Riviera Cancun - Golf Environment Organization

Transcripción

Riviera Cancun
GEO CertifiedTM Report 2010
About the programme
GEO CertifiedTM is the symbol of great golf environments worldwide – an ecolabel credibly
representing a golf club’s commitment, efforts and results around sustainability, having met
practical criteria in the areas of nature, water, energy, supply chains, environmental quality,
and communities.
Widely endorsed by a growing number of golf organizations and people working in golf, GEO
CertifiedTM is trusted as an effective and straightforward way for clubs to assess the work
they’re doing, improve where needed, and focus on continually improving, in a way that
meets modern-day expectations and standards.
The ecolabel is administered by the Golf Environment Organization with funding and
collaboration throughout the industry. The credibility of the ecolabel is assured through
independent on-site verification every three years; transparency of criteria setting, evaluation
processes, and reporting; an emphasis on continual improvement; and by working to a
comprehensive definition of sustainability mapped specifically to golf. More in-depth
information about GEO, credibility, transparency, governance, and ecolabel benefits can be
found on golfenvironment.org.
This report is publicly available online and contains the information provided by Riviera
Cancun as well as the independent verifiers report and recommendations – ensuring
transparency in reporting as well as a way for members, visitors and the wider community to
read about the good work being done by the golf club.
About this Report
Publication of this report indicates that Riviera Cancun has been assessed against the GEO
Certification Criteria and awarded GEO Certified™ status.
Each section of this document covers a key area of environmentally sound golf facility
management. As defined by the Golf Environment Organization, these are: Nature, Landscape
& Heritage, Water, Turf, Waste, Energy, Education & Awareness and Management Planning.
To maintain this award Riviera Cancun will be re-certified by a GEOSA Accredited Verifier
before February 26th 2013.
Authors
Fernando Sandoval
Riviera Cancun
Fernando Calderon
Riviera Cancun
Phillip Krick Jr
Riviera Cancun
Russ Bodie
GEO Sustainability Associate,
Accredited Verifier
Driving the Green
™
Riviera Cancun
Facility Details
Riviera Cancun is a golf facility comprising:
Courses
•
Riviera Cancun (18 holes)
Clubhouses
•
Riviera Cancun
Maintenance Facilities
•
GCM Riviera Cancun
Other
•
Pro Shop
•
Practice Facilities
•
On Course Toilet Facilities
Nature
The Riviera Cancún Golf course is located in the area denominated as Cancun’s Third Stage.
The surrounding vegetation to the Golf course is coastal scrub with mixed mangrove in its
majority, in which the specific dominance corresponds to red mangle and botoncillo mangle.
The course is located in an property consisting of 377 hectares, of which the golf course and
club house account for 78.8 hectares.
The ample zones of mangrove that surround the property are natural habitat for a great
variety of birds, even migratory, which use the course for their feeding and reproduction
activities. The mangroves also provide a habitat for the swamp crocodile and other various
amphibians. The hydrologic flow of the property is controlled through water passages below
the roads which connect the different areas to maintain the natural water level.
El Campo de Golf Riviera Cancún, se encuentra ubicado en la denominada Tercera Etapa de
Cancún, Quintana Roo; México. La vegetación circundante al Campo de Golf es matorral
costero y en su mayoría manglar mixto, en el cual la dominancia específica corresponde a
mangle rojo y mangle botoncillo. El campo se encuentra inserto en un predio de 377 hectáreas.
Las amplias zonas de humedales que rodean ésta propiedad son hábitat natural para una gran
variedad de aves, incluso migratorias, que utilizan el campo para sus actividades de
alimentación y reproducción. De igual manera, los humedales representan un hábitat para
cocodrilo de pantano y anfibios; el flujo hidrológico de ésta área se mantiene por medio de
comunicaciones, como pasos de agua, que cruzan incluso por debajo de las vialidades.
Designations
Riviera Cancun features areas that are designated or protected at the following levels:
•
National Government
2
Riviera Cancun
Surveys
The following ecological surveys have been undertaken:
Title
Author
Date
Botanical
Palace Resorts
2010-04-16
Birds
Palace Resorts
2010-04-16
Mammals
Palace Resorts
2010-04-16
Habitats
Estimated area of habitats at Riviera Cancun:
•
Wetlands: 243.8 ha; of National Importance
•
Open water features: 30 ha; of Local Importance
Riviera Cancun has undertaken the following activities to improve the landscape ecology of
the site:
•
Increase the size of habitat patches
•
Connect internal habitat patches
•
Connect patches with external habitats
•
Create new habitat corridors
•
Introduce a policy to avoid habitat fragmentation
•
Improve and diversify habitat edges
3
Riviera Cancun
Species
Rare, protected and notable species occurring at Riviera Cancun [Latin names]:
•
Crocodylus moreletti
•
Rana berlandieri
•
Trachemys scripta
•
Rinoclemmys areolata
•
Sphaerodactylus glaucus
•
Ctenosaura similis
•
Tachybaptus dominicus
•
Tigrisoma mexicanum
•
Cairina moschata
•
Aratinga nana
•
Vireo pallens
Consultation
Riviera Cancun consults with the following nature conservation organisations:
•
Eco Red
4
Riviera Cancun
Activities
Riviera Cancun has undertaken the following activities to enhance nature protection:
Activity
Description
Use of Organic
products
The course's maintenance and IPM programs are based on the use
of organic products to reduce the environmental impact caused on
the subsoil
Constant Fauna
monitoring
Palace Resort's internal environmental supervision completes
biannual fauna monitoring reports to assess the local biodiversity's
conditions and effect caused by the golf course
Sea turtle
protection
Palace Resorts Foundation performs sea turtle protection activities
to involve the local community with the native fauna and ensure
safe nesting grounds for the turtles to guarantee their survival and
reproduction.
Maintenance
program for the
hydrological passes
under the golf
course
The course's construction permit was granted thanks to the
implementation of hydrological passes strategically placed under
the golf course to maintain the mangrove's natural flow and
ecosystem in its natural state.
Aims & Objectives
Riviera Cancun has the following key objectives for maximizing its ecological value:
•
Maintain the ecosystem's natural conditions
Landscape & Heritage
The Riviera Cancún golf course borders the Caribbean Sea and the mesoamericano reef,
which can be seen from hole no. 15; the course is inserted in an area of enormous landscape
importance because it represents the beginning of the mangrove community which runs
along the coastline behind the coastal scrub. It is a zone where the red mangrove, due to the
characteristics of the area, reaches small heights, therefore denominated as “short” scrub.
The Riviera Cancún golf course can be seen by the visitors to the tourist center of Cancún,
because it is 10 minutes of the international airport. From the aerial view, one can appreciate
the careful balance that the course keeps between playing surfaces and wetland areas which
surround it.
El campo de Golf Riviera Cancún, colinda con la zona del mar caribe y el arrecife
mesoamericano, los cuales pueden ser apreciados plenamente desde el hoyo No. 15; el campo
se encuentra inserto en un área de enorme importancia de paisaje pues representa el inicio de
5
Riviera Cancun
la comunidad de mangle que se distribuye a manera de franja por detrás del matorral costero.
Es una zona donde el mangle rojo, debido a las características propias del área adquiere unas
tallas pequeñas, denominándose matorral chaparro.
El campo de golf Riviera Cancún se aprecia claramente para los visitantes al centro turístico
de Cancún, pues se encuentra a 10 minutos del aeropuerto internacional de ésta ciudad, con
ésta vista aérea es posible apreciar el equilibrio que guarda el campo con sus áreas de juego y
las amplias zonas de humedales que lo rodean.
Designations
Riviera Cancun does not feature any landscape designations.
Riviera Cancun does not feature any cultural heritage designations or protected features.
Surveys
No landscape assessments or appraisals have been carried out at this site.
No archaeological or heritage surveys have been carried out at this site.
Consultation
Riviera Cancun consults with the following organisations on landscape and cultural heritage
issues:
•
Eco Red
Activities
Riviera Cancun undertakes the following activities to enhance landscape and cultural
heritage:
Activity
Description
Control of
invasive
species
A stringent invasive vegetation control program is performed to limit the
invasion of exotic vegetation on the golf course and maintain the natural
landscape heritage
Aims & Objectives
Riviera Cancun has the following key objectives for conserving or enhancing its landscape
and cultural heritage value:
•
Enhance the natural jungle's conditions
6
Riviera Cancun
Water
Most of the water is destined to the irrigation of the 18 holes of the Golf course. The water is
extracted from 10 underground of salted wells (above of 3000 ppm). The water consumed in
the Club House and maintenance facilities comes from municipal sources.
La mayor cantidad de agua se destina al riego de los 18 hoyos del Campo de Golf, esta agua es
extraida de 10 pozos salados (arriba de 3000 ppm). El agua que se consume en las
instalaciones de Casa Club y mantenimiento provienen de fuentes municipales.
Consumption
Water sources
Primary Source
Secondary Source (if used)
Clubhouse
Public / Potable
N/A
Golf Courses
Groundwater
N/A
Accommodation
N/A
N/A
Maintenance facility
Public / Potable
N/A
Other
N/A
N/A
Water consumption (m3)
2009
Clubhouse
3000
Golf Courses
460926
Accommodation
N/A
Maintenance facility
1000
Other
N/A
7
Riviera Cancun
Irrigation
The following areas are irrigated:
Area name
Approx. Hectarage
Greens
0.932 ha
Tees
1.337 ha
Fairways
26.802 ha
Riviera Cancun irrigation system is Fully computer controlled.
This irrigation system is serviced every 3 months.
This irrigation system is upgraded every 5 years.
This irrigation system is calibrated every 1 years.
Riviera Cancun do not incorporate evapotranspiration rates and weather data into their
irrigation programme.
Riviera Cancun does not monitor soil water content.
Analysis
Riviera Cancun undertakes environmental monitoring of water quality.
Chemical
Biological
Inflow
Yes
No
On-site
No
No
Outflow
No
Yes
Last Test Date
Tester
2010-02-01
IDECA S.A. de C.V.
2010-02-01
IDECA S.A. de C.V.
The key findings of these tests were:
The water quality studies performed show that the water quality has maintained the required
quality for the course's irrigation as well as the established requirements by the local
legislation for direct discharge in underground wells.
8
Riviera Cancun
Activities
Riviera Cancun has undertaken the following activities to conserve / reduce / minimise water
consumption:
•
Minimise irrigated area
•
Irrigate in the evenings
•
De-compact the soil
•
Grass species selection
•
Regular inspections for irrigation system leaks
Riviera Cancun undertakes the following activities to protect and enhance water quality:
•
Maintain vegetative buffers
•
Creation of swales and attenuation areas
•
No spray zones
•
Erosion control
•
Pest and disease tolerant grass selection
•
Informed selection of fertiliser type
•
Informed selection of pesticides (least toxic, least persistent)
•
Naturalisation of pond margins to improve oxygenation
Aims & Objectives
Riviera Cancun has the following key objectives for conserving water quality and minimizing
water consumption:
•
Maintain salt water content within 2600-2900 ppm
•
Ensure maximum efficiency in irrigation
Turf
The turf used in the 18 holes of the Riviera Cancun is Seashore Paspalum vaginatum, tolerant
to salt water. Pruning, topdressing, and airing activities are performed to maintain the turf in
optimal conditions.
El pasto utilizado en los 18hoyos del campo de Riviera Cancun es Seashore Paspalum
vaginatum , tolerante a aguas salobres. Se le realizan actividades de poda, aireficación y
topdressing para mantenerlo en condiciones optimas.
Riviera Cancun maintains the following turfgrass species:
Greens
•
Seashore paspalum (Paspalum vaginatum)
9
Riviera Cancun
Surrounds & Approaches
•
Tees
•
Fairways
•
Semi-rough
•
Riviera Cancun regularly undertakes the following practices to improve turf health:
•
Hollow Coring - 2 times per year
•
Top Dressing - 12 times per year
•
Deep Anti Compaction - 1 times per year
•
Rolling - 6 times per year
Nutrition
Annual foliar and granular applications are performed to provide 2 Lb/N in greens, 4 Lb/N in
Tees, and 2.5 Lb/N in Fairways and Roughs. The N: P: K Balance is 2:1: 4 in average, and it is
complemented with contributions of smaller and macro secondary elements as needed.
Se realizan aplicaciones foliares y granulares para aportación de 2 Lb/N anual en greens.
Se realizan aplicaciones foliares y granulares en Tees para aportación de 4 Lb/N anual.
Se realizan aplicaciones granulares en Fairways y Rough para aportación de 2.5 Lb/N anual.
El balance N:P:K es de 2:1:4 en promedio y se complementan las aportaciones con elementos
menores y macros secundarios.
The greenkeeping staff feed the following areas of the golf course:
•
Greens
•
Tees
•
Fairways
•
Rough
The nutrition programme at Riviera Cancun is informed by:
•
Leaf Tissue Analysis
•
Soil Analysis
•
Visual Appearance
•
Sward Density
10
Riviera Cancun
Fertiliser use in 2009
Nitrogen (kg/year)
Phosphate (kg/
year)
Potassium (kg/year)
Greens &
surround
3184.29
2984.81
3825.78
Tees
0
0
0
Fairways
0
0
0
Semi Rough
0
0
0
Rough
0
0
0
Riviera Cancun has no further fertiliser data.
Pest & Disease Control
The golf course incorporates an Integrated Pest Management program which specifies the
use of products with low toxicology levels.
El campo de golf implementa un programa de manejo integrado de plagas (MIP) el cual
especifica el uso de productos con bajo perfil toxicológico.
Pesticide use:
•
Fungicides - If Necessary
•
Herbicides - If Necessary
•
Insecticides - If Necessary
•
Lumbricides - If Necessary
•
Growth Regulator - If Necessary
Riviera Cancun keeps detailed records of pesticide application.
11
Riviera Cancun
Pesticide use in 2009
Fungicide
Active
ingredient
Greens &
Surrounds
Clorotalonil
Tiofanato M
Rough
Herbicide
kg
Active
ingredient
Insecticide
kg
Active
ingredient
kg
26.1
Clorpirifos E
201.7
14.2
Lamnda
Cyhal
44.82
Imidacloprid
20.62
Dicamba/
2,4d,
Amina
24
Glifosato
240
Riviera Cancun has no further pesticide data.
Thresholds for using pesticides at Riviera Cancun:
On evidence of actual damage
Riviera Cancun selects pesticides with the following attributes:
•
Toxicity - Low
•
Persistence - Medium
•
Solubility - High
•
Specificty - High
12
Riviera Cancun
Scouting at Riviera Cancun:
Frequency / month
Scout
Greens
30
Superintendent
Tees
30
Superintendent
Fairways
30
Superintendent
Semi Rough
30
Superintendent
Activities
Riviera Cancun undertakes the following activities to minimise / reduce pesticide use:
Activity
Description
Use of biological
products
Organic products with pesticide applications are used to reduce the
use of chemical pesticides
Aims & Objectives
Riviera Cancun has the following key objectives for achieving high quality playing surfaces in
an environmentally responsible manner:
•
Efficiency, planning and proper execution of the IPM program
Waste
The Riviera Cancun golf course is subject to a waste handling program for the following
wastes: hazardous, recyclable and nonrecyclable. The hazardous residues, are the empty
chemical substance containers such as the agro-chemical or solvents which are used in the
course.
These residues are temporarily maintained in a suitable warehouse and taken off the property
by a certified company who performs the final disposal of the wastes. The nonrecyclable
wastes are taken off the property by the municipal service and sent to the local landfill. The
recyclable residues such as pet bottles, aluminum, glass, tins, and scrap iron are separated
and placed in specific warehouses and are taken off the property by specialized buyers who
carry out the recycling.
13
Riviera Cancun
El campo de Golf Riviera Cancún, se encuentra sujeto a un programa de manejo de residuos
de los siguientes rubros : peligrosos, reciclables y no reciclables.
Los residuos peligrosos, son aquellos contenedores vacíos de algunas sustancias químicas,
por ejemplo los insumos agroquímicos o solventes que se utilizan en el área. Éstos residuos
son resguardados temporalmente en un almacén adecuado y retirados de la propiedad por
una empresa certificada para tal efecto, quién realiza el confinamiento final de los residuos.
Los residuos no reciclables, son retirados de la propiedad por el servicio municipal y enviados
al relleno sanitario.
Los residuos reciclables como botellas de pet, vidrio, latas de aluminio, chatarra, son
separados desde cada una de las áreas de generación y colocados en almacenes específicos,
posteriormente éstos residuos son retirados por compradores especializados para efectuar el
reciclaje.
Management
Waste streams for Riviera Cancun
Avoid
Glass
Plastic
Aluminium
Metal
Paper
Cardboard
Electrical
Grass
Clippings
Cores
Reuse
Recycle
Landfill
Incineration
Registered
Uplift
2009
Totals
(kg)
No
No
Yes
No
No
No
0
No
No
Yes
No
No
No
0
No
No
Yes
No
No
No
0
No
No
Yes
No
No
No
0
No
No
Yes
No
No
No
0
No
No
Yes
No
No
No
0
No
No
No
No
No
No
0
No
No
No
Yes
No
No
0
No
No
No
Yes
No
No
0
14
Riviera Cancun
Turf
No
No
No
Yes
No
No
0
No
No
No
Yes
No
No
0
No
No
Yes
No
No
No
0
No
No
Yes
No
No
No
0
No
No
No
No
No
Yes
0
No
No
No
No
No
Yes
0
No
No
No
No
No
Yes
0
Pesticide
Containers
No
No
No
No
No
Yes
0
Fertiliser
Bags
No
No
No
No
No
Yes
0
No
No
No
No
No
Yes
0
No
No
No
No
No
Yes
0
Sand
Wood /
Timber
Leaves
Detergents
Cooking
Oils
Lubricants
Oil Filters
Batteries
Riviera Cancun has secure storage for hazardous material.
The Hazardous Material storage complies with the Federal Integral Waste Management Law
which requires the labeling and separation according to compatibility.
El almacenamiento de residuos peligrosos es un área que cumple los estandares previstos en
el Reglamento de la Ley General para la Gestión Integral de los Residuos, que incluye la
señalización y separacionconforme a compatibilidad.
Surveys
Riviera Cancun has undertaken a waste audit:
2010-02-01 - Palace Resorts' Integral Security Personnel
15
Riviera Cancun
Waste Water
Riviera Cancun manages its water as follows:
Discharges
to:
Clubhouse
Stormwater
Drain
Accommodation
Legally
Compliant?
Formal Discharge Agreement
Yes
Waste Water Clubhouse Formal
Discharge Arrangement
No
N/A
Maintenance
Facility
Stormwater
Drain
Yes
N/A
Wash Pad
Stormwater
Drain
Yes
Waste Water Wash Pad Formal
Discharge Arrangement
Activities
Riviera Cancun undertakes the following activities to reduce resource consumption or
minimise waste:
Personnel training program
•
The Palace Resort's education and training program grants the employees the skills
and knowledge on how to reduce their waste production and perform the appropriate
waste separation activities to facilitate recycling
Aims & Objectives
Riviera Cancun has the following key objectives for reducing, re-using and recycling waste,
and minimizing resource consumption at source:
•
Perform waste separation to facility recycling and evaluate waste production
Energy
The energy management practices require that the electrical power and water consumption
be verified monthly to resolve any deviations or bad practices that could have been identified.
This data is obtained by the maintenance director and presented to the corresponding
corporate manager.
Based on this monitoring, specific and necessary actions are performed to reduce the power
consumption.
16
Riviera Cancun
Las prácticas de manejo de energía están ligadas a verificar de manera mensual los consumos
de energía eléctrica y agua para evitar desviaciones o malas prácticas que se pudieran haber
generado. Esta información es obtenida por el gerente de mantenimiento y sometida a
evaluación por parte del corporativo correspondiente.
Con base a lo anterior se implementan acciones especificas necesarias para reducir el
consumo de energía.
Consumption
Energy and fuel use in 2009
•
Electricity - 917273 Kwh
•
Diesel - 8114 Litres
•
Petrol - 17437 Litres
•
Hydralic Oil - 255 Litres
Riviera Cancun has taken the following measures to diversify energy and fuel supply:
•
Use of Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG)
Surveys
Riviera Cancun has not undertaken an Energy Audit.
Carbon
Riviera Cancun has not begun to carbon footprint its operations.
Purchasing Policy and Sustainable Supply Chains
Riviera Cancun informs suppliers of its environmental preferences:
Suppliers must comply with Palace Resort's established security and environmental
requirements for various products
17
Riviera Cancun
Purchasing policy for Riviera Cancun
(1 = not important; 5 = very important)
•
Performance Quality - 5
•
Price - 5
•
Supplier Service - 5
•
Durability - 5
•
Energy Efficiency - 4
•
Recycleability - 5
•
Pollution Risk - 5
•
Packaging - 5
•
Disposability - 5
•
Local Produce - 4
Activities
Activities undertaken to record energy consumption:
•
Consumption monitoring for various concepts
Activities undertaken to reduce energy consumption:
•
Use of energy-efficient lighting
•
Solar powered lighting for roads
•
AC regulated by temperature sensors
•
Nigthly inspection to shut off all lights at the end of every day
•
Computerized irrigation system
•
Preventive maintenance perforemd on all electrical equipment
Riviera Cancun has not undertaken any green purchasing activities.
Departments involved in energy saving activities:
•
Operation Management personnel
•
Club House maintenance personnel
•
Golf course maintenance personnel
•
Overall golf course personnel
Aims & Objectives
Riviera Cancun has the following key objectives for reducing energy use and moving towards
cleaner and renewable energy supplies:
•
Reduce energy consumption in club house and golf course
18
Riviera Cancun
Education & Awareness
Knowledge
Employees of Riviera Cancun receive the following formal and informal environmental
education:
•
Pesticide storage, application and disposal
•
Efficient water management
•
Emergencies / accident management
•
Waste minimisation, separation and recycling
•
Health and safety
•
Environmental management planning
Riviera Cancun keeps formal staff training records for these departments:
•
Greenkeeping
•
Administrative
•
Catering
Riviera Cancun keeps the following record of accidents in the workplace:
•
Number
•
Type
•
Severity
Response plans for accidents and emergency situations at Riviera Cancun
Based on the extensive training provided by Palace Resorts, all employees are instructed of
the security measures that must be used according to each activity. This includes responses to
fire, chemical spills, physical accidents and natural disasters.
Communications
Riviera Cancun undertakes the following internal environmental communications:
•
Newsletters
•
Displaying awards
•
Notice boards
•
Poster displays
•
On-site interpretation panels
•
Course signage
The most successful internal communications project at Riviera Cancun has been:
Everyone receives the information relevant to the environmental policy performed by the
company during their orientation training and then again in their respective areas they are
given environmental awareness conferences to inform them specific protocols on the handling
and disposal of solid waste, solid urban waste, chemical substances, as well as flora and fauna
19
Riviera Cancun
protection. Training is provided constantly through the Education and Environmental
Training Program.
Riviera Cancun undertakes the following external environmental communications:
•
Press releases
The most successful external communications project at Riviera Cancun has been:
The sea turtle nesting grounds protection program is performed with the local community and
Palace Resort's employees every year to educate the community about the local fauna and
help preserve the sea turtles
Partnerships
Riviera Cancun works with the following external groups:
•
Schools
•
Authorities
•
Colleges
The most successful partnership project at Riviera Cancun has been:
Guided visits and conferences are offered to university students to present the Environmental
Management which is necessary for the golf course’s construction and operation. During the
visits the importance of complying with the environmental requirements as well as
integrating the environment to the project’s operation. The students are also offered the
opportunity to perform their internships in the different administrative and operative
departments of the golf course.
Aims & Objectives
Riviera Cancun has the following key objectives for educating and raising environmental
awareness amongst staff and golfers:
•
Promote a culture of environmental respect and conservation
•
Comply with environmental legislation
20
Riviera Cancun
Management Planning
Environmental Management Plan
Riviera Cancun has an Environmental Management Plan covering:
•
Nature
•
Landscape & Culture
•
Water
•
Turf
•
Waste
•
Energy
•
The Management plan was first introduced: 2010-04-16
Riviera Cancun review the management plan every:
•
12 Months
•
1 Years
Riviera Cancun monitor the progress of the scheme as follows:
The progress of the management plan is monitored through the environmental indicators on
the course, and through tests and reviews performed on the personnel regarding the
information from the management plan
Working Group
Riviera Cancun has an environmental working group, comprising the following individuals/
organisations:
•
Course Manager
•
Technical Specialist
21
Riviera Cancun
Accreditation
Riviera Cancun does not belong to any other accreditation or award schemes.
Key national environmental legislation with which Riviera Cancun complies:
•
SECRETARIA DE MEDIO AMBIENTE Y RECURSOS NATURALES ; LEY
GENERAL DE VIDA SILVESTRE; NORMA OFICIAL MEXICANA NOM-059SEMARNAT-2001 Establishes the protected species
•
COMISION NACIONAL DEL AGUA; LEY DE AGUAS NACIONALES; LEY
FEDERAL DE DERECHOS; NORMA OFICIAL MEXICANA NOM-001SEMARNAT-1996, Establishes the maximum limits for discharge of residual
water into national water bodies
•
SEMARNAT ; LEY GENERAL PARA LA GESTIÓN INTEGRAL DE LOS
RESIDUOS Establishes required waste management practices
SEMARNAT ; LEY GENERAL PARA LA GESTIÓN INTEGRAL DE LOS
RESIDUOS; NORMA OFICIAL MEXICANA NOM-052-SEMARNAT-2005;
Establishes the hazardous materials listing
•
NOM-054-SEMARNAT-2003, Establishes the hazardous material's compatibility
•
SEMARNAT; NORMA OFICIAL MEXICANA, NOM-085- Regulates the
atmospheric contamination created by fixed sources
Aims & Objectives
Riviera Cancun has the following key objectives for effectively planning its proactive and longterm environmental management:
•
Systematic management
22
Riviera Cancun
Verifier Report
Overview of Report
Riviera Cancun has achieved much environmental success through the commitment of its
owners, managers, and maintenance staff. The standout achievements include successful
mangrove restoration, outstanding resource-efficient course design and landscaping, active
preservation and monitoring, biological turf nutrition practices and focus on water quality
through aquatic plantings and maintenance buffers. With over three-fourths of this coastal
property preserved, Riviera Cancun’s natural design blends well with its surroundings,
including the many species of reptiles and migratory birds that inhabit the course’s waters
and scrub vegetation. An emphasis on staff training, guest education, and student intern
learning places this course as a leader in the industry and solidifies its commitment to identify
and achieve additional improvements in reducing impacts, increasing efficiency, and
expanding education.
Russ Bodie, GEO Accredited Verifier
Local Translation
Riviera Cancún ha logrado un gran éxito ambiental gracias al compromiso de sus dueños,
directores, y personal de mantenimiento. Los logros más destacados incluyen la impecable
restauración del mangle, excepcional diseño eficiente de insumos en el campo y su
paisajismo, constante conservación y monitoreo, uso de prácticas biológicas en la nutrición
del césped y un enfoque en calidad del agua a través de plantas acuáticas y zonas de
transición. Con más de tres cuartos de la propiedad conservada, el diseño natural de Riviera
Cancún se integra bien con sus alrededores, incluyendo las muchas especies de reptiles y de
aves migratorias que habitan las aguas y pastizales del campo. Un énfasis en la formación del
personal, la educación del huésped, y el espacio para la capacitación de estudiantes posiciona
a este campo como líder en la industria y solidifica su compromiso para alcanzar mejoras
continuas en la reducción de los impactos, aumentos en eficiencia y la promoción de la
educación.
Observations
Nature
Riviera Cancun, although a short distance from Cancun’s international airport, lies in an
ecologically important mangrove zone along the coast of the Yucatan Peninsula of
southeastern Mexico. The course’s development team worked closely with the government to
speed up mangrove ecosystem recovery following a hurricane that cut off and damaged
native mangrove and palms. Restoration includes a network of maintained pipes and bridges
that has improved hydrology, proper pruning of damaged mangrove to assist recovery, and
removal of competing invasive exotics. The course and surroundings are home to many
crocodiles, marine and freshwater turtles, lizards, fish, and especially diverse migratory bird
23
Riviera Cancun
species. Regular monitoring confirms the success of mangrove ecosystem recovery and there
are plans to begin regularly monitoring amphibians, fish, and mammals.
Landscape & Heritage
The natural and reduced maintenance landscape design of Riviera Cancun is truly
exceptional. All out-of-play areas between holes and in tee surrounds are planted with tall
grasses or native scrub vegetation, often down to the water’s edge. The Palace Resorts team
committed to native upland and aquatic plantings and the result is a course that blends
superbly with its natural context. This commitment is continued with the natural, lowmaintenance landscaping around the contemporary clubhouse. Riviera Cancun has a program
in place to protect the floral heritage of the property by monitoring and removing invasive
exotics such as flamboyant tree, casuarina, and selected vine species.
Water
Riviera Cancun, as part of mangrove restoration, conducts extensive water monitoring
including locations on and surrounding the course. No unsafe levels of chemicals have been
detected with this twice-a-year monitoring. Ponds that border golf holes have been planted
with filtering aquatic plants. Turf buffers that are minimum 7.5-meters wide are in place
adjacent to ponds. Buffers are maintained with tall grass (with less frequent mowing) and
have no chemical applications. At the maintenance facility, equipment rinse-off water is
captured, stored, and hauled to a treatment facility. Stored fertilizers and biologicals,
pesticides, fuel cans, and equipment were properly isolated and stored, with rooms ventilated
and floors sealed. Irrigation source is from an affiliated course nearby that includes an
innovative method of treatment where the same water resource is used four times.
Turf
Soil at Riviera Cancun is very well drained and irrigation water has high salt content, making
the course’s turf, paspalum, the best choice for high efficiency qualities. A full 25% of pest
control is biological. In addition, staff follow a strict integrated pest management (IPM)
protocol and only pesticide toxicity classes 1 and 2 are used (on a toxicity scale up to class 4).
At present, 15% of nutrition is from organic sources and this continues to increase with
availability. This course was designed with turf only where golf is to be played allowing
focused and efficient management by well qualified staff. Alongside water bodies, 7.5-meterwide turf buffers are maintained with a high mowing height and no chemical additions. There
is an emphasis on health and safety at the golf maintenance facility including properly posting
current chemical product information.
Waste
The course’s owner, Palace Resorts, emphasizes waste reduction and management. In fact,
many practices are highlighted on a dedicated television channel in resort guest’s rooms.
Waste separation containers are used throughout all areas of the course, staff facilities, and
clubhouse – staff and guests are encouraged to use them. Bathrooms use dual-flush toilets. At
the maintenance facility, health and safety practices are excellent when storing, handling, and
24
Riviera Cancun
properly disposing waste bags, containers, and used batteries. Used oil filters and containers
were stored properly with secondary containment on sealed concrete floors. The fueling area
had vaulted tanks and a spill kit was located near the fueling area. Emergency procedures
were clearly posted in needed areas and training is conducted regularly. Chemical mixing and
loading is done properly with capture and reuse of unused product as well as storage of spray
equipment within the designated mix/load room.
Energy
Most light fixtures used energy efficient compact fluorescent, except street lights which were
solar powered. The golf maintenance facility included ‘solar tubes’ in the roof that eliminated
the need for any electric lights during my visit. Each facility manager also carefully monitors
electricity usage each month and conducts sweeps at the end of each day to turn off lights
and electronics. Riviera Cancun also uses efficient LP gas for some energy needs.
Riviera Cancun emphasizes staff training and continues to expand guest education. Staff take
part in regional seminars conducted by research experts and professionals. In addition to
offering a place to share ideas with staff from nearby facilities, regional seminars focus on
efficient and effective pest management, proper nutrition, water use and supply, and other
important topics. Through its staff Education and Environmental Training Program, Palace
Resorts conducts training on topics such as fuel safety, waste management, water
management and emergency preparation. Nature education and events are a key growth area
for the course and there are many new ideas planned including a comprehensive resident and
migratory bird guide. Riviera Cancun also hosts university student internships with a focus on
environmental management of the course.
Management planning
The environmental management plan has been an important component of Riviera Cancun
starting with many baseline scientific studies of the plants, animals, soil, and water of the site.
This plan has been especially important in the restoration of mangrove wetlands damaged
during a category 5 hurricane some years ago. The course design and management plan
included many additions and monitoring to increase connectivity of wetland surface water to
conditions prior to the hurricane – with dramatic, successful results in plant and wildlife
recovery. Recent activity has been to set specific goals for environmental improvements such
as monitoring additional animal species and increasing environmental education
opportunities.
25
Riviera Cancun
Documentation Reviewed
•
Environmental policy
•
Environmental management plan
•
Action plans & project proposals
•
Certification report
•
External surveys and reports
•
Internal reports
•
EIA statement
•
Emergency incident plan
•
Environmental data
•
Register of accidents
•
Training log
•
Awareness raising materials
Conclusions
The strong commitment to environmental performance from Palace Resorts as well as the
management and maintenance staff has produced an environmental success at Riviera
Cancun. The key focal areas of natural preservation, limited turf on playing surfaces only,
mangrove restoration and monitoring, innovative use of an ultra-efficient irrigation source,
and biological turf nutrition practices highlight the many benefits that this strong
commitment has delivered. Even more telling is the appetite for further improvement – during
the weeks following my visit, every recommendation made on site has been acknowledged
and implemented. I wholeheartedly recommend Riviera Cancun to be GEO Certified.
Recommendation
I Russ Bodie, Golf Environment Organization Accredited Verifier, recommend that be
awarded GEO Certified status for excellence in environmental management.
About this Report
This report represents the opinion of an independent environmental professional accredited
by the Golf Environment Organization. The environmental performance of was assessed
against the GEO Certification criteria.
26

Riviera Cancun - Golf Environment Organization

Transcripción

Documentos relacionados

Strategic Plan Cancún 2030

professional center at riviera point

All-In Luxury - Vacacionesenespeciales