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POSITION STATEMENT OF BELIZE TOURISM INDUSTRY ASSOCIATION
South Water Caye Marine Reserve and Belize Barrier Reef Reserve System World Heritage Site
(SWCMR & BBRRS WHS) - Chrysalis Resort Project
The Belize Tourism Industry Association hereby expresses its concern in relation to the proposed Chrysalis Resort Project as stated in the EIA, with its current plans for the size, location and potential impact to all tourism partners in the Placencia Peninsula. This location is a much-used area for international fly fishing customers especially seeking some of the best permit flats in the world, and supports natural wildlife nurseries critical for sustainability in those cayes affected by this proposal.
BTIA has always recognized the wisdom of sustainable development and promoted that ethos for the Belizean tourism industry. The BTIA position is that tourism must care for the environment, must provide opportunities for indigenous people to earn income through direct employment of tourism services, and must introduce and implement a policy of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR).
The specific areas of deep concern for the BTIA in relation to this project are the following as detailed by the project’s EIA:
The proposed Chrysalis project sits on top of a coralline atoll or faro which is about 14 3/4 miles northeast of Placencia Village and 10 miles southeast of Riversdale Village as the crow flies. The Belize Barrier Reef which is the country’s single distinguishing and richest naturally productive complex, irreplaceable by anything made by mankind, together with this project location is recognized by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site.
The project is cited for a remote caye location, which is virtually pristine and only accessible by boat at this time. Future plans of the project cite possible development of a helicopter landing strip. The proposed Chrysalis Resort, if approved, will be located in the area at Big and Little Channel Cayes in the South Water Caye Marine Reserve (SWCMR), this marine reserve is one of the seven sites which comprise the Belize Barrier Reef Reserve System World Heritage Site a serial natural heritage site. SWCMR has a very rich diversity of marine life - fin fish, including permit (local fly-fishing guides call this area "permit heaven") and tarpon, corals, mangroves and sea grass beds. The unique natural attributes embody the “outstanding universal value to all humanity” and must be preserved.
The proposed project site will be located on Big Channel Caye and Little Channel Caye which
has a combined area of about 19.7 acres. The project is located on a broad strip of land that
abruptly gets thinner as one heads southwards. The windward and leeward portion of the project site is relatively shallow and enclosed by strips of either coral reef or coralline sand bars. These sand bars are also referred to by the local fishermen as sand flats. It must be noted that this area is a must-stop for local tour guides and anglers and represents thousands of dollars in sport fishing earnings for locals and foreign exchange for Belize.
This proposed resort includes:
Three 1-bedroom cabanas of 2,360 square feet each
Two over-the-water 1-bedroom cabanas of 2,360 square feet each
Two 2-bedroom cabanas of 3,430 square feet each
One 4-bedroom owner's house of 7,425 square feet
Two 2-bedroom staff quarters of 1,031 square feet each
One 3-bedroom staff quarters of 1,201 square feet
Nine 4-bedroom staff quarters of 966 square feet each
One lodge building (kitchen, dining room, bar, restaurant, storage)
One reception pavilion of 1,856 square feet
One 164 foot long arrival and marina pier
One 100 foot long service pier
Helipad
Boardwalk
Dredging of 32,394.67 cubic yards
50,000 gallon water reservoir for rain water
2500-5000 gallon water desalinization plant
Artificial beaches
BTIA concern remains that DOE is currently in the process of determining a policy for overwater structures. Therefore, no over the water structures are to be allowed until these guidelines are completed and mindful that all over the water structures must meet all criteria. Further, the Ministry of Fisheries has recently enacted a statutory instrument zoning SWCMR and all developments must comply.
The Little Channel Caye will support the additional guest buildings. Collectively these units will be able to support 70 persons of which 24 will be guests. Potential impacts relating to the land clearing activities includes the alteration of natural habitat causing a possible reduction in abundance of species known to the area.
BTIA remains concerned that the proposed dredging for access channel may represent potential impact to the nearby World Heritage Site, these may include the coral reef on which the islands sit, possible destruction of mangroves and sea grass and negative impact to one of the prime permit fishing grounds in the entire country.
While BTIA welcomes development that signals employment for locals, we are as well guided by a strong consideration for sustainable development. BTIA insists that tourism projects must respect and consider environmental preservation and protection. Any other would defeat the purpose for employment and industry development. While the proposed Chrysalis development will result in population growth to the area, increased visitation to the site, as well as an increase in temporary and full time labor and economic spinoffs, the negative impacts and threats to the environment and current economic livelihood of locals in the area must as well be equally considered and weighed.
Our concern is especially important considering the recent danger listing cited by UNESCO for Belize’s World Heritage Site, the Belize Barrier Reef. The Government of Belize had recently responded to the danger listing reiterating a commitment to protect this valuable resource and discontinue the practice of the previous administration to issue development permits within the UNESCO World Heritage Site. The BTIA calls on the Government – Ministry of Tourism, Ministry of Natural Resources & the Environment to investigate the project with a view to ensure that any such development does not present an increased threat to this valuable resource.
South Water Caye Marine Reserve and UNESCO World Heritage Site. This development is within a sensitive area (within this marine reserve and World Heritage Site). The recent listing of Belize on the UNESCO “in danger” list is an indication that Belize needs to be proactive in ensuring that severe discretion is exercised in granting approvals for development within our protected areas, and the World Heritage Site. BTIA strongly recommends that for the time being, and until stringent development criteria are agreed for BBRRS World Heritage Site, the Ministry of Natural Resources and the Environment, and the Department of Lands and Surveys cease and desist from allowing, inviting and entertaining any new applications and EIA’s for development in protected areas.
