Ambergris Caye Belize Resort Development - Department of ...

Depth in a small lagoon that leads into Bacalar Chico Lagoon is 1.00 and 0.50 meters (3.28
and 1.64 ft.). The entrance into Bacalar Lagoon has a depth of 1.70 meters and southward across
this lagoon the depth varies from 1.35 meters to 3.60 meters (4.43 to 11.81 ft) near a sinkhole
and 1.30 meters and 0.00 (4.27 to 0.00 ft) at the southern end where sea grass reaches the airwater
interface.
To get to Laguna de Cantena, Rio Cantena must be followed further south; here the depths vary
from1.20 to 1.70 meters (3.94 to 5.58 ft.). The entrance from Laguna de Cantena is 1.20 meters
(3.94 ft.) deep. Within the middle of Laguna de Cantena the depth ranges from 1.00 – 1.60
meters (3.28 ft – 5.25 ft) and at the southern end, the depth decreases to 0.50 meters (1.64 ft.)
9.4.2 Road Access
Currently, there is no real road access from the Town of San Pedro to the proposed development
site north of Bacalar Chico. In the past, bicycles, golf carts and pedestrians would utilize an
existing track to access areas north of the San Pedro River. Most of the northern Ambergris
Caye home rentals are accessible by this sand or access track/road. However, all eastern coastal
properties can be accessed by water taxis (boats). It is noted that road access to areas of northern
Ambergris Caye has been one of the limiting factors to development activities.
In 2006, Northern Ambergris was connected by a bridge over the San Pedro River. Golf carts,
ATVs, bicycles and pedestrians only are allowed over the bridge. The new triple span bridge, is
120 feet long and 23 feet wide, and is capable of allowing emergency vehicles passage (as
necessary).
The 1992 Land Use and Zoning Plan for Ambergris Caye indicate that “there is an existing
proposal for a road right of way from the San Pedro River north. The document further
recommends that a road reserve of 40 feet should be made and “aligned along the most westerly
edge of the beach ridge where it meets the mangrove flat and that this alignment should be
mapped immediately.” The road alignment recommended is to be designed at the furthest point
from the beach to allow site development flexibility as well as prove safer in times of
emergencies (i.e. hurricanes). The road would be designated public.
Site visits to the area utilized both the track and the beach areas as in some instances the existing
track was covered with vegetation. This track is not necessarily passable during the wet season,
but is regularly used by beachcombers, tourists and locals alike to access the San Juan area.
Based on the characteristics of the area, and especially near Rocky Point, reinforced road
infrastructure works will need to be completed.
Beginning at NOVA, there is an existing proposal for a road reserve near Basil Jones. This
proposed road will run north along the western boundary of NOVA Shrimp Farm and the eastern
boundary of BELTRADE to a point, then east along the property boundary of land now or
formerly Nella Reid. The Developer is in the process of negotiating to purchase the property at
this point in order to facilitate the free flow of traffic at this point. From here, the road will run
north in the middle of private subdivisions to near Robles and then along the westerly edge of the
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