CONFUSED? LET'S BREAK IT DOWN
Environmental Assessment Board Advised the UDP to Choose Route B2
The Environmental Assessment Board (EAB), after conducting a thorough review, strongly recommended Route B2 due to its significantly lower environmental impact. Despite this, the government appears determined to prioritize Route B3, which involves more disruptive construction, including elevated roads and additional concrete structures that could have a devastating impact on the island’s critical ecosystems.
- Route B2 is not only better for the environment, but it also offers a more cost-effective solution for the island in the long run.
- Choosing Route B3 would increase the cost of construction and maintenance and lead to the destruction of vital wetlands that act as natural flood barriers.
Route B2 provides a sustainable and responsible choice for the future of our islands. It's time to demand that decision-makers reconsider their priorities and choose a route that supports both environmental conservation and economic stability.
What the Environmental Assessment Board Really Thinks About Route B3
The Environmental Assessment Board raised significant concerns about Route B3, including its long-term financial and environmental costs. Here’s why they believe Route B2 is the more responsible choice:
- Higher Environmental Costs: Route B3 would disrupt critical habitats like the Central Mangrove Wetlands, leading to long-term damage to the island's biodiversity. It would also fragment ecosystems, putting endangered species like the Cayman parrot at greater risk.
- Increased Flood Risks: The wetland areas that would be disturbed by Route B3 play a key role in flood protection for surrounding communities. Altering this delicate ecosystem increases the risk of flooding, especially as sea levels rise due to climate change.
- Escalating Financial Burden: Route B3 is the more expensive option, both in terms of construction and maintenance over the next 50 years, further straining public finances.
It is clear that Route B3 is the wrong choice for the environment and the future of the Cayman Islands. We need to push for Route B2, which offers a better balance of economic growth and environmental stewardship.
How the ROAD Has Triggered International Concern
How the ROAD Has Triggered International Concern
How the ROAD Has Triggered International Concern
The proposed EWA Extension has raised alarm not only locally but also from international environmental organizations. The route cuts through the Central Mangrove Wetlands, which are crucial for biodiversity, climate regulation, and flood mitigation. Once this critical area is disrupted, it may be lost forever.
- Loss of Biodiversity: The wetlands support a wide range of species that could be devastated by this construction. It is essential that we protect these habitats, which serve as home to endangered species like the Cayman parrot.
- Flooding and Climate Change Risks: Wetlands are a natural buffer against flooding, and disrupting them would expose local communities to greater flood risks. Moreover, wetlands act as carbon sinks, and their destruction would release stored carbon, exacerbating the impact of climate change. Cayman’s Climate Change Policy needs to prioritize preserving these ecosystems.
We cannot afford to lose these critical ecosystems. It is imperative that Route B2, which avoids these valuable habitats, is chosen to protect the island’s natural resources and mitigate the effects of climate change.
Key Takeaways: A Costly Choice
How the ROAD Has Triggered International Concern
How the ROAD Has Triggered International Concern
The choice between Route B2 (blue) and Route B3 (white) is not just about road construction. It’s about the future of our environment and the well-being of future generations. The road’s environmental costs—especially in terms of wetlands destruction, flood risk, and long-term sustainability—cannot be ignored.
- Route B2 offers a better solution, balancing the island’s need for solutions to (traffic congestion) with the preservation of its natural resources.
- Route B3 presents unnecessary environmental and financial risks that threaten the future of the island.
Voters must act now to ensure that Route B2 is chosen. The Red Horizon Project represents a call to action for responsible development, environmental protection, and a sustainable future for the Cayman Islands.
WHY MORE THAN EVER VOTERS NEED TO KEEP A CLOSE WATCH
Now is the time to make your voice heard and demand the responsible decision to protect our island’s future.
With the election approaching, it is more important than ever for voters to stay informed and demand accountability from their elected officials. The East-West Arterial project, particularly Route B3, could have devastating long-term effects on the island’s environment, economy, and quality of life.
- Political Influence: The government must prioritize public welfare over commercial interests. We cannot allow short-term economic gains to outweigh the long-term environmental costs.
- Human Wellbeing Costs for the Eastern Districts: The people of the Eastern Districts are already facing severe hardship due to long commute times, inadequate road conditions, and limited access to essential services. Route B2 offers a faster solution to these ongoing challenges, while Route B3 could delay the necessary improvements. The government must act quickly to improve quality of life for residents in these areas, ensuring that they don’t continue to bear the brunt of this neglect.
- Voter Engagement: Voters must demand greater transparency in the decision-making process and advocate for Route B2, which balances environmental protection and infrastructure development.
- Future Generations: The choices we make today will affect future generations. By choosing Route B2, we can ensure that Cayman’s future is built on a foundation of sustainability and environmental integrity.