St. Maarten Private Eye

Love the Lagoon, Environmental Protection in the Caribbean

The explosive population growth on Sint Maarten over the past 3 to 4 decades has caused rapid urbanization of the Simpson Bay Lagoon area. The surrounding urbanization which includes the districts of Cole Bay, Cay Bay, Simpson Bay, Sandy Ground and Marigot; the airport, marinas, hotels and businesses, has led to many environmental challenges both in and around the Lagoon. Land-reclamation, dredging, urban run-off, illegal garbage disposal, waste from yachts, sewage and leakage from the septic tanks of surrounding houses, hotels, restaurants and other businesses are polluting the Lagoon and threatening the mangroves, seagrass beds and marine life that depends on these ecosystems.

Land reclamation
Land-reclamation has been estimated to have reduced the initial size of the entire lagoon by some 20-25% since 1980. The landfilling and dredging works for the airport extension, hotels, restaurants, marinas etc has had a major impact on the mangrove stands and the seagrass beds in large parts of the Lagoon. No mitigating or compensating measures have been taken to alleviate the actual loss of mangroves and seagrass beds.
Sewage and urban run-off
Sewage enters the Lagoon from several districts (Lowlands, Simpson Bay, Cay Bay, Cole Bay, Sandy Ground, Marigot). Overflowing septic tanks, overflowing sewage systems and free flowing untreated sewage often leads to eutrophication (excess of nutrients) in parts of the Lagoon.

Urban run-off enters the Lagoon at different locations, especially after heavy rains, and often contains large amounts of pollutants (e.g. litter, oil, radiator fluid, antifouling paint, sewage etc).Wastewater from several businesses (laundry services, restaurants, etc.) often ends up in the Lagoon as well.

Illegal waste disposal
Waste of all types is present at various locations in and around the Lagoon. Types of waste reported includes oil, tar, car batteries, concrete, domestic/ household waste, cans of paint, etc. This is the result of illegal dumping by private individuals as well as companies.

Wrecks
Hundreds of shipwrecks were counted in the Lagoon directly after hurricane “Luis” in 1995. The majority was salvaged but data and a recent inspection have revealed that there are still many submerged as well as beached wrecks in the Lagoon. Most boats contain objects or parts that are extremely dangerous for marine life. Especially oil containing elements (motors, etc). As the exchange of seawater is low in the Lagoon, contaminants tend to remain in relatively high concentrations and enter the food-chain or are trapped in the sediment.

Boating and Marina activities
The most significant environmental impacts on the Simpson Bay Lagoon from boating and marina activities come from oil and fuel leakage, sewage, vessel maintenance, solid waste, runoff water and vessel operations. Compared to the other environmental challenges the Lagoon faces these boating and marina impacts are all relatively easily identifiable and correctable. EPIC has recently launched the Love the Lagoon project in order to address these boat and marina based impacts. This project aims to provide guidance on appropriate environmental practices to the maritime industry, boaters, government and non governmental organizations.

Solutions to the Environmental threats the Lagoon faces.
Many of the above mentioned environmental threats the Lagoon faces can be addressed by creating proper waste and sewage management infrastructure and facilities. Successfully resolving these environmental challenges also requires the development, implementation and enforcement of up-to-date Environmental legislation such as a waste ordinance, a sewage ordinance, a wetland protection ordinance and zoning plans.

Make sure you read the next Lagoon Log for recommendations on how you can support the Love the Lagoon project and what you can do to help protect the Simpson Bay Lagoon.

Rueben J. Thompson
Project Manager
Love the Lagoon
Environmental Protection in the Caribbean (EPIC)

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