Statement and Position of the Green Southerners Organisation on the Ras Al-Jammal Project

This statement was distributed during the meeting convened by the Tyre Municipality regarding the Ras Al-Jammal project on 21/2/2020, and a copy was received by the organisation.

Main Position

The Green Southerners Organisation calls for:

• Immediate halt to the ongoing works.
• Reconsideration of the project.
• Adherence to legal procedures and environmental and cultural standards in protecting and managing the site.

Legal Requests and Procedures

On 15/02/2020, the organisation submitted a formal request to review the mandatory Environmental and Social Impact Assessment of the “Rehabilitation of the Old Markets and Ras Al-Jammal Area” project, according to:

• Environmental Protection Law No. 444
• Decree on Environmental Impact Assessment Procedures No. 8633

This law requires defining the project scope, setting conditions and standards, and publishing the study after the Ministry’s feedback for public consultation.

Any project is also constrained by Decree No. 4810 on the Use of Public Maritime Properties, which mandates that public properties remain accessible to the public and forbids permanent constructions, with a maximum surface utilization rate of 5%.

Current Violations in the Project

• The ongoing works do not meet legal requirements or necessary studies.
• Violations of the Public Maritime Properties Law and the Environmental Protection Law.
• Project occupies more area than allowed under Ministry of Public Works and environmental protection standards.
• Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) covering all project stages has not been prepared.
• Violates cultural heritage protection standards; no Heritage Impact Assessment (HIA) has been conducted.
• Expansion of the asphalt road by 4 meters and construction of support walls damages beach environment and cultural elements.
• Adding a parking lot for 30 cars harms the site due to pollution from vehicle exhaust, noise, and light, affecting endangered sea turtle habitats.
• Changes in site features, such as “green slopes” and a circular paved corniche, will cause destructive alterations to the site.
• Construction of eight terraces along the rocky beach without assessment of environmental impacts or site positioning.
• Installation of sewage and electricity networks over tens of meters could damage visible archaeological features without proper impact assessment.

Organisation Recommendations

• Halt current works and comply with legal, environmental, and cultural standards.
• Prepare the necessary studies and involve local residents and project specialists.
• Reconsider the project entirely based on clear standards for site protection and sustainability.
• Develop a sustainable project focused on removing violations, protecting the site, and managing it responsibly.
• Reduce occupied areas, strictly control tools and equipment used, ban vehicles, and prevent any permanent construction that could harm the site’s environmental or cultural elements.