And while the Lands Department dominated discussion at today’s event, the Ministry of Natural Resources has many hot button departments including the Departments of the Environment and Geology and Petroleum. And right now, San Pedranos are asking Environment for answers about a mega development that’s planned for the southern end of the island. It’s sensitive because the development will sit adjacent to the Hol Chan Marine Reserve – one of the most treasured dive spots in the world. Today, Martin Allegria of the Department of the Environment explained that work on the mage project did start but they have issued a stop order.
Martin Allegria, Department of Environment
“South Beach, it’s a project that we became aware of during the past administration. It is a it’s a mega project as we refer to it, one of many that has surfaced during the past five years or so. And when it is a mega project in an ecologically sensitive area, it demands more careful consideration in terms of approval for development. South Beach Corporation Limited in that case in point. The extreme south of Ambergris Caye, bordering the marine reserve, Hol Chan. It comprises about 780 acres of development, land and sea bed, marinas, casinos, hotels, etc. etc.
We came to know about the proposals based on a conceptual master plan of the components and of the location. Back then in late last year we reviewed and made determination after consulting with key agencies that the environmental impact assessment report would be required for this development. A month or a few weeks before elections, the gentleman got the license for a casino.
The issue here is that the casino license has a clause which says that he has to construct within one year a 50 room hotel minimum. That sets an issue whereby within one year you need this environmental impact assessment process in itself for these types of mega projects. To make a story short, that has been ignored. When the new administration came in we started to negotiate now seriously about conducting the EIA.”
The terms of reference for this are at a draft stage – but development is going ahead and work has commenced.
Martin Allegria,
“We were aware or became aware increasingly so within the last month or three weeks about construction activity that has already started on this project, or at least a portion thereof, the casino portion within even starting the EIA or the environmental screening process. So hence last week Thursday or so I think the Minister asked and we, all heads of departments went out there, we went out there to speak to the developer to let him know and advise him on the way forward. At that meeting we basically advised him to cease and desist on the construction activities which he said he was going to do. Yet we heard two days ago that he started and the weekend he was constructing again with heavy equipment. So those are the type of things we have to deal with. To the extent that yesterday we sent an enforcement notice first. We try to bring them in and negotiate. Legal issue is the final option available. So we issued an enforcement notice, we prepared it yesterday and as I speak I think it has been served to cease and desist on all developmental activities until the process is dealt with, the EIA.”
But the developers claim they have executive clearance.
Jules Vasquez,
They have sent out a release to investors saying that they have the support of the Prime Minister, the Minister of Tourism, the Mayoress of San Pedro, the Area Representative, and other Ministers and Cabinet members to ensure the success of South Beach. This is in a public statement that’s being widely circulated on the internet. Would the Deputy Prime Minister be able to say if he supports the project?
Hon. Gaspar Vegas, Deputy Prime Minister
“Jules, after consultation with the technical people, if they advise me it is a good project then I will support it.”
Jules Vasquez,
So at this point your support has not been declared?
Hon. Gaspar Vegas,
“Never.”
But with the scale and ambition of this development, we’ll venture that Vega’s tight disclaimer is not the last we’ve heard of South Beach, San Pedro.
You can see the plans for the project at South Beach Belize.com.
