Environmental Impacts of Development on Roatan

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While the economic benefits from development on Roatan are substantial, Several resorts have constructed artificial beaches by dredging the back reef area for sand. This beach, which is located at one of the premier resorts on the island, is completely man-made. Beside it is a beach currently under "construction".

Development regulations currently prohibit the destruction of mangroves on the island of Roatan; however, mangrove destruction has not been eliminated. This property is privately owned and has recently been completely cleared of what was once a large mangrove stand. According to residents on the island, the owner encouraged his employees to clear the mangrove stand on a Sunday just before a Monday holiday and then rushed apologetically into the governmental offices on Tuesday reporting that his workers had misunderstood his instructions. No fines were levied.

Another large environmental impact the tremendous amount of development which is currently occurring on the island is erosion. Erosion is particularly of concern in an area which is fringed by a coral reef. Increased run-off leads to higher turbidity which can damage coral by decreasing the amount of sunlight which reaches it.

In one region near Anthony's Key Resort, the effect of this terrestrial change is evident in the water which is red and muddy near a creek outlet, but clears only a few feet off-shore.