Input Sought On Bermuda’s Shipping Channels

Bermuda Environmental Consulting Ltd [BECLtd] is seeking input from the community with regards to proposed changes to Bermuda’s shipping channels.

BECLtd has been engaged by the Government of Bermuda to undertake an Environmental Impact Assessment [EIA] of three possible options for the modification of Bermuda’s shipping channels.

The three options that are to be examined are:

• Improvements to the North Channel – which involves dredging and widening of the current channel with some removal of coral reefs
• Improvements to the South Channel – which involves extensive dredging of sand
• Realignments and improvements to the South Channel – which involves extensive dredging of sand

A spokesperson said, “Common to all of these options is limited dredging work within “The Narrows” – that portion of the channel off St. Georges that allows ships to pass through the Island’s reefs. Each of these options brings both benefits and challenges, and the purpose of the EIA is to provide the scientific evidence base that is required to help inform the selection of the most appropriate option.

“Although the Environment Charter for UK Overseas Territories commits Bermuda to EIAs for all major development projects, there is no local legislation that specifically requires an EIA for the work that is proposed.

“The land use planning/development process in Bermuda involves policies that require an EIA for certain types of projects but as the Planning legislation does not extend to the seabed the decision to undertake such work represents a voluntary commitment on the part of Government to best practice. In keeping with the spirit of this commitment, the process to be followed is that defined under the 2008 Bermuda Plan with officers of the Department of Planning overseeing compliance.

“The first stage of an EIA is environmental scoping. This is done to define the issues and studies that must be done to ensure that adequate information is available to enable effective evidence-based decisions to be made. The EIA will look at both the natural environment and socio-economic impacts.

“Stakeholder consultation to ensure that adequate consideration is given to the concerns and aspirations of all affected parties is an essential part of the process. To ensure adherence to this objective BECLtd will be meeting with all key regulators, shipping operators and clients including relevant local businesses and environmental NGOs to describe the options and capture feedback.

“In addition to these interviews with key stakeholders, the input of the public is also critical for such a project. Public consultation will take the form of town hall meetings, manned open house sessions to encourage informal consultations, and presentation of information via a dedicated website [channelstudy.info]. The website is set up to accept written submissions.

“On Tuesday 18th March an open house will be held at the Anglican Cathedral Hall, 29 Church Street in Hamilton from 11 am – 3 pm for people to learn more about the project.

“There will also be three town hall meetings: Hamilton at The Anglican Cathedral Hall, 29 Church Street on Tuesday 1st April from 6 to 7:30PM and Dockyard at the Heritage Wharf Terminal on Thursday 3rd April from 6 to 7:30PM. The third meeting will be held in St. George’s in mid April, with the exact date yet to be confirmed. Further meetings will be held if there is a need.

“The Ministry of Public Works wishes to take this opportunity to encourage any member of the public who is interested in finding out more about the planned modification to Bermuda’s channels and providing their input to take advantage of one of these methods to ensure that their input is received and properly addressed.”

For additional information please contact Bermuda Environmental Consulting Ltd at 400 5990

#BermudaMarine #ShippingChannels

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