Barbados TravelAdvisor

IT'LL TAKE THREE PROJECTS costing an estimated $220 million to restore West Coast beaches but once completed, they might resemble the gem Bajans wistfully recall - about 40 kilometres of sapphire-blue seas and platinum-white sands.

Two projects dealing with beach rehabilitation will cost near $20 million, while the third involves two sewage treatment plants, which it is understood will cost more than $200 million.

Planners say successful execution will see beaches from Brighton in St Michael to Speightstown in St Peter rebound with an increase in coral reef growth.

Hoteliers and other tourism interests along the famous coast support the development, which is expected to favourably impact tourism.

Director of the Coastal Zone Management Unit (CZMU), Dr Leo Brewster, has cautioned however, that results of the sewage plants will not be seen until another five to seven years, but is sure there will be overall improvements in the quality of water.

Improvements have already been noticed with the recently completed South Coast Sewerage Project, he said.

"The reefs are starting to show greater abundance and diversity than they did before [the project] went in."

He added, nonetheless, beaches around the island were still susceptible to the tides and seasons and there would be constant changes in the shoreline.

Plans for two sewage plants with the capability of treating effluent from beachfront and inland properties are awaiting Cabinet approval.

At present, the cost of maintenance for both the South Coast and Bridgetown sewerage projects is included in consumers' monthly water bills.

Avid environmentalist James Blades supports the idea of employing multiple plants on the West Coast.

Blades, spokeperson for the West Coast Beach and Reef Restoration Project, told the WEEKEND NATION of a privately led joint-venture project between Government and 11 hoteliers and property owners on the coast.

"The West Coast Beach and Reef Restoration Group Inc. has already put in $2 million for testing to be done on the project. Once it achieves approval, the Government is going to provide the remainder of funding for the remodelling to be done," he explained.

The project involves a 1.5 kilometre stretch between Zaccios [formerly Cocomos] in Holetown and Heron Bay in Alleyne's Bay/Porters.

Blades said it was important to restore severely eroded beaches along the coast.

"Healthy beaches [also] contribute to a thriving tourism industry. Right now if beaches decline, the value of real estate declines. Beaches are one of the most important aspects of a healthy value on beachfront property," he said, stressing the property owners' investment indicated they were "concerned individuals prepared to give back to the environment".

Wayne Capaldi, president of the Barbados Hotel & Tourism Association, said a study had made recommendations which included "halting the massive movement of sand within the cell, rejuvenating the beaches and reefs and how we deal with "The Hole" [a sandy abyss in the water off Holetown]".

Capaldi, director of Sandpiper Hotel in St James, one of the stakeholders on the project, said it was critical to rescue the fringing reefs on the coast which were nearing extinction because of poor water quality.

He mentioned the already successful results of three finger groynes placed along the stretch where some beach had already been restored, most notably at Folkstone Marine Reserve Park.

The project will likely go to tender this month after the budget meets Cabinet approval.

The completion of the CZMU's West Coast Rehabilitation, the preliminary stages of which are under way, will cover 430 metres running south of the co-joint venture. It will also feature narrow concrete walkways built to withstand the winter swells that affect the area.

Source: http://www.nationnews.com/news/local/west-coast-restoration-copy-for-web

They have been talking about a west coast sewage system for ages. They even had $75 million from the Inter-American Development Bank to do it. Where did the money go? As for the beach replenishment, I would love to see done RIGHT.

http://twitter.com/KNRX/statuses/1707235533
If you are on Twitter, please Retweet this tweet to help spread the word. Thanks!

The new walk way is a joke.People say it's a walkway from nowhere to nowhere, and it's ruined the sea view from Tides.