This document presents a case study on the Toco Port project in a rural community in Trinidad and Tobago. The Toco Port project proposed to develop a port for ferry service to Tobago, an oil bunkering facility, a helicopter service, and a hotel. However, the process for the project was flawed, with incomplete research and an incomplete consultation process. As an alternative, the document proposes a more sustainable development plan focused on agriculture, fisheries protection, ecotourism, and business development that involves the community. It also notes threats from other non-consultative development projects in the area.

1. THE TOCO PORT PROJECT:THE TOCO PORT PROJECT:
A CASE STUDY ON THEA CASE STUDY ON THE
ENVIRONMENT ANDENVIRONMENT AND
DEVELOPMENT PROJECTSDEVELOPMENT PROJECTS
IN A RURAL COMMUNITYIN A RURAL COMMUNITY
Presented by Michael TheodorePresented by Michael Theodore
Hugh Wooding Law SchoolHugh Wooding Law School

11. TOCO PORT PROJECTTOCO PORT PROJECT
•Lease, Develop and Return;Lease, Develop and Return;
•Ferry Service to Tobago;Ferry Service to Tobago;
•Oil Bunkering Facility;Oil Bunkering Facility;
•Helicopter Service;Helicopter Service;
•Hotel Development;Hotel Development;
•Cruise Ship PortCruise Ship Port

12. TOCO PORT PROJECT -TOCO PORT PROJECT -
PROCESSPROCESS
• Perfunctory political consultation;
• Incomplete inaccurate research;
• Flawed EIA;
• Flawed consultation process by EMA;
• No coordination between partners –
government and private developers.

13. AN ALTERNATIVEAN ALTERNATIVE
DEVELOPMENT PLANDEVELOPMENT PLAN
• Agricultural project – organic;
• Fisheries –development of fisheries,
turtle protection;
• Tourism – ‘host home’ project;
• Sally Bay Acquisition and Development;

14. AN ALTERNATIVEAN ALTERNATIVE
DEVELOPMENT PLANDEVELOPMENT PLAN
• Business Incubation Unit;
• Website;
• Legal Aid Service.

15. CREP – Caribbean RegionalCREP – Caribbean Regional
Environment ProgramEnvironment Program
CREP - a four letter word

16. SAD’S DEVELOPMENTSAD’S DEVELOPMENT
STRATEGYSTRATEGY
• Apolitical;
• Community Involvement;
• International funding;
• Local business funding.

17. THREATSTHREATS
• Non-consultative “development”
projects;
• Eco-Highway;
• Ferry Service;
• Road Development;
• Sally Bay.