Southeast of the Bahamas and north of Hispaniola, the Turks and Caicos Islands' economy is primarily based on tourism, the stunning beaches and high quality marine environment surrounding the islands are popular enough to support regular direct air services from Miami, New York and London among others. Add to that an exotic fishing industry with conch and spiny lobster exports generating significant sums and it's easy to understand the concerns of both people and government when dredging operations are mooted. As a result, all such projects involve: 1. The Department of the Environment and Coastal Resources when within national parks, they're primarily concerned with water quality, impacts on adjacent ecosystems and protection of protected species 2. The Maritime Department when within navigable waters, who are largely concerned with the proper marking of navigational channels and any features that could pose a obstruction to navigation, and 3. The Planning Department for any upland sediment placement, needed to confirm it won't interfere with any zoning restrictions, property rights or adjacent homeowner's rights.
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