Welcome to the site of the British Virgin Islands Conservation Group

A collection of articles, on the history, development, and concerns affecting the BVI. EXCEPT where specifically stated as a BVIHCG position, all articles and letters on the site are NOT necessarily the position of BVIHCG

Dedicated to providing information on the history of our beloved British Virgin Islands and encouraging responsible development

May 8th update on Beef Island court case. News article taken from the BVI Property Guide

Beef Island Bogs down. Golf course may be ditched.

In a press release dated match 17, 2008 Hong Kong based Applied Development HOldings, the Bermuda based corporation behind the Beef Island Development, announced its interim results to December 31st, 2007. In a move that shows how seriously Applied Development is taking the challenge to the project made by the VIEC, the corporation has offered to shelve plans for the construction of a 180 acre golf course.
Citing the legal challenge by the VIEC, Applied Development stated "although there may be changes to the Master Plan as a result of the challenge, our experienced JV partners, Interisle, who developed the St Regis Resort in Puerto Rico and Yacht Haven Grande Marina St Thomas, has already started a new master plan to address this matter. The management believes that the new Master Plan, which has the golf course eliminated, may not only furnish the 180 acres excess land for more residential units to be built and sold and more green facilities, but also save construction and yearly maintenance costs of the golf course.
Regarding financing for the project, Applied Development sees problems ahead should the legal challenge prevail. According to the company's release, "although the final stage of the grant of the initial loan and project loan to Quorum Island has been reached, the proposed bank may delay its financial decision on the provision of loan for the BVI project due to the above-mentioned challenge. The coming trial date of the BVI project is scheduled on May 14, 2008".
Further complications pertaining to the project are seen as a result of the imploding credit markets in the US and futher afield. "although the negative impact of the US sub-prime debts was announced recently , there is still healthy development in the resort market in the neighborhood where the BVI project is situated. Nevertheless, the management believes that there may be a delay in fund raising of the BVI project as a result of the adverse credit market".
As part of the earnings released, Applied Development indicated that the golf course was a defining part of the original development plan, stating that "the building of a 180 acre golf course out of 663 acres of the total development of the project...was one of the conditions in the approved master plan of the BVI project requested by the Former Prime Minister".
The company shows a profit of approximately US 1.6 million for the period on a turnover of US$500,000. Much of its financial performance is ascribed to an "increase in fair value of investment properties" of just over US $3 million. The companies results can be found on line at this PDF link

Picture of Flamingoes up in the Mangroves, at Oil Nut Bay!

May 3rd update

Sorry, I have been quite behind with traveling on updating the information on this site, and it WILL be done within the next week. This is just a short preview and update

A few other bits and odds and sods:
Smugglers Cove Development is NO MORE. The developer pulled out, and it was just announced in the budget that the government would be buying it over the next few years for National Park, and the first payment was ready to go out. Here is the link for the BVI Beacon article on it
I have copied some info out of the newspapers this weekend on the budget for those who are interested in reading about it. There are some other figures on tourism etc in there as well.
The link for it in PDF form is Newspaper articles from Beacon and Sun on the 08 BVI Budget

Moving along, Sandy Cay now belongs to the people of the BVI. The PDF from the newspaper this weekend is HERE

These next couple bits are "street gossip" so I do not have any paper, nor am quite sure what is going on. I understand that the cruise ship dock is going to be lengthened by a couple hundred feet or so by November, and as my hubby saw the pilons for it today, it is probably. Lets all hear a collective GROAN now. I really thought we were getting somewhere with explaining how bad they were for the territory! It is said so we can take bigger ships, but we already have the Queen Mary here anchored out and really, how much larger do we need?

I also understand that RAFFLES who was going to be the management company for Lambert Resort has pulled out, I had heard other rumors about finances before that, so that may be another one down, and of course, Oil Nut Bay is in court between the owner of the land and the developer, so all their ads with the pretty parrots and flamingoes they have flying around there (nope, we don't have any there!) will NOT "SOON COME"

Onto Beef Island. The court case has been pushed back by the courts to later on, and the trial may not happen before the court takes it's summer break, so that is good in that there is more time to raise the money! The VIEC, has made a very good start raising money for this cause, and was on both the radio and TV in the last week talking it up where good money was raised. Additionally, the VIEC has raised donations from a Welsh Charity, A US Charity and a private individual who comes to Beef Island yearly, and has a foundation that he funds himself, and has offer matching funds! This is all very exciting, but there is a long way to go.

March 21st, 2008 updates

Member Yachts of the Charter Yacht Society have recently contributed to the VIEC (Virgin Islands Environmental Council) and BVIHCG (British Virgin Islands Heritage Conservation Group) groundbreaking court case against the development of Hans Creek on Beef Island.
Yachts that have donated to this worthy cause include Promenade, Swish, Serendipity, Viking Dream, Sandcastle, Fantasy Island, Shellette, Free Ingwe, Aldebaran, Jet Stream, Endless Summer, Best Revenge 5, Caribbean Dream Trimarine (Cuan Law) and Belline 2.

PLEASE SUPPORT THESE LOCAL CREWED CHARTER YACHTS WHO HAVE SUPPORTED US and thank you!

March 10th, 2008 UPDATES

Press Release- March 10th, 2008
From: Virgin Islands Environmental Council
To: All interested parties

*Victory for VIEC in the recent court hearing between Virgin Islands Environmental Council and The Attorney General, and Quorum Island (BVI) Limited*

On March 7th, 2008 Judge Rita Joseph-Olivetti found in favour of VIEC, defeating the allegations of the developers and government that VIEC's claim for judicial review is time barred. The date for the full trial is now set for May 14th, 2008. In handing down her decision, Justice Joseph-Olivetti poignantly said, "As we become more aware of the overwhelming imperative to live in harmony with nature, more scrutiny is being given by ordinary people to governmental decisions to allow development in areas with perceived fragile ecosystems; the cry for governmental accountability and sustainable development resounds in the lands and the aid of the courts is increasingly being sought throughout the world, so too in the British Virgin Islands. The primary issue before me is ostensibly a simple one .... However, what lies beneath is the Claimant's concerns with the impact on the environment of a proposed multi-million dollar development at Beef Island, in the naturally spectacular British Virgin Islands billed by the BVI Tourist Boards as "Nature's Little Secrets"."
The legal issues raised at this hearing were judically considered for the first time in the Caribbean and mark an important clarification of the law for judicial review litigants.
In awarding VIEC recovery of costs, the judge looked favourably on the fact that it is a non-profit organisation that is litigating in the public interest.
VIEC's fundraising is going strong, with over $10,000 raised in the last two weeks, however there is still a substantial shortfall in financing the upcoming trial on May 14th, 2008.
This is the first ever environmental case in the BVI and the outcome will affect development law and policy througout the Caribbean. VIEC encourages everyone who has an interest in the environment and the British Virgin Islands to donate today and help us make Caribbean and BVI history.
For more information on the VIEC, and donating please see the British Virgin Islands Heritage Conservation Group website at www.bvihcg.com, as well as the attached information sheet.
For more information on the VIEC and this court ruling please contact Mumta Ito, VIEC's Legal Director at viec@hotmail.co.uk

Link to PDF of Full ruling

March 7th UPDATES. Promenade has sold 3 out of their 5 spaces available for a donation of $3000.00 to the Court Case. Thank you. There are still two spaces left! VIEC has put out a new short information flyer for handing out on the Environmental Court Case. Read it here. The court today at 11 AM handed down some technical decisions on the case, which were in favor of the VIEC, which is a round one win. Trial is scheduled for May 14th.

SCRUB ISLAND UPDATE March 5th, 2008

There is a report ciculating on the SCRUBA Island project, read the weekly rerport on SCRUB ISLAND HERE

Fundraising efforts for VIEC

Update March 7th, 2008. Promenade has sold 3 out of their 5 places available, which will mean donating $3000.00 to the court case

Press Release- Feb 28th, 2008

From: Promenade Sail Dive Charters
To: All interested parties

*Promenade Sail Dive Charters to donate proceeds from March yacht charter to support the VIEC (VIrgin Islands Environmental Council) Court case on Beef Island*

A long time Sail and Dive Charter yacht in the British Virgin Islands, Promenade, would like to give back to support the local environment that has given so much to us and our guests over the years.
Hans Creek, on Beef Island has always been a special place for Promenade , and the crew have always offered guided kayak and dinghy tours through the mangrove area, to see the baby sharks, upside down jellyfish, and see the pelicans.
As a business, we have watched in dismay as more and more areas of the British Virgin Islands have been paved over, or off limits and believe that unless responsible environmentalism is practiced, there will be nowhere left for us to cruise TO any more here except, from marina to marina.

Promenade has a cabin only sailing ( a cabin only sailing is where you can rent a "cabin only" instead of having to find a large group to rent the entire yacht. This allows 2 guests to enjoy the amenities that a much larger yacht offers) for 6 nights March 30th, Sunday and Saturday.
The regular cabin cost for a cabin only sailing is $3800.00, for two guests.
We will offer two cabins, each for two guests, at a special cost of $2500.00, with $2000.00 of the cabin fee being donated to the VIEC Beef Island Court case. This includes all activities, food and beverage.

Please help us in our efforts to protect the environment that has given so much to all of us on the water over the years. If you cannot come yourself, buy a cabin and donate it to a worthy individual.
We encourage everyone who has an interest in the environment and the British VIrgin Islands to donate to this worthy cause.
We have further donated as a member of the British Virgin Islands SCUBA Organization, which recently donated a substantial sum to help protect the waters that we all SCUBA dive.

ANY small amount of donation is greatly appreciated, and because of the banking laws here for residents of the BVI, is it not possible to set up a PAYPAL account to receive money. Promenade has generously offered to accept donations into their PAYPAL account to be handed on to the VIrgin Islands Environmental Council Court Case.
You do not have to have a PAYPAL account to send money by credit card or other means. Simply go to PAYPAL Click on the button that says "send money" and follow the instructions. You will be sending money to promcruz@surfbvi.com for the account, and please clearly put in the information line that it is for donation to VIEC and BVIHCG. Additionally, please let us know if you would like to remain anonymous or not. Thank you, alternately, click on the donate button below to be taken straight into our paypal account, this is specifically set up to let us know that you are donating to BVIHCG and VIEC.

For more information please contact Kerry Lynn Hucul ,Director, Promenade Sail Dive Charters, Box 2249 Roadtown, Tortola, British Virgin Islands ph # 284-499-2756 Email promcruz@surfbvi.com Website: Promenade Donation
For more information on the VIEC, the court case, and donating yourself please see the British VIrgin Islands Heritage Conservation Group website at www.bvihcg.com or contact Dr. Quincy Lettsome, Director, Virgin Islands Environmental Council Tel: (284) 495 2250 Email: drqlettsome@hotmail.com

Slideshow of Beef Island and Hans Creek provided courtesy of Promenade Cruises, pictures by Kerry Hucul and Trish Bailey

 

Publc Meeting UPDATE held in North Sound Feb 27, 2008 on the development of Mosquito Island

Feb 23rd, 2008 UPDATE ON Fundraising and court case by VIEC against Developer of Beef Island and The BVI government

In July 2007 the Virgin Islands Environmental Council initiated legal action seeking judicial review of the BVI Government’s decision to grant planning approval to the Beef Island Development Project. This project involves the creation of a golf course and marina in an area proclaimed by law to be a protected area. The purpose of the action is to protect the Beef Island wetland ecosystem and in particular the Hans Creek protected area from certain destruction if the project goes forward as planned. These ecosystems have been recognised by international scientific studies as being of international importance and have been included in the BVI National Parks Systems Plan for over 25 years. Despite attempts to mitigate the effects of the development, the Planning Committee were unable to lawfully conclude from the evidence taken as a whole that there would be no adverse impact to the ecosystems in question. Furthermore, the correct procedure for approving planning applications under the Planning Act, which is in place to safeguard the public from the effect of destructive projects, was not followed.

The Government, in its approval letter, acknowledges that the project is certain to cause destruction of the entire ecosystem of Beef Island. As we are aware, due to the inter-related nature of life on earth, even small changes in one ecosystem can have huge knock on effects globally. Through taking legal action VIEC is ensuring that the natural resources of the BVI are preserved for the benefit of future generations, that the Government adheres to the procedures set out in our laws when granting planning permission, and that the people have a voice when it comes to environmental issues that affect every citizen’s wellbeing. If VIEC win, the most favourable possibility is that the Government may reacquire the land and declare the critical areas as national parks leaving the remainder available for sustainable development. A less favourable, but still positive possibility is that the Developer will be directed to go back to the drawing board and re-submit a development proposal with a more reasonable level of social and environmental impact.

Losing the case would mean that not only have the people of the BVI exhausted all avenues available to keep this project from going ahead, but also that a dangerous precedent will be set with regard to the status of protected areas, the implementation of planning policy and the importance of sustainable development in the BVI. The decision to grant planning permission also highlights a number of administrative irregularities which, if allowed to go unchecked, would effectively place the BVI government above the law. An order was passed by the previous government that would allow for all developments over the value of USD10m to circumvent the usual planning process and be referred directly to the Premier for approval. This means that unless the people make a stand, the law can be used to legitimise development agendas that may not prioritise the protection of our natural resources for future generations.

VIEC has brought this case through the dedication and generosity of a team of lawyers from abroad, currently spearheaded by Stephen Hockman QC, Head of 6 Pump Court Chambers in London and the former Chairman of the UK Environmental Law Foundation. VIEC is currently seeking to raise at total of USD21,000 to reimburse the lawyers for the previous successful hearings and also to cover the cost of flights and accommodation for the legal team for the upcoming trial which is scheduled for 14 May 2008. The lawyers will attend the trial in BVI on condition that VIEC covers their expenses. We are appealing to your generosity to ensure that this case goes to trial.

Mr Hockman is one of the most respected environmental lawyers in the world and he has provided us with a very positive opinion on VIEC’s prospects of winning at trial. If you are seriously interested in assisting VIEC with substantial funding and would like to find out more about the prospects of winning, we are happy to put you directly in contact with Mr Hockman or a member of his legal team.

Link to FULL WORD DOCUMENT ON VIEC FUNDRAISING

There are No Guarantees: the Dangers of Golf Courses. Letter to the editor Feb 27th, 2008. Follow link to read entire letter

Trellis Bay, Beef Island and the few remaining Lignum Vitae Trees. Letter to end editor Feb, 2008. Follow link to read letter

Beef Island is being trashed. Letter to the BVI beacon By Trish Bailey

Contact information for the group is info@bvihcg.com

Webmaster email is webmaster@bvihcg.com