AmbergrisCaye.com Home Forums The Cayes Environment South Beach Meeting

Seems like South Beach is getting thier way.

Maybe something smaller would be OK. The website makes it look like a big city. Trying to bring Miami to this little island seems like a bad idea. It sounds like the developer has the juice to get it done. What's next in the approval process?

Is this development connected to the blue top buildings on the north side of the bridge? Where is their sewage going? Wasn't that land a swamp once? We are not allow to touch any wetland in Miami and I thought that was a given everywhere. I am new here so I don't know the rules.

Where is the new golf coarse being built? I here it is on the west side of the island north of town? Is that where the movie guy, Leonardo, bought? What is his project doing now?
Saul

Saul
It is a BIG project all over existing mangrove swamp, adjacent to Hol Chan Marine Reserve.

Yes, the developer of South Beach is the same one who is building Reef Village (The blue roofs across the bridge).

That's no good for the ground, fish, water or the reef.


Who is going to make that point to the people who make the decisions here? Maybe we should get a lawyer and go to court. People need to know about this. What about the newspaper, maybe take up a collection of interested people and take our a paid ad. If you want to do it, count me in for my share of the cost.

Thanks for the information.

Good night.

Saul

The 21st of October is the deadline for the public to submit its questions, opinions and comments.

The "babe" was Vilma Alyssa Arceo, one of my daughter's best friends. Even our kids discuss the merits and conflicts of such projects. This is their home too and they are certainly concerned about their futures and the home that they will inherit from this generation.

Certainly the decisions of the DOE will be made public.

But you gotta keep your finger on the pulse. If you care you will make it your business to know what is going on.

As with most government subjects there will not be a set deadline to publish findings and make a final decision. But those of us that are interested subscribe to the government gazette and are informed about this EIA as well as every other government act, bill and official decision made.

I know it's been posted before but I can't find it.

Could you post again the contact info for submission of opinions?

Thanks

If Jeff were to be denied on this particular project, would most of the people remain opposed if he changed to a more "eco-friendly" development?

I have what I think is a great idea for that property that I would like to pitch to him. I'm sure any suggestions would fall on deaf ears at this point as he's spent a great deal of money on the South Beach idea. But if it gets declined by the DOE then I'm sure he'll be open to other options.

The question I'm trying to get to is would most folks oppose any and all development of the property in question or is it the scale and theme that is the issue?

It will be approved.

no doubt in my mind,,,

The mission statement of the DOE says nothing about protecting the 'investment of the developers', very curious as why its a concern for them.

envirodept@btl.net

From the people I have polled the main concern is the actual area itself.

Not everybody loves the South Beach copy cat theme - but most can overlook that aspect of the concept.

The EIA is an environmental impact assessment study. It seems that many serious items were skirted or simply not addressed. One of the biggest subjects that was not answered is what will happen 10 years from now, 15, 20, and 50 years from now by the dredging impacts of this projects. 1.3 million cubic yards of sand is going to be dredged in a very marine sensitive environment. Hol Chan Marine Reserve is vital to the health of our reef, and our tourism industry and the surrounding ecologic health of the island. It takes about 25 years or so to regrow the mangrove forests - the habitat where many of our juvenile reef fish spend their early life cycle. Anyway, this type of info can go on an on.

Generally it seems that if Jeff were to relocate this project to a less ecologically sensitive area (ie non a marine reserve area) that most of the public would welcome the new jobs it would create and the additional hotel rooms it would provide.

A group is writing up some ideas and alternate proposals - I hope this will turn into a win/win situation for all involved.