ENVIRONMENTAL SITE ASSESSMENT Marion Jones Sports Complex Prepared for United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS) Prepared by Belize Environmental Technologies 2216 Juliet Soberanis Street Belama Phase1 Belize City, Belize Belize City, Belize November 2015 ENVIRONMENTAL SITE ASSESSMENT Marion Jones Sports Complex Prepared for United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS) Prepared by Belize Environmental Technologies 2216 Juliet Soberanis Street Belama Phase1 Belize City, Belize November 2015 Table of Contents 1.0 INTRODUCTION .......................................................................................................................................1 1.1 Purpose ................................................................................................................................................2 1.2 Scope of Services .................................................................................................................................2 2.0 PROPERTY INFORMATION/BACKGROUND ..............................................................................................3 2.1 PROPERTY DESCRIPTION AND ACCESS ................................................................................................3 2.1.1 General Location and Description ................................................................................................3 2.1.2 Project Site Description ................................................................................................................5 2.1.3 Road Access ..................................................................................................................................6 2.2 NEIGHBOURHOOD PROFILE ................................................................................................................9 2.2.1 Property Utilities ..........................................................................................................................9 2.2.2 General Area Use ....................................................................................................................... 10 2.3 PAST TENANTS AND USES OF THE PROPERTY .................................................................................. 10 2.4 ENVIRONMENTAL SETTINGS ............................................................................................................. 10 2.4.1 Temperature .............................................................................................................................. 11 2.4.2 Rainfall ....................................................................................................................................... 11 2.4.3 Natural Hazards -Hurricanes ..................................................................................................... 14 2.4.4 Surface Topography ................................................................................................................... 15 2.4.4 Hydrology and Drains ................................................................................................................. 16 2.4.4 Winds ......................................................................................................................................... 19 3.0 ENVIRONMENTAL POLICIES AND LEGISLATIONS .................................................................................. 20 3.1 Introduction ...................................................................................................................................... 20 3.2 The Environmental Protection Act No. 22/1992 and 328/2003 ...................................................... 20 3.2.1 Environmental Impact Assessment Regulations SI 107/1995 and 24/2007 ............................ 22 3.2.2 Environmental Protection (Effluent Limitation) Regulations (S. I. 94 of 1995) and Amendment S. I. 102 of 2009 ................................................................................................................................. 23 3.2.3 Pollution Regulations SI 56/1996 Rev. Ed. 2003 and Amend. of 2009 S. I. 101 ........................ 25 3.3 Construction Legislation ................................................................................................................... 26 3.3.1 The Belize Building Act No. 7 of 2003 and its 2005 Revision..................................................... 26 3.4 Public Health, Act Chaps. 40 and 40 S Revised Editions 2000 and 2003 .......................................... 27 3.5 Removal of Refuse By-Laws (S.R. and O. No. 39 of 1939) ................................................................ 28 3.6 Privy Accommodation By-Laws (Public Health Act Chapter 40 Rev. Ed. .......................................... 29 2003, The Subsidiary Laws) .................................................................................................................... 29 3.7 Other Pertinent Legislation .............................................................................................................. 29 3.7.1 National Occupational Safety and Health Bill............................................................................ 29 3.7.2 Labour Act Chapter 297 ............................................................................................................. 29 3.8 Licenses and Permits ........................................................................................................................ 30 4.0 GENERAL NATURE AND MAGNITUDE OF ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES ................................................... 30 4.1 Impacts to Biodiversity and Ecology of Area .................................................................................... 30 4.2 Impacts Associated With Water Usage and Wastewater Management .......................................... 31 4.3 Solid Waste Disposal ........................................................................................................................ 31 4.4 Nature and Magnitude of Social Issues ............................................................................................ 33 4.5 Impacts Associated with Dust and Emissions ................................................................................... 33 4.6 Noise Pollution Impacts .................................................................................................................... 35 4.7 Impact to Storm water/ Surface Drainage ....................................................................................... 36 4.8 Potential Contamination of Soil and Water Resources .................................................................... 36 4.9 Potential Heritage Implications ........................................................................................................ 37 4.10 Potential Desplacement by Land Acquisition ................................................................................. 37 4.11 Potential Impact to Ozone layer and Climate Change ................................................................... 37 5.0 ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT PLAN / MITIGATION PLAN ............................................................ 37 5.1 Introduction ...................................................................................................................................... 37 5.2 Impact Mitigation Measures ............................................................................................................ 38 5.3 Monitoring Of Environmental Management Plan ............................................................................ 42 5.3.1 Reporting Requirements ........................................................................................................... 42 1.0 INTRODUCTION The United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS) has engaged Belize Environmental Technologies (BET) to provide environmental impact screening (EIS) services in order to identify and briefly analyze the potential environmental impacts associated with the construction of a volleyball/basketball facility and a public parking area within the Marion Jones Sports Complex located in Belize City. The specific project site lies to the north and adjacent to the new Marion Jones Grand Stand Facility and occupying an area of approximately 2.5 acres (see Figure 1.1) and is subsequently referred to in this report as "the project site". This assessment was prepared in accordance with the Terms of Reference (TOR) for the provision of environmental impact screening services. Figure 1.1: Site Plan showing the “project site” 1 1.1 Purpose The purpose of the EIS report is to identify and briefly analyze the potential environmental impacts associated with the proposed facility that is to be constructed on a partially filled area north of and adjacent to the new Marion Jones Grand Stand Facility. In accordance with the TOR, the EIS Report has as its specific objectives the following: • Brief characterization of the site; • Brief identification of potential impacts caused by the project and proposed mitigation measures; • Ensure the conformity of the project with the relevant rules and regulations in Belize and specifically the Environmental Protection Act; • Complete the Environmental Check list; • Produce the environmental management plan that will need to be followed by the contractor in charge of the construction of the building (such document will be included in the contract with the contractor); • Produce the project proposal to obtain the environmental clearance from the Department of Environment