Yum Balisi Sustainable Luxury Resort - Department of Environment

materials and supplies during the construction Phase. For details on the proposed dredging
activities see Chapter 10.
Environmental Impacts and Mitigation
Site Preparation and Vegetation Clearance
The mangrove clearance of 15 acres of the island was carried out in 2006 by the previous
owners of the lands in question. The impacts of this vegetation clearance were somewhat
mitigated by the narrow strip of fringing red mangroves which had been left along the islands
coastline and the edges bordering the inner ponds. This cleared area represents the majority
(80 %) of the project’s footprint since the new owners want to develop this cleared area with
the minimum alteration to the remaining mangrove stands.
The plan involves keeping the remaining mangrove stands in their natural state which will be
used to teach and demonstrate the importance of the mangrove ecology of the Pelican Cayes.
To assist with this, a system of elevated walkways will be built through the mangroves
accompanied by a research center and an auditorium for lectures on marine ecology using the
ecology of the island, (pond, corals, seagrass beds, and mangroves) as a living laboratory.
At the time of the study very few bird were seen in the area. The remaining trees had none of
the tale-tale signs of birds such as the white staining left on leaves. The mangroves observed
on the island appeared stunted and did not bear any of signs of high bird habitation. Hence, it
would appear that the minor clearance and future activities impacts on bird populations of the
area would be low to almost negligible.
Birds presently using the project site will primarily be impacted by noise generated by
construction activities. It is expected, however, that they will retreat to adjacent surrounding
vegetation communities and will return once construction activities have ceased and the
facility is operational.
Mitigation
(i) Exposed areas should be replanted and landscaped as soon as possible to reduce
soil erosion, sediment, and organic runoff.
(ii) The removal of any additional remaining fringing mangroves will be avoided
except to allow for limited access to piers and berthing facility.
(iii) Landscaping of the area will involve only native salt tolerant species. No exotic
ornamental plants will be planted as part of the island’s landscaping programme.
(iv) Much of the remaining mangrove stands will be maintained in its original form.
Environmental Impact Assessment –November 2010
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