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#259: Sources Chaudes, slight reprise (fwd)
From:dlyall@cruzio.com
Two years ago this item was posted twice. Guy made a comment
about it, from whence I clipped this. Has anything happened to this
project? Has anyone ever been to visit this hot spring?
>AQUARIAN ENTREPRISE, S.A.
>INTEGRATED DEVELOPMENT PROJECT AT "SOURCES CHAUDES",
>THE FAR -WEST OF HAITI
>AQUARIAN ENTREPRISE, S.A. (AQUARIAN).
>An Industrialo-Commercial development firm has submitted a proposal to
>the Government of Haiti to obtain a title for exploiting the
>thermo-mineral waters at Sources Chaudes located in the Anse-Rouge
>Commune, the NorthWest Peninsula. This project aims at re-establishing
>one of Haiti's natural wonders, the "Eaux de Boynes". These are
>geothermal waters which are heated by magma more than a kilometer below
>the ground and emerge as hot springs along a geological fault located in
>the Plaine de l'Arbre which borders the NorthWest mountains.
>With the title, AQUARIAN proposes to develop a project that will enhance
>the value of the thermal springs and the region. Before presenting the
>content of the project, it is essential to know the historical background
> of the springs, which are presented hereafter.
>HISTORY OF EAUX DE BOYNES
>As reported by Moreau de St. Mery in 1796, the thermal springs at Sources
> Chaudes were first discovered in 1725 by a slave named Capois who was
>rounding up the cattle of his master. His horse fell in a muddy hole.
>Unable to pull his horse out the hole by himself Capois sought help from
>people living nearby, and pulled the animal from the hole. He then found
>the horse's legs to be extremely hot.
>Having often heard the French colonists speak of the medicinal values of
>natural values of natural thermal waters in Europe. Capois decided to
>test the curative powers of these newfound waters. He dug a bathing hole
>six feet long by four feet wide.
>He began his experiments on a slave friend whom he knew suffered from
>severe rheumatism. On the l2th day of bathing, it was reported that the
>friend had started to feel better, but after a month of bathing in the
>springs, it was reported that his friend had regained his entire range
>of motion in all limbs with no feeling of pains.
>To verify his findings, Capois brought another slave friend from
>Jean-Rabel who had lost all movement in his legs and left for invalid.
>After three months of bathing, this friend, too, was able to walk
>without pain.
>Word of these miraculous cures spread and many people began visiting the
>springs. Testimonies of the healing powers of these thermal waters were
>found by engraved messages of gratitude and crutches left hanging on
>tree branches.
>Soon after Capois' experimentation, the area was sold to a colonist.
>Ownership passed through the hands of several colonists until 1772 when
>Mr. de Rameru, a lieutenant of the King who was posted in St. Marc and
>owned the land containing the springs, donated the property to the King
>for the purpose of making the area, a public domain open to all. The
>springs were officially named "Eaux de Boynes' after a Minister of the
>Crown.
>France invested 600.000 pounds in order to develop a full-fledged health
>resort at Sources Chaudes. The resort contained a civilian sanitarium, a
>military hospital, several bathhouses, and hospitality centers for those
>who came from afar to use the baths. To have access to the baths cost a
>colonist 24 pounds including room and board at a hospitality center. The
>fee for a black man was only 5 pounds. This was reported as being a very
>profitable enterprise for the crown.
>The medical importance of the springs can be ascertained by the Crown
>having appointed medical administrators (as opposed to military
>administrators) to Sources Chaudes. The first medical administrator (a
>crown surgeon) was sent to Sources Chaudes in l777.
>Moreau de St. Mery reported that the springs were well known in the
>colony and in France, and Sources Chaudes was well frequented. Passenger
> boats brought people regularly to Port-a-Piment from as far as
>Fort-Liberte, Cap-Haitian and Port-de-Paix. From Port-a-Piment, the Boat
>passengers were transported directly to Sources Chaudes.
>The place was so well frequented that its population grew rapidly and was
> made a Bourg as opposed to a rural village. It was described as being
>very prosperous with large avenues lined by trees and expensive houses.
>As to medicinal characteristics of the springs, the writings of the
>various medical administrators who based themselves on more than 50
>years of experience, indicated that the springs' were able to heal such
>diseases as: rheumatism, gout, sciatic, paralysis, pains associated with
>sprains, fractures and dislocations, nervous depressions, bowel
>obstructions, inflammations and pains in extremities, scrofulous ulcers
>and scrofula, sores and cutaneous diseases in general, scorbutic pains
>and symptoms, most fevers, apoplexy, false ankylosis, suppressions of
>menstruation, most sanious ulcers, ulcers due to burns or wounds, bone
>decay, hard tumors of corpus cavernosus, scirrhus tumors, pulmunosis,
>asthma, cachexia, elephantiasis, when the disease is not old, yaws and
>crabs with extreme ease, and tapeworms.
>Since 1796, no other information has been found on the state of Sources
>Chaudes as a post independent resort. It wasn't until thewritings of
>Woodring, an American geologist who studied the springs in 1924, that
>mention is found of Sources Chaudes. Woodring compared the area with the
>one reported by Moreau St. Mery. He indicated that the bourg was a
>dilapidated state. Only ruins of the bathhouses and the bathhouses and
>the hospitals were found. There were no large avenues and no expensive
>houses. Sources Chaudes became a poor rural settlement with few visitors
>to the springs.
>Hence, it is believed that the value of these springs and the prosperity
>of Sources Chaudes began to disappear during the independence war and
>the place was never recovered. In 1930s, a mineral water bottling plant
>was established by a German family at Sources Chaudes. The
>thermo-mineral waters were bottled under the label of 'Eaux de Boynes'
>and sold both in Haiti and abroad. At the beginning of World War II, the
>family closed the plant and left the country. Today, the plant's
>building still stands, but itis in very poor condition.
>As to the springs, all seven still exist and supply water at the same
>flow, physical and chemical characteristics that were reported in the
>18th century and in the 1920s by Woodring. As to the physical conditions
>of the springs, six of the seven are capped for multiple uses, such as
>feeding a piped-water distribution system for the bourg, public bathing,
>and laundering.
>Sources Chaudes still receives visitors who come to bathe from all over
>the region. They are too few however, to bring sensible economic value to
> Sources Chaudes.
>The existing bathing facilities could not attract the kind and number of
>visitors that would be needed to give the region an economic uplift. Of
>the three bathing basins that exist, only two are lined in concrete.
>However, the buildings are not in good shape and the basins lack the
>basic sanitary conditions that would be needed to meet the basic
>requirements for such places. Moreover, the entire region does not have
>the basic hospitality facilities that are essential to provide room and
>board to visitors.
>THE PROJECT
>The historical background of the springs clearly indicated that they
>represented a formidable resource to the colony. It has been effectively
>used for health rehabilitation purpose for almost three centuries.
>Moreover, bottled waters were produced at Sources Chaudes and
>successfully sold both in Haiti and abroad. Thus, the goal of
>reestablishing the value of these springs to at least that found in the
>18th century is a reachable one.
>The project which seeks to achieve this goal, will establish Sources
>Chaudes as (1) a health resort, (2) Haiti's bottled mineral water
>center, and (3) a center for eco-tourism.
>As health resort, Sources Chaudes will offer rehabilitative, and
>promotional health services. Rehabilitative services will include
>fangotherapy, hydrotherapy, physiotherapy and other associated
>therapies. The therapeutic services will use the geothermal and marine
>waters and mud that are found locally. Rehabilitative services will be
>conducted under medical supervision.
>The Project's health promotion services will include physical fitness
>and weight management programs designed to at least equal the best that
>can be found elsewhere. These programs will include indoor and outdoor
>exercises using modern equipment and methods; and nutritional care using
>the latest methods and healthy produces such as organic food to be grown
>by the project. These programs will be under the supervision of
>well-trained and experienced professionals.
>The Project will make full use of traditional medical care and
>pharmacopoeia that have demonstrated effectiveness and are compatible to
>the services offered by the project. This will provide the customer,
>both traditional and modern methods for treating ailments.
>The Project will also bring back the bottling water industry that once
>flourished in Sources Chaudes. Thus, a water bottling plant will be
>built. The plant will produce a high quality and wholesome mineral water
>to be used at the centers and sold in Haiti and abroad. An ice
>production capacity will be added to the plant. The much needed ice will
>be distributed primarily in the Project region.
>The wealth of these waters remain in their qualities that are unique in
>the Caribbean region. These qualities have been tested by the National
>Testing Laboratories of Ohio and found to meet the rigid standards of
>the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the U.S. Food and Drug
>Administration (FDA), the ministries of Health and Agriculture in
>Canada, the World Health Organization (WHO), the Food and Agriculture
>Organization (FAO), and the most rigid standards of the International
>Water Bottling Association (IBWA).
>Under IBWA and FDA regulations, these waters are officially classified
>as being mineral spring waters, the highest and most difficult standard
>that can be obtained of bottled water. Because of that classification
>and the fact that these waters are believed to have great medicinal
>values, bottled waters from Sources Chaudes are therefore expected to be
>in very high demand both in Haiti and abroad, particularly, once the
>resort becomes known.
>In addition to the health resort and the water bottling plant, there will
>be hospitality centers at both Sources Chaudes and Coridon (located on
>the southern coast of the NorthWest peninsula at 12 kms from Sources
>Chaudes). These centers will provide room and board to those who come to
>use the health facilities and serve as a center for conducting seminars,
>workshops, and cultural events.
>The Project also calls for the development of a retirement and vacation
>community. To that end, a development scheme of more than 200 sewered,
>watered and electrified lots has been planned. These lots will be sold
>for construction of residential homes and commercial facilities.
>As a center for eco-tourism, the project will ensure that the environment
> of the region is embellished and maintained. The rose flamingos that are
> often seen in the area and other wild life that are unique to the
>Far-West region of Haiti will be protected and permitted to develop a
>safe habitat. Visitors will be offered nature tours that will provide an
>understanding of the eco-system of the Far-West region.
> IMPLEMENTATION PERIOD
>The project is designed for a phased-implementation period of ten years.
>Construction activities are anticipated to begin in 1998.
>ECONOMIC BENEFITS
>The project is expected to bring economic relief and strengthen the
>developmental potential of the entire NorthWest Peninsula. It will also
>introduce medical and eco-tourism in the southern region of the
>Peninsula.
>The immediate benefits to the Sources Chaudes region and the southern
>part of the Peninsula will be the various opportunities created in
>developing a market for the goods and services that the sub-region
>possesses. The project will promote entrepreneurship in the production
>of the types of goods that will be consumed by expected national and
>international visitors.
>The eventual flow of visitors from Port-au-Prince, Cap-Haitian, and the
>Dominican Republic will also have a positive impact on the economy of
>such cites as St. Marc and Gonaives.
>The project will have a positive impact on the commercialization of salt
>and fish, two of the main products of the area. Coastal beaches along the
> southern part of the Peninsula will have the potential for development
>with the success of the Sources Chaudes Project.
>The project will bring increased employment and wages to a region where
>the average family income is less than 200 Gourdes per month (US$150 per
>year), which almost entirely comes from the sale of bananas, beans,
>corn, and shallot.
>SOCIAL BENEFITS
>The project proposes to support a variety of social initiatives that
>include education, improved health services, and village infrastructure.
>The great impact on improved quality of life will be for those living in
>the Anse-Rouge Commune, in particular for those living in Sources
>Chaudes. Project plans include the development of safe water supplies
>for domestic and agricultural use. Plans also include providing
>electrification and telecommunication services to the area.
>With the improved services and infrastructure, the region will be more
>open, allowing for greater mobility of the population to sell their
>goods outside of their immediate region.
>ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT
>No environmental degradation will result during the implementation of the
> project. All materials used will be biodegradable and non-pollutants.
>All liquid wastes to be produced by the project facilities will be
>treated and reused to support agriculture. Solid wastes will also be
>used to produce compost for agricultural purposes.
>A mix of electrical power sources will be used to include solar, wind and
> diesel powers. Diesel-fired power plants will be strategically located
>in order to avoid any point pollution source that could affect the
>general project area both in terms of air and noise pollution.
>The impact on land degradation will be minimal. Reforestation activities
>are planned to improve the conditions of topsoil. Moreover, careful
>planning of the drainage system will ensure adequate management of the
>project area's watershed.
>In order to promote eco-tourism, careful attention will be given to the
>architectural design of facilities that will enhance the far-west look of
>the area.
>___________________________________________________________
> AQUARIAN ENTREPRISE, S.A.
>THERMAL SPRINGS DEVELOPMENT & INVESTMENT SURVEY
> PERSONAL INFORMATION
>Name: __________________ ___________________ _____________
> Last First
>Middle
>Address: _________________________________________
>
>City: _________________________
>
>State: ______________
>Zip Code: ________________________
>Country: ________________
>Phone: (____)_________________ (Home)
> (____)_________________ (Work)
>Fax: (____)______________________
>
>E-mail: _____________________________________
>Profession: _________________________________
>Occupation: ________________________________
>Would you retire in Haiti in a place like what is projected in Sources
>Chaudes, a planned community:
> Yes ( ) Maybe ( )
>When the facilities at Sources Chaudes are functional would you refer
>family members ( ) and friends ( ) to the planned health resort.
>GENERAL INFORMATION
>Would you and/or members of your family consider using:
> Thermal baths ( )
> Mud baths ( )
> Thalasso canter ( )
> Physical therapy center ( )
> Diet center ( ) facilities at the Sources Chaudes resort when built?
>How many days would you spend in average: ________
>Would you stay at a: Hotel ( ) inn/motel ( ) guest house ( ) other ( )
>Would you recommend such a place to hold conferences ( )
> Workshops ( ) seminars ( ) other events (specify)_________________
>What facilities would you like to find in such a resort?
> Beach ( )
> Nature walk ( )
> Horse back riding ( )
> Golf ( )
> Sea sports ( )
>How much bottled water do you purchase in a week at home:
> Less than 1 gallon ( )
> 1-5 gallon ( )
> More than 5 gallons ( )
>Which bottled water do you like the best:
> Treated municipal water ( )
> Well water ( )
> Spring water ( )
> Mineralized water ( )
> Gasified water ( )
> Distilled water ( )
>Since Eaux de Boynes will meet the most rigid standards in the industry,
>would you give preference to it over water bottled outside Haiti.
> Yes ( ) No ( )
>What price would you pay for one liter of bottled water if bottled in
>Haiti and meets U.S., Canadian and WHO Standards?
>US$__________
>Would you prefer bottled water to be packaged in glass container ( ) a
>plastic container ( ) or it makes a difference to you( )
>____________________________________________________
>INVESTMENT INFORMATION
>Would you be interested investing in the Sources Chaudes Project?
> Yes ( ) No ( )
>If, yes which component of the project would you invest in:
> Rehabilitative Therapy Centers ( )
> Hospitality Center ( )
> Water bottling plant ( )
> The planned community development center ( )
>Would you consider buying a house in a planned community with water
>sewer and electricity in Sources Chaudes: Yes ( ) No ( )
>What kind of investment would you look for:
> Ownership ( )
> Partnership ( ) stocks ownership ( )
> Other (specify) __________________
>Would you need financing? Yes ( ) No ( )
>Would you come with own financing Yes ( ) No ( )
>Please send me more information about investment possibilities in the
>future ( )
>REMARKS: __________________________________________________
>____________________________________________________________
>____________________________________________________________
>____________________________________________________________
>____________________________________________________________
>Thank you for filling out the survey. Please submit directly to Dr.
>Laurent Pierre-Philippe or Dr. Pierre R. Leger or mail your information
>at either one of the two addresses specified below or
>email:cmrc@erols.com
>HAITI: 37, Rue Gregroire, Boite Postale 15461, Petionville, HAITI W.I.
>Phone/Fax: (509) 57-6064
>USA: 234-238 North Carey Street at Saratoga, Baltimore, MD 21223 Phone:
>(410) 462-4711 - Fax: (410) 462-4713
>____________________________________________________________