A general discussion was held at the Chamber of Commerce meeting this week on the rapidly decreasing mangrove marsh on the backside and northern parts of the island. In our society, a private landowner has extensive rights to develop, which usually includes filling, dredging, and the cutting of mangroves. There are environmental impact requirements, but many of them are bypassed or at a level below the radar. It was in our environment's best interest that a majority of the island was still owned by the government (both local and national), but now that our government bodies are selling public lands to fund its operation or pay debts, it will soon be all be in private hands with little restrictions on development. The future is bleak in preserving much of these areas.