Project developers Felicitas Limited will be seeking advice from environmental and geology experts to see if they can replace the sand stolen from Coral Spring, Trelawny, once it is found.
While the Island Special Constabulary Force investigates the theft, business plans have reportedly been put on hold following the illegal sand-mining operation.
Jeopardised viability
Project director at Felicitas Limited, Andrew Desnoes, told The Gleaner yesterday that Thursday's illegal mining has jeopardised the viability of the beach and may have serious implications.
"It's too early to tell whether regaining the sand is the correct restitution, so we are awaiting a professional opinion as to whether the sand found is contaminated with sand from another beach; we are not sure of the implications of this," Desnoes said.
He added: "We have had to put our business plans on ice. We cannot move forward with our plans because the beach was the essence of the project."
The beach from which the sand was taken is close to the Coral Spring Mountain protected area while the coast has saltpans, mangroves and a dry limestone forest.
Shakria Khan, PhD student of geology at the University of the West Indies, said sand erosion generally causes increased inland flooding by waves.
Penalties for illegal sand mining
The Quarries Control Act (Section Five):
A person who is convicted of contravening the act or is found guilty of illegal sand mining can be fined a maximum $30,000 or a maximum of 12 months' imprisonment or both fine and imprisonment on first conviction.
On a second conviction, the maximum fine is $50,000 or a maximum sentence of one year.
If the offence recurs after any such conviction, then the offender can be fined a maximum of $10,000 for each day on which the contravention continued after conviction or a term of imprisonment not exceeding two years.
