By NEILL HARTNELL

Tribune Business Editor

nhartnell@tribunemedia.net

Bahama Rock’s proposed Freeport Harbour expansion will likely consume $5.5m worth of electricity per year, it has been projected, with studies seeking to reassure nearby Eight Mile Rock residents that they will endure “limited noise levels” from the project.

The environmental impact assessment (EIA) for the company’s proposed near-270 acre excavation of the former Bahamas Cement Company site, which will eventually facilitate Freeport Harbour’s westward expansion by creating extra berth capacity and turning basins, forecast that Bahama Rock will consume “substantially similar” levels of electricity to what it uses today.

“Bahama Rock currently pays approximately $5.5m a year for electricity in Freeport, greatly underwriting the cost of the power plant [GB Power] while helping make electricity less expensive for local homeowners,” the EIA, crafted by Bahamian consultancy, Bron Ltd, states.

“Based on the current energy demand of the existing quarry Bahama Rock operation at the adjacent site over a one-year period, the anticipated energy demand is expected to average 33,632.64KwH (kilowatt hours) per day. It is anticipated that the energy demand for the project on the Bahamas Cement Company property would be substantially similar to Bahama Rock’s current utilisation.”

Nearby residents and communities, especially Eight Mile Rock, have in the past frequently complained about the noise from Bahama Rock’s site and the blasting activities that have been performed, which have generated allegations of damage to buildings. These concerns are likely to reignite as a result of the proposed Freeport Harbour expansion, which will involve Bahama Rock mining, quarrying and excavating some 270 fresh acres.

However, a noise evaluation report completed by Geosonics on May 12, 2023, and attached to the EIA asserts that there will be minimal impact for nearby residents and businesses. The EIA itself also pledges that a berm will be installed to further mitigate any noise impacts.

“Measurements of noise were taken of the operating equipment to be used within the project expansion,” the Geosonics report said. “This includes loading equipment, plant site equipment and dragline operations used to excavate material to be transported to the current Bahama Rock processing plant.

“The noise levels were then compared to existing noise within the land uses adjacent to Bahama Rock. Considering starting distances of the excavation from residential homes and the future buffering that will occur, in our professional opinion noise levels within residential areas will have limited noise levels from the proposed project.

“Industrial and commercial uses surround the project expansion area to the north-east and east, and have significant existing noise levels from their own generation. These levels likely will mitigate noise that is produced by the proposed west port expansion, and the associated transport and processing of excavated material at the current Bahama Rock facility.”

The EIA, meanwhile, added: “Baseline noise levels were also recorded within the residential areas adjacent to the project site. The residential areas measured at a threshold of 47 decibels to 70 decibels from day to night and include ambient levels. Noise levels increased to 65-70 decibels in commercial areas - City Market and clinic roadways.

“The ambient noise quality for both residential and commercial areas is recorded at around 47 to 70 decibels. On-site noise range is recorded at approximately 48-87 decibels. The berm installation will serve to aid in noise reduction, thus mitigating the noise impacts of ongoing quarry works.”

Detailing Bahama Rock’s existing impacts, the EIA said: “The current mining operation generates solid waste material at approximately 29.3 tons per month. This material consists of used steel, scrap metal, used oil, grease barrels, wood pallets, tires, old conveyor belting. The dragline and off-road vehicles used in the operation generate the majority of this waste stream, including regular maintenance of the processing plant.

“All solid waste products are located - and temporarily stored before proper disposal - adjacent to the existing shop, which is located on the Bahama Rock property. No material of this kind will be stored or accumulated on the proposed Bahamas Cement Company property, nor is it expected that this volume will increase due to the proposed expansion and use of that property. All solid waste products are transported and disposed of at the local landfill by Sanitation Services.

“Bulk storage of petroleum products is currently stored in above ground storage tanks (AST’s), and is located south of the existing shop within a concrete containment structure. The concrete containment structure will remain in use as part of the Bahama Rock operation and will contain any potential leaks. Used oil and other solid waste products will be disposed of at the local landfill by Sanitation Services…. No bulk storage of petroleum products will take place on the Bahamas Cement property.”

The EIA reveals that Bahama Rock had initially mullled “a larger excavation plan” for the Bahamas Cement Company’s 515-acre total site, including areas to the north and north-west that intersect with the Warren J. Levarity Highway. However, these ambitions were scaled back because of the potential environmental impact abd “nuisance sound impact that blasting would have had” on surrounding communities.

“If no development occurs at the project site, the Bahamas Cement Company property will retain the current existing environmental conditions,” the EIA said. “he existing conditions along the western boundary of the Freeport Harbour may continue to deteriorate.

“Erosion was observed along the western boundary of the Harbour, and invasive species will continue to thrive and spread in the area. Additionally, the project will provide additional economic and recreational stimulus by providing job opportunities during its construction and operation phases.

“Concerns have been expressed that excavation projects around the port can aggravate flooding on surrounding properties. Flood maps produced in 2007 show during 100-year storm events, the Lovers Beach area is likely to flood whether the storm is approaching the southern coast of Grand Bahama from the north or south,” the EIA added.

“However, as with the existing port, deep areas act like a sink - for a short period of time - to collect flood water after a storm surge, the drain being the port's channel entrance. Flood water from lands surrounding the port will run into the deep water which is drained by the tide.”