St. Maarten Private Eye

Thank you Mr. Soon.
I would like to thank the person that made the video, this person used the proper words so well to describe the destruction to the pond which had birds, crabs and fish.
All pictures were taken at the Dawn Beach before and during the destruction of the pond.
I am mentioning this so that no-one can say that pictures from elsewhere were incorporated in the video.
From this video it is also clear that a pond exisited there, a pond that had wildlife, so there should be no more arguments as to this pond was dirty water and that it was not really a pond, all arguments used by persons who were looking for an excuse to destroy for the sake of money.
That pond was a natural water catchment from the hills, it could easily have been incorporated into a island.caribbean style development.
The heavy equipment or earth movers driving on the beach very close to the waterline, along with the washing of the cement bucket in the Atlantic ocean also raises concerns in regards to the beach policy.
When one looks at the abundant greenery that Dawn Beach had on the old site and compare to what it is today, it is clear to see that the developers Columbia Sussex do not appreciate the natural Caribbean, they have no respect for our beach and the reef.
They have no respect for their neighbors as a sewage plant which produces noise is located along with a container warehouse in the view of many residents.
The residents who previously had ocean views overlooking Dawn Beach is also gone.
St.Maarten leaders have to immediately start to realise that they are killing the golden egg, the very thing that attracts visitors to St.Maarten is being destroyed .Zoning has to be implemented, hindrance laws and building permit laws have to be modernised.
Large developments such as hotels/condo high rises should all be required to submit an independant environmental impact assesment.
This EIA should have the local stakeholders (environmental and heritage) involved in the study.
The list is long in order to create a environmental friendly island, but it can be done with political will and the awareness of the people.