Comment:
Sand Mining:
I agree with all the above concerns from the residents: To destroy the quality of life in the Belham is a direct destruction of the tourist business to come. Tourists are anxious to come to Montserrat, especially now that the volcano is quite; New charters from Guadeloupe are coming this fall, (lots of money in the French Islands). One villa in Iles Bay has recently been sold to a person from Guadeloupe, If sand mining destroys Montserrat’s newest beach at Old Road Bay you can kiss goodbye to future investments.
Suggestions: Have the SAND MINERS build a jetty in Foxes Bay and pay for it.
2) Have them build a smaller one in Isles Bay only when Foxes Bays is done. This one could be used for recreational purposes and in the event the volcano is acting up again if it does and that Foxes Bay is deamed unsafe, then and only then could that backup jetty can be used. As soon as the volcano would subside, it would be back to Foxes Bay.
3) Use the jetty in Plymouth.
4)The digging of the Belham Valley should be structured. EG: Dig where the river should flow, I know it will fill again, but dig it repeatedly.
If the mining is well done and constructive, maybe a fresh water lake or a dam, waterfalls upstream, It will benefit Montserrat in the long term; Miners will have to comply to these directives or lose their permits. They will complain but this is human nature when personal profits are at stake. Too bad, so sad, they will get used to it.
I recently visited the Volcanic island of Santorini. They have turned this volcanic island which doesn’t even come close to Montserrat ‘s natural beauty into a TOURIST GOLD MINE. Montserrat, don’t settle only for a SAND MINE when a GOLD MINE is just around the bend. Both can exist but not if the Balham is carelessly ripped apart.
5) The beaches of the Balham are a natural nesting place for turtles, Please let them live. Don’t Let Green Peace put Montserrat to shame.
Luke
