Concerns raised about the construction of a chemical warehouse at Friendship
Kaieteur News – The fact that the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) does not require an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) to be conducted for the construction and operation of a waste treatment facility (Bioremediation) in Friendship, Demerara East Bank, is a major cause of concerns for the residents there.
Kaieteur News had reported that mud sludge, generated from activities in the oil and gas sector, would have been processed at a facility expected to be built by Guyana Environmental Waste Management Services Inc. at Lots Zone 21 and 22 Block XXV111, Friendship Plantation, East Demerara Bank (EBD).
EIA is routinely conducted by the EPA to evaluate the likely environmental effects of a proposed project or development, considering interconnected socio-economic, cultural and human health impacts, both beneficial and harmful.
However, the EPA stated in a published notice: “In accordance with Section 11 (2) of the Environmental Protection Act, Cap 20:05, Guyana Laws, the project application listed above has been screened by the agency to assess the potential environmental impacts, and it has been decided that the project will not significantly affect the environment or human health, and is therefore excluded from the requirement for an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA). “
That piece did not fit well with Friendship residents who immediately reported concerns to the agency.
Of major contention is the fact that the Neighborhood Democratic Council (NDC) had no prior knowledge of the project before the December 10, 2020 notice was published in the local print media.
Another critical concern was the safety measures the EPA put in place in the event of a chemical spill.
“What methods did they use to conclude that this hazardous waste will not affect the environment and people’s lives? How do they plan to manage the waste? If there is a chemical spill on our roads or waterways, how does the EPA plan to deal with this situation? ”
Friendship is a populated community and is close to the East Demerara Water Conservancy on one side and the Demerara River on the other.
“These are things people need to know beforehand, before issuing a notice,” residents relayed to Kaieteur News.
According to the summary, the project involves receiving and transporting solid, liquid, and its combination from drilling waste to bioremediation treatment reservoirs at its proposed waste treatment facility. Bioremediation is a treatment process that uses naturally occurring microorganisms (yeast, fungi, or bacteria) to decompose, or degrade, dangerous substances into less toxic or toxic substances.
According to the document, the company is notified of waste arriving at the generator facility (Beach base) at least 24 hours in advance. The waste received would include residuals from cleaning mud pits, shakers, and sand traps on the rig and transferring them to bulk liquid tanks, tote tanks and breaker boxes and transferring them to the shore base’s bio-recovery waste treatment facility. .
Residues will also include but not limited to wash water, flushing water, Synthetic Oil Smoke (SOBM) residues, Water Masks (WBM), Base Oil, brine, dry bulk (cement, barite, and silica gel).
Further, the operation will also include the development of two treatment pools lined with High Density Polyethylene Geomembrane liners and fitted with 91.4cm pearls.
In addition, four existing structures will be repaired and developed into administrative units, laboratories, storage areas and care homes. A screen will be built to separate the office area from the treatment pools.
Although EIA is not required for the project, the EPA still allows a 30-day period for the public to submit any objections or concerns about the project.
Appeals and objections can be submitted to the Environmental Assessment Board at the EPA’s Sophia, Georgetown office. That deadline expires on Friday, January 8, 2021.