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Draft Final Report, 19 th July, 2012 Soufrière Hills volcano Map 5.2: Exclusion Zone Since 1995, the Soufrière Hills volcano has dominated the physical and human environment, especially in the south of the island (but unfavourable wind directions can result in ash falls throughout Montserrat). Around two-thirds of the island’s land area lies within the Exclusion Zone which covers the entire south-eastern half of the island. In addition, there is a Maritime Exclusion Zone (MEZ) which extends four kilometres off-shore along the eastern coast. Relatively quiet since early 2010, the volcano continues to be closely monitored by the Montserrat Volcano Observatory (MVO). Visitors are permitted entry into the Exclusion Zone only under specified conditions. Depending on the state and location of the volcanic activity, daytime access is permitted from 8:00am until 4:00pm, while boats are permitted to travel through the MEZ without stopping from 6:30am until 5:30 pm. Approval to visit Plymouth is considered on a case-by-case basis. Protected Areas There are three terrestrial protected areas on Montserrat covering some 30 percent of the land area of North Montserrat. These are: • The Centre Hills Forest Reserve which is recognized as being of global ecological and biodiversity importance, and the last remaining habitat for numerous threatened species (including the Montserrat oriole, the “mountain chicken” frog, the galliwasp lizard and the endemic Montserrat orchid). Conservation measures are coordinated through the Centre Hills Project, which was launched in June 2005. The Centre Hills is also the primary source of all the island’s potable water, and the location of the majority of the island’s hiking trails; Source: HM Governor’s Office MONTSERRAT TOURISM DEVELOPMENT PLAN 2012 – 2022 11
Draft Final Report, 19 th July, 2012 • The Silver Hills Forest Reserve covers 75 acres of dry forest, much of which is of outstanding landscape value, with a number of hiking trails; and • The Piper’s Pond Wildlife Reserve (and the associated Potato Hills Conservation Area) which encompasses the last significant area of mangrove swamp on the island, and also supports some birdlife. All ghauts (which play an important role in watershed management) have de facto conservation status. Marine Environment The reef and marine system faces a number of threats, particularly from fishing activities and sedimentation. In some cases, a rapid deterioration has occurred in the condition of the reef, including the destruction of reef areas to the south of Woodlands Bay, and badly degraded areas from Woodlands to Little Bay. This is attributed to volcano-related sedimentation, combined with poor land and construction management, and intensified fishing activity on the remaining healthy reefs. These are now beginning to threaten the health of the marine system at Little Bay, Rendezvous Bay and locations further north. A further threat to Montserrat’s reef system is the recent discovery of the lion fish. Efforts are being made to conserve and develop the valuable reef resource, including an artificial reef and coral harvesting programmes at Woodlands Beach. In previous studies, recommendations have been made for the establishment of a mixed use marine reserve that would balance the needs of fishermen, divers and yachts with marine and reef conservation objectives. Environmental Concerns Among the main environmental concerns are: • Need for updating and strengthening of the regulatory framework to support institutional changes (following the creation of the new Department of Environment), including enactment of the Conservation and Environmental Management Bill (drafted in 2007) and clearer and more effective procedures for environmental impact assessment; • Impact of uncontrolled grazing, roaming feral and loose livestock, and vegetation clearance for development and agriculture; • Effects of high tides and storm surge on low-lying areas, such as Carr’s Bay and Little Bay; • Impact of the removal of beach vegetation, litter and garbage (which attract rats) on key nesting beaches for turtle breeding; and • Impact of sand mining activities in the Belham Valley, including the associated heavy-axle truck traffic, on the surrounding residential areas and on the environment. The built environment (existing buildings and future developments) has until now remained largely unregulated, posing a potential threat to the long term wellbeing of the tourism sector. There is need to enforce zoning, building design, construction standards, etc. 5.2 CULTURAL HERITAGE Known sites of archaeological and cultural heritage are comparatively scarce in North Montserrat, partly because the focus of heritage and archaeological protection had been in the south, including Trants, Galway’s and Plymouth’s vernacular architecture. MONTSERRAT TOURISM DEVELOPMENT PLAN 2012 – 2022 12
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