Tag: National Conservation Law

National Trust alarmed by proposed NCA changes

National Trust alarmed by proposed NCA changes

| 13/01/2025 | 22 Comments

(CNS): The National Trust for the Cayman Islands has raised the alarm about the UPM minority government’s attempts to gut the National Conservation Act. The local non-profit organisation, which is required by law to provide advice, information and assistance to the government on matters that affect the natural and built heritage of the Cayman Islands, […]

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Scientists not consulted over conservation law changes

Scientists not consulted over conservation law changes

| 09/01/2025 | 56 Comments

(CNS): The minority UPM government did not consult scientists or technical experts at the Department of Environment when it drafted the controversial amendments to the National Conservation Act. Since publishing the amendment bill, there has been no comment from the sustainability minister, senior ministry officials or the premier on the proposed changes, the justification for […]

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Panton warns of political risk posed by NCA changes

Panton warns of political risk posed by NCA changes

| 08/01/2025 | 42 Comments

(CNS): Former premier and sustainability minister Wayne Panton has raised significant concerns about the minority UPM government’s attempts to gut the National Conservation Act, specifically the damage the proposed changes could cause to the environment as well as the political and governance risks they present. Panton said the draft bill not only undermines the intent […]

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Changes to law would pave way for unchecked development

Changes to law would pave way for unchecked development

| 07/01/2025 | 24 Comments

(CNS): One of the most fundamental changes the UPM government is proposing to make to the National Conservation Act would, if the amendment bill passes, almost eliminate the main purpose of the law. One of the clauses removes the National Conservation Council’s ability to curtail even the most egregious development if, for example, the Central […]

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Conservationists warn of draft bill’s devastating impacts

Conservationists warn of draft bill’s devastating impacts

| 03/01/2025 | 31 Comments

(CNS): The draft national conservation amendment bill, published by the lame-duck UPM government on New Year’s Eve, would, if passed fundamentally alter critical environmental protections that safeguard Cayman’s natural resources and biodiversity with devastating consequences, local conservationists have warned. Sustainable Cayman the leading local advocacy group in the battle to protect the environment said the […]

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PPM won’t help UPM with controversial changes to NCA

PPM won’t help UPM with controversial changes to NCA

| 02/01/2025 | 51 Comments

(CNS): A spokesperson for the PPM has told CNS the party is standing by their position that the current minority government, which they see as merely a caretaker administration, should not be bringing any contentious pieces of legislation to parliament ahead of the election. While the Progressives support both the idea of a cruise port […]

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UPM posts draft bill to gut conservation act

UPM posts draft bill to gut conservation act

| 31/12/2024 | 121 Comments

(CNS): In a shocking, but not surprising move the minority UPM administration posted a draft amendment bill minutes before noon on New Years Eve that would, if passed, make dramatic changes to one of the country’s most important pieces of legislation when it comes to the future of the Cayman Islands and the type of […]

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CPA spent almost $1M in losing battle with NCC

CPA spent almost $1M in losing battle with NCC

| 23/12/2024 | 51 Comments

(CNS): A partial release in response to a freedom of information request relating to the Cayman Islands Government’s battle, through the Central Planning Authority, with its own conservation law and the National Conservation Council revealed that it has cost the public purse close to CI$1 million. The request for information didn’t result in a full […]

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Mailer: It’s ‘blindingly obvious’ NCA not stalling development

Mailer: It’s ‘blindingly obvious’ NCA not stalling development

| 05/12/2024 | 41 Comments

(CNS): Stuart Mailer, the chair of the National Conservation Council, hit back on Wednesday at the false narrative being peddled by developers and politicians that the National Conservation Act was slowing down economic development. As he opened the NCC general meeting, he said the rate and scale of physical development taking place in the country […]

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MPs urged not to vote down public consultation on bills

MPs urged not to vote down public consultation on bills

| 29/11/2024 | 29 Comments

(CNS): Campaigners objecting to the undefined referendum on cruise berthing facilities have written an open letter to all 19 MPs urging them not to support any attempt by the government to bring a proposed bill for the national poll or to amend the conservation act without the constitutionally required 28 day public consultation. “These two […]

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Ex DP calls for full consultation on controversial bills

Ex DP calls for full consultation on controversial bills

| 28/11/2024 | 33 Comments

(CNS): The former deputy premier, AndrĂ© Ebanks MP (WBS) is calling on government to make sure that the public are given the full 28 day consultation period on two specific and controversial bills that the UPM has indicated they want to bring to parliament before it is prorogued. Ebanks has said introducing the proposed referendum […]

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