Since last week, we've been keenly telling you about the canal trenched right through the Labouring Creek Jaguar Corridor Wildlife Sanctuary near mile 25 on the Western Highway.

As we've reported, the international company, Green Tropics Limited used as many as four excavators to dredge a canal through the sanctuary which measures up to 2 miles long and 35 feet wide.

Yesterday, the company sent out a press release explaining the development, which the Minister of Forestry, Lisel Alamilla, told us was done without proper permission.

According to Green Tropics Limited, they seek first to quote, "unreservedly apologize to the people of Belize for the recent misunderstanding in the construction of the final drain section through the jaguar corridor". End Quote

The company claims that they have complied with the laws of Belize, and that they've applied for all the permits and licenses required for the development, which includes Central Bank permits for foreign investment; an environmental impact assessment from the Department of Environment, which is still pending a public hearing on July 3; and BELTRIADE permits for approximately 90 US million dollars' worth of equipment for a sugar mill and a processing facility.

According to the company's release, they were under the impression that because the environmental impact assessment was already submitted in full, they could quote, "could commence to a certain degree to avoid the hurdle of the impending rainy season delaying the project for another year." End quote.

The company continues that based on their understanding from their professional consultants, the canal would not impact the environment in any way since the dredging was in line with the natural setting of water flow in the area.

The company concludes by explaining that their decision to make this major investment in Belize was not an easy one, and neither do they want special treatment from the Government or to try to intrude on any market guarantees that BSI already enjoys.

The press release ends off by saying that the company representatives intend to fully explain and disclose further details at the July 3 public hearing.

Channel 7

Green Tropics apologizes for biological corridor mishap; P.U.P. offers support

There has been outrage in the conservation community following the news that Green Tropics Limited had dredged a canal through the Laboring Creek Jaguar Corridor Wildlife Sanctuary. Well, there is now word from the company and it is in the form of an apology and explanation. It says that the company, “unreservedly apologizes to the people of Belize for the recent misunderstanding in the construction of the final drain section through the jaguar corridor to the Belize River.” According to the release, the Environmental Impact Assessment (E.I.A.) had already been submitted with drainage information and that Green Tropics was under the impression that it could proceed to a certain degree to avoid delays that would be caused by the rainy season, since the project has already been in planning for three years. The release further says that; “We were advised that the canal was in line with the natural slope of the land and, as such, merely enhanced the existing water flow with the result that not only was the project site capable of being properly drained, but that it would also directly benefit the reserve area since the canal would also drain its excess water, avoiding inundation of the jaguar lands.” The company explains that it also intends to build U.S. specification type crossings over the canal to allow the animals to roam as freely as they did before and that information was included in the E.I.A. Green Tropics says that five hundred acres adjoining the jaguar corridor at the north end of its property have been assigned as a buffer zone for harboring wildlife. The company is prepared to abide by any mitigation suggestions and compensate for necessary remedial measures. Earlier today Green Tropics received a stamped seal of approval from the Peoples United Party. During this morning’s marathon press conference, Julius Espat, P.U.P. Cayo South Area Representative told the media that Green Tropics is needed in the Cayo District.

Julius Espat, Area Representative, Cayo South

“This would generate employment of approximately seven hundred workers at different skill levels; jobs that are desperately needed in the Cayo District. Land in the surrounding areas would increase in value. The project would enable land owners and farmers in the area to diversify into sugar cane production. There would be an increase of new businesses in the area. I am sure the sensationalized news fueled by the government’s reaction only scares legitimate investors away where they quickly criminalize the business community at every opportunity. These guys are serious people. Do you think they really came to Belize to break the law and be environmental terrorists? In summary, the project will help to uplift the standard of living for a good amount of residents in rural Belize and the Cayo District. Government needs to deploy a serious team to assist these investors and make sure that they fulfill all their requirements in an expeditious way.”

Green Tropics is building a sugar mill in the Cayo District and had cleared the land to use as irrigation for a sixteen thousand-acre cane plantation. It notes in its release that aside from the slip up at Labouring Creek, the company has complied with all laws and has applied for all relevant licenses, including a foreign investment permit, which has been obtained from the Central Bank; the pending EIA which is to be discussed at a public hearing on July third; as well as permits from Beltraide for the importation of the entire sugar mill and processing facility. The investment is around ninety million U.S. dollars plus annual operational, labor and maintenance costs. Green Tropics has also started negotiations with Belize Electricity Limited to provide up to twenty-nine megawatts of electricity, reducing the dependence on Mexico.

Channel 5

No mistake, the plan was to dredge and pay the small fine.

"Do you think they really came to Belize to break the law and be environmental terrorists?" I dont know these folks but many many developers come here for that reason alone. They know they can violate at will and pay small fine if any. Anyone that violates the environmental laws should be fined an amount equal to the damage done,i.e. they have to pay to return it to original condition like in Mexico.

Green Tropics Faces Penalties For Canal

Green Tropics, the Spanish Investment Group that got into hot water after it cut a massive canal through a wildlife sanctuary, is now being advised on how it can right its wrong.

The Company sent out a release earlier this week stating that it quote, "unreservedly apologizes to the people of Belize for the construction of the final drain section through the jaguar corridor to the Belize River."

Coming after the fact, it might not count for much, but that's a lot for a multinational company to say. The company says that it was acting on bad advice from its environmental consultants who told them that since an environmental impact assessment had already been submitted - but not approved - they could start work before the rainy season.

But that advice was very wrong - and the Department of the Environment today issued a release stressing that all no project should be embarked upon until and unless an environmental compliance plan is signed.

And for those who don't, the law carries a serious penalty, a fine of between fifty thousand and a hundred thousand dollars. And that's what Green Tropics is now facing.

Yesterday, the Prime Minister told the media the government is working with Green Tropics to advise them on the way forward. Here's what he had to say:..

Prime Minister Dean Barrow
"Of course we must now work with the investor to see how he can remedy what has gone wrong and I have heard a complaint that he is saying that he don't know who to talk to. Yesterday in Cabinet the minister with responsibility for the environment undertook to try to lead the investor through whatever process is required to try, and as I out it, try to remedy what has gone wrong and I would leave it at that."

The PUP Area Representative for Cayo South has a different view. While Green Tropics clearly broke the law - and admitted to doing so, on Tuesday, Espat told the media that Government is the one criminalizing an investor who wants to start up an eighteen thousand acre sugar plantation which will create hundreds of jobs:..

Here are Espat's comments:..

Hon. Julius Espat
"A clear example of an investor in the agro-productive sector is Green Tropics Ltd. a Spanish company with businesses in Guatemala, Mexico, Europe and part of Africa. They are proposing to develop a sugar-cane plantation with approximately 17,000 acres complimented by a sugar mill with a grinding capacity of 8,000 tons. This would generate employment of approximately 700 workers at different skill levels, jobs that are desperately needed in the Cayo District. Land in the surrounding areas would increase in value. The project would enable land owners and farmers in the area to diversify into sugar-cane production. There would be an increase in new businesses in the area."

"I am sure the news fueled by the governments' reaction only scares legitimate investors away where they quickly criminalize Belize community at every opportunity- the business community. These guys are serious people; do you think they really come to Belize to break the law and to be environmental terrorists?"

And while the politicians jostle back and forth, the one dealing with the situation on the ground is the Department of the Environment. Officials at the DOE met with Green Tropics on Tuesday and advised them that because of their action, the public hearing planned for the end of this month and the NEAC meeting planned for the third July would both have to be postponed.

And that's because a damage assessment will now have to be done - which will take three weeks and include the input of experts from different fields.

And, after that, the company is expected to have to pay a hefty fine. As we mentioned, the minimum is fifty thousand dollars.

Channel 7

So Mr. Espat believes that the environmental laws should take second place to development.
Folks with that mentality are spoiling the whole country,. By the same logic why not cut and sell all the rose wood and anything else that we can make $.50 from.
Julius should think more before he makes such statements. He would seem to be part of the problem rather than part of the solution. WE here know the price that is ultimately paid when we allow developers to interpret our environmental laws as they see fit.
I fear Bro Julius has taken this position only because of a need to oppose what ever the UDP government proposes or does and he should consider more carefully. In Mexico any such developer would be required to pay to restore to original condition. We allow ourselves to be raped and at the slightest sign the GOB might try to uphold the environmental laws the opposition, Julius in this case, clammer to protest.
When we will grow to where the opposition does not feel obligated to oppose things that are just fine and should not be opposed.
The PUP needs to formulate their environment policy and stick to it. One day they are opposed to offshore drilling and the next day they have no problem cutting channels through the Jaguar area without proper approval. We are in environmental straights in many places because the government does not make developers follow the law. We should applaud all efforts to protect the environment.

Julius is only for the project because he is the area rep and wants jobs for his unemployed constituents. Nothing to do with opposing the opposition. Julius is a good man with whom I agree to disagree with on certain issues

I know Julius.

Serious penalties? 50K Bze is less than they paid the lawyers and engineers to submit the paperwork!

Corporately this comes under the heading," It is easier to ask forgiveness than permission."