The Resources and Infrastructure Ministry has commissioned a study to analyse the impact of a planned storm water channel that will cut through the Burmarrad flood plain.
"The study is an environment impact assessment and should be concluded within weeks," a ministry spokesman said, adding that the ministry was determined to go ahead with the project.
The decision to study the potential impact of the project follows concern expressed by the Superintendence of Cultural Heritage and the Malta Archaeological Society that the proposal posed a risk to the valley which was once an ancient harbour.
After recent criticism by the Malta Archaeological Society on the Burmarrad project, Archaeological Society president Patricia Camilleri and archaeologist Timmy Gambin met Resources Ministry officials.
Speaking to The Times, Ms Camilleri said that while reiterating the objections and concerns regarding the proposed channel in Burmarrad, the society had called on the ministry to adhere to the law and good practice.
"Malta is a signatory to the Valletta convention on the protection of archaeological heritage," Ms Camilleri explained.
Signed in 1992, the convention deals with the recording and protection of archaeological sites and areas, making the reporting of archaeological finds by chance mandatory.
"Protecting the site is not just in the nation's interest, it makes sense commercially because Burmarrad valley has great potential as a tourist attraction. The plain is surrounded by sites of great archaeological and historical value such as the Tal-Qadi temples, San Pawl Milqi, cart ruts, Punic tombs and Roman catacombs. Early modern chapels surround the plain," Ms Camilleri added.
Archaeological evidence in Burmarrad valley had confirmed that a Roman harbour inside the valley has been covered by silt over the years. The settlements of San Pawl Milqi and catacombs in the area were proof of this.
According to Dr Gambin, core samples taken from the silt in the valley as well as old documents revealed that Burmarrad was used as a port until the Middle Ages.
What the Superintendence and the Archaeological Society found objectionable in the Burmarrad project was the fact that though the Burmarrad application filed with Mepa speaks of a "restoration" of an old water channel, plans indicate that a new channel will be dug through the valley and hardly any part of the old channel will actually be used.
Though Mepa has still not granted a permit for the works, the ministry has already prepared most of the concrete blocks that are to line the bottom and sides of the channel.
The old water channel - built by the British in the late 1800s and which, according to the Archaeological Society, should be reclaimed and restored - has been taken over by farmers.
Din l-Art Helwa president Martin Galea said the ministry should be wary of forging ahead with its planned watercourse across Burmarrad valley without assessing the impact the project could have on the archaeologically sensitive flood plain.
"Procedures can be seen as obstacles to progress due to the time they take, but if mistakes are made because of a headlong rush into a project without first assessing whether there are important archaeological remains, or undue environmental impact, this could prove detrimental to our historical and natural asset base," Mr Galea told The Times.
In his drive to "get things done", Resources and Infrastructure Minister Ninu Zammit has defended pervious decisions in interviews by saying that studies often take months to come to an end, effectively halting important infrastructure projects.
Mr Galea however says that heritage NGOs and the Cultural Superintendence are there to protect the national interest just as Mr Zammit's ministry is there to provide infrastructure works.
"Both must proceed hand in hand to do a good job. If the Superintendence is not allowed to do its job properly then we are on track to repeat the mistakes of the past," Mr Galea said, reiterating Din l-Art Helwa's concerns about the project and the potential disturbance of archaeological remains.
The ministry last week started relocating a number of trees in Kennedy Grove where the Burmarrad storm water canal is to join Sokkors - the channel which encircles the entire perimeter of the late 16th century salt pans - from where storm water flows out to the sea.
When contacted, the Resources Ministry spokesman said the works were covered by a separate permit obtained by the ministry last year when it carried out dredging works close by in Salina.