Project Environment - Department of Environment

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Fig. 2.4 Maximum Seismic Intensity Map 2-8
These sections are briefly summarized and offer a better understanding of the marine dynamics. It is anticipated that the proposed marina will have no significant impacts to the underwater environment, especially to the flora, fauna, oceanography, waves and currents. 2.3.2 Bathymetry There has been no published or anecdotal data or information on the depth profile or bathymetry of the proposed project area. The bathymetric charts that have been published for Belize are not of a scale or geographic focus to be relevant to the project. The Tunich Nah Survey Team in its February and March site survey effort has done some limited work in this area. This survey was undertaken mainly to provide information in regard to the placement and dimension of the large marina that is to be constructed as an integral part of the proposed development. Figure 2.5 illustrates the bathymetry profile of the marine component of the development. The average depth increases as one progresses seaward. The depth profile as one proceeds in an westward direction from the reclaimed beach, proceeds from ‘0’ depth at the low tide line to approximately 8 to 10 feet of water at 85 to 100 feet from the beach – the depth then gets progressively deeper up to a distance of about 1000 feet. In the mid reaches between the caye and mainland, the bathymetry gets progressively shallower as one approaches the aforementioned mainland. 2.3.3 Winds and Waves The prevailing winds are the main driving force for waves and surface currents in coastal Belize and by extension the project area. Wind data from the National Meteorological Services near the PSW Goldson International Airport shows that winds in coastal Belize generally blow from the northeast, east and southeast at about 5-15 knots. The prevailing wind in the Caye Caulker area and by extension the project location, is from the east and southeast during the warmer months, which run from February to September. During the cooler months, from October to January, a number of cold fronts or ‘northers’ affect coastal Belize. During these ‘northers’, which may last from several hours to 4 – 5 days, the winds blow from the north and northeast over the cayes and the mainland coast (See Fig. 2.6) Recent records from the Meteorological Services show that during the cooler months the wind direction varies equally from the north, the north-northwest and the east-southeast, with maximum sustained velocities of 12 knots. The mean average wind speed for the area varies from 10-15 knots and on occasion has been less than 5 knots which has been described as ‘gentle’ or ‘mild’. The project site is relatively exposed to the wind and waves off the western portion of the caye. This is evident in the erosion process that has taken place in recent years. 2-9
Page 1 and 2: 2.1 Project Site and Zone of Influe
Page 3 and 4: Underwater caves are found in the l
Page 5 and 6: Fig 2.2 Probe Locations of Project
Page 7: Fig. 2.3 Geological Fault Map of Be
Page 11 and 12: Fig. 2.6 Northerlies and Hurricane
Page 13 and 14: Fig. 2.7 Tidal Influences affecting
Page 15 and 16: Fig. 2.8 Rainfall Map of Belize 2-1
Page 17 and 18: Fig.2.9 Map of the Caye Caulker For

Project Environment - Department of Environment

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