Minister Earl Deveaux has assured the public that the dredging at Bell Island is constantly monitored and environmental safeguards are in place to ensure the highest standards are being maintained. Despite these assurances PLP Senator Jerome Fitzgerald has voiced criticisms of the development claiming that dredging at Bell Island has adversely impacted local wildlife populations and damaged the area.
According to Mr Fitzgerald about 600,000 sq ft of the sea bed has been excavated, destroying the habitats of numerous marine animals. Fitzgerald has called on Deveaux to produce daily turbidity tests and weekly reports as required by the BEST Commission and the dredging permit since the dredging commenced over three months ago.
Mr Deveaux has stated that Mr Fitzgerald’s estimates and allegations are wrong and categorically untrue. He said less than five acres of natural area is being affected by excavations.
Deveaux referred to Fitzgerald’s criticisms of Saunders Beach last year, which were proven wrong, and said Fitzgerald is again using “emotive and incendiary words to inflame the public.”
Deveaux said activity is being constantly monitored by an on site Environmental Manage at Bell Island, who produces daily reports and is fully empowered to stop works that are not in compliance with the project’s Environmental Management Plan (EMP).
Still, Fitzgerald claims the development is not being monitored properly and is not in compliance with EIA and the EM. He has challenged Deveaux to make the information available within three days.
