🌳 UPM government seeks to weaken National Conservation Act

The UPM government has been conducting a series of private meetings with the aim of making significant changes to the National Conservation Law. The proposed amendments would remove the requirement for environmental impact assessments (EIAs) for government projects, alter the composition of the National Conservation Council, and allow public departments to decide whether certain projects need to be referred to the Council. The delay in Parliament until July 5 is believed to be to allow time for drafting these changes and ensuring a 21-day consultation period before the law is debated among MPs. 🏛️

The proposed redraft of the law is expected to weaken the National Conservation Council's ability to protect the environment. The broader public has expressed a desire for a halt on development, particularly around the coasts, and for increased protection of Cayman's natural and cultural resources. Despite this, the current administration appears determined to push through the changes. The government also plans to remove the requirement for four non-government members of the Council to have specific technical expertise, effectively removing science from the decision-making process around environmental protection. 🌿

Despite public sentiment favoring a slowdown in development and a focus on what benefits Caymanians, the government seems intent on facilitating development for overseas investors. Even as the term "sustainable" is used, wetlands and pristine forests continue to be cleared, and coastal setbacks are waived. The proposed changes would allow developers and landowners to challenge restrictions on their ability to develop land directly with the Cabinet, which would have the power to overturn such decisions. 🏗️