Tag: Department of Environment
Invasive, poisonous tree found in Newlands
(CNS): A cluster of Brazilian peppertrees (Schinus terebinthifolia), a poisonous and highly invasive South American plant, has been found in Newlands. Also known as the Brazilian pepper, aroeira, rose pepper, Christmas berry or Florida holly, it is a member of the poison oak and ivy family that found its way to the Cayman Islands in […]
Barkers resort proposal will erode beach, DoE warns
(CNS): A controversial planning application for a five-storey boutique hotel on the edge of Barkers National Park will erode the beach there, the Department of Environment has warned. The proposed resort involves the removal of the beach ridge, which the DoE has said is a major concern because excavating the sand will leave the beach […]
Quarry posing threat to wildlife pond will need EIA
(CNS): The National Conservation Council has confirmed that an environmental impact assessment will be required for a quarry application made by Krock Limited because it poses a threat to the protected area of Meagre Bay Pond in Bodden Town. Department of Environment (DoE) Director Gina Ebanks-Petrie said that a much better understanding of the terrestrial […]
Scarce primary habitat to be cleared for EE subdivision
(CNS): More than six acres of primary habitat in East End is now set to be bulldozed as the Central Planning Authority granted planning permission last month for a 22-lot subdivision for homes and apartments west of John McLean Drive. The Department of Environment has questioned the need for the residential subdivision in the absence […]
Turtle nests in Cayman reach decade high
(CNS): The Department of Environment recorded more turtle nests in 2022 than any single year over the last decade. A total of 858 nest were counted, 169 more than the previous high in 2017, when there were 689 nests. The increase resulted from a steep rise in the number of green turtle nests, which topped […]
Dart advised to ‘retreat’ as it cleans up Royal Palms
(CNS): There was great consternation within the community last week after people saw boulders dropped into the ocean at the Royal Palms site, as well as the appearance of screens and heavy equipment on the beach. But although Dart, which owns the site, had failed to make any public announcement of the intended clean-up operation […]
Critically endangered plant protection approved
(CNS): Cabinet has approved a species protection plan for the critically endangered Aegiphila caymanensis, an endemic plant that is unique to Grand Cayman, now only found in three known locations across the island with just fourteen confirmed surviving specimens. Also known as the spirit vine, it is a woody, clambering shrub with soft, downy leaves […]
$2M EIA contract awarded to US engineers
(CNS): A US engineering company, Whitman, Requardt & Associates LLP based in Maryland, has won the contract to conduct the environmental impact assessment for the controversial part of the East-West Arterial Extension from Woodland Drive in Bodden Town, through the critical Central Mangrove Wetlands, to Frank Sound in North Side.
Conch season ahead but restrictions remain
(CNS): The local conch season opens next Tuesday but officials from the Department of Environment are reminding people that restrictions remain in place limiting the catch and where conch can be taken. Marine Park rules and boundaries remain in full effect at all times and no conch may be taken from within the Marine Reserve […]
Over-water resort kicked back to DCB after appeal
(CNS): The Planning Appeals Tribunal has quashed a decision by the Cayman Brac and Little Cayman Development Control Board (DCB) to grant planning permission for the land element of a resort in Little Cayman following a successful appeal by objectors. The tribunal found the lack of details to support the decision meant it couldn’t be […]
Entangled nurse shark in need of help
(CNS): The Department of Environment is asking the diving and snorkelling community to look out for a nurse shark that became entangled in a thick mesh bag which found its way into the sea. The DoE team said they are already doing their best to locate and assist the shark but so far they have […]
