Now the runway renovation isn't the only project happening on Caye Caulker. San Pedro Belize Express Water taxi is dredging near their pier. Now some expressed concerns that this project could be damaging to the environment and to the reef. But Area Rep Heredia says the project is quite safe and all residents will benefit from it.
Hon. Manuel Heredia, Minister of Tourism
"Permission was granted by the department of hydrology, I believe who are the pertinent body, to San Pedro Belize Express to do a dredging on the side of their pier, because the water was too shallow and propellers were breaking every now and then. So after studying that with the pertinent bodies, they decided to grant them a permit to do it with the condition that all the materials will be for the use of the community and hence you can ask in Caye Caulker I think 3 days now they have been on the streets - just the cost of transportation whatever. That is what they are charging. But the sand will be distributed to all needy people including the 3 schools that we have."
"The schools have received a substantial amount of that material. Material is extremely scarce and so this opportunity from this company paying for the dredging and donating all the materials. You cannot get a better deal than that and I am sure that if you call the majority of people over there, they will tell you that they are happy to be receiving this material in their yards, particularly with this weather."
"Usually when they give this permit, they ensure that you have a curtain that will not spill any silt to the reef. But I must say anything that you do have little negative effect."
Courtney Weatherburne, reporter
"Has the department of environment cleared this project?"
Hon. Manuel Heredia, Minister of Tourism
"It is done by all bodies: Fisheries, department of the environment and geology. That is the procedures."
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