An environmental impact assessment (EIA) of the Royal Caribbean International (RCI) beach club at Paradise Island, which was proposed under the former administration, recommended moving forward with the proposed development and found no significant negative impact.
The assessment, completed in December 2020 by Islands By Design, a coastal and marine engineering, environmental consulting and project management firm, said while the site at the western end of Paradise Island will experience an insignificant loss of vegetation, implementation of mitigation techniques such as native landscaping and close construction footprint shall lessen overall impacts.
The firm said no areas of special or sensitive ecological or notable diversity were observed.
"Biodiversity on Paradise Island is limited due to its small land mass as smaller land masses tend to support fewer numbers of species than larger ones," the report read.
It added, "No solid waste issues are anticipated as all solid waste streams will be disposed of."
Islands By Design reported that cumulative physical impacts are not considered significant given the existing terrestrial physical disturbance and moderate expansion anticipated.
The report also noted that habitat degradation impacts are considered negligible.
"Some habitat degradation is unavoidable due to loss of habitat necessary for construction clearing and building. These impacts are considered minimal given the extent of human-altered areas over the entire island," it read.
"The greatest biological threat posed to biodiversity, particularly on small cays, is localized impacts as a result of alteration of habitat through the introduction of aggressive opportunistic species such as those recommended for removal or eradication."
The proposed project will include the development of Paradise Beach and Colonial Beach to create an arrivals area, family zone, watersports center, food and beverage services, and swimming pool and back of house areas in support of a world-class beach experience, the report noted.
The Davis administration, on March 7, announced it has granted approval to RCI for its $100 million beach club project, and that it is subject to final environmental approvals.
The government said the project will cover 17 acres of which 13 acres represent privately held land and four acres are Crown land.
The project the Davis administration approved was revised from the original proposal presented to the Minnis administration.
The EIA reflects the studies based on that original proposal when seven acres of Crown land were factored in.
Environmental factors
The report noted that weather and climate are environmental factors that will persist throughout the development period, and as such, the developer shall take into consideration the impacts from anticipated and unexpected weather events that may naturally alter the physical environment.
"The proposed development seeks to avoid undue environmental harm where possible. Mitigation techniques and best management practices to mitigate and alleviate adverse impacts will be further addressed in an Environmental Management Plan (EMP)," the report read.
It added that erosion and sediment impacts are limited to activities associated with preparation for construction and supporting infrastructure, i.e. lay-down area and pathway improvements, and site clearance.
Other potential erosion and sediment impacts such as storm-water management and protection of sensitive environments will fall under the auspice of an EMP, the report noted.
It added that excluding the saltwater table, no significant subterranean fresh water lens is known to exist at the site that would be otherwise affected by the project expansion.
The report read, "No site-specific hydrological studies have been conducted nor is it presumed that they will be required as the minimal land mass of the site would not accumulate nor develop any fresh water lens of any magnitude."
RCI's proposed development seeks to feature overwater vistas similar to those currently enjoyed at Perfect Day at Coco Cay, the report also noted, adding that these overwater vistas will be for day use only allowing cruise passengers a shaded and dry perch.
RCI proposes a maximum of 10 single-story vistas connected to the mainland.
"Overall, the environmental impacts for the proposed overwater vistas at the Royal Beach Club are considered minimal. Vista design and site placement allow light penetration, minimize disturbance to the seafloor, avoid pollutant inputs, and account for climate variability," the report noted.
It added that during pile installation, an unavoidable loss of vegetation and disturbance of sediments can be expected for the footprint of the piling, but said disturbance and the potential for regrowth in the immediate vicinity of the piling depends largely on the installation methodology.
The report noted that suspended sediment and silt generate turbid conditions suppressing light penetration, releasing adsorbed contaminants contributing to poor water quality and negatively impacting present marine biota.
"Changes in water movement due to pilings redirecting water flow or speeding movement around the pile may result in scour and alter predator-prey behavior," the report read.
"Minimizing the numbers and size of piling is supported by the scientific literature."
But such issues are moot should the overwater structure be built to the Bahamas Building Code and properly sited and operated such that poor water quality would not ensue, the report noted.
The report added that the increased use of Paradise Island as a destination is unlikely to result in any appreciable increases in sound or noise pollution.
Islands By Design also said, "The capital investment will positively impact the local community by providing employment and occupational transfer of skills while expanding the touristic offerings of the area.
"The developer emphasizes a local Bahamian workforce with minimal environmental impacts through the use of smart energy technology, smart building design, and high efficiency products."
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