Environmental Threats
and Challenges

Update:  13 August 2011  Siltation curtains have been installed, but do not seem to be resting on the bottom of the Lagoon as required by the Environmental Compliance Plan for Las Brisas.  Also, no containment for dredged spoils.

As shown above, Las Brisas is located in the Placencia Lagoon near the southern end of Placencia Village.

Las Brisas is a residential subdivision of either 17 or 19 lots (the Environmental Compliance Plan (ECP) for Las Brisas is contradictory on the number of lots) on 3.913 acres of land to be created by dredging and filling. 

The development will also include 2 "small" boating canals on the western side of the property to be created, a boat dock for 5 boats, public open space and possibly a commercial lot.  Water will be obtained from the Placencia Village water supply and garbage will be deposited into the Placencia Village solid waste dump.

The developer for Las Brisas is Las Brisas Placencia, Limited.  John Stothart signed the Las Brisas ECP as principal of Las Brisas on 1 April 2011.

The Department of the Environment did not require the developer to do an Environmental Impact Assessment for the development.

The Las Brisas ECP includes the following authorizations and obligations:

• 32,000 cubic yards of fill may be dredged from the Placencia Lagoon.  (Fill material will be used to create land to a height of 2-3 feet above mean sea level.
• No mangroves may be altered except to construct the boat canal.  Mangroves must also be planted in areas with no trees.  However, the developer is not obligated to use mangroves instead of a constructed seawall.
• A 30 foot reserve must be created on the western side of the property. 

Portion of Placencia Lagoon being
dredged and filled for Las Brisas

 

• Las Brisas Environmental Compliance Plan

• Minister's Fiat of Las Brisas area of Lagoon in 2005 to Eugene Leslie (property described as being "along" the Lagoon)

• Letter to DOE and Geology regarding dredging without silt curtains as required by ECP

• Las Brisas Mangrove Removal Permit

• PCSD Letter re: Mangrove Removal Permit