by Linda Straker
- Niles and Associates is conducting Environmental Impact Assessment for Levera resort
- Project is in close proximity to Grenada’s only RAMSAR site
- Preliminary report by 31 October, and final document by 31 December
The company conducting the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) for the Levera resort said the developers are very supportive of the extensive work that is being undertaken as part of the EIA, and they have given the assurance that all issues will be considered going forward.
“They are very much supportive of ensuring that the development is environmentally friendly,” said Edwards Niles of Niles and Associates, the company conducting the studies and assessment for the project.
The Grenada National Resort Project (Levera) is in close proximity to Grenada’s only RAMSAR site. In recent months, some have expressed concerns about the impact the project will have on the RAMSAR site, but Niles has given the assurance that the developers are committed to not engaging in any activity that will negatively affect the Levera wetland system, which comprises the large salt pond, a smaller pond to the south, and the beach. “In the proposals, I have seen nothing, so far, that will affect or be encroaching on these areas or affect the use or movement of this area by any member of the public,” he said. “Because it will be a negative step for them if they do something like that. They are very willing to cooperate, to work with the community taking on board all the issues.” Niles also disclosed that the developers have no involvement in or influence over, his company’s work.
Grenada 2016 Physical Planning Authority legislation defines an EIA as the process of collection, analysis, evaluation and review of information on the likely effects of a proposed development on the environment, and the means to overcome any adverse effect, which enables the authority to determine whether development permission should be granted and with what conditions.
The International Environmental Impact Association website states that EIAs are unique in that they do not require adherence to a predetermined environmental outcome, but rather they require decision-makers to account for environmental values in their decisions, and to justify those decisions in light of detailed environmental studies and public comments on the potential environmental impacts.
Niles is set to present the preliminary report of his EIA by 31 October, and the final document by 31 December, following year-long, in-depth fieldwork and research.
The Grenada National Resort Project (Levera) involves the building of a 500-room resort, with various amenities, golf course and entertainment facilities. The first phase is scheduled to be completed in 2 years.
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Thanks to the people republic of china and government for helping contribute to the development of hotel infrastructure in this country. Locals are just too jealous because they cant build massive ten story luxury building and bring in nice luxury cars to bring people to and from the hotel. Grenadians just have a third world mindset that only has to do with themselves but no the development of this country.
God bless the people republic of china and government of grenada for helping develop the infrastructure of this country.
I support the Chinese and government.
We need more hotels I support chinese and grenadian government. The rest of the world is building massive infrastructure so we may do so too. Apparantly some small minded third world thinking people want to oppose government and projects destroying the growth and development of the country. We need more hotels. China please keep on building more hotels to make us richer and expand our economy. Just ignore all the hate agendas and lies and rumors. When we get nothing WE REMAIN POOR.
High density development requires careful infrastructure planning for water and sewerage treatment, not just broken pipes into the sea. Be cautious, you reap what you sow.
so now one is going to talk about the dumping of garbage in areas such as in places like mt. hartman and levera and bathway beach. Grenadians are such disgusting people that should be ashamed and disgusted by their behaviour. instead of people running their mouths they should go down in mt.hartman and take a look at how much garbage was dumped down there before they clear up the site. instead of running their mouths on government and developers they need to start addressing issues like these. there is soo much garbage being dumped around the country in illegal areas. so many vehicles are being abandoned in forests and on the side of the roads. no wonder why they banned vehicles older than 10 years. if grenadians cared about the enviroment they would stop throwing their garbage all over the place but would go and clean up waste and abandoned vehicles. I hate the way grenadian people behave and its not right it needs to change. stop running your mouths on investors. CLEAN UP YOUR GARBAGE NOW!
Fella, how could you equate dumping with the redistribution of our lands to foreigners?. Native Grenadians are willing share our lands with foreigners only to the extent foreigners are willing to share their land with us. Otherwise we are putting ourselves and our future generations in a lose-win situation at the expense of job-talk and becoming an permanent underclass in our country. When a Native Grenadian could get same access to land and incentives in China, this will be a different story.