Businesswoman challenges tourism village heliport
It falls under the general category of “progress brings problems.” That is, another controversy is brewing in the burgeoning cruise tourism industry, this time over a proposed helicopter landing site near the Fort Street Tourism Village. Michelle Williams, a director of the Harbour View Restaurant adjacent to the village, is leading opposition to the heliport and related services that will be offered from the location. Williams claims that the project will negatively affect the daily lives of those working and living in the historic area. According to Williams, the company, named HeliBel, was granted clearance from Ministry of the Environment even though an environmental impact assessment was not conducted. Williams says she is not only concerned about how the activity will affect her family’s business, but fears that sites such as the Baron Bliss Lighthouse and the Animal Park will be damaged.
Michelle Williams, Director, Harbour View
?We are in the cruise tourism business and we can appreciate that the variety of tours makes it much more attractive to cruise ship passengers for Belize. However the area they are proposing this helicopter pad to take place is really in my opinion inappropriate and I think I speak for many in the area, residents and business owners. It would be incredibly disruptive, this is a historical area, some buildings are over a hundred years old, they have been maintained; people take pride in this area. Baron Bliss grave for one thing is part of our heritage and this would definitely be affected by it, by the helicopters landing there.?
?From what I understand, the noise level of helicopters and the dust that it will generate, people won?t be able to live in that area anymore during the day, you just won?t. Yes, it will affect my business and it will affect the Radisson, it will affect Smokey Mermaid, it will affect a lot of the area, not just mine. I am vocal with it because were the people that fortunately were able to get the information and I am taking it to the media. I would really like to call upon the Prime Minister to intervene, this is his constituents. The people of this area has taken care of the area that have maintained this historical value, I really think are up in arms.?
?Take it to a place that is a little bit more suitable for this. And how will they fuel up these helicopters; it scares me to think what they have planned for that area.?
The Ministry of Natural Resources, Local Government and the Environment in a press release responded to many of the issues raised by Williams. It says the project will consist of a twenty meter by ten meter Helipad at a site approximately two hundred feet west of the Baron Bliss Lighthouse, outside of the existing seawall. The press release states: One, environmental clearance for the proposed helipad had been granted by the Department of the Environment after having been assured that all environmental, health and safety issues associated with the proposal had been thoroughly reviewed and addressed in accordance with the Environmental Protection Act. Two, the proposed helipad and its operations is a relatively small undertaking not triggering the requirement of an E.I.A. as specified under the E.I.A. Regulations. Environmental clearance grants permission for a project to proceed from an environmental perspective, requiring mitigation measures to be instituted during construction and operation phases of an undertaking. However, this does not exempt the developer from obtaining the other legally required licenses or permits. And three, environmental clearance for the project had been granted on the following basis: one, only Robinson R44 light helicopters, with six cylinder gasoline engines, will be permitted. This type of engine generates minimal noise. Furthermore, the use of the helipad will be limited to daylight hours.
From a safety perspective, the proposed site and current wind directions allow for approach and departure over water. This will allow for safer operations as the helicopters will not be flying over populated areas. In addition, the helipad is to be fenced in such a manner as to keep unauthorized persons from entering the operational area and dampen or exclude effects of main rotor wash on people outside. Construction of the Helipads will be in accordance with the regulations of International Civil Aviation Organization and that no fuel or hazardous material will be permitted on the site. Refuelling will need to be done at either the Municipal Airstrip or the International Airport.
Meanwhile Helibel, the Helicopter Tour and Charter Company, states it established itself in Belize to offer helicopter tours to the tourism and cruise ship industry. It believes that this service will greatly enhance the quality of Belize’s tourism product and meets all civil aviation requirements for safety. Additionally, the company states that the operation will in no way impact the Animal Park nor anyone’s enjoyment of it and that area residents are far enough away from the helipad to not even hear it or be disturbed by the operation. Before the company can begin operations, it still must get approval from the City Council, Civil Aviation Department, and Lands Department.
