St. Maarten Private Eye

St. Maarten Westin and Columbia Sussex - Environmental Criminals? - Part 3

It really is no surprise that neither of our local newspapers have been over to Dawn Beach to look at whats going on. I did however notice in the Herald today on page 3, (not on website) an article about the Cay Bay development where the reporter appears to question the developer's promise and plans to be enviro friendly. There is hope yet!
A bunch of new photos were taken today, you can find them below.

Click here to Read More
____________________________________________________________

Back on the 27th of April 2005, Roy Marlin told the island -

The Island Government will take all necessary steps to ensure that the new development at the former Dawn Beach Hotel “becomes a success story in terms of the protection of the environment, the beach, public access to the beach, public parking, etcetera,”

And so far, he and the govt have failed in everything, except the 'etcetera', which is kind of vague and could mean anything, including 'trifles'. You know, high rent tenants, back room deals, permits and business arrangements, that sort of thing. Not many people will know this, but when the first plans were submitted for permits the pond remained untouched and although many people objected, some did not. When the second plans were unveiled showing the pond gone and the high density of the project, those who did not object first time were unable to the second time, well they are able to, but it is not taken into account.

Now imagine a developer wanting to build in front or next to your home, the plans are acceptable to you so you don't object. The next thing you know is, the plans change and are not acceptable, blocking your view, and maybe causing possible flood or other damage to your property. You can't object. Tough Luck. You can read how VROM explained it in a meeting with the parties that made objections back on the 11th May 2005.

This whole process is seriously flawed and it is abused by Roy Marlin and his developer friends again and again. And he wants to change it and make it even harder for you to have a voice and easier for him to use his Approved By Roy! rubber stamp. It's such a bother for him having to deal with people concerned about the environment, their livelyhood, health and safety, it probably gives him a headache.

I think it is quite well evident so far that in terms of the protection of the environment, the Westin Dawn Beach is an outright disaster. Today's photos of the brown sea caused by a totally inadequate and laughable 'Retention Pond' coupled with the garbage and paint buckets washing around in the surf is really the nail in the coffin for those who would argue otherwise.

As for the Beach, they are now building their wall, which is about 33 ft from the waters edge. Not only that but you can now see quite clearly that the 'embedded' road on the beach is now causing beach erosion. Has anyone noticed the rocks in the middle of the beach which never used to show? I cannot, in about 15 years, remember there being rocks showing on the beach, if anyone has any photos showing them I would like to see.

The 'construction' man in the Profiles Beach Trailer makes a claim that the beach was 100ft wider two weeks before, a ridiculous argument and if Westin have any photo proof of this then they should be asked to produce it. However, because they have 'embedded' a road so close to the water, in times of rougher seas like the past couple of days, the waves come up higher. They meet the rock and gravel and wash sand away, this is why people argue against sea walls on beaches.

You will see in the photos below that the waves have been washing up to the 'embedded' road and the beach is now even smaller and slowly getting covered in silt, stones and rocks. Oh, and let's not forget that it's also a Turtle nesting beach and this is nesting season, I don't suppose the fact that the Netherlands Antilles are party to several conventions and treaties protecting turtles means anything.

But lets move on, because I know you want to see the photos. Just a few more things to point out. Did you know that the permit requires Westin to have a total of 9 Public Parking Spaces? That's right, for the public and other hotel guests. Did you also notice that the permit mentions numerous times that the minimal allowable setback between the face of a building and the coastline is 45 meters (147ft) and that no construction should take place within this area?

Damn these trivial details!!

OK, now the photos, I've added some notes so you don't miss anything.

Pieces of garbage and wood have been pulled out of the water by Ms B's staff and tourists.

And they want HOW MUCH for these concrete boxes on the beach? Sales don't seem to be going so well for Coral Beach Club, 2 sold and 5 reserved. It makes you wonder if these developers shouldn't be invited to appear at the upcoming 'Laugh till your belly burst' show.

From my point of view, spending any money at Westin would be like buying illicit illegally harvested rainforest wood, clothing made by children in sweatshops and blood diamonds mined by warlords. Immoral and unconscionable

But that's your choice.

Thank you Roy Marlin, for your 'success story'.

Local Hero

Local Hero's blog | 24 comments | read more