Client: Government of the British Virgin Islands Maguire Group completed a comprehensive Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) for the Balsam Ghut Landfill on Tortola. Under contract to the government of the British Virgin Islands, Maguire prepared the EIA for a proposed landfill that would supplement existing waste disposal capacity that includes a municipal solid waste incinerator plant on the Island of Tortola. Maguire also completed the Pre‐Design Report for the proposed Balsam Ghut Landfill that included conceptual layouts, costs and details of several wastestream scenarios for a long‐term (20 years) disposal facility. Maguire used an EIA process that was modeled after the framework of the U.S. National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). The EIA was conducted to complement the BVI’s National Integrated Development Plan (NIDP) by taking into account socio‐economic, environmental, physical and spatial parameters. Environmental sustainability was identified in the NIDP as a primary consideration. The steep slopes and heavy vegetation of the proposed site—typical of most Caribbean islands—posed several design, construction, and environmental protection challenges. Maguire’s EIA identified a number of environmental features, such as the Balsam Ghut watershed and the location of sensitive human receptors and marine resources. The Maguire Team documented the short‐ and long‐term potential consequences of developing the proposed landfill. Importantly, the EIA also documented mitigation measures that should be implemented to reduce or eliminate any negative impacts during construction, operation and ultimate closure of the proposed landfill.
MAGUIRE GROUP INC. International Experience
Environmental Impact Assessment Balsam Ghut Landfill Tortola, British Virgin Islands (BVI)