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Press Release Aug 29th, 2007
VIEC TO CHALLENGE BEEF ISLAND PROJECT
The newly launched Virgin Islands Environmental Council has been granted approval of the court to challenge the Beef Island Development Project by bringing a claim for judicial review of the former Chief Minister’s 31st January decision granting planning approval for the 5-star hotel, mega-yacht marina and golf-course development on Beef Island.
The claim for judicial review is based, amongst other issues, on s.51(1) of the 2003 Fisheries Regulations which provides that “no person shall carry out any development activity, whether terrestrial or otherwise, which may or is likely to adversely impact on a marine protected area.” Contravention of this section is a criminal offence and so is aiding, abetting and procuring the same. The Hans Creek Fisheries Protected Area is protected by this law and scientific evidence shows that the development of the proposed golf course and marina at Beef Island will have irreversible adverse environmental impacts on this protected fisheries habitat. This, in addition to other relevant issues, would have the effect of rendering the planning approval void for illegality. The Planning Act does not override other legislation in the BVI but provides instead that no development is exempt from meeting the requirements imposed by other laws.
A successful claim will mean that the new Government can go back and take a fresh look at the development proposal, this time coming to a decision that is within the scope of the law, thus protecting our most importance resource – our natural environment.
For further information contact viec@bvihcg.com.
Be careful with development, new environmental group says
Taken from Andrew Wilkins of the Standpoint
Last week, two British Virgin Islands environmental groups announced they were joining forces to do research and take action on environmental issues, with an emphasis on those concerning development.
The newly-formed group, called the virgin islands Enviromental Council, is made up of the Fisherpersons and Concerned for the Protection of Beed Island and the BVI Heritage Conservation Group. The VIEC is a non profit organization, and it directors pro-term are Dr Quincy Lettsome and Richard Counrtney DeCastro.
According to a release from the group, the VIEC has three tasks: support the efforts of its members to circulate petititons requesting reconsideration of the approvals granted to the Beef Island and Smuggler's Cove developments: investigate the possiblility of taking legal action against developers of Beef Island, Smuggler's Cove, Lambert Bay, Oil Nut Bay, White Bay, and Diamond Cay, and to raise public awareness to the environmental controls, like at Scrub island. "We're not against development, but the question is where, how and what," said Sheila Callwood Shulterbrandt, president of the VIEC. "We are concerned about the quality of the people if they send 1,600 workers here. And what benefits will come from that development? Will the money stay here? It will probably go out" If those foreign workers bring their families, the number of people imported will shoot up to 3,000. The Territory does not have the means to provide schools, sewage, law enforcement, housing or water for so many more people-especially when the profits will not eve stay here, Callwood Shulterbrandt said.
"We (BVI) have go to clean their mess, and the owners will be raking in the harvest", she said.
The election victory for the VIP was nice, she said. The new V IP government will listern to the will of the people on those developments, she believes, and keep them informed on what is happening. DeCastro said with the new VIP Government, the Beef Island development is likely dead.
Such a huge development will overburden the BVI, Callwood Shulterbrandt said, and it does not fit with what the people want from their island vacation. "tourists don't want a large resort, they want a place that's pristine so they enjoy the scenery and breathe freely instead of all the hustle and bustle. ...they don't need all that, that's why they come to this place" Callwood Shulterbrandt said. The way developments are being done needs to be revised, she said. The mangroves are being killed, the earth is being improperly dug up, local workers are not getting good work and big developers are allowed to bring their supplies into the country without paying the proper duties, she said.
"We are praying and hoping that the new council will do great, they made a lot of promises. The committee is looking forward to working with them" said Callwood Shulterbrandt. When asked what advice she would give the new Government, Callwood Shulterbrandt responded that they should be careful when developing the country, protect the fishing grounds, think about future generations and make sure Tortola does not become another concrete jungle, because if so, tourists will simply find another more natural place to visit.
The VIEC coalition began by staging a successful rally in the Palm Grove Park in March about the threat posed to the Hans Creek Fisheries Protected Area by the Quorum Island LTD Beef Island Development Project and the problems posed by the Villa Paradiso Development Project to the beach at Smugglers Cove and the proposed national park in the Belmont Area.
Membership in VIEC is open to any individual, group, or organization that wishes to support environmental protection in the public interest. Membership may be obtained by contacting VIEC at view@bvihcg.com and responding to the confirmatory email. Further information may be obtained by contacting one of its directors, or by emailing viec@bvihcg.com
We now have a new government in the BVI as of Aug 21st! The opposition came out in support of the environmental issues we were raising on here and against the amount of unchecked development that was going on and have now promised to revisit a lot of these developments. We will keep you up to date on here.
Why they won, lost. Development a key issue, leaders say
From the BVI Beacon, Luis Andres Henao
The Virgin Islands Party regained control of the government this week with an overwhelming victory over the National Democratic Party. In Tuesday interviews, Carvin Malone, VIP President and Dr. Orlando Smith, NDP President, agreed on one thing: Development projects, or the public's perception of them played a key role in the outcome of the election.
To Mr Malone the people vaoted against the unchecked growth of tourism developments, and the "whole disregard fpr environmental issues at Hans Creek or more specifically, the way in which development contracts would be guiding our laws with labour...non belongers land-holding licenses and immigration"
"It's not a matter of putting a stop to developments but working with the environment and keeping in adherence with the law" he said. When Dr Smith was asked if the perception of the development projects that he authorized during his mandate was a main factor in the change of government, he said: "I think it was one of the significant perceptions. It is difficult to say what was a significant factor, but it's a significant perception that affected the outcome of the election.
Chief minister stands by Beef Island development. BVI Beacon March 1st, 2007
Coalition forms to oppose development
Two weeks ago, Chief Minister Dr. Smith announced an agreement for the construction of an $80 million resort and golf course on Beef Island. The Chief Minister has said that the project, which is now the largest private investment in the territory, will bring jobs, tourists and tax revenue to the BVI and will be constructed in an environmentally friendly manner.
Meanwhile, a coalition has been formed to oppose the construction of that resort and other multimillion dollar projects in the territory.
The BVI Fisherperson's Association and Concerned Individuals for the protection of Beef Island released a statement announcing the formation of an alliance with the BVI Heritage Conservation Group in order to oppose a proposed developments for Smugglers Cove and Beef Island.
"This coalition stand against these projects as they are not in keeping with good governance and are not in the interests of the people the British Virgin Islands". The group said, citing environmental, social and cultural concerns.
However, in an exclusive interview with the Beacon on February 9, three days before announcing the golf course approval, the Chief Minister maintains his earlier contentions that the Beef Island development will be a boon to the territory.
"The development of Beef Island is part of the overall economic development that this government is pursuing for the Virgin Islands", he said. "First of all, we will see an increase in visitors to the territory. Secondly, we will see an increase in employment, and thirdly, we will see an increase in entrepreneurial opportunities for BVIslanders who are qualified to work in any particular area."
Issues to be resolved
In at November 21 memorandum to the permanent Secretary of the Chief Minister's office marked urgent, chief planner Louis Potter said two major issues needed to result in order for the planning department to continue with the review and recommendations of the Beef Island development.
The first was the future development of the Beef Island airport.
"The most critical issue to be resolved is the request by the BVI airports Authority for areas within the proposed development footprints to be reserved for airport expansion" Mr. Potter's memo said. " If this request is granted, this will render development of the golf golf course unfeasible."
The second issue is the status of Hans Creek, Beef Island, as a fisheries protected area.
The coalition argues that the Beef Island development is "clearly a violation of the law, having a direct impact on Hans Creek, a fisheries protected area under the Virgin Islands fisheries regulations." The fisheries code states that, "no person shall carry out any development activity, whether terrestrial or otherwise, which may or is likely to adversely impact the Marine protected area."
Hans Creek affected?
In the February 9th interview, Dr. Smith acknowledged the excavation of Bluff Bay salt pond to make way for the resort's marina, but said the Hans Creek area would not be affected by the development. " When I say Hans Creek, I'm talking about the creek. They're not doing anything in the Creek." He said. He added, "when I said that the environment will not be effected, it is true that in any development that you do, any kind of development, if you build a house down there, you're going to be affecting the environment, because you're going to be turning the soil. But I'm talking about adversely affecting, you look at all the pros and cons and most of the wildlife are concentrated other points"
Spawning fish.
The coalition argues, though, that Hans Creek has been established as an important nursery were 90% of the fish are spawned, outside of Anegada. "I'm concerned about seabed and seagrass", Sheila Callwood-Schulterbrandt, Fisherperson's Association president, said. "Once that section is destroyed, the habitat will be moved or killed, and there is no fish for the fishermen to catch because there's no place for them to spawn." According to the coalition statement, the Beef Island development can also bring other environmental, social, and cultural problems to the territory. Among them; a significant loss of biodiversity due to the destruction of areas that support migratory local birds;pollution from chemicals for the golf course; and sedimentation from storm water runoff, especially during the excavation of the Bluff Bay salt pond for the construction of a marina.
Environmental damage?
In February, the Chief Minister, reiterated a statement he made last October, that he would not approve any development that would cause unacceptable environmental damage. "When I said that if any of these developments affect the environment adversely, I will not go ahead. That is true. This is why we have looked at development; this is way we taken into considerations all that is said," he said in the interview.
Concerns considered
Dr. Smith said that the project was approved after consideration of the concerns of key agencies and community residents expressed in public meetings. He also said that he had met with concerned members of the public, including the BVI Fisherperson's Association and the concerned citizens group. "I address their concerns," he said in the interview. "I thought they were valid and very adequately addressed by the developer, and that is what the public meetings are for, to express these concerns of them they can be addressed." The chief minister added "At the public meetings in East End, I don't know how many people spoke. But in the one I attended, maybe three or four spoke against the project. Most of the people who spoke to me, spoke in favor of the project." He also explained all the concerns raised in the public meetings were referred back to the developer, who looked at them and made the necessary adjustments. "I am now satisfied after the environmental impact assessment review, which was conducted by independent environmentalists appointed by the developer, and also by one appointed by myself, that the concerns have been answered satisfactorily and that the development is a good development for the BVI." The Chief Minister said.
Issues resolved?
In a telephone conversation, Noni Georges, vice chair of the BVI Heritage foundation, said she thinks otherwise. "These issues have not been resolved. They don't know where they're going to put the sewage," Ms Georges said, referring to a January 31 letter from Dr. Smith to Raymond Hung, the resort's developer. The letter states, "The project has been approved subject to the developer's capacity to identify suitable ocean disposal site for this sewage effluent. Other conditions include; scaling back residential units by 10%; designating an appropriate location for the incinerator; providing adequate parking facilities for automobiles and golf carts; eliminating the proposed outer marina from the master plan; eliminating beach creation in the vicinity of the Little Cay Bay and Hans Creek on the master plan.
Coalition formed
Ms Georges said that the coalition formed to cooperatively organize efforts, to gather documentation, and to build a logical argument to address these issues. "There are a lot of legitimate technical, social and environmental concerns," she said. She doesn't oppose the project per se, but rather advocates scaling it back, Ms. George said. "We would have been less concerned, if it had been scaled back a bit more," she added. The Department of Conservation and Fisheries also rejected the project on environmental grounds. In a November 27 letter that was part of the development summary document compiled by Town and Country planning, Conservation and Fisheries Department identified, 11 major issues to reject the proposed project based on substantial evidence.
Jobs
The coalition also said that during the Beef Island development jobs for locals will be limited, due to lack of training and certification of vocational trades. "The government and the developer need to work out a system to ensure the laborers will be properly screened and will leave the territory at the end," Ms Georges said. On February 9, the chief minister said that the developer has committed to giving first preference for all major contracts to local companies and to employing local people at all levels of the company. Whenever we do developments like this, we always impress upon the developer that we are interested in the development largely because of the employment openings of opportunities for the people of the British Virgin Islands, Dr. Smith said.
BVI News Online March 5th, 2007
MERRICK ANDREWS, Publisher/Editor BVI NEWS ONLINE 05.MAR.07
Link to original online article is HERE
Conservationists will today hold a “family and information day” to protest the development of a high-end resort and golf course on Beef Island. A similar event will be held at Smugglers Cove on March 12.
The events have been organised by the BVI Heritage Conservation Group, BVI Fisherperson's Association and Concerned Individuals for the Protection of Beef Island.
The group said the main objectives of the events are to educate the public more about the developments' impact and rally support.
"By visiting the areas, along with different experts of various fields, you will be able to weigh the balance between development and preservation then you will understand where you stand in history," according to a message on the BVI Heritage Conservation Group website, www.bvihcg.com.
Chief Minister Hon. Orlando Smith announced last month that government approved the $80-million project after what he described as a “very tough and lengthy approval” process.
"Yes, we must protect our environment - but we must also think about creating jobs, growing our economy and securing our tourism industry for the future," he said at a press briefing.
The chief minister also announced that the project has been scaled back by 10 percent.
“The people told us that they did not want this project to be too big – rather, the people wanted it to be keeping with the traditions of the BVI of smaller hotels. And so as part of the final agreement, we had the developer slash the number of planned units by more than 10 percent,” Chief Minister Smith said.
But the conservation alliance is not moved.
“This coalition stands against these projects as they are not in keeping with good governance and are not in the interest of the people of the British Virgin Islands,” the group said in a statement, released shortly after the chief minister’s announcement.
“From a legal standpoint, the Beef Island development is clearly a violation of the law, having a direct impact on Hans Creek, Beef Island, which was declared a Fisheries Protected Area under the Virgin Islands Fisheries Regulations, 2003 s. 51(5)(b) which states, "No person shall carry out any development activity whether terrestrial or otherwise, which may or is likely to adversely impact on a marine protected area..."
The group is also concerned that these developments will have a negative effect on the island economically, socially and culturally.
It said: “Contrary to the official views espoused, jobs for BVIslanders during the Beef Island development will be limited due to the lack of training and certification in vocational trades. It has been acknowledged that most of the labour will be imported from overseas, possibly India or China, which are favoured by the developer.
“This rising population will further strain social services requiring more teachers, doctors and nurses, etc., Statistics show that 45 percent of applicants for primary and secondary schools were turned away because the schools were full, between 2002 and 2005.
“In addition to these facts, it is recognised that the value of real estate will rise, leading to a lack of affordable housing. Inflation will also rise,” the statement said.
The group said both Beef Island and Smugglers Cove have historical ruins which will impacted by these developments. It said the Smugglers Cove development in particular will greatly alter the local people's recreational use of the beach, with densely populated villas encroaching the beach.
“This coalition is calling for a moratorium on all large development projects in the territory, as is now the case in Anguilla where many of the same developments have been undertaken.
"These areas should be designated as National Parks, preserved for the coming generations of BVIslanders and visitors. There has been growing opposition to these developments from within and without the BVI, and this coalition invites the public to participate in protest against these developments,” the group added.
We are famous everywhere! This article was spotted in the Times Colonist in Victoria, Canada, March 3rd.
Tortola remains close to my heart!
Tortola was always close to my heart. It is the birthplace of my great, great grandmother who was an enslaved African and grandmother Carmelita Hodge-Industrious. Although I was born on St. Thomas, my grandmother Carmelita took care of me as a baby in Cane Garden Bay, the northern part of Tortola. Later on, I relocated to St. Thomas in the care of my mother but visited my grandparents in Cane Garden Bay during the summer.
As a "belonger," the island's history and culture are deeply imbedded in me from my grandparents. It is with this knowledge that I am able to appreciate the island's natural and cultural resources.
However, Tortola is changing fast due to rapid development and the filling in of valuable wetlands.
These natural resources have been the sources of food, recreation and cultural ritual to "Tolians" who live close to the land.
Over the years, the British Virgin Islands has carved out a name for itself as "nature's little secrets." Today "nature's little secrets" has been rediscovered mainly by non-"Tolians," and the drum beat to exploit the natural and cultural resources for greed has begun. Such places as Belmont, located on the northwestern end of Tortola, is threatened by a major proposed resort development.
Belmont is comprised of the Smuggler's Cove area, Smuggler's Cove beach, Belmont Bay beach, Coconut Grove, Belmont Peak and Belmont Grove. In the 1990s, the Town and Country Planning Department prepared an assessment of Belmont and the adjacent surrounding areas of the watershed. The main goal of the study sites was to evaluate the best possible management plan for the area.
In 1984, a permanent pre-historic settlement was discovered in Belmont Coconut Grove by archeologists. In 1996 and 1997 several excavations took place on the sites. The 2000 Journal of Virgin Islands Studies issue mentioned that 10,046 pottery shards were recovered. The majority of the artifacts reflected the Ostionid Period, dating between 600-1200 A.D. According to archeologists, the first settlement of Belmont was around 2000 B.C.
Belmont became well known worldwide when Peter Drewett wrote an article in "Current World Archeology" on the pre-historic ball games site.
More importantly, Smuggler's Cove, Belmont and the other adjacent sites are a major cultural gathering site for "Tolians" today.
Many people, especially church groups, use the area for baptisms and for "family days."
These ancient Amerindian village sites foretold the history of indigenous people and enslaved Africans who occupied the area for hundreds of years. In 1995, the B.V.I. government brought Smuggler's Cove to create a park because of its significant cultural and natural resources to the people.
But in 2006, the B.V.I. government signed a development agreement with Paradis Villas to construct a major resort in Smuggler's Cove. The opposition to the project argued that the development agreement was signed without input from the people. Furthermore, the study conducted by the Town and Country Planning Department doesn't support a high-density resort in Smuggler's Cove.
Therefore, the most appropriate use of Smuggler's Cove, Belmont and the other surrounding historic sites is to create a national beach park which would be in keeping with traditional use by the people. Nonetheless, opposition to development in the B.V.I. are complex. That is to say, many locals are afraid of talking out for fear of losing their jobs. Others are afraid of not getting government contracts while the "non-belongers" fear losing their work permits and their alien land-holding licenses.
As development continues to spread like wild fire along the coast of Tortola and some of its cays, access to beaches by local people will become a major issue.
Smuggler's Cove is a popular beach for locals that should be protected by all means by the B.V.I. government.
What makes Smuggler's Cove so popular among "Tolians," besides the cultural and natural resources, is the water which is neither deep nor rough near the shore - especially for elders and children.
On March 5th there will be a "family day" at Long Bay, Beef Island, and another one on March 12 at Smuggler's Cove where you can learn more about the developments.
It is an opportunity to learn more about the history of Smuggler's Cove and the adjacent areas.
By visiting the areas, along with different experts of various fields, you will be able to weigh the balance between development and preservation.
Then you will understand where you stand in history.
Olasee Davis, an ecologist, lives on St. Croix. He can be reached at:
odavisss@yahoo.com
Contact information for the group is info@bvihcg.com
Webmaster email is webmaster@bvihcg.com
