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
“having congested traffic polluting the air isn’t healthy either” – No problems. I believe I heard the Minister for Tourism recently recognise that we need electric buses. Electric busses will (a) cut down on emissions by (b) cutting down on the number of cars on the road which (c) removes the need for the bypass. (Since, lets be honest, the only time there is significant traffic is rush hour, which is what buses are perfect for reducing.) And buses will be much cheaper than building a highway through the deep swamp they are targeting. (In which it will be unaffordable to build affordable housing.)
We need the road for sure. Just build it correctly and don’t pinch pennies. Also, please ensure proper bike lanes the whole way.
The South Sound road is at risk, just like most of the Eastern Districts road, of being washed away by a storm. Will we get a second option? I invested a great deal of money in this property and, in Cayman as a matter of fact.
To be honest, I think this should be done before building any more roads going east. Jmo
Your boardwalk will save you.
Why are these two discussing the Premier’s Ministry without him being there or endorsing their comments? Very disrespectful in my opinion..
Also very stupid. And,… How greedy can an elected official get? Get all you can while you can fellows, cause we not voting for you again!
Though I do NOT trust either of these two I do support the extension of the EW Arterial! The current BT artery / road is long past its “sell by” date. There is far too much traffic traversing that road between Newlands and Pease Bay than can safely by done. It’s a wonder we don’t have more accidents along there. Just build the road by elevating (on pilings) along the areas needed.
Anything that are going to benefit Caymanian that’s when we have the DOE and those that they are representing coming out against it. We need to stop developing and and increasing the population and then we won’t need no more land to build or develop, but as for now we need the East and West Road to be built.
You are incorrect, Dennis. What you really want is a larger bank account.
Jamaica Chris and his gang Need To GO ! NOW Cayman!
Joey was Jamaican too but lawd not like this one!
Suckoo, Marco, Joey, Kurt all have Jamaican roots but there is a difference between the PPMs politics and what I see Massah Chris trying to do here. I wonder is Wayne is paying attention to what is really going on in his Government….
Kurt was only born in Jamaica and Marco is not of Jamaican heritage.
As always the electorate are to blame. FACT
Direct Rule is the only thing that can save Grand Cayman.
In the meanwhile elevated highways from east to west will solve two problems.
1. It will do minimum damage to the Wetlands compared to bulldozing roadways through it….AND…..
2. It will set in motion a process to remove all the dangerous drivers who have no respect for anyone else on our roads. Of course to expedite this process there would have to be no guardrails on these highways. So I’m pretty sure within a week or two this bracket of driver will be eliminated from the population.
Elevated highways a win win situation.
Now let’s hear what the snowflakes have to say about that idea.
Actually, following and enforcing our existing laws is another way to save Cayman.
That ain’t happening
That won’t happen, either.
11:31, that would only work if all the foxes are out of the henhouse.
In other words, a complete sweep of all MLA’s and top management in Govt, Civil Service, Boards, the list goes on…
Chances of that happening?
Zilch.
Snowflakes. That is anyone who disagrees with your view, right?
Here is an elevated idea for you. You can take your direct rule, curl it up into a compact tube and stick it where the sun doesn’t shine.
Did you all not see this coming when this government “formed”? This government didn’t have a hope from the beginning. Please vote responsibly next time. And get these fools out of here. I know I will. Surely this isn’t the best Cayman has to offer. Surely.
We need the Queen’s help! PLEASE!
I’m sure they will lose a lot of votes because of this but they are buying enough votes with school lunches and NAU to get re-elected. The country will be ruined when they are finished with us. Money talks.
Yes, money talks! But I would like to see the Queen straighten things out……..
BY GETTING RID OF THE “ME, ME, ME, DIS-HONEST POLITICIANS we suffer with.
Are they catering to their specific electorate?
It is a matter of public information so why not share the names of registered owners? That would make research more transparent.
These 2 ministers taking it upon themselves to speak on this issue without the Premier in attendance especially when this area of concern is under the Premier’s leadership is a blatant sign of disrespect. This is happening on a regular basis wherein their opinions are spreading across multiple issues that are not under their ministries.
It is becoming more and more obvious that this PACT government is not even a group as they are certainly not a party that supports and respects the different ministries.
Their behaviour suggests no respect for the Premier in his role and his knowledge. Their behaviour also suggests a total contradiction of earlier statements wherein they admitted Cayman is a free market and development can’t be stopped yet they campaigned on the out of control development.
The housing crisis is not just a result of land scarcity and it ties into our failing education system that provides higher paying jobs driven by higher education standards and literacy rates of our people.
I could go on but will save it for a later date to start the engagement on the campaign trail for worthy candidates
This is all Panton’s doing. He could have made a coalition with the PPM and he chose these guys. We’re only 18 months in. Now that covid is no longer a distraction things are about to get a lot worse.
Behind the scenes big money shaped this ‘PACT’
Panton’s side.
@6:49pm..Oh hell no!!!..Coalition with PPM??..Didn’t you see where the PPM/UDP coalition got us?..If I never hear about PPM or UDP ever again it will be too soon.
This is all right with the Premier, so he can say later on that he did t endorse those plans or ideas, because of course we have not heard or seen him say one word for or against this. He already covering behind the no-tactful PACT Gov. and planning for his reelection!! What’s so disrespectfully is the fact that low-income homes will be offered to “Caymanians and workers” in the endangered Mangrove swamps and will act as a buffer to the expensive million-dollar castles or anyone else’s home outside of there when a storm comes piling through without our Natural Mangroves to help shield and protect us?! When will the fools learn? I will not be accepting any home built there for this same craziness and fear of my home sinking into the swamp land or being constantly flood! A road built thru there won’t fear any better off either!!!
AMEN!!!!
I urge EXTREME caution when deciding to damage the heart of Caymans sensitive Mangrove Wetlands by building this huge road instead of tackling the REAL problem allowing more and more cars to enter the country.A serious look at a PROPER public transit system is urgently needed as is EDUCATING people into using car sharing which would help greatly in reducing traffic from all districts heading into GTOWN.Problem is many Caymanians cannot deal with CHANGE even if it’s the best solution in many instances.
Another topic our country needs is a workable carrying capacity re Cruise and Stayover visitors.To even think about aiming to increase our population from present 76000(roughly) too 100000 is ludicrous at best without working on sewage water supply and many other aspects of daily life BEFORE making such a huge step.Social life as we know it today would change dramatically and this could possibly lead to a rise in our crime rate something which could affect our social fabric we enjoy today.I urge the powers that be to be very careful in moving too fast.
TIME WILL TELL.
A very concerned Caymanian.
That’s why you have an EIA done. They are the experts in the field. Not the NRA.
Too many damn unqualified experts in this island.
Until we take the special interest money out of political campaign finance nothing will change
while he recognised “the environmental stuff and all that”
Wow the intelligence of these people is outstanding.
Cayman had a PRISTINE environment up until the late 80’s. Then everyone who came here wanted to stay. THATS the problem.
Everyone who moved here contributed greatly to the environmental degradation of the islands. Not organic growth of the population, but an influx of people.
You are guilty of “moving baseline syndrome” with regard to what is pristine. Was it pristine after all the mahogany was logged in the 18th Century, or pristine after all the turtles were fished out in 19th C?
Your are correct that rampant population growth is a huge problem but the real problem is the lack of appropriate legislation which dates back much farther than the 1980s.
You all cried when immigration laws were introduced to stem the waves. Our foolish politicians buckled. Now it is what it is. Build the road!!
Europe and other industrialized countries have ruined the environment of the planet. It’s about MITIGATION now. That road is needed.
I don’t believe that.
8:02 you are 100% correct!
Mac running the show behind the scenes, long live the Mac!
I thought we caymanians were supposed to be savy and resourceful. Climate crisis is picking up pace and instead of our leaders doubling down on sustainable renewable energy, efficient public transportation and vertical farms, they want to build floating docks and mash up wetlands to make space for more people. We can barely manage what we have now.
If going energy independent was a priority, we could power and desalinate more water for vertical hydroponic farms reducing demand for land and increasing food supply. We could power an electrified public transport system reducing traffic and demand for new roads.
People complaining about the price of land going up, knowing damn well we have no idea what the sea levels are going to look like in two decade. Gambling on future beachfront and sandbars.
Caymanians need to get over our cultural need to have land if we want to continue to live here. Those days are gone. Time to start building up or cap the population. Can’t have our cake and eat it too.
“I thought we caymanians were supposed to be savy and resourceful.” Well, there is the crucial point… Caymanians are NOT Savvy and resourceful. They continually elect criminals, women-beaters, corrupt, unethical officials. You got what you elected. Oh happy day! Yes, looking in the mirror must be a sobering event.
I hereby award the “Comment of the year” award to Anonymous 6:11 pm. And I’m throwing in a big, “You got that right” just for kicks!The truth always comes out……… It’s just that it takes time to surface. Thanks, Anon 6.11 pm!
Methinks we are way past the limits of what the stupid meter is calibrated for at this stage.
In terms of renewable energy , there is clearly no real vision and even less policymaking decisions that are enacted upon. If sustainability were at some point on the map there would have been commitments taken and acted upon a decade ago.
Energy independence in Cayman was never in the cards to begin with as soon as CUC was designated as the sole distributor for the island’s energy needs. It would take MAJOR shifts in consumption and vision to get anywhere close to the goals set for 70 percent of renewable energy to be produced by renewables.
https://www.energy.gov.ky
At 12.3t CO.e per capita we are in a similar situation as of South Korea which sports 50 Millions souls , that shall give anyone some sense about how deep the rabbit hole is at this stage.
You are proposing of building up which isn’t IMHO the best way forward unless you set extremely stringent quality and efficiency levels as to new buildings which the builders on island cannot even fathom to figure out at the time of writing (if it were the case the energy consumption and your electricity bill would be much lower) especially with the high technical costs of building up on island , so your remaining solution would be to effectively cap population.
While you are entirely free as to your opinions , I suggest you read up about Neo-Malthusianism and its underpinnings.
https://www.euronews.com/green/2021/03/21/the-dangers-of-eco-fascism-and-why-it-s-a-veneer-for-racist-beliefs
https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/pdf/10.1177/1474474009340096
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ecofascism
All of the above shall be fairly enlightening as to those trains of thoughts , I leave it to you as to where they lead but I will let you know I certainly in no way condone those approaches to the problem of climate change, sustainability and environmentalism.
Building up is not the solution. It requires major infrastructure as it comes with many hazzard’s and other concerns such heat index and consumption, overcapacity and crowding, the lack of green space when not staggered in height or area, the shadowing effect, the bird collision effect, the mental health effect- tall it is not ‘island living’.
We should be de-centralizing and building affordable well thought out citizen versions of Camana Bay in the eastern districts and west bay, not opening up for luxury condo’s and hotels. Government should lead the charge on this.
The traffic excuse and getting people to work on time is never going to be resolved as the islands continue to develop. Leave the mangroves alone and stop looking at the trees and plan on building a healthy forrest.
Cayman is totally screwed.
Everything PACT seem to say or propose is the opposite of what everyone else is thinking.
Yes, Cayman is screwed. Let’s all pack up and go…..somewhere. Who’s with me??!!
Please.
You mean PACT up and go LOL
3:19, It’s not what everyone else is thinking though… its a select few of Caymans merchants, developers and the 1% calling the shots.
A Shadow Govt.
Lodge?
Kenny just checking his insta in that photo?!
Scary he’s allowed to be part of big decisions.
These politicians and the rich vultures who encourage them are becoming a clear and present danger to the happiness and welfare of my islands, of my children and grandchildren. I strongly advise the government of the day to step back and slow down the development. It is going to become hazardous to your health if people with specific skill sets decide the threat you pose to their loved ones requires swift and decisive action.
Now we know who not to vote for again, those that can easily be bought.-Caymanian
Like last time.
Sorry, they are not ‘becoming a clear and present danger.’ They have been that for many election cycles. Are you REALLY just figuring that out? Then you are part of the problem, sheer ignorance of what is occuring in your country.
Its very noticeable when Kenny opens his mouth stupid comes out. And many comments on CNS after each statement he makes proves how people really think of him. He embarrasses Cayman. Panton sure made it obvious he wants people under him that he has complete control over.
I beg to differ! Is Wayne Panton in agreement with what Chris and Kenneth had to say about supporting the road? I was of the understanding that Wayne was against it, at least he was during the campaign season. To me it apppears that the split in the Pack of wolves in sheep clothing is getting bigger??
If Wayne was against this he would have said so already since returning from his travels. Or he could have ensured that his Caucus had agreed to a policy regarding the road.
But I suspect that either his Caucus took advantage of his absence and made a Cabinet decision on this while Chris was acting Premier. Or Wayne understands that his constituents are mostly for the road and therefore actually secretly supports it.
Or maybe both. We shall see.
Wayne doesn’t need to return and he won’t if everyone keeps whining. Wayne is a professional, the others are dupes.
Wayne cannot oppose the road, he promised Newlands it would get done!! memories are so short SMH