Tag: National Conservation Law
Court stays NCC decisions until full hearing
(CNS): The minority UPM government’s controversial attempt to politicise the National Conservation Council and upend its legal apolitical remit, which is to make evidence and science-based decisions to protect Cayman’s environment, was stalled by the court on Tuesday. Justice Marlene Carter has ordered that the new NCC must not make any decisions until the court […]
Court considers stay on removal of NCC scientists
(CNS): A grand court judge is expected to make a decision tomorrow on whether or not the technical experts and scientists on the National Conservation Council who were fired by Cabinet will be able to keep their positions until a legal argument over the legality of that mass sacking is resolved. Stuart Mailer and Patricia […]
DoE promotes need for science in managing environment
(CNS): The three Cayman Islands have the largest remaining active Nassau grouper spawning aggregation site in the region. They also have an increasing nesting population of wild sea turtles and have brought the iconic blue iguana back from the brink of extinction. All of this and more has been achieved because of science-based decisions.
UPM sacks six NCC members, including experts
(CNS): The UPM has fired all of the appointed experts from the National Conservation Council in what appears to be a shocking act of revenge against the NCC members, who advocated against the government’s attempts to gut the National Conservation Act and successfully challenged errors by the Central Planning Authority in court several times.
Ruling shows NCC needs power to challenge poor decisions
CNS): The Grand Court has again demonstrated why the National Conservation Council needs to retain its ability to challenge unlawful decisions made by government entities in relation to the National Conservation Act in the courts. On Wednesday, the court delivered its ruling in the judicial review brought by the NCC against a decision by the […]
Over 500 people responded to NCA consultation
(CNS): The Ministry of Sustainability received 511 letters from members of the public containing feedback on proposals to amend the National Conservation Act, according to officials. Almost all of them opposed the UPM’s attempt to gut the law. The controversial legislation was withdrawn by the government on Friday, a move that has been welcomed by […]
Activists urge PPM not to allow UPM’s contested bills
(CNS): As Cayman waits to find out if parliament will meet on Friday, local activist group Sustainable Cayman is urging the PPM to stick to their previously stated position and not allow the two controversial bills that the minority government wants to push through the House to pass or even to be debated. At a […]
NCC scientist asks where balance is in NCA changes
(CNS): The balance between development and the need to protect the environment will be impossible to achieve if the proposed amendments to the National Conservation Act pass, according to a member of the National Conservation Council appointed for her scientific expertise. Lisa-Ann Hurlston-McKenzie, a sustainability and climate professional, has asked where that balance will come […]
CCMI alarmed by UPM attack on conservation
(CNS): The Central Caribbean Marine Institute, a non-profit conservation and research facility on Little Cayman, has said the proposed changes to the National Conservation Act could have “catastrophic and destructive implications for the environment”. CCMI said in a release that the amendment bill paves the way for Cabinet “to make irresponsible decisions regarding environmental health […]
NCC fights efforts to gut conservation law
(CNS): There are no cogent, compelling or factual justifications for the government to change the National Conservation Act, according to National Conservation Council Chair Stuart Mailer. Members of the NCC were not consulted or told about the draft amendment bill published by the minority UPM government on New Year’s Eve.
Minister claims to be ‘inclusive’ over changes to NCA
(CNS): More than two weeks after the Ministry of Sustainability and Climate Resiliency gazetted the National Conservation Amendment Bill and began a public consultation, which will close in less than two weeks, Dwayne Seymour, the minister responsible, has claimed that the process represents “inclusive and transparent governance”.
