bvi captains log blog

Monday, March 10. 2008

Virgin Islands Environmental Council- Press release

Press Release- March 10th, 2008
From: Virgin Islands Environmental Council
To: All interested parties

Victory for VIEC in the recent court hearing between Virgin Islands Environmental Council and The Attorney General, and Quorum Island (BVI) Limited

On March 7th, 2008 Judge Rita Joseph-Olivetti found in favour of VIEC, defeating the allegations of the developers and government that VIEC's claim for judicial review is time barred. The date for the full trial is now set for May 14th, 2008. In handing down her decision, Justice Joseph-Olivetti poignantly said, "As we become more aware of the overwhelming imperative to live in harmony with nature, more scrutiny is being given by ordinary people to governmental decisions to allow development in areas with perceived fragile ecosystems; the cry for governmental accountability and sustainable development resounds in the lands and the aid of the courts is increasingly being sought throughout the world, so too in the British Virgin Islands. The primary issue before me is ostensibly a simple one .... However, what lies beneath is the Claimant's concerns with the impact on the environment of a proposed multi-million dollar development at Beef Island, in the naturally spectacular British Virgin Islands billed by the BVI Tourist Boards as "Nature's Little Secrets"."

The legal issues raised at this hearing were judically considered for the first time in the Caribbean and mark an important clarification of the law for judicial review litigants.
In awarding VIEC recovery of costs, the judge looked favourably on the fact that it is a non-profit organisation that is litigating in the public interest.

VIEC's fundraising is going strong, with over $10,000 raised in the last two weeks, however there is still a substantial shortfall in financing the upcoming trial on May 14th, 2008.
This is the first ever environmental case in the BVI and the outcome will affect development law and policy througout the Caribbean. VIEC encourages everyone who has an interest in the environment and the British Virgin Islands to donate today and help us make Caribbean and BVI history.

For more information on the VIEC, and donating please see the British Virgin Islands Heritage Conservation Group website at BVIHCG, as well as the attached document sheet
For more information on the VIEC and this court ruling please contact Mumta Ito, VIEC's Legal Director at viec@hotmail.co.uk

Posted by BVI Captains Log Blog at 17:44 | Comments (0) | Trackbacks (0)

Mangroves, painting and the infirmary!

I think you can hear our boat before you see us at the moment, due to all the hacking and coughing going on! Every one really sounds bad at the moment, except B, so lets hope he stays healthy!

Well one good thing, we do have internet in the far side of Virgin Gourda, other wise me and Kerry would be sat twiddling our thumbs! It is amazing how much you come to rely on something that wasn't even around a few years ago!

So, the boat is in its usual maintenance mayhem, the usual dreaded sight for me, when ever the covers come out on the tables, you know the boys are up to something....

We have snow boards and ski clothes every where, paint brushes every where else, but everything works out in the end! So here are the boys painting on the blue line now, no more of this peeling off malarky..

Cant wait to see it finished! The area we are in is beautiful, pelicans hiding in the trees, sting rays swimming around, there was one chasing B yesterday, which was quite amusing, he asked what he was supposed to do if there was a sting ray in front of you, I suggested not standing on it! Hopefully we will be all done tomorrow and on with the next job, sounds like we are heading to St Thomas as well, so will be able to squeeze a quick shopping trip in too! Life is never slow or dull aboard Promenade!

Posted by lisa in British Virgin Islands at 17:10 | Comments (0) | Trackbacks (0)

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