Developers face stop order after dredging without environmental clearance in Marine Protected Area

Published by [email protected] at December 5, 2023

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Posted: Tuesday, December 5, 2023. 10:53 am CST.

By Breaking Belize News Staff: The Department of the Environment (DOE) has issued a cessation order to the contractor of a development on Northeast Caye, situated in the South Water Marine Reserve after the department became aware that development began without environmental clearance.

The order was issued on November 29 and was addressed to both the owner of the island and his company, Sunset Caye LLC, as well as the contractor of the development, Mr. Albert Loewen.

According to the cessation order, the DOE charges that mining activities including dredging began without any application to the department for determination of whether an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) was necessary. Given that the island is located within a marine reserve, the DOE notes that an EIA would have indeed ben necessary.

The DOE conducted an investigation after it received initial reports and found that development had already began on the 2.5 acre island and surrounding areas. Several structures have been built including a cement pool.

The DOE has ordered all activity on the island to cease immediately and contact the department for proper directives or they will face legal action.

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