Road won’t move for trail
(CNS): Premier Alden McLaughlin has said that the preliminary gazetting of the route of the east-west arterial road cannot be redirected around the Mastic Trail, though there may be a possibility that it could go over it. Speaking at a press briefing on Monday to formally announce an MOU which was signed between government and the developers of the proposed Ironwood project, he said that the Mastic Trail and Reserve are too far south to divert the road around and as a result it will need to cut through or possible over the area, which is owned by the National Trust.
The announcement comes in the face of concerns from the Trust about the road and in the wake of comments from the environment minister, made a few weeks ago, that he would ensure the trail and reserve were protected from development. However, Wayne Panton was not at the press briefing in which McLaughlin offered his wholehearted support to the progression of the development.
The government alsomade it clear that landowners whose property will be compulsorily purchased may not necessarily receive much, if any, compensation because the road development will increase the value of their remaining land.
The full development and in particular the Arnold Palmer golf course is contingent upon the road development and David Moffit from Ironwood (formerly a principal in the company MC Restoration that encountered controversy here before over the clean-up of the island post Hurricane Ivan) said that while some of the 80,000 sq ft development would get underway this year, the golf course would not be developed until the road was started.
However, that could take some time, as the premier said that the government would be following the requirements of the FFR and it would be undertaking an environmental impact assessment regarding the road and the plans for this private sector partner to build it. Kurt Tibbetts, the planning minister, also said that regardless of government’s support for the project, the planning process would not be abridged and all would be above board.
The cost to build the road is estimated at $40 million. McLaughlin said the developers were not asking for any concessions and so they would get that money back through the duty they would have paid over the lifetime of the project.
Billed as a development that will roll out over the next twenty years, the premier lauded the proposed development and described it as an amazing opportunity for Cayman, though he said government was sensitive to the environmental issues, the impact such development wouldhave and the need to see projects properly planned.
McLaughlin said there was a “trade off” with any development but he said this would have a huge positive impact on the district of North Side and as well as an economic boost. It would increase the value of land in the area where it was owned largely by Caymanians. The premier also said that Cayman needed a second golf course to attract golfers to the island.
He said, however, that the MOU was non-binding and nothing was set in stone but the possibility of the development and the road deal had the support of the governor and the FCO.
Category: Science and Nature
C'mon, Alden…thinkkk! Wouldn't it be significantly less costly to build a pedestrian bridge taking the trail over the highway than to build a vehicular bridge over the trail? Seems like the best and most cost-effective solution to me
From the comments, one would think they were trying to pave the Mastic Trail itself. The piece that the road will cross is in the mangrove and is underwater when it rains. Is it really part of the historic trail? Or is it really just there to connect the south end of the trail to the dirt road leading to Frank Sound Rd? Meanwhile, it would be interesting to FOI the NRA about how they chose the exact route in that area.
It's not just a single file trail that is at stake. You hve no idea what the extent of the Mastic Reseve is, do you?
I agree, it would be interesting if anyone could say how the roadway was routed. And why.
I disagree regarding the implication that hsitoric trails did not go through swamp. I can't speak for the Mastic but here in WB we had a number of 'bridges' that were parts of trails that weren't very bridge-like in the wet season. Roll up your pants legs. if you were lucky.
Wouldn't be the case that the northern outlet option just happens to pass near or through some family acreage now, would it?? A Land Registry search of certain parcels just off the Frank Sound Road would yield some interesting results.
Build the road through the preserve in a way to showcase what is there. Minimize the cleared area, split the eastbound and westbound lanes and leave maximum vegetation, including large trees in the median and on all verges. Lower the speed limit through that portion to 30mph. Include areas to pull off the highway and build some new spur trails for short hikes. There is potential here for everyone to benefit. Make the Mastic Preserve accessible to a wider audience. Stop complaining and look for solutions. This road will be a huge benefit to the island in general as it will open access to prime lands that were previously inaccessible. That's what roads are for.
Thats kind of like the argument that a road through your property makes it better. When you already have access to your property. A nature trail does not, nay can not, in any way, benefit from a highway through it. And since its a highway speed is an issue. Routing it around the reserve but keeping the speed up would actualy serve that purpose better than an unnatural bottleneck to look at trees.
You sound as if you believe that the mastic trail is inaccessible and far down in the bush? Have you ever been there? It is easily accessible from frank sound road and north side road! Accessing it is easy enough now.
Good common sense 07;25
What a load of rubbish. The mastic trail was a road that was used by man and donkey/horse to reach ultimately GT. 98% of you complaining about the new road neither live in the eastern districts or own land in the area. You didn't walk the trail or maybe you did it once. It is not a place where people use for exercise. So what good is it for. We could still show people the one mile trail instead of the two mile trail. You are not paying for it. This trail could have a great wooden bridge that is made to look rustic that would maintain the wooden trail. Stop being so negative, we are changing there are only 200 banks in Cayman. Where the hell are you going to get the money from to keep Cayman going.
We could be like Little Cayman . How many tourist going there to see the 35,000 red footed booby birds? The bloody bay diving sites? The fishing? Surely the people in Cayman brac must be looking for jobs? Its only 5 miles away. Can anyone tell me where are the opportunities for a young person in the other two islands???? So is this what we bitching about to be?? Okay then lets cut the crap and be thankful that something moving forward.
There is a 4th option: Reroute the road south in one segement to avoid the Mastic Reserve.
I have seen a map and it would not be difficult at all and actually make the road straighter and possibly even slightly shorter.
And a 5th option – don't build the road!
There are so many other greater needs within our islands – the half built high school, other needs in the education system, the port, the dump, the prison – this road should not be a priority at this point in time!
How much shorter will it make the drive to East End/ the development? 5 minutes?
This road is not needed!
We need to start using some reason and strategic thinking when we make significant decisions for these islands.
forget the trail for now… lets move the dump the NW and then the old dump can be given to the NT to grown treees……….
Mastic rhymes with boombastic…think about it
Who is John Gault?
For people that put so much effort in complaining and blameing its still amazing that you all will never actually do anything at all to change things. Only the smart ones expect the same old lame excuses by leadership and maybe even a NEW commitee then …..nothing. This is going to happen. Its good for the island and will help the traffic. Keep venting on CNS. That also helps traffic.
Didn't they teach you at school that you drop the "e" when you add "ing"?
Not when I was out canoeing. By now I am ageing I forget what I did learn, smarty-pants.
It's not just the Mastic at risk from this road.. it is also supposed to run through the Salinas Reserve in East End which is one of 2 areas in which the Blue Iguanas are being released into the wild.
This is an article from years back: http://www.compasscayman.com/caycompass/2009/01/14/Mastic,-Salina-at-risk-from-road/
The ones who are willing too..
I'm glad people are showing concern. The next step is taking matters in our own hands. It may come down to the only thing stopping this going through is mass protest. But I'm guessing that would be too far of a drive.
Just curious, what ever happened to the plans back in the 80's to put an extension on the rumpoint road just above the old driftwood bar. This would have connected to the area above Hurley's.The eastern district's wouldstill benefit o it.
I dont understand these politicians,all they care about isthe $$$$$$ Lord help us all. There s no difference between te PPM, UDP, C4C,PNA Independant, all wolves in sheep's clothing.
lets just wait for the eis and take it from there……until we know the facts we don't know what we are talking about…..
perhaps the road will have minimal impact on the mastic trail……
maybe the road will make it easier for people to visit the mastic trail….therefore enhancing eco tourism in the area….perhaps even preserving the mastic trail for alltime….
The proposed road corridors are shown in the 2009 Road Atlas.
There are actually 2. One runs along/through the south of the Mastic Reserve and joins Frank Sound Road between the Fire Station and the High School, ie south of the Botanic Park. The second branch cuts through the Mastic Reserve and joins Frank Sound Road north of the Botanic Park.
If is therefore entirely fallacious to suggest that there is no alternative route to the one that Ironwood seems to have their eye on. Since there is clearly no traffic burden requiring two roads, if there must be a road at all, the southern branch would be more serviceable for the Shetty hospital and the existing quarries. I am sure the golfers would not be inconvenienced.
By the way Ironwood, if you are going to ride the coattailsof an iconic botanical and cultural Caymanian species to up your "green" credentials, where is your native tree nursery going to be located?
106 comments and counting, mostly negative on this project, same with Health City when it was 1st mentioned. Some people just like to bitch/troll while supposed to be working. Just saying!!!
Let's take matters into our own hands. Hands that will have nothing left if this sh!t doesn't stop. Cayman let's stand up, walk into the legislative assembly and take out country back…. Oh sorry… You all are to busy standing in line waiting for your next hand out…. Does anyone here have a back bone?!
I agree with you 21:37!! Caymanians need to grow a backbone like some of our neighbouring Caribbean islanders who would never put up with this crap! Enough is enough!
Neighbouring Caribbean islanders would welcome this type of inward investment with open arms..
You are so right, but we got so much idiots here!
Dats why we's we and dey's dey
Ever wonder why all these open-armed places don't have it? Because there are some things that make Cayman preferable. One was that we still had a nice environment to build these developments in. But the more roads we run and the more golf courses we clear for the more we become like Miami and the less our environment looks and feels like somethign a tourist would want to enjoy. So the tourists and the developers will go to those other places. One we need (tourists, dollars) the other we need to control lest it lose us the very benefits it brought.
Lets grow the backbone to tell CIG and the developers that we the local Caymanians must build that development. other wise f@@@ off!
We are starving here, and every project comes into the country are side stepped by distraction on negative impact on our invironment and destruction of our land.
This is taking away fromthe real issue, locals must build these projects. They built them in the past.
These development are going to get built anyway, look around you and tell me how many you all have stopped…none!!
"Take matters into our own hands for what"?? stop the things that brought us this far… development!
I dont think so! when you all come together for these developers to again use the local builders and staff for their projects, then and only then will i join you all.
The local builders are starving in this country,and you say kill the goose!
Need a hand with my bags?! No I'm more than capable of helping my self and family unlike the rest of the sell out people that consist of "real caymanians" enjoy the last days of what cayman used to be, ppm, udp… All the same. No intrest in what the people of the Cayman Islands want. Just the intrest of the rich few….
I was told that the new road will be a runway for night time plane landings
I was also told that we could move the mastic trail 73 feet over
I also was told that it takes 1 hour to drive from east end to town
I was told there are tribes of jungle people living in the woods
ARE YOU CAYMANIAN?!
Are you one of the jungle people? Your post indicates you might be.
Just read the paper and duties for electric cars have been reduced to minimize our foot print. In the same paper, it states mr premier to agree to a bridge over the mastic trail which, could have a disastarous consequences to the fragile Eco system. I ask the powers to be why bother to encourage go green when we are bulldozing everything just to say you gave employment?
I remember when hundred of acres of mangroves were destroyed to build the ritz Carlton under the pretense caymanians would have employment. Go up there and see how many caymanians are employed there now. Let us not forgot what happened to the $6m in duty fees (rich got richer). I remember when thousands of the now endangered bald pates used to roost in the mangroves each night. I hardly see one on the whole west bay road anymore and I can only imagine what other specie will disappear forever only to be read or seen in books.
For the record I am currently unemployed and I on the principle would rather fish to feed my family, live a humble life and for my grand children to enjoy what I enjoyed than to see the island become a concrete jungle.
Where is mr Panton and his thoughts on this project? He fought so hard to pass the NCL and he's gone AWOL on this topic.
Lastly how are you proposing to protecting the blue iguanas or the whistling ducks from road kills or are golfers now exempted from the jail and stiff fines?
Very disappointed on the turn of events considering how much the ppm preached on their platform of how different they were from the previous administration.
Perhaps we should start looking at who owns land along the road extension, as there may well be conflicts of interest.
It does'nt matter who owns lands within the corridor! Mr. Linsford's Governmet reserved this corridor long befor these leaders came into existence.
Lets stop the envy of our own people. We deserve something from all this development.
Lets focuss more in that direction.
I say forget the Mastic Trail…how many Caymanians have ever been on it??? thats what I thought..10 or 20 maybe. We cannot eat the Mastic trail…lets get some development on this island and get people back to work!!. Feed us!!! and not with boiled mangroves…..
So how mant Caymanians are going to work on the new golf course at $5 an hour?
Don't ask that silly question, dont you think its time you all come out une shell and get this living wage in place? no government is going to do this for you, its not in the best of their interest. You do not posess that kind of money to influence them. One thing they are scared of and that is negative exposure.
it is your civil rights to organise yourselves and get what you want…just do it! and stop talking about it!
I hear you 17;06 loud and clear! we need the work, lets make sure the developers and CIG see to it that all local builders are involved.
And this time we need to picket the immigration department to halt the issue of new work permits. we have more than enough builder to partisipate.
Yes! Boiled golf balls taste so much sweeter. (Them mangroves is kinda salty.)
On the bright side, with all this eastern development, Bodden Town will be an ideally central location for a new state of the art landfill.
you don't sound too "bright sided" to me
Osbourne, is that you?
Of all things… a wasteful Golfcourse! Probably the worst use of land here. Damnit man, what is wrong with people?
Now you are an expert on Golf courses??
No, but I'm not afraid to call a spade a fuggin shovel!
Lol, you troll. Golf is a complete and utter waste of space. Let's destroy the natural enviroment for a bunch of people to run around chasing balls that they hit in the most amount of area possible. Good one….
I'm curious how will the brand new conservation law allow this road to cut thru the mastic trail?
hmmm… Dosent the ghost orchid live there? And there are some caves there that some rare indegenous bats live? I know this plan is older than I am but if they allow this to happen they have lost my vote forever!
the ghost orchid???…I understand no one has ever seen it!!
Very funny… That just goes to show why it should be protected ! It only grows in those areas..
If anyone's interested you could research it. It is a very interesting and unique orchid.. For all the orchid lovers.. 🙂
You all need to get off your lazy ass and replace these indigenous spieces.
Other countries have done the same to save their species, whenever a section of property has to be utilies for human use.
Other wise we would have to start sacrificing people, which would you prefer??
Absolutely. Where do you suggest we move the orchids, etc., that are currently in the roadway to? Clearly not a protected area since you don't know when a road might come through it.
Move them to the North! no road is going through there!
Yea right! like the man-o-wars!
Check the Galapagos Islands, they got more red foot boobies and man-o-wars down there than your eyes can look at.
I hear they have a great collection in the Netherlands.
I hear that Google says there are different kinds of ghost orchids.. However only one cayman ghost orchid. Love to see people trying to be smart posting without researching.
Because the road way was there before the law.You forgetting that the FCO blessed this highway. Which also means the head of state can build any road where she wants to.
CNS, could we please have a map showing the route of this proposed monstrosity. I will leave my comments (which will be ascerbic to say the least) until I see where it goes. My suspicion is that we can say goodbye to the rest of Cayman's terrestrial environment if this project goes through.
I've got a simpler question, why do they need a road? No one has so far said why the whole project is dependent on having direct road access.
The road is necessary for kind of fat lazy dullards who play golf can get their fat lazy dullard arses to the golf course from SMB and then get their fat lazy dullard arses back to SMB so they can continue to "live the dream".
Cayman, the Caribbean and indeed the world would be a much, much better place without said fat lazy dullards.
That's correct. They can't follow directions but they know how to make money and expect everyone else to make things as easy for them as possible.
Spoken by a Caymanian who cares deeply about his history, culture, environment and people. If welcoming "potential visitors" means concreting over unique and fragile ecosystems of international importance, or further threatening critically endangered species, or building a massive environmentally damaging "golf course" complete with catastrophically destructive highway to its door, then to be frank we don't need or want those visitors, or indeed you. In fact Cayman needs protecting from you, from those potential visitors and fromthose politicians and developers who will destroy our islands in the name of personal profit.
What about the Lazy dullards that sit on thier arses collecting government benefits and complaining that no one will give them a job or that noone will pay them enough to do a days work..
'noone'?
The road was intended to extend to the eastern district, way back when Mr. Pierson had the brain to do so. They created the corridor from back in the 80s we just never had the money to build it.
The corridor was there long before the mastic trail was established
In order for the Eastern part of the island to develop, Cayman really needs a better, faster road out there. The truth of the matter is that no major development, with the exception of two timeshare operations, has every succeeded in the East, mainly because of the road to get there. With a proper road (which is eventually supposed to go to Colliers) you could cut the drive time from George Town to East End in half, which would make it much more attractive for developers. Eventually, this HAS to happen; Cayman simply can't continue to build out George Town. Get a road out there and you could actually consider relocating the airport in the interior somewhere, which would be a much better solution than having the airport near a densely populated area
Leave your comments until you have seen it, but basically already made your mind up that your comments will be acerbic?? Contradictive close minded thinking at least…
Alden is on the wrong side of history in this one.
on the road to history I still don't know which way to turn – left or right, right or left ….. ahhhh i give up … i turn to the bush! :))>)
Alden you are doing just fine. Just remember the local builders are watching this project for jobs. Thank you, lets get this show on the road!
Do not let the nay sayers kill this like they kill Mac's projects, and further put your people in more financial mess.
Virtually every National Park in the US and Canada has a road going through it and becomes a gateway for people to visit and appreciate the protected area that surrounds the road. Could not the same be done here with the Mastic Trail?
Does that not already occur in the protected areas of the sea? One can move through the protected marine parks in your boat or kayak but you are limited to what activties you can do outside of your vessel- no fishing, no diving, etc depending on the restrictions. Is the same not possible for a road through the Mastic Trail? Does it become an opportunity to promote the Mastic Trail in an environmentally sensitive manner and educate residents and visitors on the importance of convservation? North Americans love their National Parks and the vast majority treat them with utmost respect in my opinion.
The challenge I put out to all stakeholders in this equation: residents, government, developer, visitors:
What value can be created from this situation? and
How can the opportunity be achieved with a triple bottom line outcome?
This road will simply be a means to access more land otherwise untouched allowing it to be trashed the same way as was done in the West Bay Peninsular, and the freeway to North Sound Estates.
Our protected areas and in this case the Mastic Reserve is too small.
US National Parks are thousands and in most cases tens of thousands of acres – so putting a road through the middle of them, still leaves large enough areas on either side where intact ecosystems – much of which is miles away from that road – can flourish and impacts of the road minimised.
The Mastic is only 835 acres – put a road through it – and you have seriously compromised the whole ecosystem. Even putting the road along the southern edge of it will have a huge and negative impact on it. Putting the road through it – disasterous.
Furthermore this road will I am sure be a 50 MPH road – (whats the point of the road otherwise?) – which the Blue Iguanas will be attracted to to sun themselves.
If we thought the terrible dog attack on the Blues at the Botanic Park was horrific ….
Thank you for your ever so eloquent post 17:42, thank you!
The US and Canada Parks services have small parks as well, and most all have multiple roads through them, criss crossing, and handling half million to 2 million visitors per year- far more than this road would see.
And they have effective programs that protect species down to the salamanders whom they built under road passages for their preservation and it has worked well.
You may feel your situation is unique but I don't see it that way. The road is gazetted and will happen- not a matter of if, but when. Might as well start planning for the best solutions.
Just sayin
Best (simplest & cheapest) solution: move the road. – Just sayin.
Many years ago in Florida they built a road across the Everglades. Look at the disastrous consequences of that in a massively bigger ecosystem.
is it not strange that one needs years of education and training to become an accountant, doctor, lawyer, pilot, car mechanic etc but ZERO training to lead a country. It says it all.
What are the diastrous consequenes? Please enlighten us.
They interupted the hydrodynamic flow of the everglades. Its a bigger area so there are a lot more problems than just the road, but its part of it. Sort of like here. Its an accumulation of cuts that kill the patient, not a single bypass to the heart.
Rubbish, the everglades are so huge, if they drop you in the middle of it, you would never find your way out.
And it's ecosystem is very much alive.
In Canada's National Parks along the Rocky Mountains (Banff and Jasper) they have fenced the areas of high wildlife concentrations/encounters, created tunnels for the wildlife to pass through and even installed overpassesfor the wildlife. There is a lot that can be done to mitigate impacts. If it can be done on the scale that it is in Canada with millions of visitors, there are solutions for the Blues too. I believe Yellowstone and Yosemite have similar mitigation programs- much greater land masses but far busier parks and far more roads within the parks.
It is ignorant to try to compare the small landmass in the Cayman Islands with the US and Canada. A road through our tiny Mastic Trail will be disastrous. Driving over it equally disastrous as the noises from vehicles and humans will still still disturb the fragile ecosystems there. Caymanians need to stop following the greed that seems to have taken over these Islands and work hard to preserve the Mastic Trail and other areas that are such an important part of our history.
Let's just bulldoze the oldest forest in Cayman for a road leading to a golf course that only the rich will use sparingly as the life of the project is underway. Makes total sense. We can all look back in 10 years and say "remember when Cayman had an ancient forest that was supposedly should have been protected by the NCL? Nah, me neither. Let's go hit some golf balls at some blue iguanas"
News flash: How many Caymanians you see playing golf?
This will be another development we will drive by on the way to Kaibo and we will struggle to remember how beautfiul and tranquil it used to be. In another 10 years…when green space and natural landscapes turn into money makers because there is no natural places left in the world you will see these same people scrambling to get their hands on this as well.
When the ^%&* are you people going to stop adopting the bulldoze everything mentality and start working on some long term, sustainable developments! You are destroying the islands for gods sake. Yes, you will need local labour to build the development. But you have to think about this on a bigger scale…are these same people going to become rich? No. There are plenty other ways to provide our local people with jobs.
And to think the acres of land the golf course will consist. Forget about average people-development, its all about rich people-development and their extravagant lives. Its all about the money and we are just taken like obstacles in the way of success to our politicians.
Completely agree. Grand Cayman is already behind the curve. I've flown over many, many cities and large towns in my life; Georgetown from the air already shows far less green than even larger towns and cities. Even New York City looks more green from the air.
We need to have a regulated, sustainable development, with an eye toward preservation of the natural resources that draw visitors to our islands in the first place. Golf course on one side of the scales, natural softly-developed wildlands on the other. It's an easy choice for me. We are a small nation; we can't have all the bells and whistles of the outside world, but we can keep and honour that which is unique to the Cayman Islands — if we are smart about it.
I dare to hope we set our sights further in the future than the next election.
Golf legends design cources for MONEY. If the developer wants to pay them for a course on the Moon they will agree for the right price.
This glf course wil NEVER be built.
This is just a PR excercise to get the road approved
restaurant? you mean the artery clogging hang-out. went there one time- never again.
which resterant is his,?
Kurt's Korner? Just before you get to North Side (on the Frank Sund Road) there is a sharp corner with a long red buildign on it, the restaurant is the patio out back. Used to beknown as Nico Norte? and the Barn?
If you place a road through the Mastic, you will kill whatever plant life there is that needs oxygen and moister to depend on. You are endangering wild life.
Its very rarely that Big Mac can get a compliment from me, but on this occassion it seems as though his exact words, "Alden and his cronies are just seeking a chance to seize power" is plain for even stevie wonder to see.
Let us show Alden Exactly what we showed UDP come next election! This whole deal mirrors that of the Dart road closure and we gave Mac and his cronies hell about it. I think whats good for the Geese is good for the Gander. Pay no attention to the outside influences who frequent CNS with their pro developement rheteric elsewise our island will become wastelands like theirs. I saw a sign on a New York Peer once which read " It may be dangerous to your health to eat fish caught in these waters" Nature is to be loved, appreciated, admired and revered. Not Fancy Golf courses for the rich! Alden has always been a pompus man, at least until he gets in front of the BBC Cameras and stammers and Figgits like a teenage boy on his first date.
This is ridiculous. There is no reason why this road cannot be re-routed.
Shame on you Mr. Premier and shame on you Mr. Palmer.
Mr. Palmer – hope you realise the damage you will be doing to your reputation by backing the destruction of one of the last remaining ancient dry forests in the Caribbean.
Caymanians are not going to take this one sittting down!!!
Running an unneccessary road through one of our only two protected environmental areas!!!
Again, Mr Palmer or the developers have nothing to do with the route of this road this is all on the CIG.
Arnold Palmer is anti-conservation. In the late 1980's my employer at the time sent me to a turf grass conference and Palmer gave the key note address. A large part of his address was lambasting US wetlands protection laws because wetlands can be turned into good golf courses and these laws were "protecting too much land and making development difficult". I found the speech disgusting.
CNS – Could you get a map of the area – showing Trust properties, Mastic, gazetted road etc so we can get a sense of how much the road would need to be diverted to avoid the Mastic Reserve and protected areas there?
I am very disappointed to hear our Premier so prematurely refusing to consider a re-routing of the road which I understand could be done without adding that much to the lenght of the road.
What we should be considering is whether we actually even need this road? How much will it add to the attractiveness of the golf course and resort that is in East End – on the quiet far end of the island – if people's drive in to GT is reduced by what, 10 minutes?
They are building a whole town centre up there so they will gave thier grocery store, gas station, restaurants etc.
Is this road really needed?
And worth destroyingone of our most precious environment areas and tourism attractions?
You people need to stop acting like this is the Ironwood Developers fault, This road was routed and gazetted by the CIG long before they were around. The plan for this road was there when they put in the first part of the road. So stop blaming other people for your disappointment with the people you voted for, place the blame where it should be. And as far as a protest goes, that's Alden's style and he won't organize a protest against himself. Where's all the Bodden Town protectionists? nowhere to be found because they know this will increase their land value even though it will go through the Mastic Trail that they were so adamant about not letting the dump effect by just being near it. Just goes to show that people only put this environmental aspect out of their butts if it doesn’t put money in their own pockets.
Mastic Trail isn't in Bodden Town….
The majority of the comments I've read all appear to be criticising the government and not the developers. On both sides however they should pause and look at an alternative route. I do not accept Assden's claims. Err .. soory for the typo .. meant to be Alden's .. lol
I totally agree with you 12; 43
Didn't they just slap themselves on the back for the Enviroment Law? Huh? Boy, dis PPM Govt has gone Big Mac pretty fast!!
Same story, different colors….too sad. Bjut YOU sheep keep voting in these fools and adding more seats?
I'd rather be under Her Excellency rule with a few decent accountants thank you. When can we ask for crown rule again please?
And lets not forget the extended Esterly Tibbets and Old West Bay road argument…Oh! We have!!
We all usethe new road now. Its better. Safer. Progress.
Can't have progress you know, this is the Cayman Islands, all heads in the sand and reverse gears only!! All counting how much somebody might be earning from it or otherwise benefitting rather than getting off their fat asses and earning their own money or making a contribution to the Islands future.
"We all use the new road now." We have no choice. they closed the other road in a back room Mckeeva deal the people had no input on.
The new government seems to be doing the same type of thing.
On top of not being able to use the old road, now the traffic is back to being full of sh**!! By 8:00am the traffic is backed up to the Ritz for those of us that dont want to take that debacle of a highway!! Progress is good with the right people at the helm and thissorry bunch is no better than the last.
You can use the old road, you are just too lazy to turn into it.
12:08 you must be Greed's sibling.
Nah, just no one here enjoys the truth. It hurts.
Hear Hear, Never, Never.
The world is on the tipping point of another depression, and Cayman is looking a gift horse in the mouth. You only get so much attention in life before you are too stubborn to deal with… gather ye projects while you may.
"..tipping point of another depression…"?
Says who chicken little?
Says weak long term and fudged unemployments stats with strong short term company earnings reports, they both don't mix very well in the long run…but look great in the short term…just waiting for the correction like anybody else who has a clue…
This is crap. If certain persons could get a bypass road to go around a horse ranch surely the National Trust can get the road to go around an important site like the Mastic Reserve.
If you're talking bridges, wouldn't a pedestrian bridge over the road be easier and cheaper?
Where is the "Stupid" option…….?
Can we see the MOU?
Especially the part where NRA say that it is technically impossible for them to move the road around one of Cayman's few preserved natural areas.
I dont know where the road encrouches on the south end of the trail, but NRA would have to reroute the road all the way to north side to avoid it on the north end.
Yes. Except that the road doesnt' hit the north of the Mastic, it hits the south. So movign it a little bit south sounds like the obviosu solution. Unless anyone else has a better handle on the problem.
They didn't say it was imposible, they said it was unlikely, the the bridge idea in also BS..
"road cannot be redirected around the Mastic". thats the quote from the top of the article. Cannot is closer to imposible than unlikely in my book. but hopefully the governent has left itself some wiggle room in the road gazetting and can take a second look and wiggle the road to make everyone if not happy then happier than they are now.
We already have too few protected environmental properties as it is we can't have every new development ploughing through protected land and nature preservs whenever they wish. The Mastic Trail was there long before this new development was planned so they had to have known that deciding a location for the road was going to be an issue. This land belongs to the National Trust and should be left alone. One of the main appeals of the island to visitors is its natural beauty if you keep replacing that with concrete structures and roads to make it look like every other country in the developed worldwhy would tourists choose to visit here instead of somewhere else?
Also, NRA/Public Works/Planning also knew Mastic Trail was there when it was gazetted
And the DOE also knew it was gazetted for a highway.
Oh, really? How so. There was (and still is) no requirement for the NRA to consult with anyone when doing a road. Do you have evidence that DoE or anyone else knew about the road before it was gazetted? And, if so, what did they say about it, since you know so much?
It's not today that this corridor been challenged.
Over the last 20 od years, many land owners were chalenged in front of the Planning Tribunals, along with NRA and DoE.
So they knew long time ago about this reserved corridor.
Stop blaming the developers it was government who mapped the road out and gazetted it..
No one is "blaming" the developers fool! No developer can develop without the permission and support of the government so stop reposting your nonsense attempting to defend the developer when no defence is necessary.
Accordintg to the resent objections on developments all of the remaining land, is protected invirnmental properties. Where then, is zoned for development?
Everybody imagine Cayman in 20-30 years. Its not pretty is it? Just another sold out souless rock. Hey if it means imaginary wealth I suppose.
Bush has been screaming population growth (quietly for the past 10 years) as the answer to economic prosperity. He saw Singapore as an example.
Consider Singapore- 5.4 million people, living on 276.5 sq mi of land. More hilly so this allows for more space to live.
Cayman's population is going to continue growing. It is going to look dramatically different in 20-30 years so one might want to start preparing themselves psychologically for what is coming.
Cayman has a long ways to go in development, both in population and consumption of remaining lands – it is all relative to what you are accustomed to. The Cayman Islands has a population of around 57K with total land mass of 102 sq mi. hmmm
You mean Singapore the most expensive city in the world to live in right?
http://www.bbc.com/news/business-26412821
That's the one. And that is where Cayman is headed too. Supply and demand will dictate the future with more people having to share the small land pool, land values will increase rapidly. No stopping it now, and the only thing to offer a setback will be the next major hurricane. After which time, vast amounts of insurance money will be paid out, and rebuilding will begin.
And where will Alden and all of his political cronnies be? THE PINES!!!!!! While the younger generation suffers from his mistakes. SMH lord have mercy on us.
It is not "can't", it is "does not want". The road can go round and money will not be put before the best natural habitat in Cayman.
Whoo! We got us a new Boss Hogg in charge boys!
Lets not make the same mistake as the West Bay Road Sir Premier. Design and Build an overpass so that it preserves and also protects the scenic route from littering etc.
There's no way the CIG is going to except the added expence of building and overpass, they are going to relocate the Mastic Trail..
Why is Alden so tone deaf? Why does he keep revealing disappointments and betrayals without any tact? What is going on? DO WHAT WE elected you to do.
Does not the National Trust have rights to protect its lands from government?! Or are they just plain weak?!
The national trust is no different than other private property owners when it comes to land ownership they are still susceptible to compulsory land purchases. It's that phony NCL law you should be wondering about..
Iwonder how many MLA's own land in the surrounding area?
Kurt wants a highway built straight to his restaurant!
You I never thought about that!
I think what needs to happen is destory all the bush concrete the whole island. Then the problem will be solved who needs nature and it's beauty. It's the all mighty dollar and investors that always wins in the end.
This whole palmer Ironwood golf course is moving suspiciously fast. A lot of major decisions seem to have been made in a very short period of time – without having followed any of the planning or FFR or other requirements.
Ironic that these developers have named themselves Ironwood – given that the last time the PPM were in power they made the terrible mistake of trying to run that road through the GT Ironwood Forrest.
Private developments are not subject to the FFR, it's only the government that the UK doesn't trust enough to make smart investment and fianacial decisions…
WHY NOT MR PREMIER?
If the developers want their road – they must be prepapred for at least a bit of compromise!
Run a highway through one of our only protected areas and areas of major environmental importance????
There are simple ways that it can be rerouted around the Mastic Reserve and significantly minimise its environmental impact.
Alden is getting more like Mac every day.
If UDP tried this nonsense there would be riots. The political double standards in this country leave me SMDH so sad for our beautiful islands.
Alden McLaughlin I am so disappointed in your sorry a..s right now that if you were near me I'd probably behave as I was brought up not to. What the hell is wrong with the bunch of you people? You were elected on a certain platform, part of which I expected would be the protection of our treasured areas such as the Mastic Trail and Reserve. Don't you people have enough appreciation of your own heritage that you would want to protect it, not just for us but for future generations of Caymanians? I hope that if you all cut through or otherwise disturb that sacred land (yes it is sacred to me because my ancestors frequented the area!) that the people of this country will revolt in a way that you all would never imagine possible. This is the most ridiculously disappointing news that I've heard this year.
Don't mention the cutting down of trees for a huge golf course in North Side territory so you can have the rich and famous drive their bugees on carpet grass … pure nonsense!
I hear a Writ coming already…
Dear Lord our Precious Saviour! Now I know the true meaning of 'pheeyong–pheeyong’ people. That is exactly the best suited word to describe both Alden and McKeeva. All the heck that is being looked at is the almighty dollar while everything that is of importance to our culture is being destroyed all in the name of development. Mr. Tony Eden, you are our last chance, where are you on this? Please speak up and defend us and try to protect our Mastic Trail and Reserve.
Is this an accurate news story? Is the Premier of this country telling us that one of the last pieces of property, so important to our history, is set to be destroyed by greed? I hope that every Caymanian and other residents who care about these Islands will stand up on this issue and demonstrate if necessary. What the hell does he mean that the "Mastic Trail and Reserve are too far south to divert the road around"? That is another example of these islands being destroyed for greed!!!!!!!! I am so angry right now that I'd better sign out.
Maybe we should tunnel under the trail! Wa do ya tink guys?
with the ppm ….. we are on thr slow road to nowhere……
$40mln CIG doesn't have to build a road through protected national trust land to service an inland golf course on an island where it's too hot to actually want to play and where three existing courses struggle for viability. From the genius minds that brought us Clifton Hunter, the cruise port, the GT rejuvenation, the airport expansion, and refuse to deal with the toxic cancerous leachate from an unlined dump.
In fairness, the three courses stuggle because we are not a golfing destination. You ever see a golf bag at the airport?
Adding one course, even an Arnold Palmer course will not make us a destination. It will be only be used by the residents of the new community.
You ever see a golf bag at the airport? In order to have a competitive golfing product, you need 5 high quality 18 hole courses.
We dont have three golf courses on the island. We have one real one and two nine hole courses. Nobody who is a serious golfer wants to play two loops on a 9 hole course. Having a second 18 hole option should be enough to make golfers bring their clubs with them. W else is thereto do here on-land?
Get your foolish, materalistic, lazy butt out of the golf cart and take a walk on the Mastic Trail! Lean about the history of the people who made that trail and lean about the truly unique aspects of Cayman's natural environment. See and enjoy the beauty of nature.
That is what you could do instead of playing golf.
Ride the Atlantis Submarine, eat at one of our fine restaurants, ride the horses in West Bay, visit the Queens Botanical Gardens, dive, snorkel, fish, visit the Sister Islands, check out the caves on the Brac, Etc.. Etc… There is plenty to do including hiking the Mastic Trail.
The road encroaching the Mastic Preserve is the issue, not what is at the end of the road!
Well, there's always hunting and sex.
I had high hopes for Alden but I am becoming more and more disgusted with him practically every day. At least with Mckeeva you get exactly what you expect. But Alden? He promises one thing then does the opposite.
OMOV? Nope changed his mind. Minimum wage? Nope changed his mind. Environmental protection? Nope, shook Arnold Palmers hand so now must change his mind.
i am thoroughly disgusted!
I can understand wanting more time to study OMOV and Minimum wage (not saying I agree, just saying I can understand). But the protection of what we hold dear? That should be an easy answer for Alden, no need for further study.
Aargh I want to scream!
I find ironic that within weeks of Mr. Ground's death the National Trust Law (which I understand he drafted) essentially dies as well.
I wonder if Alden had the nerve to attend his funeral?
Seems like he wants to attend all of ours.
Good point. I too wonder if anyone from the government saw it fit to attend Mr. Ground's funeral or if they sent flowers or something to express sympathies and respect from Caymanians. I saw comments in the newspaper from the courts opening and I saw a very touching and respectful post by his former PA on facebook but otherwise I saw or read nothing. I hope they did something but would not be surprised if they did not.
I appreciate Richard's contribution to the Trust, however there are several concerned Caymanians working for the Trust and members of the board who are working to protect what various donors have assisted them to purchase.
I don't believe for one moment they will roll over and play dead on this matter.
So true! I did not know Mr. Ground (I was a lot younger when he was here) but I do remember reading of him working tirelessly alongwith Caymanians to put that law in place. His book "Creators Glory" shows the love he had for our natural environment. I am sure that others who were on that team with him are still around to stand up and defend our Mastic Trail. At least I hope so!
So why exactly do we have a National Trust if the property they own can just be trampled over if the Government of the day decides that's what they want?
Let's go to the Queen!!!
Nunsense!
Time to pack our bags, Belize here we come. A least their government has the sense to say no to these delevopments. East end, enjoy what you have while it lasts, David Moffit, shame on you. The eastern districts are the last piece of Cayman that still reminds of an island I once was proud to call home.
Enjoy Belize!! Need a hand with your bags?
"Need a hand with your bags?" Why do you want to join him?
Where is the NCL the was just passed by the PPM I thought this law would stop the stuff they did everything they could to get it passed but for what.
PPM Lovers you wanted him now you got him. He's so much different then the last one..
Alden Adeln you the man if you can't do it noone can…Say goodbye in 2017
Only in Cayman (or in tin-pot, thug led dictatorships) could the wanton destruction of such key national heritage and environment be considered. Furthermore the entire development threatens the recovery of a critically endangered species, the blue iguana. These are issues of international significance.
As for the support of the governor and the FCO, we shall see. The FCO, the UK government and the UK parliament are actively and explicitly interested in the conservation of the environment and biodiversity in overseas territories.
I will personally fund litigation all the way to the Privy Council should the Mastic Trail, the Botanic Gardens or the Blue Iguana Recovery programme be threatened by "a golf course".
Enough is enough. Enough concrete. Enough roads. Enough corruption.
20:30 I'm with you! Enough is damned well enough! Let us all rise up as one united force to protect our Mastic Trail Reserve. It is time that these jokers we voted into government understand that we the people still have a say!
Yeah Right…You all had your say during that last election. And not another word can you speak till the next..