Proposed Rocket Launch Facility at Sombrero, Anguilla, British West Indies. OVERVIEW
In 1999, SEI prepared a review of the Environmental Assessment of the proposed Rocket Launching Facility on Sombrero, Anguilla.
This review was prepared after discussions with the Anguilla National Trust and forwarded to the Ornithological Council, a US conservation organization that has been actively seeking reviews and input.
Sombrero is a 95 acre rock, one mile long and a quarter mile wide, 38 miles from Anguilla and separated from the mainland by the Dog and Prickly Pear Passage. The relatively flat top of the rock is 40 feet above sea level. However, rollers are known to wash over the entire island and it is frequently awash during hurricanes. For years it has been an important navigation aid. It is isolated from human impact, although there is some fishing around its coast. The proposed development facility would completely transform the island into a rocket launch facility leaving little space for the wildlife.
Biologically Sombrero is an important site because it is one of the main seabird breeding locations in the regions- Brown Boobies, Brown Noddy Terns, Bridled Terns, and Sooty Terns nest everywhere. About 50 pairs of Masked Boobies were found and this is significant as the numbers of that species in this area are low. Magnificent Frigate Birds roost on Sombrero but apparently do not nest there.
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However, Sombrero is also important for the endemic black lizard (Ameiva corvina).
In reviewing the EA, SEI scientists concluded that the proposed rocket launch would have disastrous impacts on the island. The EA failed to address many of the potential impacts. For instance, the EA did not consider invertebrate life. The census of nesting seabirds was limited to two short periods of observation outside of the breeding season. The proposed mitigation, relocate the birds or allow them to find alternative sites in wholly inadequate. The consideration given to the marine environment was dismissive. Although Sombrero Island lacks sandy beaches and shallow slopes, submarine communities exist around its shores, occasionally it is a fishing area. The impacts of construction, potential fuel spills, and the launching itself was not adequately considered. And as the island is frequently awash (something that brings its own suite of problems) we note that runoff into the marine environment is likely to be high.
It is important to note that the construction itself and the continued launching activity will both impact the island.
It is our conclusion that it will not be possible to conserve much of the islands biodiversity if current plans are implemented. This is our scientific opinion. We recognize that that the ultimate decision lies with the Anguilla and British Governments. We urge both Governments to carefully study the reviews and understand that the development will result in near decimation of the habitat and wildlife, and to evaluate whether in fact the loss of the island is acceptable by any standards.