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<DIV><SPAN class=221263300-20022001><FONT face=Arial color=#0000ff size=2>On a
similar note, has there been any attempt to fully document the baseline
condition of the reef system prior to impact (including photos), and then a plan
developed to follow up with other assessments during and after the project has
commenced in order to fully document the impacts? Facts often speak
louder than perception. It may mean the loss of this particular reef
system, but it'll be another round or two of ammunition to help protect the next
one.</FONT></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=221263300-20022001><FONT face=Arial color=#0000ff
size=2></FONT></SPAN> </DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=221263300-20022001><FONT face=Arial color=#0000ff
size=2>Michael</FONT></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=221263300-20022001></SPAN> </DIV>
<BLOCKQUOTE dir=ltr style="MARGIN-RIGHT: 0px">
<DIV class=OutlookMessageHeader dir=ltr align=left><FONT face=Tahoma
size=2>-----Original Message-----<BR><B>From:</B> dallison
[mailto:dallison@email.msn.com]<BR><B>Sent:</B> Tuesday, February 20, 2001
6:37 AM<BR><B>To:</B> coral-list@coral.aoml.noaa.gov; caribwa@egroups.com;
Kurt Cordice<BR><B>Subject:</B> RE: Update: Dredging of Coral Reef for Coast
Guard base in St. Vincent and the Grenadines<BR><BR></FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial color=#0000ff size=2><SPAN
class=540174520-19022001>Kurt:</SPAN></FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial color=#0000ff size=2><SPAN
class=540174520-19022001></SPAN></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial color=#0000ff size=2><SPAN
class=540174520-19022001>Perhaps it would be of some value for folks who, like
me and some of my friends, visit and vacation in the Caribbean a couple of
times each year to send a note to the minister to let him know that we will
not be including SVG in our vacation plans if they persist in their efforts to
dredge the coral reefs in the area. I would be happy to deliver such a
note if I had the address and or email or fax numbers and the name of the
Prime Minister and Senior Minister.</SPAN></FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial color=#0000ff size=2><SPAN
class=540174520-19022001></SPAN></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial color=#0000ff size=2><SPAN class=540174520-19022001>Dave
Allison</SPAN></FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial color=#0000ff size=2><SPAN
class=540174520-19022001>Allison Associates</SPAN></FONT></DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<BLOCKQUOTE style="MARGIN-RIGHT: 0px">
<DIV class=OutlookMessageHeader dir=ltr align=left><FONT face=Tahoma
size=2>-----Original Message-----<BR><B>From:</B>
owner-coral-list@coral.aoml.noaa.gov
[mailto:owner-coral-list@coral.aoml.noaa.gov]<B>On Behalf Of </B>Kurt
Cordice<BR><B>Sent:</B> Sunday, February 18, 2001 1:54 AM<BR><B>To:</B>
caribwa@egroups.com; coral-list@coral.aoml.noaa.gov<BR><B>Subject:</B>
Update: Dredging of Coral Reef for Coast Guard base in St. Vincent and the
Grenadines<BR><BR></DIV></FONT>
<DIV><FONT face=" Arial" size=2>
<P>Hello Again Everyone,</FONT> </P><FONT face=" Arial" size=2>
<P>A further update for those who are interested in this issue here in St.
Vincent and the Grenadines.</FONT> </P><FONT face=" Arial" size=2>
<P>In short, it seems that the pier is going to be built. There has been no
answer to the letter I wrote to the Prime Minister and Senior Minister.
There also has been no answer to an official request for an appeal hearing
of the Planning Board decision regarding the project. </P>
<P>The Senior Minister (who recently resigned as our Prime Minister after
15+ years in office) did speak of the topic in an address made to the people
of Union Island, which is the site of the Base. He made reference to
project(s) in the past that had been opposed for environmental reasons, and
how that opposition had failed. He also made it clear that the pier would be
build no matter what, and that no environmentalist would stop the project.
</P>
<P>It was a heavy blow to the marine protection movement here, and I wrote
another letter to the Senior Minister regarding this fact. Once again, no
response. </P>
<P>The dredging has not started yet, and the necessary equipment has not
arrived. No one seems to know when it will be done. But the deadline for the
military personnel her is sometime in the first week of April, so it will
probably be soon. </P>
<P>I'm not quite sure what else can be done regarding the issue. It is now
clear that the Government is not willing to consider evidence or appeal
which questions the decision to dredge in the area. The funds just are not
available to consider using a legal process. </P>
<P>Please do not take this as an admission of failure. The dredging has not
started yet, so there is a chance. And regardless of the dredging, a
positive thing has happened in this country. The issue is now in the hands
of the people, and has found some murmuring of support. I don't think this
marks the end of the battle, but the beginning. The next step will be
to look for some support in a campaign towards the establish of a Trust
organization here in SVG, one which might be able to prevent a situation
like this from happening again.</FONT> </P><FONT face=" Arial" size=2>
<P>I'd like to thank all of you for listening, and especially thank those
who have discussed and/or taken action regarding this situation. I've heard
about some, like an inquiry made by the Coral Reef Task Force, and I'm sure
that there has been much that I am not aware of. The attention from
all of you have made a huge difference, both locally and beyond. The emails
of support have also made a big difference, and helped keep a positive tone
in all of this. </P>
<P>Best wishes to you all</P>
<P>Kurt</P>
<P>Kurt Cordice, Bequia, St. Vincent and the
Grenadines</P></FONT></DIV></BLOCKQUOTE></BLOCKQUOTE></BODY></HTML>