Cayman residents can have their say
on the newest version of the National
Conservation Bill.
Environment Minister Mark Scotland
wants to bring the bill to the Legislative Assembly before year’s end.
“I believe that we need
comprehensive conservation legislation to adequately protect Cayman’s future,”
Mr. Scotland said. “I also hold that the environment is an issue that affects
everyone, and therefore it is vital to gauge public opinion on the matter.
The Department of Environment has
started public consultations with key stakeholder meetings and the launch of an
explanatory guide to the proposed National Conservation Law.
In addition, district meetings will
start the week of 5 July. The department will announce times and venues as soon
as possible.
“National conservation legislation for the
Cayman Islands is a topical issue and we have been receiving a steady stream of
public enquiries on the proposed draft National Conservation Law,” said DoE
Director Gina Ebanks-Petrie.
“To help people understand the
proposed legislation, we have prepared a summary guide on the proposed law to
explain what it means and how it might change things,” she added. This guide
can be downloaded at http://www.doe.ky/laws/national-conservation-law/.
“We encourage people to read the
proposed law and the guide in tandem, and we also invite other groups to
contact us to arrange a presentation on the proposed law,” said Mrs.
Ebanks-Petrie.
“We ask that people submit written
comments detailing any issues they may have with the proposed National Conservation
Law and, equally important, they can also voice their support for the legislation,”
Mrs. Ebanks-Petrie said.
Comment forms are available online
at www.doe.ky and printed copies can be picked up from the DoE’s office or at
any of the district public meetings.
Comments can be submitted by email
to DoE@gov.ky ; Faxed to 949 4020, or mailed to NCL Comment, c/o Department of
Environment, P.O. Box 486, Grand Cayman, KY1-1006.
The public consultation period will
last a month, closing on Friday, 16 July. After this, Cabinet will consider the
feedback and include any changes to the bill before laying it before the LA.
