Fresh concerns raised over Leonardo DiCaprio's eco-resort

Developers behind the 104-acre sustainable project in Belize promise to consider all concerns ahead of construction in 2017.The eco-resort described by Leonardo DiCaprio as "groundbreaking in the environmental movement" is drawing concerns from local residents.

The 104-acre Blackadore Caye off the coast of Belize, purchased by the 41-year-old "Revenant" star in 2005, was announced last April as the future site of a world class sustainable resort.

"With the onset of climate change, there are huge challenges, so we want the structure to not only enhance and improve the environment, but to be a model for the future," DiCaprio told the New York Times. "The New York Times reports:

“When it opens to guests in 2018, ‘Blackadore Caye, a Restorative Island’ will feature the trappings of many luxury resorts, with sprawling villas, infinity pools and stunning sunset views.”

DiCaprio’s development partner, Paul Scialla has a desire to build upon what’s there:

“We don’t want to just do less harm or even have zero impact, but to actually help heal the island, to make it better than before.”That includes restoring the island, creating conservation areas where we can hold research conferences, and regenerating the entire ecosystem to bring it back to its original form and beyond."

                                   An overview of the arc-shaped guest villas on Blackadore Caye in Belize. (Photo: Environmental Impact Assessment, Blackadore Caye)

Tentatively titled "Blackadore Caye: A Restorative Island," the resort will feature a variety of guest villas atop an arc-shaped platform on the water, as well as luxury estate homes built with sustainable and local materials. Renewable energy, electric vehicles, and innovative water and waste treatments systems (among many other green highlights) will also be integrated.

While the resort's ambitious sustainability has been widely praised, local residents — in particular the fishing community — are concerned that its approval will mean the end of access to critical fishing grounds. Another point of contention: the resort's arc-shaped platform encroaches on a designated section of the Hol Chan Marine 

A view of the hotel suits on the Outrigger arch. Note the anticipated growth of coral below the structures. (Photo: Environmental Impact Assessment, Blackadore Caye)

“Sixty-six feet of all coastal waters are all considered Queen’s land because it belongs to the public," said one concerned resident during a discussion of the project'srecently-completed 430 page Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA). "You may own land, but from high tide, sixty-six feet on to land is public access. And not only are you blocking that, but you are encroaching on the marine reserve and developing in that water."

Marissa Tellez-Kohlman, vice regional chair of Latin America for the International Union for Conservation of Nature/Species Survival Commission, raised concerns with the Belizean Reporter that the EIA was conducted without input from local marine biologists.

"Why did they hire international marine and terrestrial biologists to perform surveys instead of Belizean scientists?" she said. "Given my expertise, I have been asked to travel to various countries in the world to provide my expertise. Yet, I never go into another country without consulting locals or local scientists."