5 BASELINE ENVIRONMENT

Drawings relevant to this section are as follows:  Topographic Plan including Tree Survey  Location Plan

5.1 DESCRIPTION OF PROJECT SITE AND PROJECT AREA

5.1.1 Project Site

The site is freehold land located at Tamarin on the Western coast of in the District of Black River. As per the Black River Outline Scheme, the site is located within settlement boundary and the South West Tourism Zone that extends from Flic en Flac/Wolmar to Le Morne Peninsula.

The Project site is generally bounded as follows:  towards the east by the existing Tamarina Beach Club Hotel  towards the south by the line of High Water Mark  towards the west and the north by Domaine de Wolmar

The coastal frontage, approximately 80 m long, is found, between the following coordinates:  Latitude 20°19’17.20”S and longitude 57°22’41.66”E north site  Latitude 20°19’14.95”S and longitude 57°20’40.18”E south of site

The site extent is of 36,938.84m2 excised from all that remains of 900A (Domaine Wolmar) belonging to Medine Ltd as per title deed T.V 555 No 31, 3nt (Refer to Appendix A for Land Survey plan and Title Deed).

Medine Ltd has confirmed in writing that it has duly authorised its subsidiary, Tamarina Beach Club Hotel Ltd, to proceed with the construction of an extension to its existing 50-room hotel on the aforesaid plot of land (Refer to Appendix A for letter of authorisation).

The portion under development for the hotel extension is limited to the coastal frontage and of approximate rectangular shape 65m coastal frontage x 50m inland.

Figure 5-1 below show the existing hotel blending in the vegetation and to its left the site earmarked for the proposed hotel extension with a rocky shore.

Extension of Tamarina Beach Club Hotel at Tamarin 5-1 September 2014

Existing Hotel Hotel extension

Figure 5-1: Aerial view of Existing Hotel and site for Extension to the left

The site is currently undeveloped and with alien vegetation cover (refer section 5.3 Terrestrial Biodiversity) There is no natural surface water feature on site (refer section 5.2.3 Site Hydrogeology and Hydrology)

There is currently no building on site; no services and infrastructure serving the site. There is however an overhead CEB line that shall be relocated along the site boundary, with CEB approval.

Pictures of site are shown in Appendix E and forms part of the EIA report.

5.1.2 The Project Area

There is no agreed figures on the extent of a Project Area. It is however commonly considered in Environmental Impact Assessment studies as being land comprised within 1,000 m radius from site; the “Project area” is shown on the Location Plan attached.

The Area of Environmental Influence for such type of development, i.e. low density hotel development with associated infrastructure and services, is however much smaller than the project area and can be reduced to 500 m from site boundary; the “Area of Environmental Influence” is shown on the Location Plan attached.

The Area of Environmental Influence includes the following main man-made features:  To the east, Tamarina Beach Club Hotel and further east (and north east) Tamarina Golf Estate  To the west and north, Domaine de Wolmar, being former grazing grounds

The Area of Environmental Influence includes the following main natural features:  To the south west, the line of high water mark. It should be noted that there is no reef opposite the site, thus no lagoon.

Extension of Tamarina Beach Club Hotel at Tamarin 5-2 September 2014

5.1.3 Site Topography

As shown on the topographic plan attached, the site slopes in a general north-east to south-west direction and towards the sea.

The blocks located at the rear of the portion of land to be developed for the hotel extension are generally found on contour 6.5m; the blocks located at the front are generally found on contour 4.5m; both are distant of about 35m. The slope is thus generally in the range of 5-6%.

5.2 GEO-DATA

5.2.1 Site Geology

The geology of Mauritius is dominated mostly by deposits of basaltic lavas following volcanic activities which occurred during two distinct periods. The general series of basaltic rocks are as described in the Table 5-1 below.

LAVA SERIES AGE (MILLION YEARS BC.) Younger Volcanic Series Late Lavas 0.025 to 0.2 Intermediate Lavas 0.5 to 0.7 Early Lavas 1.7 to 3.5 Older Volcanic Series 6.8 to 7.8

Table 5-1: Volcanic Series

From the “Land Resource and Suitability Map, FAO/MSIRI”, extract of which is reproduced in figure 5-2 below, the project area lies within the northern and western intermediate lava plains and slopes (index 2.4).

2.4

site

Figure 5-2: Geological Map - Land Resource and Suitability Map

According to the 1:50,000 Geological Map of Mauritius, the site is underlain by fresh basalt of the Younger Volcanic Series that are characterised by uniform doleritic facies. These lavas are light greyish in colour and show many phenocrysts (large crystal surrounded by a finer-grained matrix in an igneous rock) of olivine scattered in the doleritic network of feldspars and pyroxenes (silicate

Extension of Tamarina Beach Club Hotel at Tamarin 5-3 September 2014

minerals). They are often porous and vesicular and show many cracks and fissures, but they are also sometimes compact. Scoriaceous textures are common, mainly at the upper and lower parts of the flows. Weathering is in general not important and is very often in concentric beds production onion-type alteration structures. According to the Soil Map of Mauritius, the natural strata consists of Grey Hydromorphic Soils. These soils have developed below the 1,250mm isohyet. The typical profile consists of a greyish cast A horizon over a B horizon showing grey, yellow or brown mottlings.

5.2.2 Site Geotechnical Conditions

The following description is extracted from the Geotechnical Report issued by Water Research Co Ltd (refer Appendix F)

The depth and thickness of the various strata observed in the Trial Pits are shown in the logs and are summarised in Table 5-2.

Trial Excavation Elevation Groundwater STRATA (m) Pit Depth (m) Depth Topsoil Completely Moderately (m) (m) weathered Basalt weathered basalt TP1 2.75 6.50 2.5 0.00-0.030 0.30-2.75 -- TP2 2.75 4.25 2.75 0.00-0.035 0.35-1.70 1.70-2.75 TP3 1.95 3.50 -- 0.00-0.030 -- 0.30-1.95

Table 5-2: Summary of Geotechnical Data

The following sections summarise the descriptions for each of the encountered strata.

1. Topsoil. Topsoil was encountered for all Trial Pits from the surface in an average thickness of 0.30m and was generally described as soft dark brown to black very gravelly low plasticity sandy Silt with frequent roots and sub rounded cobbles and boulders.

2. Weathered Basalt – Clay. Completely Weathered Basalt (CWB) was encountered at TPs 1 and 2 underlying the Topsoil. The stratum was generally described as firm light greenish brown with white deposits very gravelly high plasticity silty Clay with frequent sub rounded cobbles and boulders

3. Weathered Basalt – Rock. Moderately Weathered Basalt (MWB) was encountered at TPs 2 and 3 underlying the Completely Weathered Basalt layer or the topsoil and extending to a minimum depth of 2.75m. Thickness of this stratum ranges between 1.0m to 1.5m. The MWB was described as moderately weak to moderately strong creamish grey with orange and black discolorations vesicular very closely jointed. The thickness of the weathered rock varied between 1.05m to 1.65m and it extended to the maximum explored depth of 2.75m.

4. Groundwater. Groundwater was encountered at trial pits TP 1 and 2 only. Groundwater observations were carried out for 48hrs and not fluctuations in the groundwater level were observed.

Extension of Tamarina Beach Club Hotel at Tamarin 5-4 September 2014

5.2.3 Site Hydrogeology and Hydrology

(i) Site Hydrogeology

The hydrogeology of a site pertains to the underground water features of this site. The site lies within the aquifer of Curepipe/Vacoas/Flic-en-Flac commonly known as the Curepipe aquifer, and more precisely in the coastal reservoir of Flic en Flac – Tamarin. This aquifer comprises: 1. The western part of the intracalderic groundwater reservoir centred on Arnaud-Curepipe point; 2. The median reservoir of Palma – Beaux Songes, limited to the south by Montagne du Rempart/Trois Mamelles and to the north by Montagne St Pierre/Corps de Garde/ridge of Candos; 3. The coastal reservoir of Flic en Flac – Tamarin.

It is a multi-layer aquifer constituted by the superposition and the juxtaposition of basaltic flows, healthy or more or less weathered, separated by clayish facies. The superficial part of the underground water reservoir flows generally through a unit of healthy basaltic flow (recent basalts and /or intermediate basalts). It has a hydraulic behaviour characterised by a high piezometric gradient (3.2% at Vacoas). The hydrogeological characteristics of the intermediate series (multi-layered aquifers) are very interesting, and the piling of basaltic flows within these series have provided important yields of the order of 300m3/hour.

6.2.3.2 Site Hydrology

The hydrology of a site pertains to the surface water features of this site.

There are no natural water courses on site. There is no man made irrigation drain on site.

According the 1:25000 Map of Mauritius, extract of which is shown in Figure 5-3 below, there is one man made irrigation drain that flows from an upper reservoir down to the sea. This drain is located within the footprint of the existing hotel and more precisely located between the hotel rooms and the restaurant (former beach club).

Figure 5-3: Irrigation Drain - 1:25000 Map of Mauritius

As per the Hydrology Data Book (2000 – 2005) the proposed site is located within the minor catchment TU of an extent of 36 km², as indicated in Figure 5-4 below. The main surrounding catchments are catchments S, T and U which are described below.

Extension of Tamarina Beach Club Hotel at Tamarin 5-5 September 2014

Drainage area (S), River Tamarin falls into two parts. The upper part lies in the south of the central plateau, a saucer like area of younger lavas, partly closed by basement rocks which have a very steep west-ward face. This upper catchment has a high rainfall and there are numerous marshy depressions, three of which have been enclosed to form the reservoirs at Mare aux Vacoas, Mare Longue and Tamarin falls. Water is released from Mare Longue into Tamarind Falls and is used to generate hydro power before its release into River Tamarin at Magenta. Most of the water is then diverted into the irrigation systems, the largest of which is Magenta. The lower part of drainage area (S) consists of the deep Tamarin Gorge which opens on to a narrow, irregular shaped coastal plain. The drainage area of River du Rempart West (T) is similar to area (S) but the saucer rim enclosing the upper catchment is lower. This has resulted in an overflow of late lavas through a depression between the Du Rempart and St. Pierre mountains. Thus, in addition to surface flow in River du Rempart there is a considerable groundwater flow through the aquifer. This aquifer known as the Curepipe aquifer which emerges from the southwest part of the central plateau to the coastal plain is one of the most productive of the island. Some of this groundwater emerges as springs at levels of 275-300 m, for example at Bassin in area (TU) while a large volume flows to the coastal plain producing springs in the Flic-en-Flac – Medine area (TU) and (U). Marine springs occur a few feet from the shore at Dileau Bouilli near Flic-en-Flac. The ground water from the Pierrefonds tunnel, which is found between the St Pierre and the Corps de Garde Mountains, is used for domestic purposes in the region of Petite Riviere and part of Port Louis. La Ferme Reservoir (capacity 11.52 Mm3) was constructed on the upper reaches of River Belle Isle (U) and receives water from both Trianon Grosses Roches Feeder Canal (W) and La Fenetre Feeder Canal from River du Rempart and River Papayes (T).

Figure 5-4: Western Drainage Area

5.3 TERRESTRIAL BIODIVERSITY

An ecological and botanical study of the site has been commissioned for EIA purposes. The complete Ecological Survey Report is attached at Appendix G and forms part of the EIA report. Extracts of this report are presented hereafter.

The clusters of vegetation as well as individual trees that have been geo-referenced are shown on the Topographic plan attached.

Extension of Tamarina Beach Club Hotel at Tamarin 5-6 September 2014

Flora. The site contains no indigenous or endangered species, no rare flora that are protected by law. The site is not located within an existing or proposed Environmental Sensitive Area, as per the National Development Strategy Plan and Black River Outline Planning Scheme. Fauna. The site hosts two endemic species; one bird and one reptile.

5.3.1 Ecological Description and Flora Survey

Two main ecological zones have been identified and are classified as follows:  Coastal frontage  Inland and former grazing grounds

(i) Frontage vegetation. The frontage flora zone is coastal and dry lowland vegetation even it is considered to be degraded vegetation and most of the trees found are introduced species during colonisation. The main exotic trees are: Terminalia arjuna (badamier de l’Inde), Tamarindus indica (tamarin) and Terminalia catappa (badamier) which can be preserved and incorporated into the landscape. The other invasive species such as Acasia nilotica (piquant loulou), Haematoxylum camechianum (Campeche) and Schinus terebinthifolius (Poivrier marron) are also found on site but without any aesthetic value. Two native common species are recorded along the coastal line; Thespesia populnea (Sainte Marie) and Scaevola taccada (veloutier vert). These are however located off site. Those common native plants will be preserved and maintained.

(ii) Inland and former chasse vegetation The inland zone is dry lowland vegetation even it is highly degraded and invaded by exotic plants species and located at the upper part behind the fenced line. The other exotic trees found on the proposed site; Terminalia arjuna (badamier de l’Inde), Tamarindus indica (tamarin), Pongamia pinnata (la coqueluche), Syzygium cumini (jamblon) and Terminalia catappa (badamier). Some of the potential trees will be preserved and incorporated into the landscape. The invasive species such as Acasia nilotica (piquant loulou), Haematoxylum camechianum (Campeche) and Schinus terebinthifolius (Poivrier marron) which limit the propagation of the flora of environmental value will be removed and replaced by endemic species.

5.3.2 Fauna Survey

Twelve endemic species of land bird have so far escaped extinction. Of these, nine are threatened according to the IUCN Red List (2003). Species recovery programmes have saved three of these species from probable extinction. 24 of the 52 native species of forest vertebrate that were known to have occurred on Mauritius and adjacent islets are now extinct, including the Raphus cucullatus (Dodo), the Lophopsittacus mauritianus (Raven Parrot) and two species of Cylindrapsis spp. (giant tortoise) and the Leiolopis mamauritiana (Giant Skink). Many of the extant species are threatened.

Two endemic species been recorded on site one bird; Zosterops borbonicus mauritianus (The Mascarene Grey White Eye, Oiseau Pic-Pic, Zozo manioc) and one reptile; Phelsuma ornata (Ornate day gecko, Vinson’s gecko). Most of the fauna community are introduced species during colonisation of the island.

Extension of Tamarina Beach Club Hotel at Tamarin 5-7 September 2014

5.4 THE COASTAL FRONTAGE

The coastal frontage is characterised by a rocky shore as shown on figure 5-5 below.

Figure 5-5: Site Coastal Frontage being a Rocky Shore The below statement is extracted from the ecological survey report:

The sea frontage forms a barrier of some 80m long, basically with natural basalt volcanic rocks. This zone has a middle tide zone or called mid-littoral zone. This is a turbulent zone that is covered twice a day. The zone extends from the upper limit of the barnacles to the lower limit of large brown algae; (e.g. Laminariales, Fucoidales). Common organisms are sea-snails, sponges, sea stars, barnacles, mussels, sea palms and crabs.

A rocky shore is an intertidal area that consists of solid rocks. It is often a biologically rich environment and can include many different habitat types like steep rocky cliffs, platforms, rockpools and boulder fields. Because of the continuous action of the tides, it is characterized by erosion features. Together with the wind, sunlight and other physical factors it creates a complex environment. Organisms that live in this area experience daily fluctuations in their environment. For this reason, they must be able to tolerate extreme changes in temperature, salinity, moisture and wave action to survive.

This area of the coast is also characterised by the absence of reef barrier as shown on figure 5-6 below

Extension of Tamarina Beach Club Hotel at Tamarin 5-8 September 2014

Figure 5-6: Aerial View of Tamarin Bay - No Reef Barrier opposite Tamarina Beach Club hotel

5.5 GENERAL CLIMATIC CONDITIONS

Mauritius has a moderate tropical climate characterized by a hot, humid summer between November and April (average mid-day temperature 25°C on the Central Plateau and 30°c on the coast), followed by cooler and drier winter period (19°c and 24°c respectively). Seasonal rainfall patterns are distinct, with about 50% of the annual rainfall (average 1,200 mm) occurring between January and March, and often little or no rainfall during November to December.

5.5.1 Wind Regime

Mauritius is situated in the equator-ward belt of the southern sub-tropical anticyclone system. Atmospheric pressures at the surface increase southward in this belt, creating a gradient, which maintains a general easterly flow.

The prevailing wind pattern in Mauritius is the South Eastern trade winds, as shown on Figure 5-5 below, except for short periods in the summer months when tropical storms approach the island. The trade winds are stronger and more persistent in winter when strong anticyclones pass to the South and close to the island.

Extension of Tamarina Beach Club Hotel at Tamarin 5-9 September 2014

Figure 5-7: Wind Rose for Mauritius

Tamarin is located on the western coastal plains and is not directly under the influence of the prevailing winds.

Mean wind speed for the western region, i.e. MEDINE meteorological station are reported in Table 5-3 below (Mauritius Meteorological Services, 1971-2000)

The wind speed increases in winter with strong south eastern trade winds and anti-cyclones. The highest gust occur during the cyclonic period

Wind variations should cause no effect to and from the proposed project due to the type of activity involved. All buildings in Mauritius are normally designed to withstand gusts up to 280 km/h.

MONTH JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUN JUL AUG SEP OCT NOV DEC Mean Wind 7.6 9.5 7.6 9.5 11.4 15.2 15.2 17.1 15.2 13.3 7.6 7.6 Speed (km/h) Highest Gust 200 256 125 129 90 83 80 83 82 85 87 174 (km/h)

Table 5-3: Mean Wind Speed - MEDINE

5.5.2 Temperatures

Mean maximum and mean Minimum monthly temperatures for the western region, i.e. MEDINE meteorological station are reported in Table 5-4 below (Mauritius Meteorological Services, 1971-2000).

Mean minimum temperatures are recorded during the winter season in July and August. Mean maximum temperatures are recorded during the summer season from December to March.

Seasonal temperature variations should cause no effect to and from the proposed project due to the type of activity involved.

MONTH JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUN JUL AUG SEP OCT NOV DEC Mean Max 30.4 30.3 30.2 29.5 28.1 26.4 25.8 25.9 26.7 27.8 29.1 30.0 Temp (°c) Mean Min 22.5 22.7 22.3 21.3 19.5 17.7 17.0 17.0 17.5 18.6 20.2 21.6 Temp (°c)

Table 5-4: Temperatures Records - MEDINE

Extension of Tamarina Beach Club Hotel at Tamarin 5-10 September 2014

5.5.3 Rainfall Regime

The comparative low annual rainfall for the western region arises from the prevailing pattern of the south eastern trade winds and geology of Mauritius. These winds rise over the island and cause precipitation mainly on the higher Central Plateau and its eastern slopes. When the winds reach the lower regions, and the western coast, they have already dropped most of their moisture.

Average monthly rainfall for the western region, i.e. MEDINE meteorological station are reported in Table 5-5 below (Mauritius Meteorological Services, 1971-2000).

July to October are the driest months with average rainfall below 20mm. December to February are above 100mm monthly rainfall.

Seasonal rain variations should cause no effect to and from the proposed project due to the type of activity subject to land drainage being adequately designed.

MONTH JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUN JUL AUG SEP OCT NOV DEC Average 153.2 181.8 86.2 87.6 42.7 29.0 15.4 14.8 12.5 16.5 25.7 115.6 Rainfall (mm) No. day with 9 10 8 8 5 4 3 3 2 2 3 7 rainfall >1mm No. day with 8 10 6 6 3 2 1 1 1 1 2 5 rainfall >5mm

Table 5-5: Mean Monthly Rainfall - MEDINE

5.5.4 Cyclone and Natural Catastrophes

(a) Cyclone and Sea Level Rise

Mauritius is subjected to seasonal tropical cyclones in the months of December to March/April. Cyclones are characterised by low pressure conditions and high wind systems. From records available at the Mauritius Meteorological Services, over the period 1960-70, 39% of cyclones were classified as “Weak”, 42% as “Moderate” and 19% as “Strong” with gust speeds over 80km/h.

The strongest gusts recorded instrumentally in Mauritius have been of 280 kilometres per hour (Feb 1975) and records of gusts of over 250 km per hour have been made in earlier cyclones. The values for 3 second gusts proposed by the Mauritius Meteorological Service in a paper dated May 1994 is as follows:  Return Period of 50 years : 240 km/hr (67 m/s)  Return Period of 100 years : 280 km/hr (76 m/s)

Authorities have recommended the use of a basic wind speed of 280-300 km/hr for recent projects.

Since cyclones Dina in 2001, Mauritius has not been subject to strong cyclones.

Elevations in sea levels caused by cyclones do not exceeded 2.00m, however high wind systems over the sea can contribute to formation of occasional waves exceeding this value.

Extension of Tamarina Beach Club Hotel at Tamarin 5-11 September 2014

Sea level rise associated with climate change have also to be factored in.

In the present project, the hotel rooms located closest to the sea are setback 30m from High Water Mark and located on contours 4.5m. The ground level will be further raised to 5.25m. Accordingly, there should be no flooding effect due to sea level rise.

(b) Natural Catastrophes

Mauritius is not subjected to earthquakes, nor has the island been affected by the Tsunami in December 2004. Elevations in sea levels which have been recorded from North to East of the island have not exceeded 2.00m.

5.6 AIR QUALITY

Existing air quality within the area is expected to reflect its western coastal character free from any atmospheric pollutant. There is little published data on ambient air quality in Mauritius and none in the western coastal area. The data available are extracted from the unpublished report “Environmental Investment Programme of Mauritius, Project No7A” prepared for the , Ministry of Health by the Norwegian Institute for Air Research and I. Kruger Consult AS-COWI Consult. The 1993 study included an air pollution survey that reported urban related levels of particulate matter (PM) from road traffic taken over a two-month period in August- October 1992.The report found that road traffic emissions (notably from old diesel truck and bus fleet) are the dominant source of PM pollution in Mauritius.

Mauritius having a moderate tropical climate with South East trade winds prevailing through most of the year and the site being located on the western coast and with no nearby source of trans-boundary air pollution, the natural background dust level is extremely low. However, burning of sugar cane fields during the harvest season also raises particulate matter of less than 10µm concentrations above 70µg/m3 over a wider area during low wind speeds and poor dispersion.

No specific Ambient Air Monitoring was carried out on site since the proposed project is not likely to influence the ambient air quality in the area.

5.7 NOISE

Noise is probably the most common form of pollution experienced by the majority of the population, and is unfortunately an inevitable by-product of the whole process of industrialisation and urbanisation. Environmental noise exposure limits in Mauritius are set by the Environment Protection (Environmental Standards for Noise) regulations 1997 (GN17/1997). Noise exposure limits for neighbourhood noise in residential areas shall be 60 dB(A) Leq from 07.00 to 18.00 hrs, 55 dB(A) Leq from 18.00 to 21.00 hrs and 50 dB(A) Leq from 21.00 to 07.00 hrs

No specific Ambient Noise Monitoring was carried out on site since the proposed project is not likely to influence the ambient air quality in the area.

Extension of Tamarina Beach Club Hotel at Tamarin 5-12 September 2014

5.8 BUILT ENVIRONMENT

5.8.1 Resident Population at census 2011

According to the Central Statistics Office of the Ministry of Finance and Economic Development (MFED), at the 2011 Census the "de facto" population was 1,237,299 in the Republic of Mauritius. The resident population for the island of Mauritius was 1,196,383 with 42% of the resident population living in urban areas and the balance in rural areas. The resident population in the district of Black River was 76,605 at the census 2011 with 23,157 living in urban areas and 53,448 in rural areas, which represents a ratio of 30-70. The resident population of Black River district increased from 60,587 at census 2000 to 76,605 at census 2011, a net increase of 26%.

The existing settlements and population - as per census 2011 - within the village council areas (VCA) of the project Area of Environmental Influence are provided in table 5-7 below:

Resident population Population density % distribution of (2011 Census) (per km2) population Cascavelle VCA-west 2,479 132.9 0.21 Flic en Flac VCA 2,197 103.5 0.18 Tamarin VCA 3,766 78.7 0.31 TOTAL 8,442 (11%)

Table 5-6: Existing Settlements in the Project Area

The above table shows that only 11% of the resident population of Black River is located within the project area of environmental influence, a rather lowly populated area. As a matter of comparison, Bambous VCA concentrates on its own 20% of the resident population of the district.

5.8.2 Black River Outline Planning Scheme Forecast

Black River District continues to expand and evolve, mainly because of its strategic location on the western fringe of the conurbation- home to some 500,000 . In the north, it acts as a southern commercial, industrial and residential suburb of Greater Port Louis and further south as an attractive residential and tourism location including for second homes in a natural setting. As the fastest growing rural District it is projected that by 2020 there should be a requirement for 10,600 more dwellings to accommodate the population increase and changes in household structure.

5.8.3 Socio-Economic Conditions

According to the Outline Planning Scheme for Black River District Council Area, (September 2011), around 43% (19,400) of the population of Black River District are employed. The unemployment rate (7.9%) is slightly lower than the national average of 8.9% (2000 data) although this does not take account of the more recent closure of the Bel Ombre sugar mill, nor construction and operation jobs connected with the new hotel complex there. Table 5-8 show the distribution of employment (i.e. workplaces) in Black River District by sector and make comparisons to the national and all-District distributions.

Extension of Tamarina Beach Club Hotel at Tamarin 5-13 September 2014

Industrial Sector Black River* Mauritius All Districts

Agric./ For. / Fishing 4,473 22% 11% 19% Mining/ Manufacturing 4,770 23% 30% 31% Construction (incl. EGW) 3,287 16% 10% 10% Trade 582 3% 13% 9% Hotels/ Restaurants 3,841 19% 5% 8% Transport 495 2% 7% 5% Finance/ Business 218 1% 5% 2% Public Admin./ Defence 377 2% 6% 4% Health/ Education 612 3% 8% 8% Other Services 1,694 8% 6% 5% TOTAL 20,350 100% 100% 100%

Table 5-7: Employment Structure, Black River 2000

* The 2000 Census data has been adjusted to allow for changes in District boundaries. This adjustment was considered essential as these changes were equivalent to around 1/3rd of the District’s total employment. Source: Derived from 2000 Census.

The extension of Tamarina Beach Club Hotel will create further direct employment opportunities in the Hotels/ Restaurants sector and indirect employment in other tourism related sectors.

5.9 TRANSPORT, UTILITIES AND INFRASTRUCTURE

The following data has been gathered from the Outline Planning Scheme for Black River District Council Area, (September 2011) and updated as required from desk review of available data.

5.9.1 Transport

Access to and within the District is primarily via the A3 Trunk Road, south from Port Louis and Petite Rivière through a number of ribbon developments and small settlements to Grande Rivière Noire. In the south the only main road (B9) follows the coast and links eastwards to Savanne and Grand Port Districts and the SSR International Airport. The B2 provides the main link to Quatre Bornes and the conurbation from the A3 west of Beaux Songes.

With the exception of peak period congestion on the A3 particularly along the approaches into Port Louis and the main urban area and on the B2 approaching Quatre Bornes other roads are generally adequate with little evident congestion. However traffic and pedestrian safety problems exist on the A3 and B2 given insufficient bus lay bys in the key settlement areas, particularly in parts of Bambous and Petite Rivière and sharing of road space with slow moving agricultural and stone-carrying heavy goods vehicles.

The Road Development Authority (RDA) [has constructed] a new link road between the M1 motorway at Phoenix and Beaux Songes to relieve congestion on the B2 through Quatre Bornes/La Louise/Palma. This road should also significantly improve accessibility between Black River District and the conurbation. Additionally there are a number of tourist roads in the District, including the Flic en Flac Coastal Road and roads within the National Park.

Extension of Tamarina Beach Club Hotel at Tamarin 5-14 September 2014

5.9.2 Utilities and Infrastructure

(i) Water Supply

The majority of the potable water for the District is obtained from ground water sources (around 90%) with the remainder being supplied from the intake on the Grand River North West (GRNW-supplying the north of the District) and from the Mare aux Vacoas reservoir.

There are main pipelines (200mm and above) serving the key settlements of Albion/Belle Vue, Flic en Flac/Wolmar and along the coast through Grande Rivière and Tamarin as far as the Le Morne peninsula. A new pipeline is being constructed from Mare aux Vacoas reservoir to meet the demand from new developments proposed in the Les Salines and Le Morne areas.

Two potential dam sites have been identified in the District; one near Cascavelle (Mon Vallon) and the other on the Grande Rivière Noire. The latter is located in the Black River Gorges National Park and there is little risk of it being affected by upstream development. The former is downstream of Beaux Songes, Palma and Vacoas.

(ii) Electricity Supply

There is one hydro-electric power generation facility in the District, at La Ferme, plus one photovoltaic farm also at la Ferme and one privately operated bagasse fired thermal power station at Médine. There are existing 66kV transmission lines that run along the northern half of the eastern District boundary, connecting Henrietta with the main power stations in Port Louis. The Central Electricity Board (CEB) has also constructed a new 66kV rated transmission line from Henrietta down to Le Morne to connect with another new line that runs from Le Morne through to Combo, thereby providing a primary transmission ring that should ensure that the south west of the District obtains a secure power supply.

(iii) Sewerage System

There are no existing sewerage systems serving any of the urban areas in the District although there is a sewage treatment works at St Martin and another one just outside the northern District boundary at Montagne Jacquot. These works treat sewage collected within Port Louis and the conurbation and discharge primary treated and disinfected effluent to sea; the outfall for the St Martin works being located at Pointe Moyenne.

A recent study (West Coast Sewerage Study) has investigated the provision of sewerage to Flic en Flac, Bambous and Tamarin. Currently all properties other than the main hotels use on-plot sewage disposal facilities, although these are frequently poorly designed, sited and constructed. The study has concluded that the least expensive solution is to pump sewage from the first two of these areas to the St Martin treatment works rather than construct a dedicated treatment facility. There has been reluctance on the part of hotels south of Flic en Flac to connect to a mains sewerage system as they have already invested in their own treatment works and are able to utilise the treated effluent for irrigation purposes.

(iv) Solid Waste

Solid waste in the area is currently disposed of to the Mare Chicose landfill site in Grand Port District. A new solid waste management area has been constructed in the La Chaumière area north of Bambous and to the east of the A3 road. This site clusters the transfer station and a composting plant.

Extension of Tamarina Beach Club Hotel at Tamarin 5-15 September 2014

5.10 CULTURAL AND HISTORICAL HERITAGE

As per the Schedule (section 2) of the National Heritage Fund Act 2003 (Act 40/2003), there are only five monuments in the district of Black River, namely: 1. Batterie de I'Harmonie 2. Colonel Draper Tomb (La Mivoie Cemetery) 3. La Tour Koenig 3A. Le Morne - Added by [GN No. 11 of 2006] 4. Martello Tower (La Preneuse)

None of these monuments are located in the project area of environmental influence.

5.11 SCENIC LANDSCAPE AREAS

Black River District has extensive coastal frontage along the island’s southwest and southern coasts extending from Pointe aux Caves on its northern-western boundary to Beau Champ on the southern coast

The Black River Gorges National Park, proclaimed under the National Parks and Wildlife Act 1993, incorporates most of the Savanne Mountain Ranges and has some of the only primary habitat remaining in Mauritius. The National Park is surrounded by both privately-owned and state Mountain Reserves which are protected under the Forest and Reserves Act. A series of privately owned and state forest lands also form natural buffers to the National Park and Mountain Reserves.

The natural and open character of Scenic Landscape Areas, identified on the Development Management Map of the Outline Planning Scheme for Black River District, should be protected. Agriculture and forestry- related activities should generally be acceptable in these areas. Where proposals for tourism, leisure or recreation, or an integrated resort scheme, settlement extension or new settlement adjoin or form part of a Scenic Landscape Area, such developments may be allowed where they are in accordance with the sequential approach to site identification.

Because of their open natural physical attributes, some areas whilst consisting of vegetation of limited ecological or natural landscape value, provide interest and character to the countryside, coast or within or on the edge of settlements. Whilst such areas are not worthy of protection on ecological grounds alone, nor are they of outstanding natural beauty, they can contribute to the scenic attributes of built-up areas, the open countryside and the coast and are thus worthy of conservation, consistent with the principle of sustainable development. In all cases, proposals for development in or adjoining a Scenic Landscape Area should show how they contribute to maintaining and enhancing the landscape and conform to design guidance.

Extension of Tamarina Beach Club Hotel at Tamarin 5-16 September 2014