📢 MP McKeeva Bush accused of spreading misinformation about National Conservation Act

McKeeva Bush, MP for West Bay West, has been accused of spreading misinformation about the National Conservation Act (NCA) in the Cayman Islands. Bush, the first person in the United Progressive Movement (UPM) government to admit attempts to amend the NCA to ease development, incorrectly stated on Radio Cayman that the law was delaying the East-West Arterial Road extension. Critics argue that delays have been caused by a variety of issues, such as the failure of previous administrations to conduct an environmental impact assessment (EIA) on the road and the National Roads Authority's decision to assess hydrological issues outside of the EIA process. 📻

Bush also dismissed the importance of conserving local species such as lion lizards and iguanas, and suggested that the delay was due to efforts to protect these creatures. However, experts argue that the need for an EIA goes beyond the protection of specific endangered species. The EIA would also assess the impact of the road extension on the Central Mangrove Wetlands, a crucial terrestrial environment in the Cayman Islands. The potential flooding if the wetlands are removed and the loss of the ecoservices could be disastrous for the entire country. 🌿

Despite the criticism, Bush maintained that the law needed to be changed for more balance, although critics argue that development continues to be prioritized over environmental protection. The construction of luxury properties and the constant clearing of pristine dry forest and mangroves all over Grand Cayman continues, largely unhindered by the legislation. Critics argue that the law has had minimal impact on the pace of development, and EIAs affect only a small percentage of applications. 🏗️