ence - anteproyecto terminal portuaria - punta pereiraproject for the environmental protection and...

PROJECT FOR THE ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AND CONTROL

OF POLLUTION CAUSED BY THE MARITIME TRANSPORTATION IN

THE GULF OF HONDURAS

DATA AND INFORMATION MANAGEMENT SYSTEM, ESTABLISHMENT OF A BASE

LINE, PREPARATION OF A TRANSBOUNDARY DIAGNOSTIC ANALYSIS AND A

STRATEGIC ACTION PLAN

FFIINNAALL RREEPPOORRTT

MARCH 2010

Project for the Environmental Protection and Control of Pollution Caused by the Maritime

Transportation in the Gulf of Honduras

Data and Information Management System, Establishment of a Base Line, Preparation of a

Transboundary Diagnostic Analysis and a Strategic Action Plan

Final Report

Executive Summary

Consortium International MarConsult Inc & CSI Ingenieros, S.A. March 2010 Executive Summary – Page. 1

RESPONSIBILITIES The present document is a part of the activities developed by the International Consortium MarConsult Inc – CSI Ingenieros S.A., in the framework of the consultancy services, regarding the so-called “Data and Information Management System, Establishment of a baseline, Preparation of a Transboundary Diagnostic Analysis (TDA) and Strategic Action Plan (SAP)” which is part of the “Project for the Environmental Protection and Control of the Pollution Originated from the Maritime Transportation in the Gulf of Honduras” developed by the Central American Commission for Maritime Transportation (COCATRAM) and by the Central American Environment and Development Commission (GEF) and the Inter-American Development Bank (BID). The opinions herein expressed are an exclusive responsibility of the authors and could not match with the ones from the previously mentioned organizations. No part of the contents of this document shall reduce the rights, present or future expectations, or the juristic opinions of the participating Governments regarding the sea rights and specially, everything related to the nature and the extension of the zones under their sovereignty or their national jurisdiction, to the limits of the marine zones between the Countries sharing borders or which borders are facing each other, or the freedom for sea navigation, or the right and methods of travel through straits used for international navigation and the rights for innocent passing through territorial seas, as well as the nature and extension of the jurisdiction of the Coastal State, the Flag State, or the State Port Authority. No act or activity that is carried out based on the present document will be a motive for claim, opposition, or denial of any pretensions on sovereignty or national jurisdiction.





Final Report

Executive Summary


SPECIAL THANKS

The present study was developed by the International Consortium MarConsult Inc – CSI Ingenieros S.A., (IMC-CSI), with the financing of the Inter-American Development Bank, under the technical supervision and monitoring of M.Sc. Roberto Rivas, in his capacity of Environmental Specialist of the (URCP) Program’s Coordinating Regional Unit. The following consultants participated on this same study:

o Belgis Chial (Project’s Director) o Carlos Sagrera (Technical Coordination) o Jorge López Laborde (Physical and Geo-Chemical Framework Specialist) o Ernesto Brugnoli (Natural Resources Management Specialist) o Alessandra Tiribochi Barelli (Environmental Management Specialist) o Sandra Castro Scarone (Analytic Chemistry Specialist – Monitoring Campaign) o Hugo Roche Rivera (Economy Specialist) o Juan Carlos Rivera (Laws Specialist) o José Luis Portillo (Geographical Information Systems Specialist) o Héctor Polo Morales (Management Information Systems MIS Specialist) o Daniel Larnaudie López (Cartography and MIS Specialist) o Alejandro del Río (Specialist in Biology – Monitoring Campaign) o Isabel Villalobos (Environment Specialist - Monitoring Campaign) o Mariano Diaz (Logistic Management Workshops and Monitoring Campaign, Focal Points Links

in Guatemala and Belize) o Elvín Torres (Logistic Management Workshops and Monitoring Campaign, Focal Points Links in

Honduras) o Marianela Barahona (Translations and Edition Team Supervisor) o Emma Alemán (Administrative Management, Regional Office Project IMC-CSI Puerto Cortés)

The study has incorporated technical data and diverse information, which has been provided by public bodies and private companies; for this, the International Consortium MarConsult Inc – CSI Ingenieros S.A., wishes to thank the authorities, technicians, and said bodies’ and companies’ staff. We want to give very special thanks to “The Nature Conservancy” and its regional responsible Dr. Néstor Windevoxhel, who, after making a specific agreement with the company IMC (07.11.08), rendered valuable information to the International Consortium MarConsult Inc – CSI Ingenieros S.A., which is part of the “Geographical Information System” that was developed for its recent publication “Eco-regional Assessment of the Mesoamerican Reef: Marine Conservation Plan” (Arrivillaga and Windevoxhel,2008). Special mentions for the Inter-American Development Bank referents for this project (Eng. Emelie B. Weitnauer, at the start of the same, and Lic. Josué Ávila for the short time in which he had to work), and for the Director of COCATRAM, Mr. Otto Noack, who supported the initiatives and approached the national governmental and the international bodies’ authorities in difficult times. Finally, our thanks to the URCP staff, leaded by Eng. Edas Muñoz and M.Sc. Roberto Rivas, who made possible this completion, always being open for listening and who responded in an effective manner to the Consortium’s worries.





Final Report

Executive Summary


EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

An economic, non-refundable support from the Global Environmental Fund (GEF) was possible through

the Central American Commission for Maritime Transportation (COCATRAM) and the Central American

Commission for Environment and Development (CCAD), for the partial financing of the “Project for the

Environmental Protection and Control of the Pollution Originated from the Maritime

Transportation in the Gulf of Honduras” costs (Non-Refundable Fund N° GRT/FM – 9179 – RS); and

which administrator is the Inter-American Development Bank).

In the framework of said Project, the present study represents the consultancy called: “Data and

Information Management System, Establishment of a Base Line, Preparation of a

Transboundary Diagnostic Analysis (TDA) and Strategic Action Plan (SAP)” which general

objective is “the obtaining of technical and scientific information that can establish a base line and the

reference indicators of the current state of the Gulf of Honduras from an environmental, social, and

economic perspective, stressing the importance on the region’s ecosystems and the current pollution

levels. Said information will be useful for making a Transboundary Diagnostic Analysis (TDA) and a

Strategic Action Plan (SAP) that would describe the actions – and the respective activity timeframe –

that the Governments and the region will need to apply in order to resolve the diagnosed problems. All

of the above mentioned is compiled in a Data and Information Management System for the Gulf of

Honduras”.

The Consortium, which is comprised of the firms International MarConsult Inc. (Republic of Panama)

and CSI Ingenieros SA (Oriental Republic of Uruguay), won the International Public Bid SP N° PGH–

LPI–04–07, which consultancy’s title has been previously mentioned.

The company International MarConsult Inc. (IMC), is a consulting company from Panama, which has

carried out projects for international bodies, government and private sector bodies, having an

outstanding participation in maritime, port, and environmental projects in the Central American region.

With more than eight (8) years of international experience, it is comprised of high profile experts with up

to 26 years of experience in areas such as naval engineering, environment, maritime laws, maritime

safety, port protection, and maritime training. The area of experience also includes port and coastal

engineering (for which it has made an alliance with the Canadian company Baird & Associates –

Canada).

As for, CSI Ingenieros SA (CSI), it is one of the main service consultancy and engineering firms in the

Oriental Republic of Uruguay and one of the most innovative and successful in the Southern Continent.

Since 1980, it has participated in important projects for the public and private sectors of Uruguay,

Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay, Bolivia, Ecuador, Costa Rica, China, Mexico y Angola and, in the last

fifteen (15) years, it has transformed its original approach, based on the agricultural-industrial

development and industrial engineering, becoming a diversified Firm, with a broad capacity in several

disciplines, offering a range of integrated services that go from preliminary assessments to the

execution of a project.

The study carried out by this Consortium as a result of the present Consulting, was developed under

the supervision and technical follow-up of M.Sc. Roberto Rivas, as environmental specialist for the

Program’s Coordinating Regional Unit (URCP).





Final Report

Executive Summary


Figures 1–1 y 1–2 respectively, show the professional staff assigned for the Project (Figure 1–1) and the basic diagram of the work plan (Figure 1–2), which was timely agreed with the Program’s Coordinating Regional Unit (URCP).

Figure 1–1. Organization Chart of the professional staff assigned for the Consultancy’s development

Figure 1–2, General Flowchart for the Consultancy’s development.

SIGNATURE OF THE CONTRACT

1ST. TOUR

(BELIZE, GUATEMALA, HONDURAS)

CONS

2ND TOUR


WORK PLAN ELABORATION

INITIAL REPORT

ADVANCE REPORT

FINAL REPORT DRAFT

FINAL REPORT

PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT OF THE

ENVIRONMENTAL PROSPECTION CAMPAIGN

DIAGNOSTICS

Physical and Bio – Geochemical Frameworks

Pollution Framework

Social Economic Framework

Legal Framework

WORKSHOP

WORKSHOP

Program’s Coordinating Regional Unit (URCP)

RUBEN REYNA

REPRESENTATIVE CONSORTIUM IMC-CSI

CONS

BELGIS CHIAL

PROJECT´S DIRECTOR

CARLOS SAGRERA

TECHNICAL COORDINATION

TE ELVIN TORRES

CORTES PORT OFFICE

Cortes Port Ofici

c

o

EMMA ALEMAN

SECRETARIAT

JORGE LOPEZ LABORDE

PHYSICAL AND GEO-CHEMICAL FRAMEWORK

SPECIALIST

ERNESTO BRUGNOLI

NATURAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT SPECIALIST

ALESSANDRA TIRIBOCCHI BARELLI

ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT SPECIALIST

SANDRA CASTRO SCARONE

ANALYTIC CHEMISTRY SPECIALIST

HUGO ROCHE RIVERA

ECONOMY SPECIALIST

JUAN CARLOS RIVERA

LAWS SPECIALIST

JOSE LUIS PORTILO

GEOGRAPHICAL INFORMATION SYSTEMS SPECIALIST

ALEJANDRO DEL RIO

SUPPORT

ISABEL VILLALOBOS

SUPPORT

DANIEL LARNAUDIE

SUPPORT

HECTOR POLO

SUPPORT





Final Report

Executive Summary


The present Final Report shows the general and specific objectives established in the TDRs. The

previous includes everything mentioned in the previous reports (initial Report, Advance Report, and

Final Report Draft) including the observations that have been timely suggested by the Program’s

Coordinating Regional Unit (URCP) and the study’s key actors.

The Final Report, is subdivided in six chapters, which are: Chapter 1: Introduction, Chapter 2: Studied

Area, Chapter 3: Diagnose of the Works’ Frameworks: Physical and Bio – Geochemical Frameworks,

Pollution Framework, Social Economic Framework, and Institutional - Legal Framework, Chapter 4:

Transboundary Diagnostic Analysis (TDA), Chapter 5: Strategic Action Plan (SAP), and Chapter 6:

Bibliography.

The report also contains:

A group of forty six (46) maps that, according to the document for bases and conditions, comprise

“the update of maps and/or new maps made for the consultancy”.

Seven (7) annexes regarding:

o The activities carried out in the framework of the “Environmental Prospection Campaign”

(ANNEX 01).

o The manual specifically made for the “Environmental Prospection Campaign” (ANNEX 02).

o The results of the “Environmental Prospection Campaign” (ANNEX 03).

o The institutions visited in order to gather the basic information and to interview qualified actors;

said visits were made in two business trips made between June 30 and July 09 of 2008

(ANNEX 04) and between September 27 and October 10 of 2008 (ANNEX 05).

o The activities carried out for the “First Regional Workshop on the Project Advance” which was

made in the City of Guatemala, (Guatemala) during February 16 and 17 of 2009, and

particularly, for the workshops so-called “Projecting the Strategic Action Plan” (ANNEX 06).

o The activities carried out for the “Second Regional Workshop on the Project Advance” which

was made in the City of San Pedro Sula (Honduras) during June 15 and 16 of 2009 and,

particularly, for the workshops so-called “Prioritizing and reaching a consensus for the Strategic

The activities Action Plan” (Annex 07).

Additionally, the document belonging to the Final Report is complemented by a digital recording

(CD) containing, among other documents, the Final Report text as well as the cartography

incorporated to the Geographical Information System (GIS) made, and a video from the activities

developed for the “Environmental Prospection Campaign”.

It is important to indicate that Chapter 3 (Works’ Framework Diagnose) includes:

o The so-called “Base Line for the Current State of the Gulf of Honduras” based in the analysis of

the main backgrounds and on the information obtained in the “Environmental Prospection

Campaign” carried out for the consulting, between August 08 and 26 of 2008 and in which

different sampling stations of superficial waters for sediments and biota were carried out.

SIGNATURE OF THE CONTRACT

1ST. TOUR


CONS

2ND TOUR


WORK PLAN ELABORATION

INITIAL REPORT

ADVANCE REPORT

FINAL REPORT DRAFT

FINAL REPORT

PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT OF THE

ENVIRONMENTAL PROSPECTION CAMPAIGN

DIAGNOSTICS

Physical and Bio – Geochemical Frameworks

Pollution Framework

Social Economic Framework

Legal Framework

WORKSHOP

WORKSHOP





Final Report

Executive Summary


o The so-called “Environmental Awareness Letter for the Gulf of Honduras”; said letter was made

from the integration and the analysis of the gathered information and, especially, from the

information provided by “The Nature Conservancy” to the IMC-CSI Consortium, and which is

part of the “Geographical Information System” developed for its recent publication “Eco-regional

Assessment of the Mesoamerican Reef: Marine Conservation Plan” (Arrivillaga y Windevoxhel,

2008).

o The “Economic Valuation of the Coastal - Marine Ecosystems of the Gulf of Honduras”,

supported on the concept of “ecosystem’s environmental goods and services” as a base for the

estimation of the tangible benefits offered by said ecosystems from which both, the sustainable

development of numerous economic activities and the welfare state of the society and the

region’s countries’ economies (Belize, Guatemala, and Honduras) depend. Particularly, it is

important to mention that, for said assessment, a special reference is made on the most recent

bibliography regarding to the economic valuation of the environmental services for the wetlands

and hydrographic basins and, specifically, on two of the most recent studies that have carried

out for the region: Windevoxhel and Jolón (2008) and Cooper et al. (2009).

Having integrated the two Diagnoses in a specific Report (Initial Report) and the Transboundary

Diagnostic Analyisis (TDA) in the following Report (Advance Report), the purpose of this report is to

integrate them with the Strategic Action Plan (SAP), for which a preliminary version has been made

(Final Report Draft), which has received observations that are now integrated in the final version.

The main objective of the Strategic Action Plan, is to promote both, the sustainable development of the

Gulf of Honduras (Focusing particularly in the ecosystems and the biodiversity associated with them)

and the improvement of the quality of life of the coastal population, through the incorporation of the

environmental concerns in national and regional policies, plans, and development programs and

through the establishment of harmonization mechanisms for regional coordination and public

participation.

For such purposes, this Final Report proposes a series of priority actions, which purpose is to reduce

the non-sustainable use, mitigate the environmental degradation of the natural resources, and to

promote the use of sustainable management practices in the region of the Gulf of Honduras.

Among other specific objectives, the following stand out:

o To build a reference framework for the harmonization and regional coordination of a series of

transboundary interest actions that are to be executed by the countries of the studied area, which

is the object of the consultancy (Belize, Guatemala, and Honduras) both nationally and regionally,

contributing, in this way to an integral – harmonic and sustainable - management of the natural

resources of the Gulf of Honduras.

o To promote the management of natural resources within the studied area, as well as the

environmental management and the protection of the environment.

o To promote the incorporation of transboundary environmental aspects in development plans,

programs, and policies of the countries within the studied area.





Final Report

Executive Summary


o To promote the establishment of an adequate planning system as well as the mechanisms for the

cooperation and coordination (both nationally and regionally).

o To execute prevention and mitigation actions, that resolve priority transboundary environmental

problems and that allow the sustainable use of the natural resources within the studied area.

o To promote public cooperation and awareness activities.

The SAP is the result of the Transboundary Diagnostic Analysis (TDA), in which the main problems

(current and emerging), as well as the direct and basic causes (see Chapter 4) were identified; all this

from the diagnose of the physical and bio – geochemical, pollution, social - economic and institutional –

legal frameworks (see Chapter 3) and including the developed consultation and participation processes

(see Final Report – ANNEXES 06 and 07).

The methodology applied for both, the making of the SAP and the identification and development of its

priority actions, as well as the one used for the TDA, belong – with some adaptations – to the

methodology developed by the International Waters Component (IW) of the Global Environmental Fund

(GEF).

According to said methodology, due to the problems identified in the TDA that form the so-called

“Current State”, a “Long Term Desired State” was made, wherein a scenario, in which the current

problems have been modified – or reverted - is included, in order to reach an acceptable environmental

quality conditions.

Said “Long Term Desired State” is then made within the framework in order to define a “Long Term

Objective” which can be reached through the so-called “Ecosystem Quality Objectives”, which are

reachable in a medium term.

Also, in order to accomplish the compliance of the “Ecosystem Quality Objectives”, the development of

a series of “priority actions”, which are also included in the “Operational Objectives), will be necessary

(see Figure 1-3).





Final Report

Executive Summary


Figure 1-3. Simplified flowchart of the methodology used for making the Strategic Action Plan (SAP)

This is how the sequence “Long Term Objective” – Ecosystem Quality Objectives” – Operational

Objectives” gives context to – and establishes – the proposal of a series of “Priority Actions” which form

the reference framework for the decision taking, and particularly, for establishing the objectives included

in the “Strategic Action Plan” (SAP) actions and projects.

Said “Priority Actions” have been defined with the aim of preventing and/or mitigating the identified

environmental problems, mainly focusing in the basic causes of anthropic origin and through three

types of actions: environmental investigative, prevention and protection actions, institutional

development and strengthening actions, and public communication and participation actions. Also, the

actions for the sustainable development of the natural resources (which seek for the development of the

necessary conditions for the improvement of the population’s life quality), are added.

Therefore, the SAP summarizes the Current Conditions of the Gulf of Honduras, emphasizing on the

physical, ecosystem, demographic, human and economic geographic aspects, and from them, on the

economic aspects on the exploitation of commercial resources through its ports, on its fishing resources

being exploited in artisanal and even precarious conditions, on its touristic resources, thanks to a

prodigious nature and to the original cultural practices, which have been kept pristine in most of the

region.

It is inevitable to understand, after reading the TDA, that the conditions supporting the productivity and

diversity of the Gulf of Honduras are the same factors which, combined with economic and social-

cultural elements, make the studied area which is being object of the consultancy, practically vulnerable

to land pollution (sewage waters, solid waste in the open air, agricultural – chemical and industrial

Transboundary Diagnostic

Analysis

+-

Strategic Action Plan

Current Condition

Principal Problems

Long Term Objective

Ecosystem Quality

Objectives

Operative Objectives

Priority Actions

Long Term

Desirable State





Final Report

Executive Summary


pollutants) and marine pollution (potential oil spills and its derivatives and intentional discharges of

ballast and/or bilge water)

Summing up, the population growth, the urban development (left behind in terms of the coverage of

basic services), the absence of adequate territorial ordinance plans, the potential expansion of the

agricultural and cattle activities, the over-exploitation of the fishing resources, the degradation and loss

of biodiversity (ecosystems and species), the non-sustainable development of marine and coastal areas

(with important expansion projects for the tourist and port infrastructure), the climate change effects and

the legal gaps, represent the potential threats that exert pressure on the Gulf of Honduras’ coastal

marine system’s health (jeopardizing its sustainable development).

Once more, and as it has been previously indicated, the SAP develops the Long Term Desired State

with a scenario that reverses the current problems and tries to reach an acceptable state of quality.

The further development of the Ecosystem Quality Objectives (I-II-III), requires Short Term Operational

Objectives (I.1 to I.4), which, for its completing, identify a group of “Priority Actions”. Dozens of them

have been established and priorities have been suggested nationally, which does not necessarily mean

that each country must adopt them equally, being it a sovereign decision, although convergent, with the

final purpose of a sustainable development of their common space, which is the Gulf of Honduras.

The SAP ends with an estimation of costs and the identification of the financial mechanisms that should

allow the exploration of the possibility of a financial sustainability that will finally depend on the

sovereign decision of the countries that are members of this Project. Besides the proposed Follow-up

Indicators (Process Indicators – P, Pressure Reduction Indicators – RP, Environmental State Indicators

– EA), some synthetic tables, including information on the range of application and the time range, are

presented.

In conclusion, we wish to make certain once more, that the present proposal is the product of a logic

from a deep and objective analysis, from an initial revision of the backgrounds available, which were not

a few. The subsequent development of other stages with the many intervening actors and interests,

which have not crossed a few times, and which integrated, among other things, original information

based on the required investigations (monitoring campaign), allowed to make those synthetic tables,

which can be analyzed by the decision takers of each country, supported by the thousands of pages

that justify them, and which will be available, from this moment on, by the URCP for its distribution, as it

considers necessary. The consortium IMC-SCI believes that this information will allow the development,

in a near future and in an intelligent manner, solid scientific promotion tools for the support of the

region’s authorities.

Project for the Environmental Protection and Control of the Pollution Caused in the Maritime

Transport in the Gulf of Honduras.

Data and Information Management System, Establishment of a Baseline, Preparation of a

Transboundary Diagnostic Analysis and a Strategic Action Plan.

Final Report

Consortium International MarConsult & CSI Engenieros, S.A. March 2010 Index – Page 1

INDEX

1. INTRODUCTION ................................................................................................................................................... 1 – 1 2. STUDY AREA ....................................................................................................................................................... 2 – 1 3. GENERAL DESCRIPTION OF THE PROJECT AREA ......................................................................................... 3 – 2

3.1. PHYSICAL AND BIO – GEOCHEMESTRY FRAMEWORK ......................................................................... 3 – 2

3.1.1. Terrestrial Area .................................................................................................................................... 3 – 2

3.1.1.1. Climatic Description.......................................................................................................................... 3 – 2

3.1.1.2. Geological, Geomorphological and Edaphology Characterization ................................................... 3 – 7

3.1.1.3. Characterization of Watersheds ....................................................................................................... 3 – 9

3.1.2. Marine Area – Coastal ....................................................................................................................... 3 – 23

3.1.2.1. Geomorphology .............................................................................................................................. 3 – 23

3.1.2.2. Geology .......................................................................................................................................... 3 – 25

3.1.2.3. Tides .............................................................................................................................................. 3 – 38

3.1.2.4. Waves ............................................................................................................................................ 3 – 38

3.1.2.5. Oceanic and Coastal Currents ....................................................................................................... 3 – 48

3.1.2.6. Physical - Chemical Properties ...................................................................................................... 3 – 59

3.1.2.7. Feature of the Coast Lline .............................................................................................................. 3 – 63

3.1.2.8. Feature of the Ecosystem ............................................................................................................ 3 – 68

a) Coral Reef .......................................................................................................................................... 3 – 68

b) Mangroves ......................................................................................................................................... 3 – 80

c) Seagrass ............................................................................................................................................ 3 – 84

d) Beaches ............................................................................................................................................. 3 – 87

e) Estuaries and Coastal Lagoons ......................................................................................................... 3 – 89

3.1.2.9. Bio-Diversity in the Gulf of Honduras ............................................................................................. 3 – 90

3.1.2.10. Protected Areas and Priority Preservation Sites ............................................................................ 3 – 99

3.1.2.11. Environmental Sensibility Cards ................................................................................................... 3 – 103

a) General Description of Applied Methodology ................................................................................... 3 – 103

b) Results ............................................................................................................................................. 3 – 107

3.2. POLLUTION FRAME ............................................................................................................................... 3 – 111

3.2.1. Background ...................................................................................................................................... 3 – 111

3.2.1.1. National Technical Committee Study on the Quality of Water from Honduras (2000) ................. 3 – 111

3.2.1.2. Report of the Aqueduct and Sewage System Autonomous Service of Honduras (2001) ........... 3 – 112

3.2.1.3. Nunny et al. (2001): An Investigation of the Impact on Reef Environments of Changing Land

Use in the Stann Creek District of Belize ...................................................................................... 3 – 112

3.2.1.4. Pacas (2002): Monitoring of Water Quality in Wildlife Sanctuary .............................................. 3 – 117

3.2.1.5. Pacas (2003): Interpretative Report of Water Quality in the Wildlife Sanctuary

“Bocas del Polochic”.................................................................................................................... 3 – 119

3.2.1.6. Ariola (2003): Characterization of a Tropical Estuary System: The Placencia Lagoon................. 3 – 120

3.2.1.7. Cho – Ricketts (s. f.): A Management Plan for the Marine Buffer Zone of the

Sarstoon – Temash National Park................................................................................................ 3 – 122

3.2.1.8. García – Salgado (2006): Baseline State of the Mesoamerican Barrier Reef System (Synoptic

Monitoring Results 2004 – 2005) ................................................................................................. 3 – 124

3.2.1.9. Toledo Institute for Development and Environment (2006) .......................................................... 3 – 134





Final Report


3.2.1.10. Studies carried out by the Pollutants Study and Control Center (CESCCO, Honduras)............. 3 – 134

a) CESCCO (2007): Chemical and Ecotoxicological assessment of the lower part of Honduras ....... 3 – 134

b) CESCCO (2007): Study of residues of pesticides in Honduras – A critical Analysis ....................... 3 – 136

3.2.1.11. López Gálvez (2006): Baseline of the Quality of Water in the Region of the Project “Environmental

Justice, Community Empowerment and Social Equity for the conservation of Sarstún – Motagua

Region” ......................................................................................................................................... 3 – 136

3.2.1.12. López Gálvez (2008): Follow up of Governance, socioeconomics and bio-physical indicators of the

Project “Environmental Justice, Community Empowerment and Social Equity for the conservation of

the Region Sartún – Motagua Region” (Period 2006 – 2007) ...................................................... 3 – 137

3.2.2. Environmental Exploration Campaign .............................................................................................. 3 – 139

3.2.2.1. Amount of Samples and Scope of Study Area ............................................................................. 3 – 139

3.2.2.2. Matrices Considered .................................................................................................................... 3 – 140

3.2.2.3. Determined Parameters ............................................................................................................... 3 – 141

a) Parameters Determined in the field (“in situ”) .................................................................................. 3 – 141

b) Parameters Determined in the laboratory ........................................................................................ 3 – 143

3.2.2.4. Sampling Methodologies .............................................................................................................. 3 – 147

3.2.2.5. Analytical Quality Assurance ........................................................................................................ 3 – 148

3.2.2.6. Analytical Methodologies .............................................................................................................. 3 – 149

3.2.2.7. Methodology for the assessment of Results ................................................................................. 3 – 152

3.2.2.8. Analysis of the Results ................................................................................................................. 3 – 153

a) Water Quality Studies ...................................................................................................................... 3 – 153

b) Sediment Quality Studies ................................................................................................................. 3 – 173

c) Biota Quality Studies........................................................................................................................ 3 – 188

3.2.2.9. Conclusions .................................................................................................................................. 3 – 192

3.3. SOCIO – ECONOMIC FRAME .................................................................................................................. 3 – 194

3.3.1. Demographic and Population Aspects ............................................................................................. 3 – 195

3.3.2. Aspects of the “Health” sector .......................................................................................................... 3 – 202

3.3.2.1. Belize ........................................................................................................................................... 3 – 204

3.3.2.2. Guatemala .................................................................................................................................... 3 – 204

3.3.2.3. Honduras ...................................................................................................................................... 3 – 205

3.3.3. The Region of the Gulf of Honduras ................................................................................................ 3 – 207

3.3.3.1. Main Demographic Aspects ......................................................................................................... 3 – 207

a) Belize ............................................................................................................................................... 3 – 207

b) Guatemala ....................................................................................................................................... 3 – 208

c) Honduras ......................................................................................................................................... 3 – 208

3.3.3.2. Principal Social and Urban Aspects ............................................................................................. 3 – 208

3.3.4. Basic Economic Aspects .................................................................................................................. 3 – 210

3.3.4.1. Recent Tendencies and Current Profile of the Regional Economy .............................................. 3 – 210

3.3.4.2. Cash Remittances and their Socio – Economical Impact ............................................................. 3 – 211

3.3.4.3. Economic Integration and its Influence in the Region of the Gulf of Honduras ............................. 3 – 213

a) Guatemala and Honduras and their participation in the United States, Dominican Republic- Central

America Free Trade Agreement (RD – CAFTA) ............................................................................. 3 – 213

b) Belize and its participation in the Community of Caribbean Countries (CARICOM) and in the Central

American Integration System (SICA) ............................................................................................... 3 – 215

c) Free Trade Agreements and the Maquila Industry of the Region .................................................... 3 – 215

3.3.5. Main Economic Sectors .................................................................................................................. 3 – 216

3.3.5.1. The “Agricultural” Sector .............................................................................................................. 3 – 216

3.3.5.2. The“Fishing and Aquiculture” Sector ............................................................................................ 3 – 216

a) Belize ............................................................................................................................................... 3 – 216

b) Guatemala ....................................................................................................................................... 3 – 218

c) Honduras ......................................................................................................................................... 3 – 218





Final Report


3.3.5.3. The Receptive Tourism Sector ..................................................................................................... 3 – 219

a) Belize ............................................................................................................................................... 3 – 220

b) Guatemala ....................................................................................................................................... 3 – 221

c) Honduras ......................................................................................................................................... 3 – 221

3.3.5.4. The “Cruisers Tourism” Sector ..................................................................................................... 3 – 222

3.3.5.5. The "Maritime Transport and Port Activity" Sector ....................................................................... 3 – 222

3.3.5.6. Oil Exportations (Guatemala and Belize) ..................................................................................... 3 – 225

3.3.6. Future Tendencies of the Economy ................................................................................................ 3 – 226

3.3.7. Economic Appraisal of the Coastal Ecosystems of the Gulf of Honduras ....................................... 3 – 226

3.3.7.1. Conceptual Framework ................................................................................................................ 3 – 226

3.3.7.2. Applied Methodology .................................................................................................................... 3 – 227

a) General Considerations ................................................................................................................... 3 – 227

b) Study Area ....................................................................................................................................... 3 – 229

c) Economic Appraisal of the Conservation of Wetland and Mangroves ............................................ 3 – 230

d) Economic Appraisal of Port Services .............................................................................................. 3 – 239

e) Economic Appraisal of the Fishing Activity ...................................................................................... 3 – 243

f) Economic Appraisal of Marine – Coastal Tourism .......................................................................... 3 – 249

g) Economic Appraisal of the Protection of the Coastal Line: Presence of the Coral Reef and Coastal

Mangroves ....................................................................................................................................... 3 – 252

h) Scenarios for the Economic Appraisal of the Marine-Coastal Ecosystems of the Gulf of Honduras 3 – 254

3.3.7.3. Results ......................................................................................................................................... 3 – 255

3.4. INSTITUTIONAL AND LEGAL FRAMEWORK .......................................................................................... 3 – 260

3.4.1. Institutional Framework .................................................................................................................... 3 – 260

3.4.1.1. Belize ........................................................................................................................................... 3 – 260

3.4.1.2. Guatemala .................................................................................................................................... 3 – 264

3.4.1.3. Honduras ...................................................................................................................................... 3 – 270

3.4.2. Legal Framework ............................................................................................................................. 3 – 279

3.4.2.1. International Agreements ............................................................................................................. 3 – 279

a) International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS, 1974) ............................................ 3 – 279

b) International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships (MARPOL, 1973 – 1978) ........ 3 – 280

c) International Regime of Responsibility and Indemnification of Damages due to Pollution caused by spills

of Hydrocarbons coming from Oil Tankers (CLC, 1969) .................................................................. 3 – 281

d) International Agreement on Liability and Indemnification of Damage in Connection with the Maritime

Transport of Hazardous and Potentially Hazardous Substances (SNPP, 1996) ............................. 3 – 283

e) International Agreement on Cooperation, Preparedness and Fight Against Pollution by Hydrocarbons

(OPRC, 1990) .................................................................................................................................. 3 – 284

f) Protocol on Cooperation, Preparation and Fight against Pollution by Damaging and Potentially

Hazardous Substances (OPRC – HNS, 2000) ................................................................................. 3 – 285

g) International Agreement for the Control and Management of Ballast and Sediments of Vessels

(BALLAST CONVENTION, 2004) .................................................................................................... 3 – 285

h) International Agreement Concerning the Intervention in High Sea in Cases of Accidents Causing

Pollution by Hydrocarbons 1969) and its additional Protocol (1973) ............................................... 3 – 286

i) Agreement on Facilitation of International Maritime Traffic (FAL, 1965) .......................................... 3 – 286

j) International Agreement on the Control of Damaging Anti-Incrusting Systems (AFS, 2001) .......... 3 – 286

k) International Agreement on Maritime Salvage (1989) ...................................................................... 3 – 287

l) Agreement on International Regulations to Avoid Collisions (COLREG, 1972) ............................. 3 – 287

m) International Agreement on Cargo Lines (1966) and their Additional Protocol (1988) ................... 3 – 288

n) International Agreement on the Removal of Shipwrecks Remains (Nairobi, 2007) .......................... 3 – 288

o) Agreement on Transboundary Movement of Hazardous Wastes and their Elimination (Basilea

Agreement, 1989) ............................................................................................................................ 3 – 289

p) Agreement on Discharge (LDC) and their Additional Protocol (1996) .............................................. 3 – 289

q) Agreement on Biological Diversity (1993) ........................................................................................ 3 – 290

r) Convention regarding Wetlands of International Importance (Ramsar, 1971) ................................ 3 – 290





Final Report


3.4.2.2. Regional Agreements ................................................................................................................... 3 – 290

a) Agreement for the Protection and Development of the Marine Environment in the Region of the Great

Caribbean (Cartagena, 1983) ......................................................................................................... 3 – 290

b) Central American Agreement for Environmental Protection (Salvador, 1989) ................................. 3 – 292

c) Constituent Agreement of the Central American Commission of the Environment and Development

(San José, December 12, 1989) and Additional Protocol (1991) .................................................... 3 – 293

e) Additional Protocol to the letter from the Organization of Central American States (Tegucigalpa

Protocol, 1991) ................................................................................................................................ 3 – 293

f) Agreement for the Preservation of Biodiversity and the Protection of Priority Wildlife in Central

America (Managua, 1992) ................................................................................................................ 3 – 294

g) Regional Agreement on Transboundary Movement of Hazardous Waste (Panama, 1992) ............ 3 – 294

h) Regional Agreement on Climate Change (Guatemala, 1993) .......................................................... 3 – 294

i) Central American Alliance for Sustainable Development (Nicaragua, 1994) ................................... 3 – 295

j) Constituent Agreement of the Association of the States of the Caribbean (Cartagena, 1994)......... 3 – 295

k) Declaration of Tulum (1997) ........................................................................................................... 3 – 295

l) Central American Transportation Commission (COCATRAM) ........................................................ 3 – 296

m) Agreement for the Creation of the Sustainable Tourism Zone of the Caribbean (ZTSC, 2001) ...... 3 – 297

n) Agreement to Financing between the Europe Community and Environmental and Development

Central American Commission (2006)............................................................................................. 3 – 297

3.4.2.3. National Legislation ...................................................................................................................... 3 – 297

a) Evaluation of the Environmental Impact .......................................................................................... 3 – 297

b) Water Management ......................................................................................................................... 3 – 301

c) Solid Waste Management ................................................................................................................ 3 – 310

d) Territorial Planning ........................................................................................................................... 3 – 312

e) Protected Areas ............................................................................................................................... 3 – 315

f) Fisheries and Aquaculture ............................................................................................................... 3 – 317

g) Coastal Zones .................................................................................................................................. 3 – 318

4. IDENTIFICATION AND CHARACTERIZATION OF THE PRIORITY PROBLEMS AND THEIR SOCIO – ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS ......................................................................................................... 4 – 2

4.1. METHODOLOGY .......................................................................................................................................... 4 – 2

4.2. PRIORITIZE ISSUES .................................................................................................................................... 4 – 6

4.2.1. Current Issues ..................................................................................................................................... 4 – 6

4.2.1.1. Water Availability .............................................................................................................................. 4 – 6

a) Belize ................................................................................................................................................... 4 – 6

b) Guatemala ........................................................................................................................................... 4 – 6

c) Honduras ............................................................................................................................................. 4 – 7

4.2.1.2. Contamination .................................................................................................................................. 4 – 8

a) Microbiological Contamination ............................................................................................................. 4 – 9

b) Eutrophications and Nutrient Contributions ........................................................................................ 4 – 13

c) Chemical Contamination .................................................................................................................... 4 – 26

d) Suspended Solids .............................................................................................................................. 4 – 33

e) Solid Waste ........................................................................................................................................ 4 – 35

4.2.1.3. Habitat Loss and Modification and Communities .......................................................................... 4 – 41

4.2.1.4. Unsustainable Exploitation of Living Resources ............................................................................. 4 – 46

4.2.1.5. Non sustainable Development of Marine and Coastal Areas ......................................................... 4 – 51

4.2.2. Emerging Problems ........................................................................................................................... 4 – 53

4.2.2.1. Climate Change ............................................................................................................................. 4 – 53

a) Country- Level Impacts ...................................................................................................................... 4 – 53

b) Biodiversity Impacts ........................................................................................................................... 4 – 60

4.2.2.2. Non-sustainable Development of Marine and Coastal Areas ......................................................... 4 – 60





Final Report


4.3. PARTICULAR PROBLEMS ASSOCIATED WITH THE ACTIVITIES AND MARITIME AND PORT OPERATIONS4

– 64

4.3.1. Port Activities ..................................................................................................................................... 4 – 67

4.3.1.1. Belize City Port (Belize) .................................................................................................................. 4 – 65

4.3.1.2. Big Creek (Belize) .......................................................................................................................... 4 – 66

4.3.1.3. Port Barrios (Guatemala) ............................................................................................................... 4 – 67

4.3.1.4. Port Saint Thomas de Castilla (Guatemala) ................................................................................... 4 – 68

4.3.2. Dredging Activities ............................................................................................................................. 4 – 74

4.3.3. Navigation and Shipping .................................................................................................................... 4 – 75

4.4. SOCIO – ECONOMIC AND ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS ................................................................................. 4 – 76

4.5. CAUSUAL CHAIN ANALYSIS ........................................................................................................................ 4 – 78

5. IDENTIFICATION OF PRIORITIY ACTIONS AND THE STRATEGIC ACTION PLAN ........................................ 5 – 1

5.1. METHODOLOGY .......................................................................................................................................... 5 – 1

5.2. CURRENT CONDITION OF THE GULF OF HONDURAS ............................................................................. 5 – 3

5.3. LONG TERM DESIRED STATE .................................................................................................................. 5 – 09

5.4. STRATEGIC ACTION PLAN ....................................................................................................................... 5 – 10

5.4.1. Long Term Escosystem Quality Objectives ....................................................................................... 5 – 10

5.4.2. Ecosystem Quality Objectives I ......................................................................................................... 5 – 11

5.4.2.1. Short Term Operative Objectives ................................................................................................... 5 – 11

5.4.2.2. Priority Actions ............................................................................................................................... 5 – 12

a) Operative Objective I.1 ...................................................................................................................... 5 – 12

b) Operative Objective I.2 ...................................................................................................................... 5 – 26

c) Operative Objective I.3 ...................................................................................................................... 5 – 39

d) Operative Objective I.4 ...................................................................................................................... 5 – 42

5.4.2.3. Transversal Actions at the Regional Level ................................................................................... 5 – 46

5.4.3. Ecosystem Quality Objective II .......................................................................................................... 5 – 49


5.4.3.2. Prioritize Actions ............................................................................................................................ 5 – 51

a) Operative Objective II.1 ..................................................................................................................... 5 – 51

b) Operative Objective II.2 ..................................................................................................................... 5 – 53

c) Operative Objective II.3 ..................................................................................................................... 5 – 61

5.4.4. Ecosysteic Quality Objective III .......................................................................................................... 5 – 67


5.4.4.2. Prioritize Actions ............................................................................................................................ 5 – 68

a) Operative Objective III.1 .................................................................................................................... 5 – 68

b) Operative Objective III.2 .................................................................................................................... 5 – 73

c) Operative Objective III.3 .................................................................................................................... 5 – 76

5.4.5. Transversal Actions in the Regional Sphere ...................................................................................... 5 – 78

5.4.6. Synthesis ........................................................................................................................................... 5 – 88

5.5. ESTIMATED COST AND FINANCING MECHANISM ............................................................................... 5 – 108

5.6. FOLLOW-UP INDICATORS .......................................................................................................................... 5 – 120

6. BIBLIOGRAPHY .................................................................................................................................................. 6 – 1

ence - anteproyecto terminal portuaria - punta pereiraproject for the environmental protection and...

Documents