NEAC Says No EIA For Company Seeking to Construct Road Passing Through Forest Reserve in Belize

BELMOPAN, Belize – The National Environmental Appraisal Committee (NEAC) has recommended that environmental clearance not be granted for the construction of a new access road passing through the Freshwater Creek Forest Reserve (FCFR) to connect Honey Camp and Neuland in the Orange Walk District, a large, agricultural region in northwestern Belize.

Freshwater Creek Forest Reserve (File Photo)The NEAC said that it had on July 30, this year met to review the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) report submitted by Tunich-Nah Consultants and Engineering on behalf of Honey Hub Limited, a private company associated with infrastructure and agricultural logistics projects.

It said that the report pertains to the proposed construction of 2.2 miles of road passing through the Northeastern Biological Corridor (NEBC).

“After a thorough review of the EIA report and consideration of public concerns, the NEAC recommended that environmental clearance not be granted for the 2.2 miles of road. This recommendation was based, in particular, on the ecological value of the Northeastern Biological Corridor (NEBC),” it said.

NEBC said that it was legally established to protect and maintain important forest areas, facilitate the movement of wildlife between habitats, and support the conservation of Belize’s natural environment.

It said that the EIA did not provide sufficient justification for clearing approximately 13 acres of forest within the NEBC to construct the proposed road and that given the ecological importance of the area, clearing 13 acres of forest “would fragment wildlife habitat, restrict the movement of wildlife within their natural ranges, and increase the risk of wildlife being killed or injured”.

The NEBC said that the EIA did not provide sufficient information to confirm that an adequate supply of suitable material is available for the construction of the road. It said the proposed areas identified for obtaining fill material may have already been partially or completely utilized. If additional areas are required, this could result in further clearing, land disturbance, and damage to natural habitats.

“The proposed road would negatively affect Santa Martha Village, as residents depend on the existing road network for transportation, livelihoods, and other economic activities. Although the proposed road would shorten the travel distance by approximately five miles, the EIA did not adequately demonstrate that this benefit would outweigh the potential negative impacts on the community.

“Overall, the potential adverse environmental impacts associated with the construction of the proposed road are considered to outweigh the socioeconomic benefits that could be derived from the project,” the NEBC said, adding that the Department of the Environment (DOE) “has accepted the recommendations of the NEAC regarding this project and has informed Honey Hub Limited of its decision”.