Ministers back development in central wetlands
(CNS): Deputy Premier Chris Saunders and Transport Minister Kenneth Bryan have thrown their support behind the development opportunity that the East-West Arterial Road extension will facilitate once it’s extended to Frank Sound. Even though this means developing in the Central Mangrove Wetlands, the ministers backed the construction of homes there and told Caymanian owners in and around the area that the land is going to be worth a lot of money.
Flying in the face of the PACT Government’s sustainable development policy, the comments by the ministers suggest that growing fears about this road by local activists and environmentalists are well founded.
During an appearance on Radio Cayman’s morning talk show, ‘For the Record’, on Wednesday, the ministers said that Cayman needs land for affordable homes and to address the serious shortage of rental accommodation for workers. But the cost of land continues to increase, making it too costly for Caymanians to build their own homes and for local developers to construct houses.
Their comments were made a day before the climate and sustainability ministry released the results of a survey about climate change, in which more than a quarter of those who took part stated that over-development is the most important pressing issue in Cayman. For 26% of responders, it is more pressing even than the cost of living.
Saunders said the road itself was important for properly connecting the Eastern Districts to the “hub of Cayman” in George Town. He said it was “high time” the East-West Arterial was completed, and while he recognised “the environmental stuff and all that”, he said this was “a matter of national importance”. He said those opposing the road are not the ones who live in the Eastern Districts.
Bryan agreed. He said that the development of the road comes with some sensitivities, but not having the work finished jeopardizes the economic opportunities. Having access to the land will bring down the cost of land, allowing people to build affordable housing, he suggested, adding that “the only way” to expand land accessibility “is through that East-West Arterial”.
Saunders said that while the government is trying to acquire land, developers are also purchasing land in the east. “You have individuals in this country who are going around buying up a lot of land in the east interior, and as soon as sufficient land is purchased by the different special interest groups you are going to see the pressure come to bear… to control the East-West Arterial after they have all the land,” he said.
He added, “I am begging the Caymanian families, do not sell your land in the east interior as it’s going to become very valuable once the east-west arterial is complete.”
The DP said parts of the road are going to be an issue and he supported undertaking an environmental impact assessment because of concern about the potential flooding issues that the road might cause.
“We accept that the environmental aspect needs to be done,” he said. “But… from a national security standpoint and also from a productivity standpoint, the people in the Eastern Districts of this country cannot continue to be stuck… And I want to say to environmentalists, having congested traffic polluting the air isn’t healthy either.”
The land in question that will be subject to the EIA is mostly wetlands. Parts of the east interior that will be accessible if the road is complete is dry land, but most is pristine unique habitat or mangroves.
The Central Mangrove Wetlands currently make up an uninterrupted, critically important ecosystem covering 8,655 acres. The National Trust describes it as “the ecological heart of Grand Cayman” that is intrinsically linked to the North Sound and its marine ecosystems, which would collapse if the wetlands were ever destroyed.
As well as providing numerous eco-services, especially sequestering carbon, the wetlands provide important habitat for myriad species. It is also critical to Grand Cayman’s rainfall, as saturated air rising above the wetland forms rapidly, developing clouds that are carried west by the prevailing winds and dump rain over the central and western districts of Grand Cayman.
The National Trust owns around 1,032 acres as part of its Central Mangrove Wetland reserve and another 1,500 acres is protected through the Marine Parks Law. The National Conservation Council is currently going through the process of trying to acquire more land to place under protection. But much of the land is in private hands and once it begins to be developed, the break-up of this incredible ecosystem will have dire consequences for the entire island’s environment.
Premier Wayne Panton was not on the show as he is currently travelling on government business in the Bahamas and has made no comment about his colleagues’ position on this issue. Opposition to the proposed East-West Arterial expansion from Woodland Drive to Frank Sound is not just about the direct damage the road will cause to the environment and the potential flooding it will cause, but also focuses on what will happen when this critical habitat is opened up to developers.
See the full Radio Cayman show below:
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Category: development, Land Habitat, Local News, Science & Nature
June 20,2022
Tourism and Transport Minister Kenneth Bryan is teaming up with his Barbados counterpart for the creation of a national public bus system.
WHAT’s HAPPENED to this “teaming up”?
Road construction through wilderness and protected areas on a tropical island will have an adverse consequences for its native biodiversity.
Seven Mile Bridge or the Overseas Highway in Florida is an example of modern engineering marvel. Building an elevated road over protected area in Grand Cayman should not be a difficult task.
Caymanians: We’re afraid of climate change, but lets dig up the central mangrove wetlands for the sake of $$$$$.
When this road goes in, the relief rainfall on the west side of the island will dry up. These greedy assholes have no idea how valuable those pristine wetlands are to the island! And that is just one of the negative impacts this road will have, there are countless others.
“Isolated showers” will be a thing of the past when it comes to our daily weather reports……
Same thought process being us by developers wondering/home owners wondering why the beach is disappearing when they put concrete in the middle of the natural flow i.e. how beaches are maintained naturally…..so now we import $27 million dollars worth of sand every 6 months to appease these morons.
So disappointing. Please think beyond the next 5 years. What happens in 25?
Even the current East-West arterial has changed the local climate in the immediate area. And the loss of protected wildlife continues steadily on this stretch of road.
What happens in 25 years? Well, It appears that two of our leaders might be richer! Isn’t that strange? It seems our representatives just don’t get enough moolah to keep them happy!
I am asking my friends and relatives to vote their greedy butts out when the next chance to vote comes up!
Don’t forget about Kurt T. behind the scenes with all of this too; he will be uber uber rich.
Remember a few weeks ago when DART stated they would put aside a acre for every one they develop going forward?
I wonder where that’s going to happen…..
Sell it Caymanians. Develop it Caymanians.
Its Kick Back Fridays!
We are so finished man.. this is actually depressing how such idiots are responsible for running this country.
“environmental stuff and all of that” the real trouble with ignorance as it goes along it picks up confidence.
idiots.
‘will give people access to the central hub of george town’?????
not sure how much more i can take of this wonderland nonsense..
NO MORE development until we FULLY complete the downtown ice arena announced 7 years ago and the giant downtown ferris wheel announced 8 years ago 🙂
“Turtle-shaped ice rink planned to help revitalize George Town”
https://www.caymancompass.com/2015/05/04/turtle-shaped-ice-rink-planned-to-help-revitalize-george-town/
“Giant Ferris wheel planned for waterfront”
https://www.caymancompass.com/2014/07/04/giant-ferris-wheel-planned-for-waterfront/
Vibrating in harmony with dark frequencies.
Trying to break the pure mathematics of the universe.
Impossible for such futile pursuits such as politics to win the war for truth.
Truth requires no more advocates. It has already spoken.
Why the frequency has to be dark, your ignorance is showing here.
So in summary …
CS was Caymanian when he was in opposition and when up for election but now that he is pro the E-W road he is Jamaican … can’t make his S!@# up
Whateverrrrr… the man is Jamaican .
I got excited during the run-up to elections when Chris went all Jamaican in his speeches on tackling the Insurance Mafia……
I think he forgot about that part because not one word since.
I wonder what their profit will be this year? 200-300 million?
I warned yall not to vote for these people!!!
Pack Government – you must listen to the opinions of your voters – or you will NOT be voted back in.
Just build a bridge/highway from Bodden Town to George Town – there will be NO land destroyed! Everyhere in the world has highways/bridges, why can’t Grand Cayman?
The way many drive here there is a concern they will fly off that highway every few minutes or so. With the amount of traffic accidents here … and no matter how many fatalities we face, they still consume and speed. Highway may not be practical for this reason alone.
Limit the amount of land anyone can own to 20% ….this will stop the billiinaires from owning countrt and driving up prices…but of course ..u guys not gonna do that….
20% of what?
(This is going to be good…)
exactly! 20% of what? If you mean 20% of the land mass it’s too late for that. Dart must own more than that now!!
I love seeing this story alongside a climate change fear study at the same time
This destruction of the wetlands cannot be allowed to happen. The roads we have are sufficient for the size of the island, all we need to do is manage the traffic and reduce the importation of vehicles and provide a reliable public transportation service that is reliable, safe and affordable.
I suggest the ministers proposing the development of wetlands do some homework and understand the importance of them. (Start with the Wetlands Protection Act 1972)
Solve the traffic problem from East to West by using air space for roads, rather than continuously destroying the land and having to continuously acquire the peoples land for roads at an ever increasing price. This is utter madness now and while I am not yet crying corruption in the works, it seems abundantly strange that two of the
a T ministers would choose to against apparent government policy at the time the Premier is away?. Is this the Unity they have sold the public on to get elected. Mind you individual freedom of expression is obviously a hall mark of our democracy, however, loyalty while not ascribed to in the constitution certainly is a key component of the Trust the party, the government and most importantly and ultimately the people need to have in their Government.
We don’t have time for self abgrandiose,ent fellas we need for everyone of you to respect yourselves, the people and the Knstutution you represent. You are highly paid, love a humble life and forget those who want to corrupt you. History will judge you and the people will follow you if and when you collectively do right for the country and it’s people. No half way ting bout ha, no forked tongue policies on ya. Just be real or you will suffer the consequences next time around. We are watching y’all!!!!!!!!!!!! Of Us.✊🏾
True 9:33 as the older folks use to say dem smelling dem rank it seems! Cha.
Past Countryside, the roads dwindle to a single lane each way with concrete walls and fences directly beside it for the most part. This makes it a complete nightmare for anyone who needs to travel to town for work or school daily. Somehow over the years, we’ve thought it was a brilliant idea to put everything residential in the largest part of the island, and practically everything else (work, school, entertainment) on the tiniest part. I digress.
Pair that with the useless current public transportation system (a bus every 30-45 minutes in East End, if the driver feels like going that far), any normal person will need to sit for 2 hours in traffic to get to a miserable job for 8 hours, then repeat it again to get back to your home in the darkness of the night, 5 days a week.
I’m not saying the EW arterial expansion is the overall answer to our problem, I personally think we should start with better public transport as well, but there is nothing that indicates our current road systems are fit for their purpose what with the traffic and high crash/road fatality rates we have here…
We’d still need to upgrade the roads somehow to fit better/bigger public transport measures at this rate.
Let’s find a better solution.
What does the future hold?
Invitation to join the discussion feed on Facebook and follow updates on the EIA: https://www.facebook.com/groups/wetlandsthrivelifesurvives/
“and to address the serious shortage of rental accommodation for workers”
So you want to put the road thru so you can build places for expat workers?
PACT ministers now choosing their own portfolios? Kenneth now development and infrastructure.
Jokers just look at them its a stage show
Does this mean Ironwood will restart?
Ironwood is a dead project, the land was sold
No it wasn’t
Dead wood.
First of all the two clowns tell the people that once the East – West arterial is complete their land is going to be worth a lot of money – so don’t sell now. Then Mouthy Bryan tells them that “ having access to the land will bring down the cost (price?) of the land. “. By which time you won’t make as much profit – try putting your brain in gear before opening that Mouth.
Just like these two clowns say that traffic will ease up from the east but also allow thousands more homes and therefore traffic!!! Even NRA show traffic time will still increase for those out east after the road is built.
These two just open their mouths and some rubbish starts tumbling out! They also think we believe them- heck they don’t even believe what they just said
❌⛔️🛑 Stop The Madness!
The death of Cayman continues.
Wayne Panton – who is running this government? You are an embarrassment.
Laurel & Hardy
Or just Dumb & Dumber
If the land is going to become very valuable, how will that help those those looking for affordable land? Just sayin’.
We should just ask for volunteers to be government MPs and then have PWC draw the new names from a hat. It couldnt be any worse could it?
They might as well have just played AC/DC Money Talks and let it rain money from the ceiling to explain the decision.
Spineless much?
The land is worth a lot of money? So more condos can be built? For who? In 2 years time when he price has plummeted shit will really hit the fan
2yrs down the line is a long way down the line for shallow tiny minds..
CI Govt motto:
Shoot, Aim, Ready
Pearls of wisdom spoken from the next Premier and his deputy. Mark my words that these two will move Cayman closer than ever to Jamaica. Time to pack up and head off to the UK.
The many , and increasing numbers of Caymanians , who have British passports, should bless the memory of Dr. Roy for having Cayman remain British.
Many Jamaicans now using Cayman status as a conduit to obtaining a British passport.
But our Jamaican DP and his best friends are intent on making us into a mini Jamaica.
McKeeva Bush & his Administration started this foolishness.
I thought the UK Government had this under control, since about 2015? The UK Passport Office are now issuing its own passports. And, they have also changed one of the qualifying criteria to “proof of person’s of [legitimate] Caymanian parental lineage i.e. parents & grandparents. So, permeant residents & those “prolonged” work permit holders DO NOT QUALIFY!
☝️☝️☝️☝️☝️☝️☝️☝️☝️
Can CNS, via the UK Secretary of UK BOTs Territories & Foreign Affairs, confirm this☝️ is NO LONGER happening?
Oh but we can stop him. Don’t vote for him again. I had two chances but turned him down . I worked with him once , that was enough. Next election i hope there will be a better choice, if not I won’t even waste my time going to the polls.
Sadly he has the uneducated NAU dependent Jamaicans voting for him, Kenny and Seymour.
The current election/party system is as Jamaican as it comes and who brought that about?
Mac.
Shut up idiot – we will be so much better off when Honorable Saunders and Honorable Bryan are running things as they are young and Progressive! They know how to treat us poor people
Poor trolling
Oh please! I hear some of you complaining that you cannot get in touch with them. Don’t know why you need to get in touch with them but obviously they are ignoring you. Another 16 months or so you will be sick of seeing them.
Saddens me to say I agree with you, these wonderful islands will be utterly destroyed through overdevelopment in 10 years time. Why do we need to increase the population, build more houses and wreck the natural environment ? The only answer is greed. The cherry on top of the rotten cake is Saunders dismissing “the environment and that stuff” like it doesn’t matter. What an arrogant %$#*. The environment here is fragile and all are lives and livelihoods are centred on this paradise remaining so. I genuinely feel distraught for the future generations who will have to deal with the ramifications on what is happening now.
So what, as long as the rich make money at it who give a sh%t.
9.30pm I agree. Suddenly they are Chamber and Behind and together everywhere so I assume they’ve decided which one will be Premier and which one Deputy and when they will oust Wayne. What a mess we’re in.
I am lost. One second they say the road will provide access to cheap land and next they say dont sell, it will be worth a lot of money after the road is built¿
How much is goverment offering for this cheap land that will go up in value after you take it and build the road?
Told you Chris had good ideas, watch this space!
Good ideas or motives? Landowners beware, if the land goes through your property and by doing so increases the value it is not a favour to you. It should be a legal transaction.
Jay was there as well. The three amigos are showing Wayne who is really in charge.
Jay me. Big shirt.
This is the final blow for me with this government. They make no sense and to use the sale pitch that land value is going to increase – so Caymanians don’t sell your land. What a pile of BS. After you destroy the eco system there won’t be nothing left but to sell if there’s anything to sell when everything is flooded. The price of land is already out of reach for the average Caymanian so tearing through our wetlands to state that traffic jams are bad for the environment is another fake sale pitch. What happens when the traffic bottles neck at Hurleys? This deal is for a selected few owners and thereafter, it will be us poor people they tax for this road long after the developers develop the land and stash their profits out of reach of the Caymanians. Mr. Saunders where is the money coming from to develop build this highway? How are you going to maintain it? Will you place a moratorium on car imports? Where are you on the national transport system? I recall a big delegation went to Barbados to evaluate their transport system. Anything other than a fancy get away on tax payers back came out of it?
It would really be great to see the opinions of the National Trust, the cayman island bird watchers society, the astrology club, the “real” farmers (not the ones looking for profits) and the water authority. One could think that all of this run off the road and no wetlands to filter the water that we drink and bath will only create more cancer. I am really disappointed with this crew!
So…. “ For 26% of responders, it is more pressing even than the cost of living”
I suspect the cost of living is not an issue because they live in nice big A/C cooled houses built on reclaimed mangroves and drive large cars and own big boats just like Premier Wayne. The cost of living means little to them. Where other people will live mean little to them. Construction workers mean little to them. Just sayin!
Just like these two clowns say that traffic will ease up from the east but also allow thousands more homes and therefore traffic!!! Even NRA show traffic time will still increase for those out east after the road is built.
CIG/Caymanians need to design, implement & maintain a bridge system rather than destroying so much wetlands.
1. Honduran & Brazilian Engineers built the water reservoirs, underground water & sewer system, & waste-water treatment plant (known today as “Cayman Water Company”).
2. Columbian Engineers built the water reservoirs & underground city water system (known today as “Cayman Water Authority” – a statutory arm of C.I. Government).
3. American Engineers (i.e. mostly comprised of Texans) commenced the initial stages of the electrical grid system: erected the utility poles & linked electrical wiring (known today as “Caribbean Utilities Company”).
So, why not contract professional bridge building Engineers to construct “over-passes” in the central wetlands?
To clear mangroves, de-muck the swamps and fill-&-compresd the voids with aggregate- while, in the process, is destroying precious wildlife habits (and wild life!). In my opinion, it makes more sense to construct a proper bridge system in or around the Central Mangrove Wetlands.
The Southern U.S. is comprised of sprawling bayou’s & lakes, much larger than what is in the Cayman Islands, that has been preserved by installing over-passes. Examples: Chattanooga, TN; North Georgia (USA); The Shoals, AL; St. Paul-Minneapolis, MN; Southeastern, LA, Southern/(Brooklyn), MS, etc. The Netherlands is also a great place to look for great over-pass engineer examples.
The Chinese would do it even faster like the bridges they built to connect Hong Kong and Macau to the Mainland. The technology and expertise can be found all over the world. Cayman and the NRA just need to get out of the dig, dredge and fill mentality 19th Century mindset.
Yes, Bryan & Saunders can get a trip organized to go view those Chinese projects. Who was the Cayman front person for the Chinese port deal? I am sure they will be glad to get involved.
The entire island know this back-story. With what is already known, the Chinese (e.g China Harbor) will not be a top choice Or the Final Choice.
NOTE: The expansion/widening of the peninsula between the Kingston Airport & the Kingston Mainland was often in stop-and-go mode due to Chinese incurring cost over-runs, then appealing to the Jamaican Government for more money to resume construction.
Lots of $$$$$$$$ involved. Wasted.
Haven’t been to Jamaica ‘in a minute’. Is the project completed, yet?
Chinese use cost overrun contract clauses to kick out other investors and take ownership of the project.
They did that in the Bahamas with a big resort project, with the help of a Cayman based “consultant”,
That wouldn’t happen to be the same so-called “Consultant” connected to a certain Belize Project?
Back story of the CHEC deal is that Governor Taylor smelled the rat and stopped it…much to the annoyance of the usual suspects who had much to gain.
Well, thank goodness Gov. Taylor nipped it in the bud. This is where Gubernatorial oversight is so much appreciated- especially when much if the Caymanian People is at peace with his intervention/decision.
Please Jah, give me strength. Moron’s running the gong show. Let’s keep Panton and get rid of the idiots.
Panton is useless too. He’s not standing up to these idiots and laying down the law. Who’s really in control here!?!?
The Lodge, DART and Cayman’s 1%.
Where the hell have you been for the last 25yrs?
The THREE AMIGOS who run the country.
Can’t-shut-up Bryan is pitifully desperate to be somebody
Ebanks is the highest paid tool in the shed determined to keep is paymasters paying
Saunders is using them to turn Cayman into a litle Kingston.
Keep watching.
I trust Governor Roper is taking notes and heeding any or all warning signs🚩🚩🚩.
TRUST NO CAYMANIAN POLITRICKIAN – THEY WILL SELL YOU, YOUR PARENTS, AND YOUR CHILDREN FOR A QUICK BUCK. It is high time we, the common Caymanians who must suffer repeated embarrassments of the halfwits in the parliament, say NO and DEMAND a moratorium on development. GOVERNMENT should focus on building mixed-use developments in already cleared lands, none of this foolish private market business that has priced generational Caymanians out of the market to make way for tax evading foreigners. Of course this requires a plan, and for sure no one in government learned what that word means!
Are they mad? Apparently so. Idiots nothing but idiots both of them and their supporters and enablers.
there were THREE Of them?
Three blind mice!
Don’t like what the ministers support? YOU voted for them! Look in the mirror and weep.
Of course they will back it – they have money to make, and they are not here for their constituents, only their own pockets. Cayman electorate at its finest!
🎶 Concrete jungle, the animals are after me
Concrete jungle, it ain’t safe on the streets 🎶
They literally do not get it. So sad.
One way to discourage development in the CMW is to simply not permit roads through that area. If the land remains inaccessible it will not be developed
and how do we prohibit roads?
The only guiding principle of Caymanian politics is the pursuit of money. It is incredibly sad to see what is happening to these once beautiful islands.
And where is Wayne ? He has been completely anonymous recently and broken every promise he made when elected.
Everyone single MLA breaks their promises time and time again; that’s why nothing gets done and we are in the position we are now. Look at how much they have spent on Consultant Reports in the last 30yrs; must be well over 200 million.
They also know that a Caymanians memory is shorter than 4yrs.
Does Ministers Saunders, Bryan and Jay Ebanks attend the same caucus or cabinet meetings as the premier? Do they share joint positions with the Premier on anything?
If they do it is clear they have no respect for him or his position as Premier and his stated policies on the environment, sustainability and climate resiliency.
Based on the evidence the Caymans have entered banana republic status.
“have entered banana republic status”?
We been there from long time Bobo.
We operate on the basis of Government policies not a Premier’s policies. It is up to the Premier to convince his Caucus about his policies. But the issue is these guys never got elected on any manifesto other than their personal ideas and plans.
But yes I agree that they have no regard or respect for Wayne as Premier. And Wayne has no idea how to lead this team. It was his choice to hug so many ‘political vipers’ to his chest.
If our finance minister thinks the ewa will bring down the price of land he is living in la-la land.