MARIGOT/COLE BAY--Government has proposed the reclamation of about 6,000 square metres of Simpson Bay Lagoon to create an “island” on which to build a sewage plant to jointly service the Dutch and French sides of the island.
The sewage plant will be “submerged in the lagoon water,” according to a press statement from Marlin’s Office. The plan to reclaim part of the lagoon for the island is described as “similar” to the way Dr. A.C. Wathey Cruise and Cargo Facilities was constructed in Great Bay.
The proposal to build the island was shared by Prime Minister William Marlin and Environment and Infrastructure Minister Angel Meyers in a meeting on Monday with French side officials including the Préfect and President of the Collectivité of St. Martin. The technical teams from both sides that are working on the project were also present for the session.
The two sides will now work on finalizing the cost estimates for the project and investigation of the preliminary design, in terms of the technology, needed to complete this project.
French side officials expressed some concerns about the location of the plant and whether the plan would meet the exact requirements of the European Union. One of the requirements is that the sewage plant must be built at a minimum of 100 metres away from any residential area. Another requirement was regarding weather conditions situations, and whether the sewage plant can withstand hurricanes, earthquakes and flooding.
The Dutch side technical team is said to have explained there is no other on-land possibility within financial feasibility of the project. Also due to the densely-populated areas on the Dutch Side, no other locations meet the initial requirement for the sewage plant.
The delegations of the Dutch and French sides agreed to have the technical teams work together to perform an environmental impact study, a risk assessment and a financial overview of the project.
The meeting of the two sides will reconvene within three weeks to determine if the project is in accordance with all European Union’s environmental and regulation laws.
