ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT For the Proposed Dolphin Park, Paradise, Hanover Draft Report Prepared for Dolphin Cove Ltd. Environmental Management April 17th 2007 Consultants (Caribbean) Ltd 61 Mansfield Meadows, Ocho Rios St. Ann, Jamaica 876-974-7423 [email protected] ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT FOR THE PROPOSED DOLPHIN PARK AT PARADISE, HANOVER. April 17th 2007. Prepared by Environmental Management Consultants (Caribbean) Ltd. on behalf of Dolphin Cove Ltd. in support of their application for an Environmental Permit under the Natural Resources Conservation Act of Jamaica (1990). No part of this report may be reproduced without the written permission of Dolphin Cove Ltd. Should the document be cited, the formal citation should read: Environmental Management Consultants (Caribbean) Ltd. 2007. Environmental Impact Assessment for the Proposed Dolphin Park at Paradise, Hanover. 1 Table of Contents 1 Preamble ..............................................................................................................................................................1 2 Project Description .............................................................................................................................................3 2.1 Section Overview..........................................................................................................................................3 2.2 Project Overview ..........................................................................................................................................3 2.2.1 Justification ..............................................................................................................................................3 2.2.2 Project Location........................................................................................................................................4 2.2.2.1 Setting & Situation ...........................................................................................................................4 2.2.2.2 Siting criteria....................................................................................................................................4 2.3 Project Footprint & Site Plan.........................................................................................................................6 2.3.1 Site Development.....................................................................................................................................6 2.3.1.1 Coastal Modification, Earthworks & Landscaping............................................................................6 2.3.1.2 Structures ......................................................................................................................................18 2.3.1.3 Operational Phase Footprint..........................................................................................................23 2.3.1.4 Upset Conditions ...........................................................................................................................27 3 Regulatory Framework......................................................................................................................................28 3.1 Section Overview........................................................................................................................................28 3.2 Development & Operational Controls .........................................................................................................28 3.2.1 Development Control..............................................................................................................................28 3.2.1.1 Permitting ......................................................................................................................................28 3.2.1.2 Approvals for Utilities, Civil Works and Infrastructure ....................................................................29 3.2.1.3 Operation of a Restaurant .............................................................................................................30 3.2.2 National Planning Context......................................................................................................................30 3.2.2.1 Physical Planning: Hanover Coast Development Order (1959) .....................................................30 3.2.2.2 National Forest Management and Conservation Plan (2001)........................................................30 3.2.2.3 Tourism Master Plan (2002) ..........................................................................................................31 3.2.2.4 Other Plans....................................................................................................................................31 3.3 Environmental Conservation.......................................................................................................................32 3.3.1.1 Coastal Areas ................................................................................................................................32 3.3.1.2 Water Resources...........................................................................................................................32 3.3.1.3 Heritage Resources.......................................................................................................................33 3.3.1.4 Wetlands, Coral Reefs and Seagrasses........................................................................................33 3.3.1.5 Biodiversity & Capture of Wild Dolphins ........................................................................................34 3.3.1.6 International Trade of Dolphins......................................................................................................36 3.3.1.7 Transportation of Dolphins.............................................................................................................37 3.3.1.8 Husbandry of Dolphins & Public Display .......................................................................................37 3.4 Waste Management....................................................................................................................................40 3.4.1.1 Air Quality......................................................................................................................................40 3.4.1.2 Noise Emissions ............................................................................................................................40 3.4.1.3 Solid Waste Disposal.....................................................................................................................40 3.4.1.4 Pollution Control & Public Health...................................................................................................41 4 Description of the Environment .......................................................................................................................42 4.1 Section Overview........................................................................................................................................42 4.2 Physical Baseline .......................................................................................................................................42 4.2.1 Climate ...................................................................................................................................................42 4.2.1.1 Rainfall ..........................................................................................................................................43 4.2.1.2 Temperature and Humidity ............................................................................................................44 4.2.1.3 Winds ............................................................................................................................................44 4.2.2 Ambient Air & Noise ...............................................................................................................................44 4.2.3 Topography & Drainage .........................................................................................................................45 4.2.4 Geology..................................................................................................................................................48 4.2.5 Soils & Surficial Sediments ....................................................................................................................48 4.2.6 Hydrology ...............................................................................................................................................49 4.2.6.1 Water Management .......................................................................................................................49 4.2.7 Natural Hazards .....................................................................................................................................53 4.2.7.1 Earthquakes ..................................................................................................................................53 4.2.7.2 Hurricanes .....................................................................................................................................54 4.2.7.3 Flooding.........................................................................................................................................57 i 4.2.7.4 Erosion ..........................................................................................................................................58