The Department of the Environment (DOE) has granted environmental clearance for a proposed farming development by the Spanish Lookout Community Corporation Limited, following the review and recommendations of the National Environmental Appraisal Committee (NEAC). The project, which is to be located near Runaway Creek and the Sibun River along the Coastal Highway in the Belize District, was the subject of an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) reviewed by NEAC earlier this month.
After careful evaluation of the EIA report and public concerns, NEAC recommended approval with a number of strict conditions aimed at reducing potential environmental, social, and archaeological impacts. These include a prohibition on aerial spraying throughout the project site. Developers are instead required to use only environmentally friendly methods for agrochemical use, such as drone or mechanical spraying.
Additionally, the committee noted that Excel Construction Ltd., which holds a mining license in the area set to expire in July 2026, must not engage in any mining activities within the project site until a full environmental assessment is conducted in consultation with the Mining Unit of the Ministry of Natural Resources. A vegetative buffer of 150 feet must also be maintained on both sides of the Sibun River for the duration of the project.
One of the most significant requirements is the legal establishment of a 1,649-acre Conservation Zone identified in the EIA. This area must be permanently protected due to its ecological and archaeological importance. The NEAC also directed that a water catchment system be created within the project area to ensure a stable water source during expected future droughts.
If water from the Sibun River is needed, developers must first conduct additional studies to determine potential environmental and hydrological impacts, and submit their findings to the DOE for a decision in consultation with NEAC.