The GEF SGP financing granted in 2009 enabled MVAC to carry out a data gathering exercise on the various aspects of living in Maracas Valley. This took the form of a series of activities which included:
? A series of Stakeholders meetings held at various venues throughout the Valley at the beginning, during and at the end of the project ? a total of eight (8) such meetings. These meetings gave residents an opportunity to air their views about the good and bad aspects of living in Maracas Valley. At each Stakeholders meeting participants were encouraged to identify three matters of most concern. At the last Stakeholder meeting the MVAC team reported on the results of the study.
? A socio-economic survey ? A Consultant was contracted to carry out this exercise with assistance from the Central Statistics Office. Students from the USC were also trained by staff members of the CSO and contracted to carry out the field exercise in conjunction with these officers. This took the form of a questionnaire which householders were encouraged to fill in. The results of these two exercises showed many similar concerns.
? Land Use Trends ? A GIS specialist consultant was contracted to carry out this exercise. Using a combination of a 1970 ordinance survey map, Iconos Imagery for 2005 and on site checking for new buildings constructed between 2005 and 2009 using GIS by a student from UWI Geography Department, a comprehensive series of maps were produced. These indicated loss of forest cover, the rapid increase in population and road network over the period of time form construction, quarrying and agricultural activities among others. Special note was made of the increase in construction activity at higher elevations and on high risk soil types.
? Water quality analysis ? concerns were raised over poor maintenance of the sewage treatment plants in the Valley and special mention was made of one contractor actually pumping out untreated sewage directly into the Maracas River on advise from WASA. Towards the end of the dry season, the river water quality was tested by CARIRI. This gave disturbing results, especially in the lower reaches of the river.
? Water Supply ? an analysis was carried out indicating the balance of the supply of water, which was decreasing as a result of quarrying, construction etc., versus the increase in demand from a rapidly increasing population. Of concern in this instance was that there appeared to be no provision for bringing water into the Valley from external sources, so a decrease in supply would mean water shortages in the Valley.
? Traffic Counts ? These were carried out in 2007, 2009 and 2010. Results indicated that the Maracas Royal Road was close to its maximum carrying capacity at peak hours, especially during the morning period as residents exited the Valley.
? A Qualitative Economic Analysis ? This identified that benefits derived from the increased development within the Valley was offset by a long term cost which had not been taken into account by the decision makes. This gave residents an increased awareness of the potential value of what had been lost in the development process.