Re: Proposed Development by Ministry of Natural Resources

Dear Residents of St. George's Caye,

There is a disturbing issue developing on St. George's Caye and I am writing to inform you as well as ask for your input and support.

From what I can gather, the GOB through the Physical Planning Unit of the Ministry of Natural Resources has planned a development for the mangrove area in the back of St. George's Caye. The proposed development consists of 31 lots and a marina.

I first heard of it earlier this month and immediately went to see Minister Manuel Heredia, our area representative. He told me he was unaware of the plans and that he would support the St. George's Caye Village council and bring up the issue in Cabinet to find out more information. He also suggested that I write the Prime Minister to make him aware of the situation, which I did on Sept. 7th,2011.

As you all know, the Council worked very hard to get "Village" status so we could have the legal backing of the Village Council Act and all duties, responsibilities, and privileges it affords. Section 47(c) of the Act clearly states that "before dealing with any lands in the village, the Ministry responsible for lands SHALL (emphasis mine) consult the council and take its views into account �".

So far the council has not been consulted and all efforts to try to get information or a copy of the plan have been fruitless. In fact, when I requested a copy of the survey plan for the proposed development, I was told that it was an "internal document" and permission of the lands commissioner was necessary for them to release a copy to the council. Furthermore, as the Council waited for the Sept. Celebrations and the State Funeral for Rt. Hon. George Price to pass , expecting shortly thereafter a response from P.M. and Minister Heredia ; GOB sent out the surveyors on Friday Sept. 23rd and the survey is now almost complete!

I have been getting calls from many of you wanting to know what's going on and I have to confess, I don't know much more than you.

What I can tell you is that we are working on the situation and seeking legal advice on how to proceed.

The Council's position is as follows.

1) We need to be consulted as per the Village Council Act section 47(c), and know what is planned for St. George's Caye BEFORE it becomes a done deal.

2) Without knowing the details of the development, we are opposed to it based on the following facts, including but not limited to:

i) the area is mangrove swamp, protected under the Mangrove Protection Act, and is not suitable for development.

ii) It had been suggested by residents that the area be annexed as part of the existing Mangrove Reserve.

iii) If the area is developed, it will entail extensive dredging which will destroy the mangrove ecosystem and will also cause severe siltation and destruction of the sea grass beds around the caye. This will adversely affect the fishing and lobster and conch fishery in the surrounding areas for both recreational and commercial fishermen.

3) If the development is allowed to proceed, with or without the consent of the Village Council, then it must be done in accordance with the Environmental Protection Act. This requires an Environmental Impact Assessment which needs to address environmental and cultural impacts.

This is especially important since St. George's Caye was declared an Historical Landmark Site in August, 2009.

4) If the development is allowed to proceed, with or without the consent of the Village Council, then the Village Council needs to be granted some land for future infrastructure purposes such as: electric, water, and telephone utilities; community center, hurricane shelter, police station, health center, school, waste control, sewage treatment and public space for recreational use. It makes no sense to give out all the land on the caye without making provision for these future needs. If that happens, when the need arises, the Village Council will then have to purchase land at high cost to facilitate these developments. This makes absolutely no sens ! We can avoid all that by making provision for these future developments now.

5) If the development is allowed to proceed, with or without the consent of the Village Council, then residents of St. George's Caye who do not already own land should be given first choice on any available lots. There are many families who have been on St. George's Caye for many years.

In the past it may have been one family with say five children. Now all those children have grown and have families of their own. Now you have a situation where five families have to share one property. I believe that these people should have first choice on the available lots and the Village Council through the Lots Committee should have input in recommending lot allocation.

6) If the development is allowed to proceed, with or without the consent of the Village council, then lots should not be given to people whose only interest in getting a lot on St. George's Caye is to eventually sell it for huge profit. We have seen this type of development before!

In the meantime, you can assist by emailing and voicing your concerns to the following people:

� The Prime Minister, Hon. Dean Barrow ([email protected]);

� Hon. Gaspar Vega, Minister of Natural Resources and the Environment ([email protected]);

� Hon. Gabriel Martinez, Minister of Labour, Local Government and Rural Development ([email protected]).

� Hon. Manuel Heredia , Area Representative and Minister of Tourism, ([email protected]).

Please be sure to copy us at [email protected] with any correspondence you may send.

Also, if you have more information than we do, or you have some suggestions on how you think your Council should proceed, then PLEASE call me at 610-0840, or email and give us your input.

Sincerely,

John W. Searle
Chairman
St. George's Caye Village Council

29 September 2011