7 News Belize

BTIA Vs The NCL Project To Court
posted (June 30, 2015)
Recently, the lawsuit between Developer Mike Feinstein, the Government and the Principals of the Fort Street Tourism Village, has been making the news regularly over the future of cruise tourism in Belize City. Well today, the lawsuit on the other big development, Norwegian Cruise Line's Harvest Caye started in the Supreme Court.

The BTIA is challenging separate decisions of NEAC and DOE in relation to the environmental impact assessment (EIA) for Harvest Caye, a project managed by Belize Island Holdings Limited on behalf of Norwegian Cruise Lines.

The BTIA argues that the NEAC decision to recommend approval of the EIA without a public hearing and in violation of environmental law statutes and the DOE decision to approve the EIA in contravention of the terms of reference and minimum requirements of the law, as well as a legitimate expectation that the Government would abide by the National Sustainable Tourism Master Plan which outlaws mass cruise tourism in the South.

Justice Abel last year granted leave on two of the four grounds: the fact that there was not enough opportunity for the public to properly comment on the EIA before its consideration and that the DOE approval was in contravention of the terms of reference for the EIA.

The case started under President Herbert Haylock, and his successor Osmany Salas was there along with the President of the Placencia BTIA Chapter, Stewart Krohn.

The project continues without any application for an injunction by the BTIA, who are hindered by the legal precedent set by the case of BACONGO and the DOE in 2003 among others which indicate that even an injunction cannot be sought by anyone not directly affected by the result of a Government decision.

Most of the day was given over to cross-examination of expert witnesses for the BTIA concerning the EIA, ECP and terms of reference for the project. It continues tomorrow, and we'll have more for you then.

Home | Archives | Downloads/Podcasts | Advertise | Contact Us

7 News Belize