Politicians and aspiring politicians at the VIEC's organised discussions on the Beef Islands Development Project.

Hon. Dancia Penn QC, reaffirms her support for the protection of both Beef Island and Hans Creek.

At Large candidate Edmund Maduro says any development on Hans Creek will have to be over his dead body.

9th District candidate Samuel O’Neal giving his views on the Beef Island Development Project.

While the turn-out from the public to listen to the discussions was far from favourable, whether due to poor publicity or lack of interest, it did not stop the candidates last evening October 20, 2011 at the Noel Lloyd Positive Action Movement Park, from belting out their strong opinions on what has become a controversial proposed development since its proposal in 1995.

The discussion was organized by the Virgin Islands Environmental Council (VIEC) as it sought to gain support in its quest to protect Hans Creek, which is part of the current plans in the Beef Island Development Project. The environmental group has recently suffered a blow in the legal battle when the Court of Appeal overturned a September 21, 2009 High Court decision by Justice Indra Hariprashad-Charles that Hans Creek is a Fisheries Protected Area as stipulated in the Fisheries Act, which provides that no developmental activity can take place that may or is likely to adversely affect a Fisheries Protected Area and that any contravention of the regulations is an offence under the law.

The Court of Appeal ruling has now paved the way for the project to move forward as approved by then Chief Minister Dr. D. Orlando Smith and further that the High Court decision by Judge Hariprashad-Charles was wrong in finding that the planning approval granted for the development by the former Chief Minister was illegal because Hans Creek on Beef Island was declared a Fisheries Protected Area.

Candidates present at the discussion were At Large candidate with the People’s Patriotic Alliance Natalio “Sowande Uhuru” Wheatley who is also a member of the VIEC, 9th District Independent Candidate Samuel O’Neal, At Large Candidate Edmund Maduro, 8th District representative and Minister for Health and Social Development Dancia Penn QC, At Large candidate Bertrand Lettsome (VIEC member), 4th district Independent candidate Colin Scatliffe and At Large candidate Courtney DeCastro (VIEC Deputy Director). Cromwell Smith was the moderator of the discussions where several questions were posed to the candidates who were allowed a time-frame to respond to the question or to give their views on other candidates’ answers.

According to Mr. Bertrand Lettsome, who is also the former Chief Conservation and Fisheries Officer, Hans Creek is similar to the Baths in Virgin Gorda as it has large boulders and below them is fresh water. He said from since the Virgin Islands Party Government under the late H. L. Stoutt put forward the proposal for the development of Beef Island in 1995, a number of persons have put up resistance against the development. Lettsome said in 2003, when the International Centre for Aquatic Studies conducted scientific studies at Hans Creek, they found that some 85 species of fish and shell fish utilize the creek, which was among the reasons for wanting to protect the area.

Minister Penn’s support

One of those persons who strongly support the protection and preservation of Beef Island and Hans Creek is Minister for Health and Social Development Hon. Dancia Penn QC, who publicly stated her position on the issue.

While stating that due to court action and her role as Minister and Deputy Premier she has not been very vocal on the subject, Minister Penn said she has always maintained her position on the project. “I believe very much in development as well, and I also believe that private persons have the right to be able to develop their property but it is very important that there is proper balance and we must do every single thing, even as developments take place and even as developments are permitted we must do everything possible to make sure there is a proper balance struck between development on the one hand and the preservation of the environment on the other. Because at the end of the day it has to be about sustainable development and there is no point whatsoever in my mind, in permitting and allowing developments that in fact destroy our environment,” she firmly stated.

Hon. Penn further stated that she also supports eco-tourism but anything for Hans Creek is a “No No”.

“Over My dead body” – says Maduro

In expressing his views on the project, Edmund Maduro went as far as to say, “not over my dead body that Hans Creek as a Fisheries Protected area be developed”. He further stated that Hans Creek should not be compromised for any developer but rather a developer should compromise to accommodate Hans Creek.

Samuel O’Neal affirmed his support for the protection of Hans Creek as well and said the whole project is of a major concern to him.

According to Colin Scatliffe, he views Hans Creek as nature at its best and he is in favour of anything to protect the environment. He said he supports the area being used as a training area for young people to explore and learn about the marine industry.

Meanwhile, Natalio Wheatley said throughout the campaign trail the protection of the environment has not been given the priority that it should. He applauded the VIEC and said it is good for civic organisations to hold those running for office accountable. Wheatley said he supports not only the protection of Hans Creek but also Beef Island.