Ruling ‘Astounded’ Audubon Society

December 28, 2011

The Bermuda Audubon Society [BAS] has labelled as “absolutely astonishing” a decision by then Environment Minister Walter Roban that could have allowed for further industrial development at Devonshire Marsh.

In its winter newsletter, the conservation group says it couldn’t understand how the former Minister could justify upholding a planning appeal by Zana DeSilva for Zanzara Trust.

The BAS said the original application had been rejected on three grounds — the Development Applications Board was concerned that rules had not been followed and there was insufficient information to even fully review the application; secondly, an independent inspector had recommended refusal; and, thirdly, the application was not supported by the Technical Officers of the Planning Department.

Mr. Roban resigned as Public Works Minister following a storm of criticism surrounding his decision to grant an appeal and Government later said the situation would be “reviewed afresh.

“Bermuda has a development plan — the Bermuda Plan 2008 — that has been approved by Parliament and a robust planning process and we believe that no Minister should ever interfere with that unless they can make an extremely strong case that they are acting in the national interest,” said the BAS. “That certainly does not apply in this situation.

“The decision has now been overturned but the new Minister has pledged to review the application and there is no guarantee that he will not also allow the appeal.”

The BAS said it was seriously concerned about the potential loss of wetland habitat -– “as all should residents be.”

“The fact that there are existing industrial use sites in the Devonshire Marsh basin should not be used to justify expansion of that activity,” said the BAS. “This industrial use dates back many years when people did not appreciate the environmental importance of wetlands.”

One of the reasons the Bermuda Audubon Society was formed in 1954 was to increase the public’s acceptance of the value of not just wild birds — but also plants, soil and water — and, most importantly, the interdependence of these natural resources.

“There was a crisis facing Bermuda’s marshes as they were [then] being used as garbage dumps,” said the BAS. “It took two decades of growing garbage tips and filling in of outlying marshes before the attitude developed against the prevailing system.”

Minnows were later introduced into the marshes to control the mosquito larvae and ditches were created to help the fish survive.

“Why are Bermuda’s wetlands so important?” asked the BAS. “They are a vital part of Bermuda‟s fragile ecosystem. The limestone geology of Bermuda means a lack of surface water. This fact and the past practice of marsh drainage means that we have only about 100 acres of peat marsh habitat today.

“Remaining areas are so small that any further loss of habitat is extremely serious. The marsh plays host to many unusual species of fauna and flora. Up to 20 species of shorebird may be recorded during the year. Numerous ducks, herons and egrets are also present in the winter.”

The BAS said Bermuda is one of the contracting parties to the Ramsar Convention [The Convention on Wetlands of International Importance] and Marsh basin was now short-listed as a Ramsar site.

“This is an international treaty for the conservation and sustainable utilization of wetlands i.e., to stem the progressive encroachment on and loss of wetlands now and in the future, recognising the fundamental ecological functions of wetlands and their economic, cultural, scientific, and recreational value,” said the BAS. “Surely the Government is therefore aware of the importance of wetland areas?

“It is vitally important that no additional building should be allowed on these sites. It is an area that naturalists and walkers alike find aesthetically pleasing.

“Bermuda needs to keep its variety of habitats for all to enjoy.”

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Category: All, Environment, News

Comments (6)

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  1. Triangle Drifter says:

    I thought the Audubon Society had people smarter than that.

    Lets simplify it. Zane Desilva, PLP Minister with property on & ajoining the marsh. Walter Roban, also a PLP Minister.

    The PLP has a long history of unethical, but of course not illegal, because there was no need for a law covering it before, action.

    What is so hard to understand? One only has to look at PLP members homes. No concern for the enviroment. Property looking like a Waffle House breakfast, covered & smothered, but the covering is concrete.

    • andre says:

      BullSh*t!

    • LaVerne Furbert says:

      Whose homes are you talking about? We could also look at the homes of some of the “environmentalists” and see that their concern for the environment is on paper only.

      By the way, can you please cite some cases from the “long history of unethical, but no illegal” action.

  2. Hmmmmm says:

    “The PLP has a long history of unethical, but of course not illegal, because there was no need for a law covering it before, action” – Really ? and why is that? because abuses of planning laws and the commission of unethical but not illegal acts didn’t start until 1998? Wow. I want some of what you’re drinking. This is that privilege thing again……

  3. Just sayin says:

    Have the Island Construction property stakes been checked lately ??

  4. Jes sayin says:

    I believe that Island Construction rents that spot. What part of the Devonshire Marsh does Zanzara Trust (Desilva) own and want to develop?