Is Maracas Valley in Crisis?

QuarryingTraffic CongestionDenuding of the HillsidesWater ShortagesISSUES IN THE VALLEY

QuarryingTraffic CongestionDenuding of the HillsidesWater ShortagesImpact of Ortinola Quarry

Coosals Quarry

200 t/day 300t/dayFEB 2004JAN 2005

Coosals QuarryNov 2007

El Chorro Quarry - no longer in operation100 t/day 150t/day20082002

Proposed Ortinola QuarryArea 19 acres-NO CEC REQUIRED!Estimated capacity: 80-120 t/dayUpstream WASA's Acono Water Works; one of only two water catchment areas in Maracas Valley.

Proposed Ortinola Quarry Area

Proposed Caurita QuarryArea 10 Hectares - NO CEC REQUIRED

CAN THE VALLEY SUPPORT ANOTHER QUARRY?ANOTHER QUARRY WILL PUT US OVER THE EDGE!

QuarryingTraffic CongestionDenuding of the HillsidesWater ShortagesImpact of Ortinola Quarry

Traffic!!

Traffic SummaryPresent capacity of the Maracas Royal Road: 800 to 1000 vehicles/hr

Present usage of the Maracas Royal Road: 738 vehicles/hr (morning peak, south bound direction)

Maracas Royal Road is currently close to maximum capacity !

January 2002Heavy Trucks did not help this Situation

and in October 2007.

And in February 2008

CAN THE MARACAS ROYAL ROAD SUPPORT MORE HEAVY VEHICLES?

QuarryingTraffic CongestionDenuding of the HillsidesWater ShortagesImpact of Ortinola Quarry

Acono

As a result of deforestation & slash and burnAs a result of poor land clearance for housing developments

Satellite imagery Mountain View

Satellite imagery Valley View

Satellite imagery Acono

View from the ground Acono (2002)

Acono February 2008

Maracas Gardens as seen from Mountain View (January 2005)

Poolside 2005

Buena Vista at the Entry to the Valley (2002)

Maracas Gardens (2002)

House surrounded by Water!

More Flooding-2007

SHOULD THERE BE MORE REMOVAL OF HILLSIDE COVER?

No!

It is also the cause of flooding in the Caroni Plain

QuarryingTraffic CongestionDenuding of the HillsidesWater SupplyImpact of Ortinola Quarry

MARACAS VALLEY IS A

SENSITIVE WATERSHED AREA

Maracas Valley: Facts and FiguresPopulationMaracas Valley population growth is 6 times the national average !

Level Of Service (LOS) measured on a five class scale

Class 1 168 hours per week or continuous supplyClass 2120 to 168 hours per weekClass 3 84 to 120 hours per weekClass 448 to 84 hours per weekClass 5Less than 48 hours per week

Maracas Valley predominantly in classes 3 and 4. There is scope for improvementWater Situation

2000 Water Supply: 5,800 m3/day

2000 Water Demand: 5,900 m3/day 2000 Water Balance (Supply Versus Demand) 2000 water balance is at a near equilibrium

Ortinola Quarry would negatively affect the water balance of Maracas Valley as follows:

2010 Water Supply: 4,700 m3/day (19% decrease as compared to 2007 figures)

2010 Water Demand: 7,000 m3/day (19% increase as compared to 2007 figures)

2010 Water Balance (Supply Versus Demand) 2010 Water Deficit (1-2): 2,300 m3/day (33% of 2010 water demand !!!)

Water Balance (Supply Versus Demand)

Ortinola and Caurita quarries will result in:

Increased loading of the Maracas Royal Rd.Decrease of hillside coverIncreased flooding Chronic water shortages and scheduling

Impact of Proposed Ortinola and Caurita Quarries

Ortinola and Caurita quarries will result in:

Reduced water qualityIncreased incidences of water borne diseasesetc. Increase in air pollution creating respiratory problems and lowering of life expectancy (vehicles, quarry blasts)

Impact of Proposed Ortinola and Caurita Quarries

Is Maracas Valley in Crisis?

Yes!

CAN THE VALLEY SUPPORT ANOTHER QUARRY?NO

ALTERNATIVESImport aggregate - A study has indicated that the cost of imported aggregate is similar to that of locally produced material Eco-Tourism