Highway 2000 Phase 1B Sandy Bay to Williamsfield
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Report Public Presentation on the Findings of the Environmental Impact Assessment Highway 2000: Phase 1B Sandy Bay to Williamsfield Km: 33+000 to 71+500 Held on September 29, 2007 at: Golf View Hotel, Manchester and Versalles Hotel, Clarendon Prepared by: ESL MANAGEMENT SOLUTIONS LTD. 20 West Kings House Road Kingston 10 For: TRANSJAMAICAN HIGHWAY LTD. 8 Olivier Road, Kingston 8 October 2007 Public Presentation Report ESL Management Solutions Ltd. Table of Contents 1. Introduction ...............................................................................................................2 2. NEPA Requirements .................................................................................................3 3. Public Notification......................................................................................................3 4. Chairman and Agenda ............................................................................................12 5.0 Attendance..............................................................................................................15 6.0 Presentations ..........................................................................................................27 7.0 Verbatim Reports ....................................................................................................30 7.1 Verbatim Notes from Manchester Meeting..........................................................31 7.2 Verbatim Notes from Clarendon Meeting ............................................................79 Highway 2000: Phase 1B, Sandy Bay to Williamsfield ii Public Presentation Report ESL Management Solutions Ltd. 1.0 Introduction The Highway 2000 Project (H2K) one of the Government of Jamaica’s landmark Millennium Projects began in 2001, when the Prime Minister of Jamaica announced that Bouygues Travaux Publics of France was selected as the preferred Bidder for Phase I of the project. The first phase of the project was the upgrade of the Old Harbour Bypass, followed by the construction of the Kingston to Bushy Park segment, and then the Portmore Causeway segment. TransJamaican Highway Ltd., (TJH) a specially created subsidiary of Bouygues Travaux Publics is the developer responsible for implementation of the project. The alignment for Phase 1B, Sandy Bay to Williamsfield is currently under consideration for an environmental permit. Environmental Solutions Ltd. (ESL) was contracted by TransJamaican Highway Ltd. to carry out an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) as part of the permitting requirements stipulated by the regulatory agency, the National Environment and Planning Agency (NEPA) in respect of the proposed development. As a part of the permitting requirements NEPA requested a public presentation of the findings of the EIA. ESL and TJH decided that two meetings should be held, one in each of the parishes traversed by the alignment. This document is the report on the public presentations of the EIA which were held on Saturday, September 29, 2007 at the Golf View Hotel in Manchester and the Versalles Hotel in Clarendon. The Alignment The alignment begins at the western end of the existing tolled section of Old Harbour Bypass, passing through rolling terrain from KM 34 to KM 44, where the alignment crosses the Rio Minho, parallel to and just of where the existing A2 Road crosses the river. The design speed will be 110 kph. Two Toll Plazas will be constructed, one at May Pen on the ramps of the interchange and one at Four Paths on the main alignment. The alignment continues in a westerly direction and passes just to the south of and parallel to the existing railway line, between KM 51 and KM 57. The alignment continues through hilly terrain and will have a design speed of 90 kph. A vertical gradient of 5.5% is required, between KM 58 and KM 59 to accommodate a change in ground level of almost 100 metres. The existing Melrose Bypass will be incorporated into the new alignment (as this is a contractual agreement with the Government of Jamaica through the Grantor which is the National Roads Operating and Construction Company (NROCC)). The alignment will Highway 2000: Phase 1B, Sandy Bay to Williamsfield 2 Public Presentation Report ESL Management Solutions Ltd. continue as a two lane, dual carriageway with a design speed of 90kph. The alignment will cross the railway line, before joining the existing roundabout at Williamsfield. Twenty-nine (29) crossings have been identified and will be facilitated by overpasses and underpasses. These crossings include gullies, rivers, slip roads, local roads, railway and field connectors. The project is scheduled to be concluded 34 months after the commencement certificate has been issued. The project will be divided into phases that will be defined by the construction requirements. 2.0 NEPA Requirements The Public Presentation of the Findings of the EIA was staged in accordance with the NEPA Guideline for Public Consultations, and with communication to NEPA regarding the list of invitees, requisite notification, and selection of the Chairman. Two meetings were staged, although this was not a specific request of NEPA, in order to facilitate the public participation in both parishes. 3.0 Public Notification Public notification was given through the following means: • Public Notification No. 2 - The Daily Gleaner Saturday, September 8, 2007 The Sunday Gleaner Sunday, September 23, 2007 The Daily Gleaner Wednesday, September 26, 2007 • Flyers - (Distributed to NEPA, NGO’s, GOJ Agencies, Parish Council Offices and Parish Libraries) • Personal Invitations (See invitation list) • Town Crier (On the day of the meeting) Additionally, the notice was posted on NEPA website - www.nepa.gov.jm, and ESL website - www.eslcaribbean.com. Highway 2000: Phase 1B, Sandy Bay to Williamsfield 3 Public Presentation Report ESL Management Solutions Ltd. Figure 3.0 a. Public Notification for The Gleaner, Saturday, September 8, 2007 Highway 2000: Phase 1B, Sandy Bay to Williamsfield 4 Public Presentation Report ESL Management Solutions Ltd. Figure 3.0b - Public Notification - Appeared in the Sunday Gleaner, September 23, 2007, and The Daily Gleaner on September 26, 2007 Highway 2000: Phase 1B, Sandy Bay to Williamsfield 5 Public Presentation Report ESL Management Solutions Ltd. Figure 2.0c: Flyer NOTIFICATION OF PUBLIC PRESENTATION # 2 HIGHWAY 2000 - PHASE 1B - SANDY BAY TO WILLIAMSFIELD There will be a Public Presentation on the findings of the Environmental Impact Assessment for Highway 2000 - Phase 1b - Sandy Bay To Williamsfield. This will be held on September 29, 2007 as follows: Manchester Clarendon Date: September 29, 2007 September 29, 2007 Venue: Golf View Hotel Hotel Versalles Ltd. 51/2 Caledonia Road 42 Longbridge Avenue Mandeville May Pen Time: 12:00 noon - 2:00 p.m. 4:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m. The public is invited to participate in the presentation by way of asking questions relating to the proposed project. A copy of the environmental impact assessment report may be consulted at: 1. Environmental Solutions Ltd., 20 West Kings House Road, Kingston 10, between the hours of 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Mondays to Fridays, or at its website: www.eslcaribbean.com 2. NEPA Document Centre, 11 Caledonia Avenue, Kingston 5, between the hours of 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Mondays to Fridays, or its website: www.nepa.gov.jm 3. Clarendon Parish Library, between the hours of 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Mondays to Fridays and 10.00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. on Saturdays 4. Manchester Parish Library, between the hours of 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Mondays to Fridays and 10.00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. on Saturdays Summary Reports are available for viewing between the hours of 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Mondays to Fridays at: 1. The Clarendon Parish Council Office, Main Street, May Pen, Clarendon 2. The Manchester Parish Council Office, 32 Hargreaves Avenue Mandeville For further information please contact: The Offices of the National Environment & Planning Agency (NEPA) 10 Caledonia Avenue, Kingston 5 or their website: www.nepa.gov.jm Highway 2000: Phase 1B, Sandy Bay to Williamsfield 6 Public Presentation Report ESL Management Solutions Ltd. Figure 3.0d: Sample Letters of Invitation Highway 2000: Phase 1B, Sandy Bay to Williamsfield 7 Public Presentation Report ESL Management Solutions Ltd. Highway 2000: Phase 1B, Sandy Bay to Williamsfield 8 Public Presentation Report ESL Management Solutions Ltd. Figure 3.0e: Invitation List PUBLIC CONSULTATION NO 2 PRESENTATION OF THE FINDINGS OF THE EIA PERSONS TO BE INVITED (Revision 1) Persons showing interest from Public Consultation #1 1. D. Shettlewood, Rock Halt, Osbourne Store, 488-8801 2. Denzil Davidson, Rock Road, 384-6562 3. Chris Lankester, Jamaica Bags Ltd., 817-6003 4. Heather Chambers, Four Paths Drive, 423-7040, [email protected] 5. Lyndon Pinnock, Four Paths Drive, [email protected] 6. Gordon Spence, (Resident) NWA, 343-9212 7. Vernal Burton, NWA 8. Junior Simms, 19 Denbigh Crescent, 389-2284 9. J. Chung, 537-1388 10. Carlton Crooks, 2 Sharp Avenue, 421-8113 11. Michael Douse, Clarendon Park, 962-3336 12. Mr. Atkins, 393-2829 Ministers of Government, Members of Parliament and Mayors Ministers of Government Mike Henry (Transport and Works) Rudyard Spencer (Health and Environment) Members of Parliament - Clarendon Pearnel Charles (North Central) Michael Stern (North West) Rudyard Spencer (South East) Laurie Broderick (North) Noel Arscott (South West) Mike Henry (Central) Clarendon Parish Council Helene Simpson Councilor for Mocho Staphel Thomas, Physical Planner Garfield Thompson,