ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT For ARA MACAO Resort & Marina To be located in: Placencia, Stann Creek District Prepared by: Volume 1 January 2006 Table of Contents 1.0 Project Description & Layout Plan 1-1 1.01 Project Location and Description 1-1 1.02 The Physical Development Plans and the Description of the Facilities. 1-2 1.03 Plan Layout 1-5 1.04 Specifications for the Facilities and Forecast of Activities 1-7 1.05 Phases of Project Implementation 1-7 2.0 The Physical Environment 2-1 2.01 Topography 2-1 2.02 Climate 2-5 2.03 Geology 2-6 2.2 Project Facilities 2-10 3.0 Policy and Legal Administrative Framework 3-1 3.1 Policy 3-1 3.2 Legal Framework 3-2 3.3 Administrative Framework 3-4 3.4 The EIA Process 3-6 3.5 Permits and approvals required by the project 3-7 3.6 International And Regional Environmental Agreements 3-8 4.0 Flora and Fauna 4-1 4.1 Introduction 4-1 4.1.1 Mangrove Swamp 4-1 4.1.2 Freshwater Marsh and Swamps 4-1 4.1.3 Transitional Low Broadleaf Forest 4-1 4.2 Flora Survey 4-2 4.3 Avifaunal Survey 4-6 4.3.1 Results of bird census 4-6 4.4 Species of Key Conservation Concern 4-10 4.4.1 Reptiles 4-10 4.4.1.1 Crocodiles (Family Crocodylidae) 4-10 4.4.1.2 Spiny Tailed Iguana 4-11 4.4.1.3 Boa Constrictor 4-11 4.4.1.4 Mammals 4-11 4.5 Estimated Alteration of Vegetation 4-12 4.6 Impacts and Mitigation Measures 4-12 5.0 Water Resource 5-1 5.1 Occupancy Rate 5-1 5.2 Potable Water Demand 5-1 5.3 Water Source 5-3 5.3.1 Preferred Option 5-3 5.4 Water Supply Description 5-5 5.5 Ground and Surface Waters Analysis 5-5 5.5.1 Water Quality 5-6 5.5.2 Surface Runoff 5-6 ii 5.6 Monitoring Plan 5-11 6.0 Liquid Waste 6-1 6.1 Wastewater Characteristics 6-1 6.2 National Wastewater Standards 6-2 6.3 Wastewater Treatment Options 6-3 6.4 Biologically Engineered Single Sludge Treatment 6-4 6.5 Wastewater System Description 6-5 7.0 Solid Waste Generation and Management 7-1 7.1 Projected Solid Waste Generation 7-1 7.1.1 Volume and Type of Waste 7-1 7.1.2 Waste Production – Placencia & Seine Bight 7-5 7.1.3 Waste Production – Dangriga 7-6 7.1.4 Waste Production - Ara Macao Project 7-7 7.2 Alternatives for Solid Waste Management 7-9 7.3 Solid Waste Management Plan 7-11 7.3.1 Construction Phase 7-11 7.3.2 Post-Construction Period 7-12 7.3.3 Source Reduction. 7-12 7.3.4 Other Waste. 7-12 7.3.5 Residential Subdivision 7-12 7.3.6 Educational Program 7-12 7.3.7 Final Disposal 7-12 7.3.8 Collection Schedule 7-12 7.3.9 Reporting Requirements and Compliance Monitoring 7-12 8.0 Geology and Extraction of Materials 8-1 8.1 Introduction 8-1 8.2 Existing Conditions 8-1 8.3 Soil Investigation 8-4 8.4 Conclusions And Recommendations 8-7 9.0 Road Transportation 9-1 9.1 Existing Condition 9-1 9.2 Drainage Patterns 9-4 9.3 Options For The Provision Of Suitable Roads/Walkways 9-4 9.4 Preferred Road Option 9-4 9.5 Preferred Option For Surface Drainage System 9-4 10.0 Water Transportation 10-1 10.1 Introduction 10-1 10.2 Water Circulation within the Marina 10-1 10.3 Shore Protection 10-1 10.4 Reefs and Channel Breakwaters 10-2 10.5 Dredging Description and Volumes 10-2 10.6 Mitigation Measures In Relation To Dredging and Land Reclamation Activities 10-6 iii 11.0 Disaster Management And Climate Change Issues 11-1 11.1 Introduction 11-1 11.2 Hurricane Management 11-2 11.2.1 Projected Storm Effects 11-2 11.2.2 Hurricane Preparedness Plan 11-4 11.2.2.1 Introduction 11-4 11.2.2.2 Purpose of Plan 11-4 11.2.2.3 Hurricane Warning System 11-4 11.2.2.4 Summary of Hurricane Warnings 11-5 11.2.2.5 Pre-season Preparations 11-5 11.2.2.6 Actions to be taken: 11-6 11.2.2.7 Implementation Plan during Threats 11-6 11.2.2.8 Safety Precautions 11-8 11.3 Vulnerability to Climate Change 11-9 11.4 Fire Prevention Plan 11-10 11.5 Building Codes 11-10 11.6 Fuel Storage And Safety 11-10 12.0 Energy Generation 12-1 12.1 Introduction 12-1 12.2 Secondary Electric Supply 12-2 12.3 Power Transmission Routes 12-5 12.4 Fuel Storage, Transportation, Health & Safety 12-5 13.0 Social Impact Assessment 13-1 13.1 Introduction 13-1 13.2 Regional Demographics / Population 13-1 13.3 Cultural and Historical Resources 13-5 13.4 Social Infrastructure and Services 13-6 13.4.1 Education/Health Services 13-6 13.4.2 Hotels & Accommodation 13-7 13.4.3 Labor and Employment 13-7 13.4.4 Communication and Services 13-8 13.4.5 Roads and Transportation 13-8 13.4.6 Planning 13-8 13.4.7 Protected Areas Management 13-10 13.4.8 The Mesoamerican Biological Corridor 13-10 13.5 Potential Social Impacts From Development 13-11 14.0 Archaeology 14-1 14.1 Introduction 14-1 14.2 Literature Review 14-4 14.3 Archaeological Sites on the Eastern Stann Creek District 14-5 14.4 Methodology Of Reconnaissance And Survey 14-8 14.5 Report On Findings 14-10 14.6 Management Plan To Mitigate Adverse Impacts 14-10 15.0 Tourism Component 15-1 15.1 Projected Number Of Buildings To Be Constructed 15-1 15.2 Technical Justification For Number Of Buildings 15-3 iv 15.3 Project Fresh Water Needs And Proposed Source 15-3 15.4 Solid And Liquid Waste Management Plan – Tourism Sector 15-4 15.5 Energy Source 15-4 16.0 Golf Course Component 16-1 16.1 Layout Of Golf Course 16-1 16.2 Golf Course Construction 16-1 16.3 General Description of Construction of Golf Course 16-5 16.4 Irrigation Needs Of Golf Course 16-7 16.5 Grass Specie Used On Golf Course 16-7 16.5.1 Bermuda Grass 16-8 16.5.2 Grassing Of Golf Course 16-9 16.6 Chemicals Employed In Golf Course 16-9 16.7 Management Mechanisms Adapted To Minimize Impacts To The Environment 16-10 17.0 Subdivision Component 17-1 17.1 Proposed Subdivision Plan 17-1 17.2 Estimated Fresh Water Requirements 17-1 17.3 Waste Management Plan (Solid And Liquid Waste) 17-3 18 .0 Potential Cumulative Impacts 18-1 18.1 Potential Cumulative Impacts 18-1 18.2 Characterize the Extent and Quality of Available 18-2 19.0 Evaluation Of Alternatives 19-1 19.1 Methodology and Approach 19-1 19.1.1 Introduction 19-1 19.1.2 Methods of Analyses 19-2 19.2 Results of the Analyses. 19-2 19.2.1 Alternative A (No-Action Alternative) 19-2 19.2.2 Alternative B (Residential Subdivision) 19-3 19.2.3 Alternative C (High Density Tourism Option) 19-6 19.2.3.1 Existing Conditions 19-6 19.2.3.1.1 Tourism 19-6 19.2.3.1.2 Impacts 19-7 19.2.4 Alternative D (Combination of Tourism & Subdivision) 19-9 19.2.4.1 Justification 19-9 19.2.4.2 Impacts on Land Use 19-9 19.2.4.3 Impacts on Vegetation Cover 19-10 19.2.4.4 Impact on Water Resources 19-10 19.2.4.5 Impact on Birds 19-10 19.2.4.6 Impact on Marine Flora and Fauna 19-10 19.2.4.7 Impact on Local Economy 19-11 19.2.5 Selection Of The Preferred Option 19-14 19.3 Alternatives for Marina Construction 19-15 20.0. Mitigation And Monitoring Plan 20-1 20.1 Environmental Mitigation Plan 20-1 20.2 Social Considerations 20-5 v 20.2.1 Health and Safety 20-5 20.2.2 Housing 20-5 20.2.3 Culture 20-6 20.2.4 Education /Health Services 20-6 20.2.5 Employment 20-7 20.3 Monitoring Programs 20-7 20.3.2 Monitoring of Flora & Fauna 20-7 20.3.1 Description 20-7 20.3.3 Water Quality Monitoring Program 20-8 List of Figures Figure 1.1 General Area of Project Site 1-1 Figure 1.2 Conceptual Ara Macao Condo Designs ….. 1-4 Figure 1.3 Ara Macao Development Phases 1-6 Figure 1.4 Development Zones or phases for the proposed Project 1-8 Figure 2.1 Existing Surface Runoff and Drainage Patterns 2-2 Figure 2.2 Watershed near Project Site 2-3 Figure 2.3 Contour Map of Project Site 2-4 Figure 2.4 Isopleths of Belize 2-5 Figure 2.5 Savannah Mean Monthly Temperatures 1965-2000. 2-6 Figure 2.6 Geological Fault Locations around Project Area 2-8 Figure 2.7 Land Use at Project Area and adjacent properties 2-9 Figure 4.1 Transect lines where vegetation survey was conducted 4-1 Figure 4.2: Vegetation of the development site 4-4 Figure 5.1 Water Distribution Plan 5-4 Figure 5.2 Proposed Water Chlorination System 5-6 Figure 5.3 Wells core section 5-8 Figure 5.4 Surface Water Sampling Points 5-10 Figure 5.4 Ara Macao Surface Water Sampling Points.