Topic: Gina Ebanks-Petrie
Department of Environment boat sinks mysteriously in Little Cayman
A Department of Environment boat sank overnight Wednesday while moored off the coast of Little Cayman, and the DoE is looking into the cause.
ReGen EIA under review, approval expected early in new year
While government continues to negotiate the financial close on ReGen, work on the environmental impact assessment for the multi-million dollar waste-management project is nearing completion.
Large subdivision applications prompt renewed call for review
Two proposals for the subdivision of land in Grand Cayman have been submitted to the Central Planning Authority for approval, with another in Little Cayman in the works.
Morritt’s applies to expand its East End timeshare resort
Morritt’s Resort has submitted a planning application to expand its popular beachfront property in East End with a five-storey building extension containing 33 more guest rooms.
Owners apply to replace historic house with modern duplex
The owners of an old wooden Caymanian house in West Bay have applied for planning permission to knock it down and build a modern two-storey duplex in its place.
Environment director opposes George Town carpark plans
A planning application for a new 27-space carpark in George Town has come up against opposition from the Department of Environment for its “poor use of land”.
Environment director says no to more seawalls
A beachfront property owner’s plan to build a seawall to prevent damage from storm waves has met with strong opposition from the head of the Department of Environment.
Climate Change Policy expected to be passed in July
Officials say a draft Climate Change Policy is expected to be approved by Cabinet next month, after all feedback from the public has been considered.
Compact subdivision planned on 39-acres of mangrove and woodland
A developer has submitted plans to subdivide 39 acres of mangroves and woodland into 138 small lots which could eventually contain 75% more houses than is currently allowed.
Developer applies to build canal in mangroves – but not for boats
A developer has applied for permission from the Central Planning Authority to create a 100-foot canal through a mangrove buffer zone on the edge of George Town.
‘Urban city’ developer’s new plans cause flooding fears
South Sound residents have hit back at Cayman Enterprise City’s application to modify existing plans for a large office and housing campus, which it dubs an “urban city”.
Housing development threatens future ‘Hell East’ tourist site
“Unique landscape” that was earmarked as a possible tourist attraction may be lost forever if the Central Planning Authority allows a residential development to be built over it.
Legal battle begins over conservation council’s power
A court hearing is under way that will decide if the director of the Department of Environment can act on behalf of the National Conservation Council to direct the Central Planning Authority to reject applications for proposed developments that may have detrimental impacts on the environment.
DoE Director Gina Ebanks-Petrie wins leadership award
Department of Environment Director Gina Ebanks-Petrie has received the 2022 Women Sustainable Development Goal Leadership Award.
Conservation and planning boards court showdown set for June
Two government entities, the National Conservation Council and the Central Planning Authority, are set to go head to head in court in June.
$21 million proposal to restore Seven Mile Beach
Government plans to allocate $21 million over the next two years for a project to restore a large stretch of lost sand at the southern end of Seven Mile Beach.
Coastal impact from TS Grace being investigated
Initials checks on the coastal impact of Tropical Storm Grace have found that the northern end of Seven Mile Beach fared well, but there was some erosion on the southern end, Department of Environment Director Gina Ebanks-Petrie said.
DoE allocates funds to fight deadly coral disease
Just under $100,000 from the Department of Environment’s budget has been diverted to help combat the spread of the deadly stony coral tissue loss disease.
DoE yet to approve plan for removal of ironshore at FIN
The Department of Environment has not yet given the go-ahead for work to start on removing parts of the ironshore to create a saltwater tidal pool at the FIN development on South Church Street.
The issue explained: Report outlines likely environmental impacts of port
Many of the anticipated environmental impacts of the cruise berthing project were laid out following an exhaustive investigation in 2014 and 2015. The environmental impact assessment, led by coastal engineering firm Baird and Associates, examined everything from the impact on coral reefs in George Town Harbour to the potential for erosion on Seven Mile Beach.
Turtle impact concerns persist with Beach Bay resort
Plans to construct a resort hotel at Beach Bay, a primary habitat for turtle nesting, continued to stir debate on Wednesday.
Conservation Council launches online turtle survey
The Cayman Islands National Conservation Council has released an online survey to encourage as many local residents as possible to weigh in on the Council’s draft sea turtle species conservation plan.
Free event offers insight on National Conservation Law
A free educational session hosted by the National Trust for the Cayman Islands will answer questions about the National Conservation Law.
Landmark environmental legislation under review
A broad committee including developers, environment and tourism officials, legal experts and government leaders has been assembled to review the island’s National Conservation Law.
EDITORIAL – Turtle release: A ‘shell game’ worth playing
Purists would do well to remember that in this context, “protection” refers to the species, as a whole. The Turtle Centre is doing a stellar job in its contributions to the rejuvenation and replenishment of this species.
Cruise port environmental impact study must be updated
A second phase of the Environmental Impact Assessment on the cruise berthing project will likely be required before Cabinet can grant final approval for construction to begin on the project.
Iguana cullers seek looser air gun rules
Environment officials are in talks with police in an effort to relax Cayman’s gun regulations in order to fast track new air-rifle permits for an islandwide cull of invasive green iguanas.
Environment chief removed from cruise project committee
The Department of Environment is no longer represented on the steering committee overseeing the cruise berthing project.
Feral cats pose threat to survival of Brac seabirds
Feral cats present a threat to the survival of a rare seabird colony on Cayman Brac, according to Department of Environment researchers.
Council emphasizes concern over festival site decision
The Central Planning Authority’s decision to approve the Dart group’s plans for a festival site without considering environmental implications may not be legal, according to Gina Ebanks-Petrie, director of the Department of Environment.
Conservation council defends record on assessments
Less than one percent of projects referred to the National Conservation Council were required to go through environmental impact assessments in the past 18 months, according to the council’s annual report.
Cayman’s green iguana population tops 1 million
There are now more than a million invasive green iguanas on Grand Cayman, with culling efforts so far proving futile.
Waste management project to undergo EIA
An environmental impact assessment will be required before construction on the Cayman Island’s new waste-management infrastructure can commence.
Proposed Little Cayman road draws DoE warning
Proposals for a new road in Little Cayman could open up 200 acres of “pristine primary habitat” to potential development, the Department of Environment has warned.
Bodden Town-Rum Point road proposed through mangroves
A new road that would cut through the Central Mangrove Wetlands to link Bodden Town to Rum Point is under consideration.
Turtle Centre rejects DoE, animal rights critics
As the Cayman Turtle Centre moves toward its annual January breeding pond assessment and further releases of animals into the wild, new questions have arisen about the health and safety of its programs. A Dec. 10 release of 36 green sea turtles went ahead before the DOE cleared protocols.
EDITORIAL – Head-on collision: New highway and environmental law
A highway is plotted directly through the “ecological heart of Grand Cayman.” On one side are elected leaders who support the project. On the other are officials charged with protecting the environment. What we have here, folks, is a high-stakes game of chicken.
EDITORIAL – Force of ‘nature’: An activist on the public payroll
Any “environmentalist” worth his or her salt is a fierce soldier, eager to take up arms against perceived adversaries. Remember that if your battle cry is “save the environment,” it must be saved from someone — that is, other humans.
EDITORIAL – ‘Tip of the spear’: The Conservation Council’s conflicts
When it comes to the National Conservation Council and its potential conflicts, we feel that concerns over fishing methods and fish species may end up being just “the tip of the spear.”
Spat deepens between DoE and Paul Allen
Paul Allen’s company Vulcan Inc. issued a statement Saturday accusing Cayman’s Department of Environment of “delaying approving or implementing action” on a remediation plan to repair a large swath of coral allegedly damaged by the anchor of Mr. Allen’s yacht, MV/Tatoosh, in mid-January.
