IT APPEARS THAT in this neck of the woods when we speak of environmental protection, it invariably relates to the preservation of some species of tree, an endangered animal or bird, a building of historical or architectural significance, or even an entire area largely for aesthetic purposes.
Too often, the buy-in of the larger community is not achieved in such ventures because John Public does not see how they relate to him, or because he believes that when “environmental matters” impact on him, no one seems to care.
Take the case of the Arawak Cement Plant in St Lucy, which started almost three decades ago as a joint venture between the governments of Barbados and Trinidad and Tobago, but which is now owned by regional cement giant Trinidad Cement Limited.
Dating back to when the state was in control of the operations, residents of Maycocks and other areas bordering the plant have been complaining of dust or ash raining down on them, with never a hint of intervention by authorities responsible for environmental protection. Residents have learnt to live, or die, with their troubles.
Then a few months ago, residents of Bromefield, another neighbourhood bordering the plant, were up in arms when Arawak started excavating a huge tract of land upwind of them in preparation for the mining of limestone for its production process.
These ordinary Barbadians were upset because the bulldozers were only pushing away dirt to get at the rock below and their homes became inundated with dust – the actual mining of rock had not even started.
The residents agitated, represented themselves in the Press and, to his credit, garnered the support of Member of Parliament Denis Kellman. Within days Arawak disclosed that instead of mining within 20 metres of a dozen-odd homes, it would push the operation farther to the east. This appeared to be a decision made entirely by Arawak – without any intervention by environmental authorities.
Last week, however, the residents of Bromefield discovered that the operation had restarted when dust clouds enveloped their homes – and it turned out not to be as far away as they had expected. Many now believe they will have to live with the mining for another 25 years at least – and all the noise and dust associated with such a business.
What is the role for our Environmental Protection Department in such a matter? When residents complain about the dust, is there a minimum standard that can be enforced by authorities to protect their health? Can the agency require and enforce the planting of trees to create a dust screen, or order the construction of some mesh screen?
Then there is the issue of operating times. When a business moves quarrying operations into a neighbourhood that has existed for well over half a century, do authorities have the legal clout to tell them it can’t be fair to operate seven days a week from as early as 7:30 a.m. until near 7 p.m.?
We, like the people of Bromefield, believe there is no point in calling for Arawak’s mining operations there to cease. The area has been zoned for quarrying and they own the land. Arawak needs the limestone to keep its mills grinding, but the health of the community also has to be protected and we don’t believe we are unreasonable in suggesting this should be a role for the Environmental Protection Department.
Whenever the wind shifts direction and blows from the west, homes and contents become covered with dust and ash from the plant’s smoke stacks. Now, residents can look forward to a lifetime of dust from the east on a daily basis. What a way to live in the supposed peace, tranquillity and fresh air of northern Barbados.
