Minister drives BT dump on
(CNS): Cardno ENTRIX has been appointed to work with the Environmental Advisory Board to finalise the draft terms of reference ahead of an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) that will be carried out on land in Bodden Town where government is proposing to partner with the Dart group to create a new landfill. In a statement from his ministry, Mark Scotland, who represents the district and is also the minister for the environment, spoke of a comprehensive Waste Management Facility (WMF) incorporating multiple modes of processing waste, including landfilling proper implementation of a ‘reduce, reuse, recycle’ policy” as well as a future waste-to-energy (WTE) facility, and indicating government’s intention to press ahead with the project.
However, despite the minister’s claims about a modern facility, there was no indication that the additional elements of the landfill would be undertaken by Dart. So far, the islands’ largest developer has stated that it will only be responsible for the first phase of the controversial project, which is a lined landfill. All other components will be left up to government.
The entire project has stirred up considerable opposition in Scotland’s district, where campaigners are working hard to call attention to the mounting concerns surrounding the proposal. The most recent issue for the Coalition To Keep Bodden Town Dump Free is the limits on the EIA, which is being confined to examine the proposed Dart site and ignore any alternative locations or explore what would be the most cost effective and environmentally sound solution to the country’s growing waste management project.
As Scotland released his statement Thursday, the coalition also circulated an open letter it had sent to the UK’s overseas minister asking him, in light of his comments and action over the government’s cruise port proposals, to also put a stop to the ForCayman Alliance. (See related CNS story here)
Despite the opposition to the plan in the district, as well as the questions surrounding the proposal’s legality given Thursday’s amendment to the public finance law and what some have described as political suicide, not just for the minister but his backbench and constituency UDP colleague Dwayne Seymour, the government is pressing ahead with the plan and is now pushing towards establishing terms of reference for an EIA.
Scotland said that Cardno ENTRIX was selected from a short-list of three consultants approved by the EAB.
“The challenge of effectively dealing with solid waste management has plagued successive governments over the past 20 years,” said Scotland. “This government is committed to finding a practical, responsible and affordable solution to address the country’s solid waste problems. We support creating a properly designed, engineered and managed waste management facility because it allows us the opportunity to modernize our approach to handling waste, which will include recycling and waste-to-energy.“
Speaking about a shift towards reducing and reusing to reduce the per capita waste, he said the country had an opportunity to make the necessary policy and operational changes.
“We are considering the proposal for WMF in the area east of Midland Acres from the Dart Group as part of the For Cayman Investment Alliance,” Scotland stated. “It is the responsibility of government to make sure that this proposal, which includes the closure of the George Town Landfill, and has the potential to be a win-win for the country, is evaluated properly by the appropriate technical review teams and subject matter experts.”
Scotland claimed that the proposed site was selected based on a survey but he did not indicated when it was undertaken or by whom. He said other studies undertaken by government in the early 1990’s had also recommended the Eastern Districts as the general location for alternate landfill sites.
Dart’s proposal, the minister stated, includes an undertaking to provide an Environmental Impact Assessment and, given the nature of the project and the size of the land area, Dart was required to undertake the EIA in advance of the planning application, so the findings can inform the final project design.
“We are committed to ensuring that there is an EIA conducted and the findings of the EIA will inform government’s decision-making process as well as the Central Planning Authority’s permitting process,” Scotland added.
“Government will ensure that we apply the appropriate standards and best practices in the carrying out of our primary role as the regulator with the capability and capacity for effective oversight, management and monitoring of the current GTLF and the new WMF. We are of the view that the WMF presents multiple opportunities for outsourcing various aspects of the WMF operations, for example, recycling and WTE,” the minister stated about the controversial project.
He said that the Draft TOR will be open to public review and feedback prior to being finalized and the start of the EIA. The ministry will begin the public consultation the week of 18 November with public meetings in both Bodden Town and George Town.
The Draft TORs are available at www.forcayman.com or www.doe.ky and hard copies are available at the Government Administration Building on Elgin Avenue, George Town; at the Bodden Town Public Library and Post Office; and at the George Town Public Library. Consultation will also include meetings with various stakeholder groups.
Vote in CNS Poll: How should government deal with GT dump
Category: Politics
I will NOT be woting for either one of you, Mark and Johnny-boy.
Of all the things you bring to our district – everybody's garbage?????
You'll have LOTS of time to think about how the two of you will get a job at the garnage site
after May 2013
Keep your arms (roadways) open and your legs (dumpsite) closed West Bay and BT!!..
Mark 6 months to go and so will u bobo lol
Mark are you moving to DartLand and Seeking a job with Dart? How could you support this without even talking to us! you are not a true representative to the District of BT? you should fight your hardest to keep the dump where it is and develop you’re new WMF there. It won’t cost your $100,000 million. Do some research there are other solutions but you refuse to listen. Believe this, we will never forget this lack of respect to all the people in BT.
What a brave little man!
Just wondering if all the garbage in the George Town Landfill will be dug up and transported to the Bodden Town site if all this goes through.My guess is this is likely the plan ;after all this new site is scheduled to have recycling and waste to energy facilities.
The answer is "no". Listen and read what has been said….better yet, come to the public meetings in Bodden Town and George Town this week. There will be NO garbage from the GT dump taken to Bodden Town.
Um, the new site is supposed to have future recycling and waste to energy potential, but apparently in reality all we are being promised by Mr Dart is a lined dump, pretty much the same as GT. All the talk of this new facility being scheduled to have such facilities is pure smoke and mirrors to fool the public into thinking they are getting a better deal. As I understand it, no such plans exist at present, and if Mr Dart's not paying for it, that leaves the government to pay for recycling and waste toenergy – as we are in such a dire situation financially, can you truly believe that our government is likely to do this? Mac would rather spend his money on his globe-trotting and his churches.
Bodden Towners need to start thinking, "What can I do to ensure the residents of Midland Acres and the people around that area, are protected against environmental poisons and pollutions? What should I do to protect my family and self against any pollutant or environmental factor that could effect me and my livelihood?" I think Bodden Towners need to begin brainstorming before this waste management facility actually crystalize. I don't mean to come across pessimistic, but although an EIA is underway, it does not eliminate the probability of pollutants around the surrounding area, seeing we are dealing with a waste management facility and not just any facility or project.
Unison I am thoughtful about your comments that Bodden Towners need to start thinking about theresidents of Midland Acres, that they are protected against environmental poisons.
The question I would like to ask is this "Has the people in George Town living in the dump area been affected by any environmental poisons from the dump that has been there for decades?
Next question: What are your suggestions that are valuable?. The people are tired of hearing I oppose this and I oppose that, when no one has laid a remedy on the table for anything, just opposing opposing to every thing under the sun.
.
My question is, did those people of GT and WB, and Mr Dart know about this "dump that has been there for decades" before they moved there or built their properties there? If so, why did they still move there/build there in the first place, knowing of the dump's existence? And now they coming with the NIMBY attitude and want it moved. Makes no sense at all.
Fix the GD DUMP and keep it right where it is now. Keep it out of BT there is already a dump in GT just fix it and keept it where it is. No sense in destroying another area for greed.
A UDP supporter is happy to have the dump in her area. It wont be any problem to her. If only some of our people had an understading what damages and problems can result from this project being placed in the area. There are quarries located onthe east and west of the site. Lakes of water around the area and Midland Acres located in between the lakes. That area is all wetlands, and will cause more environmental damage and health hazzard than government will be able to deal with.
The BT politicians should know better than continue their drive to put the dump in BT, but one has to wonder if they even know the BT district that well. Common sense is like an nail driven into hardwood, do they have that.
They know the district, they just don't care. I can't help but suspect ulterior motives. BT ministers are likely profiting from this, so just like everything else with this government, environmental, procedural and political correctness gets thrown out the window in favour of personal gain – regardless of what the people want, or what is morally and ethically right. A very sad situation indeed.
Count your days Mark…Mothballs cometh!!
Mark Scotland is not half as smart as Mad Mack. Whah ah Mess!
Poor fella is betweena rock and a very, very hard place. OUCH!
"Count your days Mark?" I do not know who you have been talking to, because Bodden Town is putting Mark Scotland back in. I hope you do not think we are going to trade him for that bunch of wannabees running. No we will not.
Not with my vote, I’ll tell you that. I’d rather put another idiot in there that does nothing than someone who destroys everything. I thought this man had morals, but I guess I and many others were wrong.
LOL!!!
You mussi joking or smokin.
You DO NOT speak for the majority of BT when you say this. Most of us are very disappointed in him and have no intention of voting him back in. You are a lone voice my friend.
It is only in West Bay that one person speaks for the whole community.
FLY on the Heap!
Suggest we deliver our trash (without garbage bags) to the doorsteps of the MLA's supporting the dump move! Let them get a feel (or at least a whiff) of what their actions will lead to!!
All I can say is THANK GOODNESS I didnt buy one of the house being contructed off the BT bypass road in Silver Hill development. I had a feeling this whole move the dump business would be going ahead. Whew! Good job Mr. Scotland. Who do you represent anyhow? Certainly none of your BT constituents who voted you in. Thats alright bobo, XXXX. See you at the next election…..NOT!!!!!!!!!!
A Waste to energy plant that makes money is now available from Airburners inc A florida company The plant is calles the pgfirebox it incinerates garbage like foodwaste paper wood http://airburners.com/index.html and makes electricity.
The US govt uses this technology all over the world to handle waste. Cayman uses this piece of equipment now but on a tiny scale for our medical waste and for destroying drugs
The point isthe incinerator now has a generator available to offset the cost of operation and with recycling, our island will not need a landfill. The machine costs less than 500k each. I believe 3-5 machines will take care of all of our garbage.
Anyone involved in waste on our island should go to the above website and study it so that smart decisions may be made as to our future waste solutions.
Go Take a look at the relationship between these political figures and the man that sold the land to dart. Dart is a guy who invests in prime real estate, not marsh lands in the back of Midland Acres. This was done to help someone out! When this all comes to light some will be eating mud.
Bobo, your insinuation is just like Mac's insinuation against Arden. You have no idea what you are talking about and if you think there was something underhand that went on, I challenge you to show it. Sounds like someone is judging others by their value system.
People start littering in Midland Acres wetlands already. See fresh construction material in bushes and garbage bags off the backroads. I wonder if the Police doing patrols around the area. It would be nice if Scotland can make a statement about these opportunist dumping in Midland Acres.
9;23
Whats Scottland go to do with these nasty people. They chose to live like animals.it is trhe same people in that neighbourhood dumping their garbage on these empty lots. Stop blaming the politicians for other people's nasty way of life.
Fire them all, Cayman.
You voted them in, you had your chance before they got in…..
So you think you know something about who I voted for?
The Waste Management Facility will need and infinite supply of marl because part of the process is to cover over any new transh put in the landfill with marl each day. This marl will have to be purchased in large amounts, anyone know who currently supplies Dart with marl? I know of one company that is alleged to be owned by a politician that currently supplies marl for the West Bay road!!
Use the marl those millions the PPM wasted for the schools in Georgetown and westbay.It only helped the PPM cronies pockets what a waste of public funds by the PPM.
The UDP has already sold any excess marl 🙂 Guess who to?
The UDP are the kings of wasting public funds. At least we have a new school, a new VL building, a new Govt Admin Bldg, a new road to Savannah. What do we have from the UDP?
Wasteful spending on lawsuits, money paid to people to NOT build something, first class flights and hotels to everywhere in the world for them and their cronies, no new finger piers, more lawsuits, holes in the ground that might be lined whilst we pay to create a new waste management facility and give the current one to Dart, one road to West Bay instead of the 2 we should have, nation building slush fund for cronies, more travel, paving private parking lots in Cayman Brac so the equipment isn't here to use on Grand Cayman………………
NOTHING.
The UDP is WAY beyond any statements of desperation that their supporters can possibly come up with at this point. The UDP is LOST. Hopelessly and completely and permanently lost. Give it up my friend.
6;37
So you are alluding to the fact that the previous site is mostly marl. I have been saying this from the start…there are nothing worth recycling unless its top soil.
Are you then suggesting that the Boddens that supplied the GT quarry with marl from the seventies up untill the day they stop using marl…was because, they were political connected.
Of all the projects that the UDP have announced this is the only one that has been handled properly! Congratulations to Minister Scotland for having the resolve and foresight to fix a long term problem
If the Minister habndles this in the same manner he and Jon
Jon handled the Heritage day (evening) activities in BT we have a lot to be worried about. Why in the world would two members of the Government setup a free bar on a beach and have a bartender there giving away free alcoholic drinks to people with no checking of ID's ? I myself saw underaged kids walking away with drinks and the Ganja smoke was definately coming from the direction of their "bar", is this what Bodden Town Heritage day has been reduced to? Therewere no food stalls, no large crowd of people from all over the island, no tourists, no entertainment except for a less than 10 minute firework display. Thank God the Fish Fry place was open otherwise there would have been no food for anyone that evening. Absolutely pathetic, these two guys are a waste of space. I am also investigating how much money was budgeted and spent on the Pirates week float.
Whoa sounds crazy! Let me know how your investigation goes…
No, that is what BT has come to; like other districts, where FREE is the name of the game!!
They were kids smoking the fresh ganja behind Lorna's gas station. I wanted some of it, but they were just selfish bastards! I am reporting dem to the police!
No those persons were smoking behind the Grape Tree Restrurant on the Beach behind Lernas Gas station.. Every one saw that.
If this report is absolutely accurate, where were the RCIPS. As I recall, it is illegal under the Liquor Licensing Law, to “dispense ” alcoholic beverages without a license – not “sell” – “” dispense ” , which by any interpretation would include giving away alcoholic drinks. Why has Scotland not been warned for possible prosecution.
20:21, that is the reason this country has gone to hell because of people like you. FOR YOUR INFORMATION. A valid Liquor licence was issued for the event. but for ignorance why you perish.
Stop the blame game and go and find something worhtwhile to do.
Well you clearly has run dry. First of all you are just throwing political stunts, and my friend we are not either buying or catching it.
You speak about Mark and JJ giving away liquor at the Bodden Town evening event. Yes they did, but you are lying to say that under age persons were being giving liquor. How untruth of you. Also you are lying about the scent of ganja comming from the direction of the bar. You are a cruel man to make such comments.
On all Tuesday nights the gas station liquor store closes at 9.pm, but on this Tuesday night it was open till late. How selfish and greedy of your friend.
The fry fish restrurant never opens on a Tuesday night my un-informed friend. So how greedy and selfish would someone be to open and not give the residents a chance to sell something.. Other persons wanted to sell food that night, but owing to the fact that FRY FISH & FRITTERS HOGGED UP the event, no one attempted to sell.
Your comments are all political waste basket, and it is sickening to know you people would go so far to try and make untruthful comments to destroy the Bodden Town event.
I have to confess, this year's heritage day and night at BT was the worst in all the time I can remember. And in all honesty there was a few underage drinkers although I can't attest as to where they bought their liquor, and indeed there was weed smoking in the area, although I couldn't say who or where it was coming from.
Just bein honest.
BT er you are just an example of many more like you in the district of Bodden Town where I live.. Displaying a negative attitude against your own district. I am not from that district but I happen to been to both events. The Day and the night. Honestly speaking the Bodden Town Day was the best I had seen through all the districts. There was more culture to see and coming in contact with the people, — they were friendlier. I am not even a Caymanian born but I have Status, and lived here for 20 years. I know what go on in Bodden Town.
I also happened to attend the night event and I spent most of the night hanging around the little bar set up talking with friends. I never saw one minor go to that Bar. So I am very surprised at your comments.
I wanted food to eat, but I listened in on some conversations with residents of that district saying that the GRAP TREE restrurant had chosen to open their doors on that night so it did not make sence to try and set up a stall. I prefered to go home and cook than pay 13.00 dollars for a little fish that is not even local and a few flour cakes. I am not surprised this was done.
I was excited about the free give away of liquor, but again after listening to the residents. They commented that it would not profit any of them to sell the beers when next door at the gas station they were being sold for a dollar.
Smoking of weed; yes I saw that too, but it was being done by youngsters in the back of the Grap Tree Cafe.
So BTer you are not being honest person.
Pure rubbish! Let’s see who really benefits from this deal. Who’s doing all the site fill there now. Any connection?
all garbage
Good for you Minister Scotland…..for the political courage to stick with this in the national interest. Never mind the nay-sayers…..the so called "coalition" that purports to represent the "vast majority" in Cayman.
The destructive coalition! I will bet you they all have a life time job!
When the dust has finally settled, this will be one of only two positive achievements made by this administration
Their ONLY positive achievement will be when they lose the May 2013 elections.
To me from the UK it is most odd that elected representatives are ignoring the protests of their constituents and instead of helping to organise petitions etc. against the dump being moved to Bodden Town seen hell bent on helping a developer achieve what he wants for his own selfish means.
Yes, it must seem very peculiar to those from abroad, but here in Cayman it's pretty standard practice for many, but not all, so-called "representatives" to hold those they have been elected to represent in utter contempt and ignore their views, as is happening in Bodden Town. The other glaring example is the issue of the closure of a section of the West Bay Road, of course. That the two Bodden Town representatives are effectively commiting political suicide must give one pause for thought as well. The Cayman Islands truly is a most unusual place as far as representation goes.
maybe they are committing political suicide because they are committed to standing for something ….
Well, one can stand for many things, the slight difficulty here is that they were elected to represent the wishes of the constituents of Bodden Town, and unless one is intent on remaining in complete denial it is difficult to conclude that the people of Bodden Town wish for a dump to be constructed in their district. So there exists a problem, certainly.
In the real world you can't call yourself a "representative" if you are steadfastly failing to "represent", in this instance the wishes of the people of Bodden Town. I'm sorry, but that's just how things are. So, yes, they are commiting political suicide by their present course of action. But then, there is still time to face up to reality and actually start representing, which is what they were elected to do, surely.
Truth be told, we have an identical situation in West Bay. as regards the closure of a section of the West Bay Road in which, again, we have representatives refusing to represent.
That being a dump in their district? How peculiar!
Let's all turn up at the demonstration tomorrow!
I want a representative who has the fortitude to follow his convictions – close the George Town Dump, which means develop a new Waste Management Facility – not one who just has an idea and immediately changes it because people tell him to. This is the difference between a leader and a politician. A politician is only after the next vote, a leader does what he truly believes is right. Minister Scotland may not be re-elected. If he is not he will at least know that he stood for something, followed his convictions and tried to do the right thing for future generations of Caymanians.
You mean following Mac's convictions. He only has to look at Roy & Gilbert's fate for following Mac last time to see what their fate is going to be for doing likewise. Out the door come May 2013!
Seems the Minister needs a Waste Treatment Facility (WTF.)
I'm surprised that he isn't proposing to line Dart's holes with asphalt, provided by ARCP of course.