Belmopan, 24th May, 2011. The Department of the Environment will be hosting another public consultation this Thursday, May 26, 2010 at the Caye Caulker Community Centre starting at 7:00 pm.

The primary objectives of the project are:

1. To investigate the waste management practices of the residents of Caye Caulker for the collection and treatment of sewage in Caye Caulker within the framework of the Land Based Sources of Marine Pollution Protocol of the Cartagena Convention (LBS Protocol).
2. To investigate the possible contamination of Caye Caulker’s ground and surface waters resulting from the current sewage waste management practices by undertaking an in depth water quality monitoring programme.
3. To investigate the current use of ground water resources in Caye Caulker to determine the potential impacts to human health.
4. To consolidate the recommendations of prior studies conducted in Caye Caulker and formulate new recommendations taking into account the realities of Caye Caulker, the new information collected and noting the recent passage of Effluent Limitations (Amendment) Regulations in line with the LBS Protocol.

Over the past year, the DOE has been sending out personnel to Caye Caulker on a regular basis to conduct water quality monitoring of both groundwater and sea water at pre-established monitoring sites. The DOE has conducted a public consultation as well as a survey to further the overall goal of the project in working towards recommendations for proper waste management in Caye Caulker.

In July 2009, the Ministry of Natural Resources and the Environment, through the Department of the Environment (DOE), embarked on a Sewage Needs Assessment Project for Caye Caulker to investigate the waste management practices of the residents of Caye Caulker and determine the extent of contamination of ground and surface waters from these waste disposal practices.

All residents of Caye Caulker are invited to come out and learn more about the project.

For more information, please contact:
The Chief Environmental Officer
Department of the Environment
10/12 Ambergris Avenue
Belmopan, Belize
Tel: 822-2816 or 2542
Fax: 822-2862
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.doe.gov.bz

What was talked about at this meeting? Do you have any information?

Mike