Environmental Impact Assessment Addendum NORTH BIMINI FERRY TERMINAL PROJECT, BIMINI, BAHAMAS 4 October 2013 Prepared for: RAV Bahamas, Limited Resort World Bimini Bay 4th Floor 1 Herald Plaza Miami, FL 33172 Miami, Florida 33132 Prepared by: BLUE ENGINEERING LTD. Blue Engineering P. O. Box SS-6328 Nassau, Bahamas With input from: Environmental Impact Assessment Addendum NORTH BIMINI FERRY TERMINAL PROJECT, BIMINI, BAHAMAS. 4 October 2013 Prepared for: Resort World Bimini Bay RAV Bahamas, Limited 1 Herald Plaza 4th Floor Miami, Florida 33132 Miami, FL 33172 Prepared by: Blue Engineering P. O. Box SS-6328 Nassau, Bahamas With input from: Coastal Systems International, Inc and Ocean Consulting, LLC Blue Engineering Ltd. © 2013 – This document or any part may not be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, or mechanical, including photocopying, microfilming, and recording without the express written consent of Blue Engineering Ltd. All rights reserved. Environmental Impact Assessment, North Bimini Ferry Terminal Project, Bimini, Bahamas TABLE OF CONTENTS TABLE OF CONTENTS 1 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY 7 1. INTRODUCTION 1.1 Introduction and Objectives 8 1.2 North Bimini Ferry Terminal works and Environmental Impact Assessment Addendum (EIA) 8 1.2 Project Rationale 11 1.4 Terms of Reference 12 1.5 Methodology 12 1.5.1 Hydrographic Survey 12 1.5.2 Geotechnical Investigations 13 1.5.3 Marine Resource Survey 15 1.5.4 Terrestrial 17 1.5.5 Water quality 17 1.5.6 Tides, Currents, Waves and Shorelines 20 1.5.6.1 Currents 1.5.6.2 Waves and shorelines 1.5.7 Socio-economic 21 1.5.8 Archaeology 22 1.5.9 Land Based traffic 22 1.5.10 Marine traffic 22 2. PROPOSED NORTH BIMINI FERRY TERMINAL WORKS PROJECT 2.1 Ownership and Usage of the Ferry 24 2.2 The Ferry 25 2.3 Dredging 26 2.3.1 Volumes and types of sediments to be stored/used 26 2.3.2 Dredged material storage/use plan 27 2.3.3 Dredging equipment and methodology 27 2.3.4 Disposal of water from dredged material 28 2.3.5 Use of dredged materials 30 2.5.6 Duration of dredging works 30 2.4 North Bimini Ferry Terminal 30 2.5 Pier 31 2.6 Road 32 2.7 Dolphin Clusters and Channel Markers 32 2.8 Utilities 32 2.9 Schedule 32 3. PROJECT SETTING 3.1 Physical Environment 34 3.1.1 Geomorphology and Bathymetry 34 3.1.2 Subsurface conditions 35 3.1.3 Climate and Temperature 37 3.1.4 Precipitation 37 3.1.5 Air Quality 37 3.1.6 Wind 38 3.1.7 Storms 39 1 Environmental Impact Assessment, North Bimini Ferry Terminal Project, Bimini, Bahamas 3.1.8 Waves 39 3.1.8.1 Offshore Deep-water Waves 3.1.8.2 Inshore Coastal Waves 3.1.9 Storm Surge 40 3.1.10 Tides 40 3.1.11 Currents 41 3.1.12 Surface drainage 45 3.1.13 Marine water quality 45 3.2 Biological Environment 49 3.2.1 Terrestrial ecology 3.2.2 Aquatic/Marine Habitats 3.2.3 Protected areas 3.3 Socio-economic and Cultural Environment 62 3.3.1 Demography 62 3.3.2 Land use 62 3.3.3 Education 68 3.3.4 Employment 68 3.3.5 Economic Activities 68 3.3.5.1 Tourism 3.3.5.2 Commerce 3.3.5.3 Shipping 3.3.5.4 Fishing 3.3.5.5 Diving/Snorkeling 3.3.6 Existing Infrastructure 75 3.3.6.1 Roads 3.3.6.2 Airstrip 3.3.6.3 Seaport 3.3.6.4 Electricity 3.3.6.5 Potable Water 3.3.6.6 Waste Water 3.3.6.7 Telecommunications 3.3.6.8 Cable and Television 3.3.6.9 Solid Waste 3.3.6.10 Community 3.3.6.11 Future Services 3.3.7 Transportation 81 3.3.8 Historical and Archaeological Significance 84 3.3.9 Natural and technological hazard vulnerability 85 4. ENVIRONMENTAL ORGANISATIONS, POLICY, LEGISLATION AND REGULATORY FRAMEWORK 86 5. POTENTIAL ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS 89 5.1 Potential Geographic and Physical Impacts 95 5.1.1 Land Use and Topography 95 5.1.1.1 Displacement of Current Land Uses 5.1.1.2 Compatibility with Existing and Future Land Demands 5.1.1.3 Alteration of Natural Landforms and Topography 5.1.2 Meteorological and Climatic Conditions 97 5.1.3 Geology 97 5.1.3.1 Beach and Shoreline Stability 5.1.3.2 Soil Erosion and Sedimentation 5.1.3.3 Preservation of Unique Geologic Features 5.1.4 Stormwater Runoff 104 2 Environmental Impact Assessment, North Bimini Ferry Terminal Project, Bimini, Bahamas 5.1.5 Groundwater Resources 104 5.1.5.1 Alteration of Groundwater Recharge and Flow 5.1.5.2 Deterioration of Groundwater Quality Associated with Nutrient Loading and Potential Contamination 5.1.5.3 Effect on Existing and Future Water Supplies 5.1.6 Marine Water Resources 106 5.1.6.1 Oceanographic Conditions 5.1.6.2 Bathymetry 5.1.6.3 Tides and Currents 5.1.6.4 Marine Water Quality 5.1.7 Air Quality and Noise 114 5.1.7.1 Impacts from Fuel Loading and Unloading Operations 5.1.7.2 Emissions from Stationary and Uncontrolled Sources 5.1.7.3 Emissions from Mobile Sources 5.1.7.4 Effects of Construction Noise and Dust 5.2 Potential Biological Resource Impacts 120 5.2.1 Terrestrial Biological Resources 120 5.2.1.1 Clearing of Vegetation 5.2.1.2 Impacts Associated with Hazardous Materials Releases on Terrestrial Fauna 5.2.1.3 Risk of Introduction of Non-native Species, Foreign Diseases, and Escape of Pets 5.2.1.4 Impacts to Wetlands Functions and Values 5.2.1.5 Impacts to Wildlife Habitat 5.2.1.6 Impacts to Threatened and Protected Species and Migratory Birds 5.2.2 Aquatic/Marine Biological Resources 123 5.2.2.1 Impacts to Aquatic/Marine Habitat 5.2.2.2 Impacts to Aquatic/Marine Biota Associated with Deterioration of Water Quality 5.2.2.3 Effects of Using Fertilizers, Biocides, and Pesticides on Aquatic/Marine Biota 5.2.2.4 Impacts to Biota Associated with Boating, Fishing and Other Recreational Activities 5.2.2.5 Impacts to Aquatic/Marine Biota Associated with Oil Spills 5.2.2.6 Impacts to Commercially Important Species and Habitats 5.3 Potential Socioeconomic and Cultural Impacts 129 5.3.1 Demographics 129 5.3.1.1 Effect of Direct and Indirect Population Growth 5.3.1.2 Use of Local Labour 5.3.1.3 Displacement and Resettlement of Existing Housing 5.3.2 Economic Activities 131 5.3.2.1 Effect on Direct and Indirect Employment 5.3.2.2 Impacts on Local Residential Housing Availability 5.3.2.3 Impact on Existing and Future Fishing and Fisheries Exploitation 5.3.2.4 Impacts on Public Health and Worker Health and Safety 5.3.3 Tourism 135 5.3.3.1 Effect on Existing and Future Land Use Values 5.3.3.2 Impacts to Shipping and Boating 5.3.3.3 Impacts on Public Access and Use of Coastal Resources 5.3.3.4 Effects on Availability or Demand for Local Infrastructure 5.3.4 Infrastructure and Community Services 138 5.3.4.1 Impacts on Public Access and Use of Coastal Resources 5.3.4.2 Effects on Availability or Demand for Local Infrastructure 5.3.4.3 Effects on Availability or Demand for Local Community Services 5.3.5 Cultural Resources 142 5.3.4.1 Disturbance to Cultural Resources 5.3.5 Visual/Seascape Impacts 142 5.6.5.1 Visual Character 5.3.5.2 Highway Sightlines and Views 5.3.5.3 Off Shore Views 5.3.5.4 Adjacent Properties 3 Environmental Impact Assessment, North Bimini Ferry Terminal Project, Bimini, Bahamas 5.3.7 Other Social Impacts 143 5.4 Potential Impacts Associated with Emergencies and Disaster Management 149 5.5 Potential Impacts Associated with the Possible Failure of Process and Environmental Control Systems 150 5.6 Disturbance to Cultural Resources 150 5.7 Summary of Potential Environmental Impacts 150 6. PROJECT ALTERNATIVES 6.1 No Action Alternative 151 6.2 Alternative Design A – Interior Option 151 6.3 Alternative Design B – Paradise Point Option 152 6.4 Alternative Design C – Southern Area Option 153 6.5 Alternative Design D – Preferred Option 153 6.6 Conclusion of Alternatives Analysis 153 7. IMPACT MITIGATION 7.1 Proposed Mitigation Measures 155 7.2 Assessment of Residual Impacts and Mitigation 173 8. ENVIROMENTAL MANAGEMENT 8.1 Contractor Environmental Management Requirements 175 8.1.1 Site Safety and Health 8.1.2. Construction Traffic 8.1.3 Noise and Dust Nuisance 8.1.4 Piling, disposal of return water and dredging 8.1.5 Construction Material Sources 8.1.6 Natural Resources Management 8.1.7 Water Abstraction 8.1.8 Erosion and Pollution of Wetlands and Watercourses 8.1.9 Disposal of Waste Materials 8.1.10 Works Site Restoration 8.2. Checklist of Environmental Stipulations 179 8.3. Contractor Facilities, Plant and Operations 179 8.4 Site Considerations 180 8.5 Environmental Awareness and Contractor Supervision 180 8.6 Environmental Management Plan (EMP) 180 9. EMERGENCY CONTINGENCY PLAN 182 10. CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS 10.1 Overview 183 10.2 Main Findings 183 10.3 Project Abandonment 184 10.4 Recommendations 184 11. REFERENCES 186 12. APPENDICES 188 Appendix A. Geotechnical Report Appendix B. Marine Resource Report Appendix C. Water Quality Report 4 Environmental Impact Assessment, North Bimini Ferry Terminal Project, Bimini, Bahamas Appendix D. Coastal Engineering and Sediment Reports Appendix E. Project Drawings Appendix F Project Legislation Appendix G Bimini Enhancement Master Plan Appendix H Social Impact Questionnaire Appendix I Alternatives Analysis Options Drawings Appendix J Environmental Monitoring Forms Appendix K Turbidity Monitoring Forms Appendix L. Economic and Fiscal Impacts Analysis Report for the Casino and Infrastructure Improvements List of Figures Figure 1.1: Ferry Terminal Master Plan Figure 1.2: Boring Location Plan Figure 1.3: Sampling Sites (April 2013) Figure 1.4: Current and Tide Data Locations Figure 2.1: Aerial View indicating Project Area Figure 3.1: Map indicating location of Bimini Islands in relation to surrounding islands, Cuba and the U.S. Figure 3.2: Charts indicating location of Project Site Figure 3.3: Wind Rose off West Coast of Bimini Figure 3.4: Water Surface Elevations (April 23-24, 2013) Figure 3.5: Previous Water Quality Sampling Sites (July 2002) Figure 3.6: North Bimini Ferry Terminal Marine Resource Map Figure 3.7: North Bimini Ferry Terminal Marine Resource Detail Figures 3.8: Map indicating Little Bimini Bank Figures 3.9: Bimini Coat of Arms depicts fishing Figure 5.1: Impact Evaluation Matrix Figure 5.2: Beach Locations on Bimini Figure 5.3: Beach Locations on North Bimini Figure 5.4: Beach Locations near the Proposed Project Figure 5.5: Total Annual Sediment Transport Rate Distribution - Existing (Radio Beach) Figure 5.6: Total Annual Sediment Transport Rate Distribution – With Project (Radio Beach) Figure 5.7: Difference of Wave Heights between with and without Proposed Project When the Incident Waves are from North Figure 5.8: Receptor Plan indicating Noise Contours for pile driving activities South of the Project Site Figure 5.9: Receptor Plan indicating Noise Contours for pile driving activities North of the Project Site Figure 5.10: Turbidity standards of 5, 50, and 500 NTU Figure 8.1: The Environmental Management Structure List of Tables Table 1.1: Water sampling analysis, methodology of analysis and parameters. Table 2.1: Expected Cruise Ferry Arrival (as indicated by Bimini Bay Developers) Table 2.2: M/F Superfast VI Properties Table 3.1: Design Extreme Wind Speeds Table 3.2: Design Offshore Normal Wave Conditions Table 3.3: Design Offshore Extreme Wave Conditions Table 3.4: Water Elevations, [feet] Table 3.5: Current Measurements, Location A Table 3.6: Current Measurements, Location B Table 3.7: Historic Water Sampling from July 2002. 5 Environmental Impact Assessment, North Bimini Ferry Terminal Project, Bimini, Bahamas Table 3.8: Island Footprint at Mid-Depth Range - High Tide and Low Tide with Duplicates, and Averages. Table 3.10: Dredge Footprint and Island Footprint at a Depth of 1 Foot above Bottom - High Tide and Low Tide without Duplicate, and the Averages. Table 3.11: Summary of Biological Oxygen Demand, Dissolved Oxygen, Salinity, and Turbidity. Table 3.9: Dredge Footprint at Mid-Depth Range - High Tide and Low Tide with Duplicates, and Averages. Table 3.12: Stop Over Visitors by Island and Region 2011. Table 3.13: Stop Over Visitors by Island and Region 2011. Table 5.1: Summary of Potential Environmental Impacts by Project Phase, North Ferry Terminal. Table 5.2: Alternative development options reported Table 5.3: Specific Social Impact Analysis Table 6.1: Summary and Evaluation of Alternative Options Table 7.1 Mitigation of Potential Environmental Impacts . 6 Environmental Impact Assessment, North Bimini Ferry Terminal Project, Bimini, Bahamas EXECUTIVE SUMMARY This study assesses the likely environmental impacts of the construction, operation and maintenance of a new ferry terminal on the west shoreline of North Bimini. This report is an addendum to the previous Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) produced for the Bimini Bay Resort. The project will include dredging of 220,000 cubic yards of material which will be utilized in the construction of a new 4.5 acre island connected to the shore by a 1,000 foot long piled pier. The island will provide berthing facilities for one 650 foot long vessels in two alternative berthing arrangements, one 300 foot long mega yacht and two 200 to 250 foot long mega-yachts as well as customs and immigration offices, a beach club and a turning area for trams. The Project is intended to accommodate a 650 foot long ferry service between Miami and Bimini which would introduce an additional 570,000 visitors to Bimini each year. Refer to Figure 1.1 for a Master Plan of the North Bimini Ferry Terminal. In support of this EIA, the following studies have been carried out; • An EIA and further studies for the Bimini Bay Development • A geotechnical study to determine the type and quality of the material to be dredged and the type and quality of the material that the piles are to be driven into and the dredged material placed onto. • A study of the marine species and habitats in the area of the dredge and the new island and surrounding impact areas. • A wave, surge and shoreline assessment study to evaluate the potential for the proposed project to impact the nearby shorelines. • An Economic and Fiscal Impact Analysis for the Casino and Infrastructure Improvements • Water quality analysis to provide baseline water quality conditions. Based upon the completion of the studies, specific environmental design components, potential benefits, and findings from the environmental studies are summarised as follows; • The project may potentially introduce an additional 570,000 tourists per year to Bimini (a factor of 11 more than the number of tourists currently visiting Bimini) and thereby boost the local economy and employment. • The new island to serve as the ferry terminal will provide adequate storage for the dredged material from the dredging. The preferred method for the construction of the new island utilises steel sheet piles with anchors to contain the material and a pipeline to transport the material. This in itself will reduce potential impacts on the environment significantly. • The dredging and new island will create a direct loss of low-relief marine habitat including algae, sponges and a low density of corals. Included in the loss of this areas is the loss of benthic organisms presently inhabiting these areas. Generally the existing quality of these benthic resources is good. Good benthic resources, in this instance, refers to the fact that there are no signs of stress such as disease, trash, debris, or poor water quality in the surveyed footprint. For a low relief habitat, there is still coverage by macroalgae, limited hard and soft corals; it is not 100% barren. For a low relief habitat, there is coverage by macroalgae, limited hard and soft corals; it is not barren. It will be necessary to install artificial reef and transplant corals as mitigation for this impact as well as other impacts. Monitoring will also be conducted once per year for 5 years to remove invasive species, allowing for natural communities to thrive and ensure successful mitigation. • The new island will alter the local currents and wave directions and heights slightly. Wave heights will be essentially unchanged at the shoreline if the new island is built as proposed, therefore it is anticipated that there should be little if any change to the shape or profile of the shoreline. This remains to be confirmed. • Fourteen(14) known reef dive spots are located within 1.5 miles of the site, with the closest dive spots being 700 feet and 1,500 feet from the construction footprint. As a result, strict water quality monitoring will be implemented to maintain the excellent diving options in Bimini adjacent to the site. 4 October 2013 7 Environmental Impact Assessment, North Bimini Ferry Terminal Project, Bimini, Bahamas • During an informal polling of local Biminites (limited sample size equal to approximately 50), residents agree there is likely to be an economic benefit from the project. • During this same polling effort (limited sample size) concerns for potential adverse impacts on marine resource habitat, fisheries, disruption, inconvenience and behavior were expressed as well as concern for the viability of the service. Based on the significant work conducted to date, the project team has prepared a comprehensive EIA report to construct the facility using sustainable and environmentally-sensitive Best Management Practices that minimize impacts to the environment and local community to the maximum extent practicable while still meeting the project purpose. 4 October 2013 8