsibility
that
each of us should have with respect to climate change and the personal
actions
that we could take in our homes, environment and work that can help
mitigate
the effects of this catastrophic phenomenon.
We will
be having a
parade starting from Central Park
at 6:30 PM and will end at the Boca Del Rio Area. There, we will be
having
a camp fire and entertainment by the different schools. We will also
have
a small bar selling sodas and beers. There will also be goodies for the
kids. T-shirts will also be on sale too. |
|
