AmbergrisCaye.com Home Forums The Cayes Ambergris Caye 40+ Over the Water Cabanas Approved at Cayo Rosario

Good for you Maya House. It is my understanding that the wheels are in motion to proceed with legal action and there will be a move to gain contributions. I have pledged $500. I hope those who are so vocal in opposition to this project will open their pocket books as much as they open their mouths.

We Need Your Help: Saving Cayo Rosario, Preserving Hol Chan Marine Reserve & The Next Steps

Since we feel that the public was NOT properly consulted on this controversial project and that any feedback that was obtained was basically disregarded, WE NEED YOUR HELP.

We also feel that the assessment done by the developers and their consulting firm is wrong. This is not a lifeless area. Or an area insignificant to our community*. NOT AT ALL.

We want to send a packet of letters to each member of NEAC - the National Environmental Appraisal Committee - who have the approval authority for this project.

They are the decision makers, we must make CERTAIN that they have the correct information. We want to insure there is no ambiguity about how this island feels.

If you have sent a letter to the Department of the Environment or any other groups about this issue, we ask the you either send it again. Addressed the the Members of NEAC.

Click here to read the rest of the article and see more photos in the San Pedro Scoop

---

Letter to the Editor: Cayo Rosario is a burden

Dear Editor and other concerned stake holders,

Please let me first introduce myself. My name is David Arnold. My wife and I own property in the Ambergris Bay Subdivision about 500 ft. south of the planned Cayo Rosario Utility Zone on Ambergris Caye. You are receiving this email as each of you have been identified, with email addresses provided, on the Cayo Rosario Consultation List of the Cayo Rosario Development Project Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) document, and I write to you as a concerned Ambergris Caye property owner, and a very concerned future resident and business owner at our property located close to the Cayo Rosario Utility Zone. Other contacts cc'd on this email were provided to me independent of the EIA.

Much resistance has already been voiced concerning the Cayo Rosario Project, and with good reasons. In addition to those concerns already voiced, I am very concerned about the noise and ground pollution that may become the burden of Ambergris Caye as a result of the planned high occupancy on Cayo Rosario. For example, the EIA and other documents I have read indicate that generators, a reverse osmosis system, and a sewage treatment injection system will all be stationed on Ambergris Caye in the Cayo Rosario Utility Zone. Why should a project of this size be approved where the island in question, Cayo Rosaria, is not self-contained, but instead burdens Ambergris Caye with the noise of generators, the noise of a reverse osmosis system, and the pollution of sewage being injected into the limestone substructure of Ambergris Caye?

The sewage issue is the most concerning for me, as I do not see where the EIA has addressed how the sewage is to be treated, handled, and disposed of without damaging or polluting the surrounding land and water. Is the shoreline of Ambergris Bay soon to become a soak-away field for 104 bungalows (54 over the water, and 50 on the caye) located 1.5 miles off the coast of Ambergris Caye? How does the Cayo Rosario Project plan to effectively treat such volume of sewage so ground and water pollution does not occur? An even more basic question is why the Cayo Rosario Project should be permitted to proceed where the island itself is not being utilized to support its own needs for electricity, water, and sewage?

The burden of supporting a new offshore luxury resort should not be borne by Ambergris Caye, but instead should be borne by Cayo Rosario itself, and if Cayo Rosario cannot bear such a burden, then the project should not proceed as planned.

I applaud each of you for voicing your concerns to date.

With Many Thanks,
/s/ David Arnold

Is anyone going to head up a formal group, and address this situation with legal action??

According to News 5, the National Environmental Appraisal Committee (NEAC) has approved the development project.

Despite the community of San Pedro's overwhelming objectio, Mike Hesuner of NEAC confirmed that he was informed the project had been approved.

Cayo Espanto works because it is just 6 cabanas --- the number proposed for Cayo Rosario is just plain stupid.
Note that on Caye Chapel, where there are 300+ acres, the project intends to be large (91 lots and 100 hotel rooms) - but even so, it is only twice as many rooms/units as are planned on tiny little Rosario!!

As for sewage - all developments near the shore are mandated per central building authority, to have aerobic treatment systems that have a nearly potable effluent. They require careful maintenance and electricity. Again, on a small scale, this can work for a little island well enough - but on this scale it's ridiculous. Even if this system is working perfectly at Cayo Rosario, it is likely that the "fresh-water" effluent going into the sea will change the salinity/composition of the water itself near the island, with serious consequences to the marine life.

Further - the flats in the back become more and more precious for our fishing industry as the sargasso destroys the turtle grass and fish-flats on the windward side of the island.

Did Mike say he voted to approve?

Mike was opposed to the project but was not at the meeting, so he could not vote.

Mmm. He was opposed to Harvest Caye too but could not be there to vote. Two major misses and losses.

Makes one wonder doesn't it?

Stakeholders Unite to Stop Destructive Development within Hol Chan Marine Reserve

In response to the recent public meeting and the resulting outcry against over-the-water development in the Hol Chan Marine Reserve, the Ambergris Caye Citizens for Sustainable Development (ACCSD) has reassembled.

The ACCSD is not a group against development. Their mission is to promote sustainable development; to protect and enhance our natural resources without compromising the livelihood of this and future generations.

Last week, the ACCSD convened and elected a new board representing many different sectors of our island. Members of the board are as follows: Rebecca Arceo - Chairperson, Gary Greif - San Pedro Town Council, Co-Vice Chairperson - Chris Beaumont - Co-Vice Chairperson, Rebecca Coutant - Secretary and Chris Beaumont - Treasurer

Other board members include Billy Leslie - President of the San Pedro Tour Guide Association,

Tamara Sniffin - Chairwoman of the San Pedro Belize Tourism Industry Association, Miguel Alamilla - Manager of the Hol Chan Marine Reserve, Everett Anderson - Chairman of the San Pedro Tour Operator Association and Gricel Graniel and Elito Arceo - Representatives of the Business Sector of San Pedro.

The near-term goal: To contest and reverse the National Environmental Advisory Committee (NEAC) decision to allow the building of 50+ over-the-water structures around Cayo Rosario on the west side of Ambergris Caye. This, in addition to over 55,000 cubic meters of dredging of the protected flats and proposed underwater pipeline, all in the Hol Chan Marine Reserve, should never be allowed.

The ACCSD strongly urges the Board of NEAC, as well as the developers to reconsider building over public and protected waters.

Legal steps are also being taken - our marine reserve and public lands are for the people of Belize, not for private gain.

The broader goal is firmly rooted in sustainability for the entire island. This includes a thorough look at the Environmental Impact Assessment process - from the introduction of new development plans to approval. Transparency and representation from the areas most affected by development are critical and necessary.

Our island is facing more challenges than ever. This year's heavy Sargasso influx is causing incredible stress to our ocean and beaches as well as tourism as a whole. As we welcome more visitors and see more development, we need to do everything we can to protect our environment. We can no longer afford development that puts it at risk. Destructive development puts all of our livelihoods in jeopardy.

Every resident must stand together to protect the integrity of our amazing natural and cultural resources. It is what makes this country so incredibly different and special and keeps visitors returning year after year.

The ACCSD will be announcing meetings, public awareness efforts as well as fundraising measures over the next month.

Ambergris Caye Citizens for Sustainable Development