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All,
<P>I would like to echo what Robert Bourke discussed about approaching
developers/permit applicants as early on in the permitting process as possible.
As someone who is intimately involved with the permitting of development
projects such as those being discussed, I (somewhat) understand the mentality
of developers/applicants and those who generally oppose these type projects.
I have been caught in-between these two groups on more than one occasion.
<P>In addition to Bourke's comments I believe there is one other issue
that is just as important - that of attitude. Despite the fact that one
truly believes that a particular development project may "<I>destroy our
precious fragile coral reefs", </I>continually bombarding the developer
with these clichés will do nothing but alienate them to a point
where it will be difficult to get any concessions. The message these broad
sweeping accusations are giving to the developer is that you oppose the
project in its entirety. How else would you expect the developer to react?
(Granted, there will be certain projects-from-hell that should be openly
opposed however those are not under discussion here.) I believe that if
you can approach the developer with a calm demeanor and be reasonable with
your requests, the chances of being able to seriously discuss (and
address) your concerns are greatly increased. Once you have the developers
attention, then present them with <U>specific</U> scientifically based
(if possible) concerns and (very important) offer viable options that will
<U>minimize</U> the perceived impacts (other than moving the project to
another island). Although easy to suggest, this approach is
difficult and will require someone with special people skills....... it
can even be a person not involved with the local environmental group.
Leave the rabid environmentalists out of these meetings as they will do
nothing but cause the developers eyes to glaze over and not listen to a
thing being presented.
<P>It is unrealistic to expect a development project to have no impacts.
As such, you should be reasonable (key word) in determining the threshold
level of impacts that you are willing to accept. Don't expect the permitting
process to stop the project, as its purpose is to to minimize impacts,
not necessarily modify the project to a point where it has no impacts.
What is being suggested is not an ideal solution, but in the real world
(especially in those countries that are economically challenged) these
projects will go forward regardless of what you do and the best we can
hope for is to work with the developer in minimizing impacts rather than
alienating them. Some may be surprised that most developers don't want
the environment destroyed any more than you do........ its just that they
need to be educated in a non-threatening manner that will translate into
more $$ for them.
<P>Sorry for the preaching..........
<P>John
<P>***********************
<BR>Robert Bourke wrote:
<BLOCKQUOTE TYPE=CITE>Coral List;
<P>Developments such as the one brought to our attention by Mr. Jaufeerally
in
<BR>Mauritus, Indian Ocean, or the one in St. Vincints Island are going
to
<BR>happen. While this may be seen as deplorable to those of us interested
in
<BR>protecting coral reefs, the fact remains that economic and social pressures
<BR>will continue to foster this type of development. The truly sad
part about
<BR>these stories is that the application of modern coastal engineering
design
<BR>and construction techniques could largely avoid the majority of adverse
<BR>impacts to the reef ecosystem. As a biologist working for such
a coastal
<BR>engineering company it is very frustrating to know that such damage
to the
<BR>environment can be avoided, only to be underbid on a project by other
<BR>engineering companies who do not take environmental issues into
<BR>consideration. For those of you on the Coral List with concerns
about
<BR>coastal development issues in your own vicinity, I strongly suggest
that you
<BR>focus your efforts on the permitting of such developments at the earliest
<BR>possible stage. When a developer is trying to obtain permits,
they will
<BR>promise almost anything. The trick is to get it in writing as
a condition
<BR>of the permit. Once the permit is issued and the cranes and barges
on
<BR>en-route it is almost impossible to make positive changes in design
or
<BR>construction methods.
<P>Good Luck
<P>Bob Bourke
<BR>Oceanit
<BR>> -----Original Message-----
<BR>> From: Karim Jaufeerally [SMTP:KRM@intnet.mu]
<BR>> Sent: Friday, February 23, 2001 12:13 AM
<BR>> To: coral-list@coral.aoml.noaa.gov
<BR>> Subject: Blue Bay Marine Park in Mauritius
<BR>>
<BR>> Save Blue Bay Marine Park
<BR>>
<BR>> Greetings,
<BR>>
<BR>> My name is Karim Jaufeerally from Mauritius in the Indian Ocean,
we have =
<BR>> two declared marine parks both of which are under stress from =
<BR>> development and tourism. The least affected marine park, the Blue
Bay =
<BR>> Marine Park, is under threat from promoters who wish to build a hotel
=
<BR>> right in the middle of it.
<BR>>
<BR>> Please visit the following web site to get acquainted with the =
<BR>> prevailing situation and please help by letting the Mauritian Government
=
<BR>> know of your concern.
<BR>>
<BR>> <A HREF="http://www.intnet.mu/iels/bbmp.htm">http://www.intnet.mu/iels/bbmp.htm</A>
<BR>>
<BR>> There are e-mail links directly to Government Departments
<BR>>
<BR>> Please help, every e-mail will count
<BR>>
<BR>> Many thanks
<BR>>
<BR>> Karim Jaufeerally
<BR>>
<BR>> ~~~~~~~
<BR>> For directions on subscribing and unsubscribing to coral-list or
the
<BR>> digests, please visit www.coral.noaa.gov, click on Popular on the
<BR>> menu bar, then click on Coral-List Listserver.
<BR>~~~~~~~
<BR>For directions on subscribing and unsubscribing to coral-list or the
<BR>digests, please visit www.coral.noaa.gov, click on Popular on the
<BR>menu bar, then click on Coral-List Listserver.</BLOCKQUOTE>
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