George Town, Grand Cayman – The National Conservation Bill is now available for public review, prior to its being considered by the Legislative Assembly next month. Persons are therefore invited to submit their feedback to the Ministry of Financial Services, Commerce and Environment on or before 29th November.
Minister of Environment Wayne Panton said he is extremely pleased that Cabinet approved the Bill to be tabled in the LA during its meeting on Tuesday, 12 November.
'While the Bill is not a panacea for all our environmental concerns, it represents an important, essential step in ensuring the long-term conservation of our fragile island ecosystems and native biodiversity', he said.
The Minister noted that he looked forward to bringing this long-awaited piece of legislation for debate, and added that he hoped the law would be enacted by year-end.
Department of Environment Director Gina Ebanks-Petrie said that when enacted, the law would give much needed protection to Cayman's irreplaceable native species and habitats.
'As drafted, the Bill requires that the environmental consequences of all national plans, policies and projects, and all development proposals, are taken into account before any decisions or actions are taken, or permissions granted', she noted.
The Bill has been in draft form for over a decade, Minister Panton said.
'Although the Bill is substantially the 2009 version prepared by the former PPM administration, it incorporates recent feedback received from the public, stakeholders, the immediate past government administration, and independent Members of the Legislative Assembly', he explained.
The Bill is available on www.doe.ky and www.gov.ky . Hard copies can be obtained at the Department of Environment on North Sound Road, and the Legislative Assembly.