Activists plan demo over beachrock removal
(CNS): With public opposition growing to the goal by the islands’ largest developer to dig up beachrock from Seven Mile Beach to make it more appealing for another five-star resort, a group of environmental activists are organising a demonstration. Save Cayman is calling on all those who don’t support Cabinet’s decision to allow the Dart Group to start tests on the rock along a stretch of Grand Cayman’s famous beach to join in the show of opposition planned for Sunday 11 December.
Crymble Landholding Ltd, one of billionaire developer Ken Dart’s network of companies, was granted approval by Cabinet earlier this month to begin digging up Seven Mile Beach to take samples of the beachrock with a view to making an application to remove all of it in an area where Dart is considering developing another hotel.
Local environmental group Save Cayman is opposed to the trial as well as the future proposed removal because of the concerns about the detrimental impact. Analysis by the Department of Environment’s experts on the Technical Review Committee advised Cabinet not to approve the trial but the members ignored that advice.
Digging out the beachrock could herald serious coastal erosion and have a detrimental impact on the Seven Mile Beach Marine Park Zone, and any development on the site will lead to the loss of some of the last remaining turtle nesting habitat along the beach.
Activists are also concerned about the dangerous precedent this approval will have. They have asked when the line will finally be drawn regarding coastal development and its continuing risks to the beach and marine life. They believe that there is considerable opposition in the community and want to see people come out and make it clear to government that this is the final line.
The demonstration is scheduled for 2pm on Sunday 11 December by Tiki Beach.
In its review of the application, the DoE technical team raised many concerns and warned that government should not grant approval. Removing the rock, the experts say, poses a genuine threat to the marine environment and a risk of beach loss on neighbouring properties. The experts have warned that beachrock is not a benign substance that can be removed without any long-term effect but an important element in the local marine eco-system.
See DoE’s recommendations and related documents in the CNS Library
Category: development, Local News, Marine Environment, Science & Nature
Is it the same group demanding a ban on cow flatulence in California?
Here we go again. We pay people to protect the environment but we don’t follow their advice plain and simple. This by the Political entity who vehemently decried the Darts group expansive and monstrously attitude in building for its selfish purpose. This same political grouping who cried Foul on the Dart Group this group that is presently known as the PPM and which hereafter shall be known as Pandering Politiccal Menace.(PPM). They said Help was on the way , but it looks like they were talking about somebody other than themselves.
Decent people? spare me!! anyways….mother nature knows how to take care of the greed. I feel sorry for the poor turtles and the innocent people that will get affected. May God Bless us and May God bless these Cayman Islands.
Silly little people, sit down and let the right people run the island properly.
Oh? Do you mean the bulldozer huggers?
– a tree hugger
Isn’t there ANYTHING that can be done to stop the “Disasterous Darts” from further destruction? Won’t ANY Government listen to reason? I used to be a supporter of the PPM but between this atrocity and the “George Town Merchants” new “Greed Dock” I’ve about had it with them. Enough is enough – and this is too much! I am now another vote lost to the PPM!!
Yeah…UDP’s questionable dealings were much better….Moron.
The barometer for leadership is very poor in Cayman.
Look at who gets elected especially the coat tail riders who need a job that are being paid handsomely as MLAs to support Alden/KT and McKeeva at all costs or else they are back struggling as failing businessmen or on the dole; most are a bunch of empty shells the party gives them a platform not their own actions or achievements. Caymanian voters need to demand more from MLAs and vote for the best candidates not fake nice guys to represent all interests not just the party hardcore supporters. This should not be a popularity contest there are too many important issues to resolve we need quality representation. The voters have the power they need to understand how best to use it.
“PPM and UDP are the same dog puppy”
The comments so far cannot be serious…..there is no point protesting all the other issues if this action results in the destruction or disappearance of Cayman beaches. Without a beautiful coastline there will be no tourism industry and no reason for expats to operate the finance industry, especially when such an issue would spread like wildfire on social media. Remember the Mariott….when it almost lost its patio and pool?
why would dart destroy a coastline where he wants to put 5 star hotels???????
your conspiracy does not make sense.
Now if it was pwd carrying out these works….i would be very concerned….
A message that should have been told to the thousands gathered at the lions center in protest of human rights.
Stop worrying about trying to stop more development. Start protesting the cost of living, gangs growing stronger, no jobs, no future etc., etc
but what about YOUR children? sexual abuse and dismal education anyone?
ROCKS! Seriously? while crime is soring and motorcycle gangs run the roads….Rocks! more important things than rocks to protest about
All will do as the boss says and love it. Look at all the quality people and things he brings to this island! Be glad and thankful; learn to be more subservient as they know best for the island.
Protest “Gang Violence”, Protest “Lack of Jobs”, Protest “Government selling out Cayman to a Work Permit Revenue Stream”, Protest “Over-Paid Do-Nothing Career Politicians”, Protest “Pension Ponzi Scheme”, Protest “Cost of Living”, Protest “Health Insurance Premiums”, Protest “The Mountain of Garbage”, Protest “Government School Failure”.
A “Beach Rock” is the best you all can come up with??? What the hell is wrong with unnah?????
why there is no “protest against sexual abuse of children” on you list? It has got to be the #1.
Yes, absolutely, last but certainly not least.
Where were the activists and the DOE when Brian Butler ripped out the sandstone at Discovery Point and can they advise as the the effect on Seven Mile Beach. Of course Butler never gave notice to the neighbors but that was his style and I some how he got permission. No doubt the CPA , that augustine body will have all the files on the matter for all to see.
The activist time is best spent at Eden Rock.
Same with the guy and his mega mansion in South Sand who threw some huge rocks down to prevent his beach from eroding with the effect of eroding his neighbors beach!
these muppetts are protesting against the the most environmentally conscience developer in cayman????…..
maybe they should protest against the government who refuse to do anything with the dump…..
“Environmentally conscious developer” ? You can’t be serious. This guy’s wealth comes from producing styrofoam products that polute the entire planet on a daily basis, Cayman included.
Someone else must have ripped out all the mangrove seedlings at Camana Bay.
They are sorely missed by all. Much rather have them back than the well constructed and beautifully landscaped oasis of civilization and sophistication at Camana Bay.
Mi thinks you on the payroll. Only someone who has no sense would make a comment like the one you did. Guess you haven’t noticed the new highways that is going to flood everyone else! Thanks Mr. Dart and Government!
Please bear in mind Mr. Dart can start up shop anywhere else his money can buy. Where will we go?
Seriously? The new flavor of the week…
Their 15 minutes of fame at Smith Cove was not enough it seems…wish they would spend some of their energy cleaning up the graffiti they scrawled on the road.
Any Caymanians involved in this protest…?
who cares about experts, science and facts when you have a bunch of c.a.v.e people….
cave=caymanians against virtually everything…..
wow…. first it was save a road…now it is save sample beach rock…..
they were wrong about the road and they will be wrong again….
When will the government and the people draw the line?…it seems like the developer has no respect for the wonderful people of my adapted country that I love so much!
adapted country?
Yes Adapted…..Adapting to Jamaicanisation.
Will refreshments be served?
If so, West Bay will come.
not if it’s raining….or too hot…..or too sunny…..
Old joke bozo. Got any new material?
Yes , in DART styrofoam cups
Oh good, I’ll recycle them and make some nice picture frames for Christmas presents.
Some people do love to waste their time. Remember the west bay road stupidity? Complaint after complaint but turned out to be the best bit of road on island and a great public beach now…
Great public beach?! Me thinks not.
‘Cos its clean and not full of litter and nefarious goings on might be seen?
The brown sand is not even from our area. I won’t step foot on that ‘great public beach’.
Good, more room for decent people then.
Go for it. You can have it. You and your ‘decent’ people. lol
I’ll be further down SMB on the white sands of the real Cayman Islands.