Sandals to build a JETTY on the 7 mile beach?

[RastaCrab]

I'd love to see another report done by someone without a vested interest in commerce there - like the NCRS for example, done by marine biologists and sand ecologists and the such. I read that there's actually been a proposed plan in the works regarding "fixing" the beach on Long Bay for several years. I'd love to see that plan.

Not sure what "fixing" the beach implies. Beaches typically form where fresh water and ocean meet.

Getting another party to conduct a study will still involve engineering (ecologists and scientists may be tapped for specific information). The problem is who pays for that work - someone like Greenpeace? In the case of the USA, the money wins. I'm sure we will see the same in Jamaica whether it is for a small jetty and beach protection barriers or something really bad. Sandals has done the homework and from what I'm seeing so far, done it well. Now they have to sell it to NEPA and their neighbors.

[rastagirl777]

Not sure what "fixing" the beach implies. Beaches typically form where fresh water and ocean meet.

Getting another party to conduct a study will still involve engineering (ecologists and scientists may be tapped for specific information). The problem is who pays for that work -

Fixing is a broad term. Taking measures to prevent further beach erosion would be more specific.
As far as paying for a scientific study by a group that has no commercial interest in the beach - yeah, exactly - who pays for that. While the Sandals report does appear very well done and researched we must remember that Sandals payed for it. There are reports from Chevron and BP concerning the environment that also come off very "friendly".

[Jamerican Revelations]

Dear god, now a comparison of a sandals beach retaining project with the likes of an oil companies damage control.

[rastagirl777]

Actually no, you missed my point.

Big Oil is always paying for environmental impact reports on all sorts of things from off shore rigs to franchised gas stations. And when they pay for those reports the reports tend to "favor" that company's point of view or immediate need. THAT'S the comparison. Money can buy you just about everything. NCRS doesn't have as much money as Sandals so for them to put together an environmental impact report will be a lot harder...but I hope they can do it anyway.

[RastaCrab]

environmental impact reports

The term often used in the engineering world is "optimistic" when it comes to these reports. Kind of works like this - a client commissions a study, the study produces a variety of results, the client likes the most "optimistic" one, it gets written up with caveats alluding to the less "optimistic" results. Generally the real details are buried in the appendices as they are in the Sandals report showing potential beach erosion results from various known storms. Most of the executives that review an engineering study rarely get past the open paragraphs and summary.

In the States, the EPA takes on the task of doing the counter study looking closer at the alternative solutions. It appears the same will hold true with the Jamaican system. The report is a revised report based on input from NEPA engineers.

[Rob]

The truth of this issue is no where near as sinister as some apparently want to believe. Sandals is not against the Negril environment. In fact, they have been the host to many of the United Nations Environment Programs here in Negril. I have attended them and speaking from current, firsthand knowledge in Negril, some of the statements being made here seem more knee-jerk reactions and are far from the reality.

The UN started a program to help with environmental issues world wide, and Negril was chosen for the pilot program for their Risk and Vulnerability Assessment Methodology Development Project. The results of the pilot project can be read here:

http://www.grid.unep.ch/product/publ...oad/RiVAMP.pdf

There is no possible way that Sandals in not taking the recommendations from the United Nations into account. I promise you that NEPA is....

[Jamerican Revelations]

I seem to have been the only one thus far that has been trying to be the voice of reason since this was 1st frantically broadcasted over the Internet. That however was like trying to break up a mob that grew larger that was attacking a person in the streets that was falsely accused by the first person.

All have tried to say from the beginning is that what they have planned doesn't look as if it will impact anything that it has been so quickly accuse of nor do I think Mr Stewart would want any eye sore along his beach front or look to create any future issues otherwise.

The Sandals Foundation is so involved in preservation & funding of environmental projects that I have to think that anything that they undertake is going to be done with great consideration and a lot of research to weigh in any pros and cons.

[Rob]

NEPA is the Jamaican Government Agency just as the EPA is an American Government Agency. I am not sure why you think they are different.

Here is the overview, mission statement, legislative mandate and policies of NEPA:

Overview

The National Environment and Planning Agency (NEPA) is an Executive Agency that became operational on April 1, 2001.


NEPA represents a merger between the Natural Resources Conservation Authority (NRCA), the Town Planning Department (TPD) and the Land Development and Utilization Commission (LDUC). The Agency results from the work of the Government of Jamaica Public Sector Modernization Programme (PSMP). The aim of the merger is to integrate environmental, planning and sustainable development policies and programmes and to improve customer service.

Our Mission

To promote sustainable development by ensuring protection of the environment and orderly development in Jamaica through highly motivated staff performing at the highest standard.

Our Vision

That Jamaica's natural resources are being used in a sustainable way and that there is broad understanding of environment, planning and development issues, with extensive participation amongst citizens and a high level of compliance to relevant legislation.

Our Core Values

Integrity: We earn our reputation by adhering to the highest ethical standards, conduct and moral principles and at all times act in ways to preserve our integrity.

Accountability: We hold ourselves accountable to the public, accept responsibility for the decisions and actions that we take and will submit ourselves to the scrutiny that attends our decisions and actions.

Justice & Fair-play: In valuing the diversity in human nature and circumstances, we apply the principles of justice and fair-play in all our dealings within and outside the Agency to ensure that equity always prevails.

Customer Service: We acknowledge our role as a provider of services and will always strive to satisfy and exceed our customers’ expectations.

Teamwork: We foster collaboration and teamwork among staff while maintaining individual accountability.

Health & Safety: We strive to create and maintain a safe and healthy work environment.


Empowerment: We aim to create a learning organization where all our employees are empowered to achieve excellence, and high levels of performance are recognized and rewarded.

Respect: We treat our team members, clients and partners with mutual respect and sensitivity, recognizing the importance of diversity.


Legislative Mandate

NEPA operates under the following Acts:

The Natural Resources Conservation Authority Act;

The Town and Country Planning Act;

The Land Development and Utilization Act;

The Beach Control Act;

The Watersheds Protection Act; and

The Wild Life Protection Act

Endangered Species (Protection, Conservation and Regulation of Trade) Act



Policies

The work of NEPA is guided by the following policies and plans:

Jamaica National Environmental Action Plan (JaNEAP) 1999-2002

National Physical Plan

Policy for Jamaica's System of Protected Areas - 1997

Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan (Draft)

Watershed Management Policy (Draft)

Beach Policy for Jamaica (Draft)

Environmental Management Systems Policy and Strategy (Draft)

[RastaCrab]

Didn't mean to imply anything sinister. As an engineer I was trained to think critically. And all engineers appreciate it when another engineer looks over their work. That is a combination of pride of work as well as having someone check the work. Generally when a report is released from a reputable engineering consultancy (such as was used by Sandals) you can expect it was peer reviewed and is believable. This report is very believable.

What can go wrong is any number of things. I can offer conjectures and so on but, really, this is an interesting approach to solving a very real problem faced by the Sandals property. I wish them the best of luck and am quite impressed. Much engineering respect to the authors. Would love to see the computer model in operation, but that's simply because I'm a geek for that sort of thing.

The only negative I can see so far is that it will disrupt my (and others residing at Point Village) regular walks while the construction is progressing.

[rastagirl777]