A draft report highlighting the extent of environmental studies needed for Dockyard’s South Basin project has been released to the public.

The Environmental Scoping Report, by Bermuda Environmental Consulting, notes several areas of potential impact and areas where concerns can be resolved.

While land reclamation in South Basin is expected to continue until June, planning and building permission will be required for the project to move further ahead.

The draft report stated that an environmental impact assessment would need to look at marine ecology, transportation, economics, noise, energy and waste issues, along with terrestrial ecology if a “pop-up” hotel is considered for Lodge Point.

“In some instances, despite no significant impacts anticipated, the technical areas for further study remain scoped in for the EIA because construction and/or operational mitigation and management are critical,” the report stated. “In other cases, not enough information was known to reasonably remove the subject from the scope of EIA work.

“The scoping process revealed a number of ways in which the plan needed to be refined and revised with additional details provided. Certain use/user conflicts were also noted that require resolution [such as the] removal of access to tour boats for cruise ship passengers at Kings Wharf due to proposed superyacht locations.

“At this stage the plan is still conceptual and requires significant additional information and detail to allow the assessment and final DAP 1 application. It is recommended that the list of additional details and required revisions be agreed with ACBDA, government agencies and affected parties prior to production of the final scoping report.”

The report also noted the need for further consultation with stakeholders before the final report was completed, and that other issues be examined.

“One example is the need/opportunity for support services, particularly for the superyachts but also the wider public, such as water taxis, sewage pump out barges, etc — to have ACBDA itemise and indicate required services so that RFPs can be developed and local businesses have sufficient lead times to resolve any requirements necessary.”

The South Basin is set to become the event village for the 2017 America’s Cup. While the reclamation of 11.1 acres of land was approved by a planning application last April, the Supreme Court shot down plans to establish a Marine and Ports facility and a commercial boatyard as part of the project.

A revision was filed to the Department of Planning and approved in November 2015, which permitted the land reclamation to occur in two phases. The approved service tanks were also relocated so that all would fall within the smaller footprint.

• To read the full report, click on the PDF under “Related Media”