Land Habitat
140 acres of mangrove at risk on CPA agenda
(CNS): Just four applications to be heard by the Central Planning Authority during a single meeting pose a threat to over 140 acres of mangroves, as development continues to take precedence over the environment. Despite being a protected species that mitigate the impact of climate change, the loss of mangrove forest continues in Cayman apace.
‘Charles’ the blue iguana released into the wild
(CNS): The National Trust for the Cayman Islands (NTCI) and Blue Iguana Conservation (BIC) have released a blue iguana named Charles into the Colliers Wilderness Reserve in East End. The endangered blue was set free just before the third annual International Blue Iguana Day when over 50 countries celebrate Grand Cayman’s endemic iguana.
Expert secures UK cash to conserve ghost orchid
(CNS): The critically endangered endemic ghost orchid has been given a fighting chance against extinction after local conservationist Christine Rose-Smyth, the former chair of the National Conservation Council, secured funding from the UK. A Darwin Plus Local grant will be used to develop an ex situ propagation programme for the ethereal and elusive orchid that […]
Student activists say road risks their future
(CNS): The youth-led environmental organisation Protect Our Future is urging government leaders to complete the environmental impact assessment on the East-West Arterial extension before moving forward. Cayman’s youngest environmental activists pointed out that this type of assessment ahead of development in sensitive areas is critical, and it will be their generation that reaps the consequences […]
NT warns of ‘catastrophic’ risks of EWA without EIA
(CNS): Calling on the government to continue with the environmental impact assessment for the whole of the East-West Arterial Road extension, the National Trust for the Cayman Islands has joined a number of non-profits warning of “catastrophic flooding of communities south of the road, the slow drying out of the mangroves to the north of […]
Final ToR guiding road EIA includes public views
(CNS): The final terms of reference (ToR) forming the basis for the increasingly controversial environmental impact assessment for the East-West Arterial extension have been published, and many of the public comments and questions submitted during the consultation process have been included. Some have also been taken on board as part of the final terms, including […]
Activists call on CIG not to stop road EIA
(CNS): A consortium of local environmental activists issued a statement Monday urging the Cayman Islands Government to follow the lawful and scientific process before starting work on the East-West Arterial extension. The six non-profit organisations raised numerous concerns about proposals by PACT to stop the environmental impact assessment (EIA) for part of the road.
Non-profit stops efforts to control feral cats
(CNS): The Department of Environment’s feral cat control project has been stalled again by local animal rights charity Feline Friends as the Grand Court has granted a stay on the rollout of the National Conservation (Alien Species) Regulations. The non-profit organisation has run both a feeding and a trap-neuter-release programme on Grand Cayman for feral […]
100+ acres of natural habitat already at risk this year
(CNS): Since the start of this year, the Central Planning Authority has heard applications for development projects and sub-divisions that threaten well over one hundred acres of primary natural habitat, including mangroves. Despite mounting public support for conservation and significant concerns that development is destroying the environment, in less than two months the CPA has […]
Minister confirms EWA will pave way for development
(CNS): Planning Minister Jay Ebanks, who is responsible for roads, has said that new development along the controversial East-West Arterial Road expansion is inevitable and the government will need to rezone the adjacent parcels so it can control the type of development that happens there. While claiming that the road project will only impact 1% […]
High cost of EWA could make project prohibitive
(CNS): It is now about eight years since the government estimated that extending the East-West Arterial Road from Hurst Road all the way to Frank Sound, based only on materials and labour, would cost as much as $70 million, according to information released by the government under the Freedom of Information Law and shared with […]
