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Chrysalis Resort


An EIA has now been submitted for this project and is available at http://www.doe.gov.bz/EIAs.html

Report on DOE's Public Consultation on proposed Chrysalis Resort


In the Caribbean region, the influence of coral reef habitats adjacent to mangrove lagoons and seagrass beds is reflected by greater fish species richness. The exclusive occurrence of several primary coral reef fish species constitutes an additional factor influencing the structure of nearshore fish assemblages of tropical lagoons (see Robblee and Zieman 1984; Gladfelter and Gladfelter 1978; and Nagelkerken et al 2000).  Final Report F-7: Nearshore Habitats as Nursery Grounds for Recreationally Important Fishes, St. Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands. October 1, 2000 to September 30, 2001

The proposed Chrysalis Resort, if approved, will be located in just such at an area at Big and Little Channel Cayes in the Southwater Marine Reserve, with a very rich diversity of marine life - fin fish, including permit (local flyfishing guides call this area "permit heaven") and tarpon, corals, mangroves and sea grass beds. 

However, the Belize Department of the Environment has not required the developers, Amy L. Rutherford and L. Thayce Henderson of Missouri, to complete a full Environmental Impact Assessment, including meaningful notice and consultation with the public as mandated by Schedule I, Section 8(h) of the Belize EIA regulations.

Instead, DOE allowed the developers to submit a Limited Level Environmental Study in lieu of an EIA.  Further, a public consultation in Placencia Village was held, but with only 2 days' notice and publication of notice in one political newspaper, and none of the independent newspapers.  Note:  DOE is now requiring a full EIA for the proposed Chrysalis Development in accordance with Belize law.  (Change noted on the DOE Website week of 22 March 2009 - http://www.doe.gov.bz/EIAs.html)
Clearly, there's something to hide.  Perhaps it's the coral reef on which the islands sit.  Perhaps it's the destruction of mangroves and seagrass.  Perhaps it's the destruction of one of the prime permit fishing grounds in the entire country.  (The LLES completely fails to even acknowledge the existence of Blue Horizon Lodge, Whipray Caye Lodge and Tarpon Caye Lodge, three of Belize's top fishing lodges, or Robert's Caye, a small luxury resort operated by Robert's Grove.  All four operations are MUCH closer to the proposed Chrysalis Resort than Blue Marlin Lodge on Southwater Caye, the only tourist facility mentioned as being "near" the Chrysalis area.  And, Southwater is about 7 miles away, while Blue Horizon, Whipray, Tarpon Caye and Robert's Caye are 1 to 3 miles from Big and Little Channel Cayes.)

Perhaps all of the above?

PCSD has written a letter to DOE and Fisheries, which was also printed in one of the two independent newspapers, The Reporter, calling for DOE to follow the law and require an EIA and meaningful notice and public consultation.  We have also appealed to the Association of Protected Areas Management Organizations (APAMO) and the Belize Association of Conservation NGOs (BACONGO) to put pressure on DOE to comply with the law.

This proposed resort includes:
  • Three 1-bedroom cabanas of 2,360 square feet each
  • Two over-the-water 1-bedroom cabanas of 2,360 square feet each
  • Two 2-bedroom cabanas of 3,430 square feet each
  • One 4-bedroom owner's house of 7,425 square feet
  • Two 2-bedroom staff quarters of 1,031 square feet each
  • One 3-bedroom staff quarters of 1,201 square feet
  • Nine 4-bedroom staff quarters of 966 square feet each
  • One lodge building (kitchen, dining room, bar, restaurant, storage)
  • One reception pavilion of 1,856 square feet
  • One 164 foot long arrival and marina pier
  • One 100 foot long service pier
  • Helipad
  • Boardwalk
  • Dredging of 32,394.67 cubic yards
  • 50,000 gallon water reservoir for rain water
  • 2500-5000 gallon water desalinization plant
  • Artificial beaches
EIA consultant, Pepe Garcia, principal of Tunich Nah Consultants and Engineering.
 Permit fishing flats at Big and Little Channel Cayes are some of the most productive flats in southern Belize.  Bonefish, tarpon, lobster, sea turtles and a wide variety of juvenile fish also inhabit this area.
Fly fishing mangroves in Big and Little Channel Cayes.
   
 

Healthy mangroves adjacent to healthy coral bed.


Fly fishing guides discuss Channel Cayes marine environment.

Healthy Sea Grass and Corals at Site

 
 
 
 

Attachments (20)

  • Channel Caye Site Visit (Carne report).pdf - on Mar 29, 2009 4:24 PM by mtoy@destinationsbelize.com (version 1)
    126k View Download
  • Chrysalis Executive Summary.pdf - on Mar 15, 2009 2:15 PM by mtoy@destinationsbelize.com (version 1)
    13k View Download
  • Chrysalis LLES- Annex I - Terms of Reference.pdf - on Mar 15, 2009 2:51 PM by mtoy@destinationsbelize.com (version 1)
    30k View Download
  • Chrysalis LLES - Annex II - EIA Preparers.pdf - on Mar 15, 2009 2:51 PM by mtoy@destinationsbelize.com (version 1)
    4k View Download
  • Chrysalis LLES - Annex III - Lease with Option to Purchase.pdf - on Mar 15, 2009 2:51 PM by mtoy@destinationsbelize.com (version 1)
    209k View Download
  • Chrysalis LLES - Annex IV - Water Quality.pdf - on Mar 15, 2009 2:51 PM by mtoy@destinationsbelize.com (version 1)
    2k View Download
  • Chrysalis LLES - Annex IX - BESST Treatment Plant.pdf - on Mar 15, 2009 2:53 PM by mtoy@destinationsbelize.com (version 1)
    961k View Download
  • Chrysalis LLES - Annex V - CUBiCsce.pdf - on Mar 15, 2009 2:52 PM by mtoy@destinationsbelize.com (version 1)
    38k View Download
  • Chrysalis LLES - Annex VI CUBiCwce.pdf - on Mar 15, 2009 2:52 PM by mtoy@destinationsbelize.com (version 1)
    56k View Download
  • Chrysalis LLES - Section Five - Environmental Impact Analysis - Chrysalis.pdf - on Mar 15, 2009 2:50 PM by mtoy@destinationsbelize.com (version 1)
    100k View Download
  • Chrysalis LLES - Section Six - EMS - Chrysalis.pdf - on Mar 15, 2009 2:50 PM by mtoy@destinationsbelize.com (version 1)
    149k View Download
  • Chrysalis LLES - Section Three - Support Services for Exquisite.pdf - on Mar 15, 2009 2:49 PM by mtoy@destinationsbelize.com (version 1)
    1164k View Download
  • Chrysalis LLES Annex VII - Soil Investigation Report.pdf - on Mar 15, 2009 2:52 PM by mtoy@destinationsbelize.com (version 1)
    188k View Download
  • Chrysalis LLES Annex VIII - Biodiversity Survey.pdf - on Mar 15, 2009 2:52 PM by mtoy@destinationsbelize.com (version 1)
    1k View Download
  • Chrysalis LLES Annex X - Earth Tub Composting Technology.pdf - on Mar 15, 2009 2:54 PM by mtoy@destinationsbelize.com (version 1)
    64k View Download
  • Chrysalis LLES Section Four - Development Alternatives - Chrysalis.pdf - on Mar 15, 2009 2:50 PM by mtoy@destinationsbelize.com (version 1)
    28k View Download
  • Chrysalis LLES Section One - Project Description -Chrysalis.pdf - on Mar 15, 2009 2:36 PM by mtoy@destinationsbelize.com (version 1)
    921k View Download
  • Chrysalis LLES Section Two - Project Environment -Chrysalis.pdf - on Mar 15, 2009 2:47 PM by mtoy@destinationsbelize.com (version 1)
    6180k View Download
  • Chrysalis TABLE OF CONTENTS 2.pdf - on Mar 15, 2009 2:15 PM by mtoy@destinationsbelize.com (version 1)
    52k View Download
  • EIA mandated - letter to DOE and Fisheries.docx - on Mar 15, 2009 2:54 PM by mtoy@destinationsbelize.com (version 1)
    33k Download