Mangrove buffer ripped up
Posted on Wed, 05/12/2010 - 22:33 in Headline News
(CNS): As the National Trust launches its campaign to push for the long awaited conservation law, Grand Cayman has lost another significant stretch of natural habitat from the North Sound coastline. The developer of Dragon Bay, Michael Ryan, was granted planning permission by the CPA in February to clear over 378,000 square feet of mangrove buffer zone, despite the fact that the Development and Planning Regulations state that such natural protective barriers should only be removed in exceptional circumstances. Ken Crews from Orion Development told CNS that the goal was to replant a new 50 foot buffer of red mangroves out into the ocean, recreating what he said was the pre-Ivan mangrove fringe. (Photo by Dennie Warren Jr)
Following concerns from local sea captains that the mangroves had suddenly disappeared sometime over the weekend, revealing a cleared area of marl along the shore of the North Sound by the Dragon Bay site, Ryan confirmed to CNS that the clearance work had been done. He said it was part of a project to remove the old dead mangroves and rejuvenate the area. Acknowledging it was a sensitive issue, the Ritz Carlton developer said the removal was strictly within the limits granted by the Central Planning Authority.
At the invitation of Ryan, CNS visited the site on Wednesday afternoon with Ken Crews, a land development expert from Orion Development, who pointed out what had been cleared and where the mangroves would be replanted to create this new 50 foot fringe.
He stated that the original mangrove buffer of some 250 to 300 feet stretching along the coast for 1500 feet had been removed because some of it was dead and because of the potentially hazardous debris in the areas where the mangrove was still alive -- all a legacy, he said, of Hurricane Ivan. He also noted that the plans included constructing a seawall to protect the wider property as it had been affected by storm surge during that hurricane.
Crews explained that a major replanting project would now take place over the next few months to stretch the new fringe out into the ocean to rejuvenate the area where the mangroves grew before the 2004 hurricane. (Right: Trial planting - photo by Dennie Warren Jr) Although some of the mangrove buffer which has been removed was still recovering from the infamous Ivan surge, according to aerial photographs taken before the clearance some two thirds of the buffer zone which has now been torn up was full, healthy, mature mangrove.
Experts from the Department of Environment, who had advised the CPA against allowing the removal of the mangrove buffer, said they had not seen evidence of hazardous waste in the existing healthy zone and the area being described as dead by the developer was in fact making a significant recovery (pictured left). There were also concerns that there had been previous encroachment by the Ritz development on the mangrove buffer in that area.
Director of the Environment Gina Ebanks- Petrie said that it was disappointing to see another mangrove buffer zone lost, given how much has already been removed from Grand Cayman’s coastlines. She said once mangrove was ripped out there were significant problems associated with trying to replant it.
“It is extremely difficult if not impossible to re-create mixed mangrove communities such as that lost in the buffer clearance. Even fringing red mangroves are notoriously difficult to replant successfully on exposed coastlines,” she noted. “We have had very little progress with existing projects such as that in South Sound, where after several years the mangroves have still not taken to any substantial level. The time frames involved in re-establishing mature mangrove stands are significant.”
During the planning application process the DoE submitted comments to the CPA pointing out that it could not identify any exceptional circumstances in this case that would enable the authority to grant permissions under the law to remove the natural buffer. The department also noted that mature stands of mangroves had proven to be considerably more effective against storm surge than seawalls and they provide nursery habitat and other ecological functions that cannot be replicated by artificial structures."
According to the Planning Law, all forms of development are prohibited in mangrove buffer zones expect in exceptional circumstances. Crews said this case was exceptional as the mangroves were dead and the site needed to be cleared of debris. He also said the clearance was justified because the mangrove buffer had failed to protect the property. (The site after clearance, photo by Dennie Warren Jr) CNS has made several attempts to contact the chair of the CPA regarding the exceptional considerations that were made and that led to permission for the healthy as well as the dead mangrove buffer zone to be removed but has so far been unsuccessful.
Dragon Bay is a planned multi-use development on leased crown land adjacent to port authority land on the North Sound coast behind the Ritz-Carlton hotel. Ryan has said he plans to make the North Sound the doorway to this new community.
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History is repeating itself.
History is repeating itself. The only exception is that this XXXX man did not do this on Earth day this time. He did however bulldoze what mother nature took 2000 years to grow and take it down in 24 hours...again.
When a "true born" Caymanian
When a "true born" Caymanian developer rips up mangroves, forests etc and there are complaints we are told that we are interfering with birth rights. When a "foreigner" (he isn't) does it it is terrible.
The eyesores in the SMB corridor where developers have ripped up vegetation to protect future development rights from environmental protection is an example of the disgraceful conduct that is happening daily here.
Michael Ryan loves the
Michael Ryan loves the environment! The "toxic waste" i.e.: 4 year old car batteries and oil drums that leeched into the environment long long ago needed to be removed ASAP. Well actually as soon as planning approved it and only in the middle of the night. Instead of having Ritz Carlton volunteers remove the waste for FREE on Earth Day his volunteers were picking up plastic bottles on his own private property while he had the "toxic waste" and mangroves removed with a bulldozer. Ritz-Carlton and Dragon Bay are true examples of environmental stewardship in the Cayman Islands. XXX
XXXXXXX...and what a shame
XXXXXXX...and what a shame that we can't rely on government/ authorities to protect this island. They go back on their own rules and regulations. There won't be much left of Cayman in another 25 years, I might have to start about relocating then.
People don't realize that
People don't realize that bush keeps our environment moist and if you get rid of the trees, you limit our chances of rainfall, and you create more heat. That is scientifically proven! Moreover, you are killing plants and orchids that have medicinal value that could one day save us. Our bush is not just mere bush!
Our Beloved Cayman Islands is becoming over-developed. I am seeing more dry - palm trees and shroubs not native to this Island, shipped here bringing in spiders and pest not from here. I am seeing people instead of building around nature, destroying nature to pave their own grounds. One time, Cayman use to have alot of guinep trees, alot of nesberry trees, alot of tamarind trees... but they are chopped down as needless. I have not see certain creatures for a long time. There was once a time Cayman had alot of needlecase flies, alot of them small red crabs where you could not even drive properly on the road because of them. We are slowly killing our own and don't know it! Our culture is practically lost. Everything is becoming Americanize!
When will we ever learn? When its too late?
I agree with your comments
I agree with your comments 100%. We need to start thinking strong about those valuable parts of our culture and beautiful environment which we are selling and giving away all too easily in the name of development and money. People need to start thinking more about the long run impact over development will have, and protecting our Caymanian environment and culture.
Didnt the Ritz have an "Earth
Didnt the Ritz have an "Earth Day" a few weeks back and had a huge PR stunt saying how much the care for the enviroment etc? And now they go and bulldoze the mangroves in the middle of nesting period with no regard for the enviroment. WHAT A SHAM!!!
"Pave paradise, put up a
"Pave paradise, put up a parking lot"
ie. the Tiki Bar
ie. the Tiki Bar
Well done to everyone for
Well done to everyone for recognising the damage done XXXXX.
Many good comments said.
Mangrove & the environment must be protected & such developments stopped. Perhaps when the floods come everyone can then sue the developers for removing the protective barriers (done just in time for hurricane season too).
Sadly I doubt anything will happen & Dart & Ryan & the others will spoil all of Cayman whilst they XXXX get rich. There should be a law on how much land can be owned/developed by anyone; these people have too much power & too deep pockets.
I heard on TV that Mr. Ryan
I heard on TV that Mr. Ryan did the clearing to clean up toxic waste in the mangroves. That was very good of him. Though now I wonder where it went and how this toxic waste was handled after it had been bulldozed into a big pile of mud and dead mangroves. Perhaps that could be the topic of the next story/interview.
Does this mean we should
Does this mean we should expect approval for Emeral Sound in the near future????????
Everyone, Go to
Everyone,
Go to http://www.oceanfutures.org/blog and let Jean Michel Cousteau know how you feel about his involvement with Ritz/Dragon Bay
Take off your Caymanian" My
Take off your Caymanian" My way is the only right way" filter and you will see things like"that the goal was to replant a new 50 foot buffer of red mangroves out into the ocean, recreating what he said was the pre-Ivan mangrove fringe." I Came to Cayman after the hurricane to help out and saw all the damage. I also saw first hand who was actively cleaning up and who was doing nothing. I never saw anyone replanting any mangroves that were lost anywhere. And now your all pissed off that someone else is going to do it in a big way and make the rest of the islands damaged areas stand out. Lots of areas out there for anyone to pitch in and do something. Anything! If your not going to do something at least let others do it.
This is a sympathetic
This is a sympathetic response to you need to stop driving around in Mr Ryan's pickup truck bobo and drinking his cool drink too The problem with ignorance bobo is that it picks up confidence as it goes along and it appears you been driving long distances.
Slight issue with your
Slight issue with your response here - natural damage v. human damage, i.e. we can't hold hurricane Ivan responsible for an 'act of God' but we sure as hell can and will hold people responsible for the damage they do.
And whilst there's not a lot, there has been some mangrove replanting since Ivan.
So you think we should be grateful that he cleared "the original mangrove buffer of some 250 to 300 feet stretching along the cost for 1500 feet" (claiming it was dead when clearly from photographic evidence this is not the case) because he plans to replace it with a new 50 foot buffer? Well I guess its better than replacing it with nothing at all but I for one am not impressed - disgusted would be a more appropriate description.
I'm not following your logic
I'm not following your logic here. What's the point of destroying healthy mangroves just to replant it? I mean, if your goal is environmental in nature as you would suggest, why not just leave the healthy mangroves which were there and plant more mangroves out into the ocean? This would be the most logical way to recreate the pre-Ivan mangrove fringe. The mangroves which were there (the ones which were destroyed) were apart of the pre-Ivan fringe. So, their actions seem to conflict with their goal.
Ahem "Your all
Ahem "Your all pathetic",
Does one not think that IF the 'Re-planting exercise' is as it is professed to be, then perhaps would it not have been better to re-plant the new Mangrove Buffer BEFORE ripping out the existing one? Why wasn't this done during the past 5 years since Ivan, so as to allow it TIME to become established?
We may be 'Pathetic', but we aren't as Stupid as you would like to think.
I'd like to welcome Mike
I'd like to welcome Mike Ryan's P.R. firm to the CNS blog.
Are you really that stupid? Do you really believe this is all part of Ryan's grand strategy to save Cayman's environment? No, you're not that stupid, you're a paid "hack". Go away and don't come back until Ryan actually does replant these mangroves successfully.
Your right. I guess the
Your right. I guess the proof will be in waiting and then seeing if Ryan actually does replant these mangroves successfully. I walk along the south sound occasionally and always wondered why those who can never successfully tried to replant the mangroves there.
My rant (and yes it was) was mostly my annoyance at what little repair to the environment was done by by the local population. My apologies and who is Bobo?
Bobo is an endearing term
Bobo is an endearing term that Caymanians, particularly West Bayers use to address their brother. These days it is used less often and is used more loosely in conversation when addressing friends and aquaintances.
This really makes me feel
This really makes me feel sick and quite embarrassed to call myself a Caymanian... wonder why there are so few of us who actually love our country enough to not want to destroy it for a few extra dollars..if that even!!!
Is the CPA's decision
Is the CPA's decision illegal? Any lawyers out there who know? Could a citizens group take this to court?
It affects the whole island, not just adjoining land owners.
Everyone is sounding off here, but we need to ask if anything can be done about this.
The damage in this case is done but perhaps similar actions could be prevented. A court order for re-instatement might cause a serious effort to be made to replant successfully.
Actually, if the CPA's
Actually, if the CPA's decision is unlawful then each member could be personally liable. For example, if they were "told" to grant the application, and did so because they were "just following orders" then they have breached their most basic obligation to fairly consider all interests and apply the law through the exercise of unfettered discretion.
Their action in these circumstances would at least be unlawful and could, depending on the circumstances, approach the criminal (ie. corruption/personal gain or that of their friends).
In a world where the police cannot even arrest one of their own for "stealing gas" - pretty basic and easy to prove (thanks Dan) I have little hope that they are even going to ask themselves if this smells, let alone investigate.
What have we become?
Not much can be done. If Big
Not much can be done. If Big Mac wants this, Big Mac will have it.
One thing we can do is try to embarrass them (if that's possible?). By them I mean: Ritz Carlton worldwide, Jean Michel Cousteau and the Ambassadors of the Environment, the members of the Planning Board, etc, etc. Let the whole world know who they are and what they stand for!
Doesn't anyone else think its
Doesn't anyone else think its weird that Mike Ryan waited until Mac was back in power before he commenced his plans?
Wait until you see how deep
Wait until you see how deep the canal system for Dragon Bay will be - deeper than the North Sound so that large yachts can visit. The North Sound will be dredged to accomodate the larger craft. Then it's only a matter of time before Camana Bay gets in on it........
SHAME SHAME SHAME! No
SHAME SHAME SHAME! No regard for nature whatsoever. I agree with the person that said "Cayman is lost". Any mature citizen of Cayman birth will tell you of the value of the mangroves. Anyone who doesn't know is ignorant. Anyone who doesn't care is a fool.
Some of the responses in here
Some of the responses in here are so ignorant of the facts it beggars belief!
It is a well documented fact that mangroves afford some shelter from hurricane winds. The structure of the trees and their root systems enables them to withstand very h eavy wave impacts, thus helping to dissipate wave actions in storms and hurricanes. Its because of this protection that so many boat owners tie their boats in mangrove lagoons when there are storms. Furthermore, mangroves offer protection to coastlines in times of Tsunamis and other high wave events. It was determined that, after the 2004 Boxing Day tsunami in Asia, villages with mangrove forests intact survived the waves with a lot less damage thanvillages on open beaches.
http://www.flmnh.ufl.edu/Fish/southflorida/mangrove/importance.html
Mangroves help prevent sediments from reaching other critical marine habitats, such as coral reefs and seagrass beds. The health of these habitats is dependent in part on clear water, so that sunlight is able to penetrate the water column. The retention of sediments and nutrients by mangroves help to prevent sedimentation on the coral reefs, which could lead to the smothering of reefs and the growth of algae on the reef from increased nutrients in the water. The destruction of mangrove forests will lead to an increase in the amount of sediment discharged into the ocean, thereby decreasing the overall health of adjacent offshore habitats.
Do some reading and educate yourselves. Here's a few links to get you started:
http://www.nationaltrust.org.ky/info/mangroves.html
http://bcrc.bio.umass.edu/vifishandwildlife/Education/FactSheet/PDF_Docs/28Mangroves.pdf
It has finally come to me. I
It has finally come to me. I know how Mac can solve all his financial woes with the economy. Just dissolve government and put all the government employees on the Ritz payroll and whalla, all is set right. They get what they want anyway and I guarantee they can keep better books on their spending better than the government departments can. Maybe they can tint the concrete so that it looks like a sandy beach.
I do wonder whether they
I do wonder whether they might already be on the payroll. (I hope your publishing of this comment does not make your annual licence fee go upto a cool million Wendy).
2 thoughts - the first is
2 thoughts - the first is that Margoves take a LONG time to grow to maturity or even take - just look at the efforts that have been going on opposite Cayman Crossing in South Sound since Ivan - numerous attempts have failed and only now are there some very small mangrove plants that seem to have taken......will Mr Ryan persist beyond the first attempt if they do not take the first time?
2nd thought - wasn't there an issue of mangroves being bulldozed without planning permission for the development of the Ritz Carlton? I seem to remember that the ones on the edges (the most visible) were left until last. Seems no lessons were learnt by the upset that time and the same offenders are permitted to do still more damage.
I am just dumfounded by the
I am just dumfounded by the decision of the CPA.
We have laws but nobody pays attention to them, which in turn gives permission to everybody else that they can get away with whatever they wish.
So who is exactly coming to stop me?? You must be mad!!! I can do whatever I want because my role models, the leaders of this Country, and all the business people that I look up to have gotten away with whatever they want.
So who coming stop me now? Unna still madd!!
Cayman is still a lawless, greedy society and I have learnt that from you Mr. Politician, Mr. Businessman.
Mac and all you other suppose to be role models, I know you are secretly reading this, I just want to say thank you because my future now looks bright as I am now modelling my behaviour after you. And, I know I will succeed!
Mangroves DID NOT stop the
Mangroves DID NOT stop the storm surge!...we had boats in the west bay road from the north sound. Please stop saying this as it is not true. In 1932 we had boats from the north sound in near ICCI. This is a myth.
Mangroves are in fact habitats for little tiny things and iguanas/parrots....yes, a very good thing, but please stop talking about storm surge and buffers, please.
No, mangroves do not stop,
No, mangroves do not stop, they merely lessen the effects of storm surge and hurricanes and all that. And now that there are less mangroves I suggest you all gather at Mr Ryans development the next time a storm is coming and have a party, at least til you wash out to sea. :)
Who said it stopped the
Who said it stopped the surge? Nobody said that. The mangroves helped alleviate the surge. They slowed the surge.
You think WB road to North Sound is something? After all this destruction of the mangroves in the next storm the boats will be in CUBA!
Why is everybody so shocked
Why is everybody so shocked and upset. The voters of this country keep putting people like Kurt Tibbetts and McKeeva Bush in power. What do you expect?
If you repeatedly give power to people who know nothing about nature and care nothing about Cayman's long term welfare this is what you get.
Grand Cayman is a lost cause.
And Grand Cayman is only the
And Grand Cayman is only the first stop. You folks in the Brac and Little Cayman better understand that they're coming for you next!
agreed. noone's fault but
agreed. noone's fault but the voters.
Have we also forgotten that
Have we also forgotten that particularly mangrove buffer zones are our biological filtration system to break down all the "crap" we dispose off in there and prevents it from entering the North Sound and otherwise kill whatever wildlife lives there.
If we proceed with this kind of practices, we may not see mangroves anymore but you can definitly smell where they have been with all the associated consequences attached to it.
Soon the North Sound shall be known as the Dead Sound.
filter??...look at the
filter??...look at the leaching from the DUMP!
The Sound will be killed by the dump anyhow. Not sure this is going to be any worst.
Oh, you are so right about
Oh, you are so right about that, all this adds more insult to injury but should not be a reason to say "what the hell, who cares"!
I have written a few comments in the past about the dump with the associated consequences and keep falling on deaf ears but I insist not to say: Why the hell do I bother? But rather: Why the hell not! The developers are always hoping and preying on the idle folks who do or say nothing or are indifferent, whether it be this case or another.
I'm assuming the next
I'm assuming the next on their destructive agenda will be the Main Channel. They best get that out of there heads, because all hell will break loose then. Waiting for the day.
Can somebody please define
Can somebody please define some examples of "exceptional circumstances" applicable in this situation?
Definition= Mac said so,
Definition= Mac said so, "fool-fool".
Wow - first the pond and now
Wow - first the pond and now this (not to mention SMB and the host of other historical calamities of development in this country.)
I trust that we all understand that we do not actually vote for our "government" in this country. (This is true for every modern democracy by the way.)
We simply vote for the puppets of the true rulers and shot-callers in this country.
Am I honestly meant to respect our "elected officials"? They are collectively a bunch of jokers!
Disgusting.
Rolston, Cline - are you men or mice? You guys better show me something, and quick too! (I'm ignoring McKeeva for we all know he is spineless, lost cause.)
(I shall be forwarding the URL of this thread onto all members of government - I invite all readers to do the same.)
Whodatis I always find myself
Whodatis I always find myself agreeing with your posts... ever thought of becoming a politician? I actually think we'd end up with some sensible policies and someone worth voting for!
(Humbled) ... and
(Humbled) ... and speechless.
I've never seriously considered it.
However, talking is not much use without doing is it?
Thanks for the suggestion - I'll think it over.
The thought's been crossing
The thought's been crossing my mind too whodatis. Here we are, many of us, and many citizens, being very upset (outraged?) quite often at the antics of our elected representatives. So, we write-in, comment, and discuss with one another how we can prevent it from continuing and in large part also to show our solidarity. I really appreciate CNS for lending us this opportunity, however there has to be a further step or we will in many cases end up preaching to the choir. What that step, or steps, might be is something we should also be discussing more seriously. Some people go on to say we deserve it, because we, or many of us voted for these people. It's true, that out of the TWO parties to choose from, one of them won but as part of this dubious process quite a few proposed agendas and policies were missing. I believe it's intentionally so, and I believe that it is always that way and designed to be that way. The forums (blogs?) here then give us an opportunity to see how many of us were buffaloed. And unfortunately, are now giving us our one and only opportunity to raise some queries. Because the opportunity, if you notice doesn't arise during an election campaign. We are an audience at that point, and we are intended to be an audience, listening to whatever spiel each party has to offer. Without being given the opportunity (or respect) to counteract, ask questions. Nor to ask for specifics. That's over. It's outdated.
Politics is changing, and we right here are changing it. We are no longer passive victims of intended or unintended consequences for four miserable years until it is deemed we can march like lemmings to the polls again. If a government were intelligent or the least bit concerned about it's chances next election it would begin to participate in this new form of consensus and public opinion. So why don't they? Why do they see it as a threat? Because.. it isn't important to them...unless WE make it so. What's the next step for us all? To make our democracy work for US.
Let's discuss that, because we know they're listening although they aren't paying attention.
Right now we're running behind these often stupid decisions, instead of being out in front of them: Instant Electorate. Know what that is whodatis? Electronic (with the means of public television, phones, faxes, computers...the things we use everyday) Referendums. Garnering instant results and an immediate consensus. Why hasn't it been implimented?
It would make politicians obsolete.
They are doing that quite nicely themselves already by not taking advantage of technology.
End of my comment. Sorry it was so long but I see too many possibilities and not enough imagination.
All I want to say hear is:
All I want to say hear is: What a crying shame. The drivel masked for explanations is equally as shameful.
This is says it all: During the planning application process the DoE submitted comments to the CPA pointing out that it could not identify any exceptional circumstances in this case that would enable the authority to grant permissions under the law to remove the natural buffer. The department also noted that mature stands of mangroves had proven to be considerably more effective against storm surge than seawalls and they provide nursery habitat and other ecological functions that cannot be replicated by artificial structures."
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