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<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>Hello everyone,</FONT></DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>Many thanks for all the responses regarding this
issue here in St. Vincent and the Grenadines. Things are still going
ahead as planned here, and there seems that there may be little that can be done
to stop it. </FONT></DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>I have found out some more infomation and must
correct some that was sent in my previous email. It has now been clarified
that the Dredging is not going to be done by the US Millitary, and that the
dredging and pilings will be done by a seperate contractor throught the SVG
government. The US is involved in the building of the actual base, and
will be finishing the dock once the initial water work has been done (ie
dredging and piling). I do appologise for implicating the US Milliary
directly in that specific action. Please forward this email to
anyone that you have fowarded the original email, so that this correction may be
known to them. </FONT></DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>The fact that the US can "technically" was their
hands of the actual damage to be done by the dredger, coupled with an
Environmental Impact Assessment which has some disagreement as to its
interpretation, means that there is little chance that the process will be
stopped. Further, it seems that finally approval for the
project was given locally, though most of the players that should be involved in
that process were unaware of this fact. It sees that all the bases have
been covered. </FONT></DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>With a situation like this, one can only wonder
what we are all fighting for in conservation issues. The push of late has
been to record what is in the local environment, and to strengthen laws to
support the protection based on that knowledge. Here is a situation where
we have a record of what is in the area and the law clearly states that it
should be protected. Further, most of the government departments involved
have not recommended the project. But the project goes through
anyway. We have no local entities which are strong enough to go after the
situation legally.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>And whats more, though it is now known that the US
persons here are not directly involved in the actual dredging in the marine
area, the very presense and support for the project still prevents many from
speaking out against it, and still creates an air of support for what is
happening. It is quite clear that thier part in the project will not be
stopped or delayed in any way unless they are asked to do so by the government
of St. Vincent and the Grenadines. </FONT></DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>So at this point, though I'm sure the effort to
work on things from a local direction will continue to the bitter end, it looks
like we have lost another stand of reef area, and yet another blow to the legal
strength of conservation law in the Country.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>But I haven't completely given up hope yet, so If
anyone does have any suggestions or ideas, please do let me
know.</FONT> </DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>Many thanks again for your interest,</FONT></DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>Kurt</FONT></DIV>
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