Paraíba: landfill plan on beaches progresses under criticism – 06/04/2023 – Environment

The city of João Pessoa moves forward with a project to contain erosion on the edge of the city —which should include the artificial widening of the sand strip on up to four beaches in the capital of Paraíba, replicating landfill experiences in other coastal cities in the country.

The project is one of the priorities of Mayor Cícero Lucena (PP), but faces resistance from environmentalists, scholars and social movements. Earlier this month, he became the subject of a civil inquiry by the Federal Public Ministry.

The proposal should include some of the best known beaches in João Pessoa. Four stretches are under study: the beaches of Manaíra, Bessa, Jacarapé and the stretch between Cabo Branco and Ponta do Seixas, skirting the cliff of Cabo Branco.

The intention to widen the beaches was announced by Mayor Cícero Lucena in October 2021, with the justification of stopping erosion and opening spaces for road works. In February, during an interview at João Pessoa City Council, the mayor reiterated his option for the landfill.

The project only started to move forward in April of this year, when the city hired the Santa Catarina company Alleanza Projetos e Consultoria to carry out the basic studies, the same company responsible for widening the beach in Balneário Camboriú (SC).

The company was hired for BRL 275,500 by invitation letter. The elaboration of a conceptual project that includes coastal protection and urbanization of grounded areas is foreseen. The work must be delivered within a period of up to 90 days.

A month before being hired, Lucena and municipal secretaries visited the city in Santa Catarina. In Balneário Camboriú, the work to widen the beach cost R$ 66.8 million, lasted nine months and increased the strip of sand from 25 to 70 meters.

In João Pessoa, the initial cost estimate for the works on the four stretches is R$ 200 million. Also taking into account the package of road works and infrastructure on the waterfront, the budget would reach R$ 400 million.

Despite the estimates, the city hall informs that only the studies will indicate which will be the best alternative in each region of the shore, and that it will not necessarily adopt the fattening of the strip of sand.

Rubens Falcão, municipal secretary of Infrastructure and responsible for the project, says that the central focus of the city hall is to reduce the impact of the advance of the sea. He also points out that the project will be carried out without haste, with public debate and authorization from the competent bodies.

Since previous administrations, the city hall of the capital of Paraíba has been studying ways to contain erosion on the shore. One of the evaluated options was the construction of a breakwater about 200 meters from the coast, but there was an understanding that there would be a high environmental impact.

The municipal secretary for the Environment, Welison Silveira, says that the widening of the sand strip is seen with good eyes by the municipal management, especially for Manaíra beach, where there is a demand for requalification of the edge with the expansion of the lane and the boardwalk.

“All the studies presented in past administrations indicate that widening the beaches is one of the least impactful solutions from an environmental point of view”, says Silveira.

For the Cabo Branco cliff region, the mayor even indicated the possibility of building a track around the barrier that would connect Cabo Branco to Ponta do Seixas, a region known for being the easternmost point of South America.

Secretary Welison Silveira, however, says that a possible landfill in the region is unlikely. The area is home to the headquarters of Cabo Branco Station, a complex designed by Oscar Niemeyer that includes the Science Museum, as well as tourist facilities such as the Cabo Branco Lighthouse and Bosque dos Sonhos.

The proposed embankment on the beaches is criticized by specialists, who advocate carrying out more in-depth studies along the entire coast of Paraíba and a complete environmental diagnosis before starting the works.

“Our criticism is not about the fattening of the beach itself, but about the way it is being done, without an adequate study. “, says Saulo Vital, professor at the Department of Geosciences at UFPB (Federal University of Paraíba)

In the professor’s opinion, it is necessary to know the dynamics of the coast to identify the best erosion mitigation solutions. The period of 90 days is also pointed out as short to arrive at a complete diagnosis.

There is also fear of possible impacts on sensitive areas of the coast, especially on the beaches of Bessa and Manaíra, the nesting area of ​​hawksbill turtles, a species considered endangered by the Ministry of the Environment.

“There are reefs that are close to the coast and are used as feeding areas for turtles”, explains biologist Danielle Siqueira, president of the Guajiru Association, which works to preserve sea turtles in the region.

The Federal Public Prosecutor’s Office launched a civil inquiry to investigate the fattening of the waterfront and highlighted the lack of clear information from municipal managers about the project. The City Hall says it will provide the necessary information and work in harmony with the Public Prosecutor’s Office.

In the political field, the proposal was criticized by possible opponents of Cícero Lucena in next year’s election.

Federal deputy Ruy Carneiro (PSC) said that “fattening the beach just for the sake of it” is an irresponsible attitude, and accuses the municipal management of investing millions in the project without carrying out an environmental impact study.

Cida Ramos (PT), state deputy, said she sees the project as a first step towards reversing municipal legislation that prevents the construction of buildings with more than three floors on the waterfront. Former mayor and deputy Luciano Cartaxo (PT) classified the possible fattening of the beaches as an “environmental crime”.

The conceptual project should be delivered to the municipality in August. From it, the municipal management must contract the execution of the works, which still do not have a delivery date.