Last chance to comment on port proposal at Galeota

Residents of Guayaguayare and interested parties have until Friday, September 12, 2003 to comment on the Environment Management Authority’s (EMA) Environment Impact Assessment (EIA) Report on the proposal to construct a US$50 million port facility at Galeota Point, Guayaguayare.

In December 2002, Cabinet agreed to grant approval for Plipdeco to develop the port facility and deep-water harbour at Galeota Point. However, as the proposed port would have significant environmental impacts on the area, the project needed a Certificate of Environmental Clearance (CEC) before construction. Consequently EcoEngineering Consultants Limited prepared the EIA for Snubbing Services Limited. The Snubbing Services Ltd file in the National Register in the EMA offices shows that construction of the proposed port would mean clearing 15 hectares of land from Isthmus Road to the shoreline, reclaiming 35 hectares of land from the sea, the construction of a finger pier 480 metres long, and the dredging of a 1.2 km access channel and turning basin.

Plipdeco has held two public meetings on the proposed new port — one in Guayaguayare, the second in Mayaro — at which residents expressed their concerns about the area of beach loss due to shifting sands, an increase in the seaweed problem, loss of mangrove and the relocation of fishing due to traffic at the proposed marine terminal. Residents were also concerned about the impact on local infrastructure.