St. Maarten Private Eye

Dredger spotted destroying Simpson Bay Lagoon

EPIC and SXM Pride Press release

On Tuesday August 26th, 2008 St. Maarten Pride Foundation and EPIC received word that a Dredger was seen removing large quantities of sand from the Simpson Bay Lagoon and depositing it on the Island of Little Key.

Foundation volunteers arrived at Little Key to investigate the reports and took several pictures of the dredger in action before its Captain ceased operations, boarded another vessel and hurried it back to its home port in an attempt to avoid further inquires by aforementioned volunteers. The Foundations have learnt that the dredger was in the process of digging a deep channel to a Marina located behind the Airport parking lot.

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Development and Construction | Environment | Epic Foundation | Mullet Bay | Simpson Bay Lagoon | SXM Pride Foundation | Flipper's blog | add new comment | read more

Poisoning the People

Last week the island was again subjected to clouds of smoke from our dump, I swear it's like one of those candles that you blow out and it relights itself. The only way to really put it out is to wet your fingers and stop the smoking and smoldering, something that the dump management (Windward Roads? I don't know, these companies all change names so often), Mr Buncamper and the fire department just don't seem to get. The dump is still smoking and smoldering today, blaming it on scavengers is an old and very tired excuse that is not only weak, but implies that they are incapable of keeping the dump secure.

SXM Pride's press release warning of the health concerns of dump smoke is accurate, in fact, if you really look into the matter you will not only be very concerned, but also very angry that it keeps on happening. If you really want to know more about what you and your children are breathing every time the dump burns, then read on.

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Environment | Garbage and Waste | Health | Roy Marlin | SXM Pride Foundation | Theo Heyliger | Local Hero's blog | 5 comments | read more

Enviro Week - EWE - 4-8 June 2008

Imagine... a park full of green products and services that will help St. Maarten become a bit more of a nature friendly island and a more livable island for the younger generation. With our eco-expo we make it a reality and you can even participate with your green products or services.

A solar cooker contest, a car that runs on water (French Lycee), a car that runs on biofuel, local biological food, green cleaning products, wood crafting, local natural art, solar heaters, water saving and energy saving products, water from air and a raffle. There will also be workshops in between with related to agriculture, solar power, energy and water saving and some interesting keynote speakers. Details, updates and press releases below.

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Climate Change | Energy and Water | Environment | Heritage and Culture | SXM Pride Foundation | Local Hero's blog | 9 comments | read more

Another one bites the Dust.

Jadira Veen reports from the scene....

YouTube Video - Nature destruction at Over the Bank in St. Maarten

NAf. 7,000 fine suggested for destruction of old trees - 27th March 2008

According to reports I have, interest was expressed by the Emilio Wilson Park Foundation via Wilhelm Patrick to save the old house and move it to the park. I am also hearing that what is left may be mostly salvaged. Perhaps the fines can cover this?

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Development and Construction | Environment | Heritage and Culture | SXM Pride Foundation | Local Hero's blog | 6 comments | read more

Two new Enviro Videos

Two new videos from SXM have been placed on YouTube recently. The first is an awareness video created by a student which I have given the title "Don't care what people say, follow your own way". The second is a SXM Pride report about mangroves being cleared in the lagoon behind Tropicana Casino.

You can read more about SXM Pride here.

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Development and Construction | Epic Foundation | SXM Pride Foundation | Flipper's blog | 8 comments | read more

The Environment

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Climate Change | Development and Construction | Environment | Epic Foundation | Simpson Bay Lagoon | SXM Pride Foundation | read more