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.
So no one is going to talk about the fact that mt.hartman was going to become a dumpsite and wasteland. Grenadians should go take a look at the remaining garbage that was dumped down their by their own selfish bad minded dumb uneducated Grenadians before the area is cleared up. Grenadians should be so ashamed and embarrassed of the way they dump their garbage in places like true blue lance aux pines fort jeudy and so many headlands and forests. GRENDIANS WAKE UP AND START WALKING IN THESE AREAS TO SEE THE DAMAGE YOU AHVE DONE TO THE ENVIROMENT BEFORE YOU START RUNNING YOUR MOUTH ON PEOPLE WHO INVEST INTO THE COUNTRY.
It’s sad to see that Grenadians are such poor uneducated people that know nothing about the growth and development of a country. Grenada needs hotels. Agriculture can barely do anything and we don’t have oil. We can use only what we have and what we could be able to do. These hotel projects worth millions of dollars can bring in billions into this country. Look at the results for the Bahamas and the Dominican Republic. Apparently some Government third world minded opposing people are making this country struggle in terms of growth and development and its getting worst and worst and worst each and every year. Grenadians can’t even build a proper hotel and the way they build them is very terrible. The only best looking and best locally owned hotel is Spice Island Beach resort and that is only because he didn’t decide to go the cheap way. All Grenadians want is money but they are never willing to invest some good money into the Development of this country. instead complain complain complain they always complaining and that is what they do. always want government to do this and that! BUT WHERE THE MONEY COMING FROM????? THATS WHY WE NEED HOTELS AND WE NEED EM NOW!!!! GRENADA NEEDS DEVELOPMENT. YOU HAVE GRAND ETANG AND SO MUCH MORE.
What are Grenadians complaining about?? People need to go educate themselves and come to realization that these projects can benefit so many people. The richest countries like Canada, Singapore, the USA and Qatar has not only become rich and developed by themselves but by foreign investment too. Apparently some third world minded people are keeping the country as a third world country. Half of the population lives in poverty and is living in extreme impoverished conditions thanks to some stupid third world minded opposing people. Grenadians want Government to invest in Roads, HealthCare and things that will benefit better for locals. WHERE IS THE MONEY COMING FROM AND HOW WILL THEY DO IT?? That is where expanding the Tourism sector comes in. Everyone wants to talk about what the government should do but no one is going to talk about where the money is going to come from. GRENADIANS NEED TO SHUT UP AND GO EDUCATE THEMSELVES ABOUT HOW A COUNTRY GROWS AND DEVLOPS.
Grenada needs hotels to bring Grenada out of Poverty. The Bahamas the Richest country has a huge Tourism industry and is one of the countries with the most hotels and hotels profit. Imagine the impact these hotels and hotel projects can have on the country. Farmers benefit because they will be providing food. Construction companies in Grenada will benefit for excavating surveying and construction and people will benefit when they find jobs. Grenadians need to shut up and stop complaining about everything. Go educate yourself and shut up. Democracy is the reason why Grenada is still a poor third world country thanks to some stupid oppositions. People shouldn’t be given the opportunity to have freedom of speech.
From what Mr.Niles seems to be saying, Indigenous Grenadians, including Mr. Niles, should not expect anything constructive to come from this so called Environmental Process and Project. What is the point of an Environmental Assessment when the project is already given the green light? This is just a useless exercise.
Its is very interesting that the few Indigenous Grenadians, like Mr. Niles and our so-called politicians, who stand to benefit most from these projects are suddenly the representatives and spoke persons for these projects that are not going to benefit the Island. Where are the representative for these so-called developers? This shows that Indigenous Grenadians are considered stupid and irrelevant and will not benefit.
Environmental impact is supposed to PROTECT the environment from destruction not just suck up to the developers and government as a panacea for the public allowing projects to just go ahead. None of these developments should have been approved in the first place. This step never actually stops developments that damage nature or the horror at La Sagesse would never have been allowed. Tourists would rather share the nature with no development. When are you govt idiots going to realize that? Stop blaming tourists for the stupid decisions your govt makes and the developments it allows. Try listening to tourists for a change not money laundering foreigners with no regard for Grenada and its culture.
To much hotel / resorts that is killing local hotels plus grenada to small for that build industry that can bring in money to the economy year round instead of sitting and wait for tourist season lol joke thing now cause am 100% sure all of them will never be 100% full at any given time
And will the developers pay for needed infrastructure as well? What about increased electrical generation, increased potable water supplies, widening and improvements to the roads and bridges to and from the,airport, proper waste water treatment facilities, increased trash disposal? Tourism has costs,, as well as benefits to the local economy, that must be carefully weighed so that all citizens of Grenada see a net gain,not just developers, hotel operators and politicians benefit.
well all of that is going to happen one way or the other. the country eventually will have to grow and develop. the country cant stay like how it is forever
And while improvements are needed for sure, the “modernisation” of buildings visible dotted around the country where square slab buildings with non native to the country designs is going to ruin the “feel” of the country. Already we see in many locations great slabs ripped out of hillsides to enable building “flat on the ground” properties instead of working with the topography as it stands. The result is cankers every now and then with properties sitting in the middle of a square hole, and dangerous conditions for the land owner above who has a precipice they might fall down. The “charm” of our wonderful island is being lost because of short sighted and selfish actions.
With a low population count you have vast problems with economies of scale. Very few businesses can actually grow in the way bigger countries like Trinidad might.
We could benefit from tourism for sure, but a) do not put all your eggs in one basket b) recognise your limitations and what will work best in a small island setting.
Trying to turn Grenada into the Costa Del Sol with enormous slab hotels on the edge of the beach is not going to work.
Spain has millions of potential visitors on their doorstep, just an hours flight away.
Our clients have several hours, even if coming from the US, and 10 hours plus of flight time if coming from Europe, Grenada is not going to attract hotel visitors unless they are either wealthy, or have saved up for a special holiday.
Those tourists would be more likely to want boutique hotels than the proposed 500 bed monstrosities suggested.
I am wondering why the EIA wasn’t completed BEFORE the project was agreed to, and definitely before workers structures were erected. It seems to me it is a done deal and they are giving lip service to those who think they have put the cart before the horse.
the charm of your wonderful country is the way you people terribly build your country using cheap material such as ply wood and you guys have terrible architecture. Grenada had really architecture back then from colonial french and british buildings but what grenadians build now a days is just plain simple boring old houses. nothing that looks special to talk about.
Don’t worry at the end of the day all those who oppose this Great Hotel Project will still be headed for a nice day at the Resort. Just like silversands. The hotels are great and we need them!
An Environmental Impact Assessment is more of an art than a science. It rarely helps settle any disagreements about the merits of a project, and much of its substance can only be understoid by specialists with engineering expertise.
But in this day and age, it is a standard project requirement.