Cay Bay: --- Residents of Cay Bay are furious with the island government namely commissioner of Theo Heyliger who is busy putting together a project for the area.Speaking to reporters at the location yesterday was owner of Lucky Stable Roderick Halley.
Halley said the island government has plans to fill in the bay from the last peninsular to further down Cole Bay and back to the Cay Bay cemetery for the building of a fueling station for large cruise ships, asphalt and cement plant as well as a container pier.
Also in the project is space for at least ten businesses that are presently located in Sucker Garden.
Halley said he believes that the commissioner in question wants to make sure he has a container pier in place for his private business in the shipping industry.
Halley a local businessperson who is operating his stables in the area said he was made to understand that the island government plans to begin construction early next year. He said that already he was informed that the plan for the entire project has already been submitted to GEBE and VROM, but that the latter does not have the plan on display.
Halley said he made a request for a copy of the plan at GEBE but they have refused him that copy.
Halley said should government continue with its plan then they are going to destroy the entire eco-system in the area. He said even though his business would be highly hampered the construction alone would destroy nature in that area. Another concern for the Cay bay resident is the supposedly destruction of the Cay Bay cemetery.
Halley several families have their older relatives buried at that cemetery and desecrating the cemetery would be an insult to the residents of Cole Bay.
Outside of the above Halley said residents of Cay Bay and Cole Bay are planning to come together to protest against this project since the asphalt and cement plants would create health concerns for those living in the immediate area. Another concern for the residents Halley said would be the fact there would be heavy vehicles constantly in the area. 
He also felt that having another fueling station in Cay Bay would grossly affect sea life. Asked if they are aware that the island government had plans to build a cargo pier in Cay Bay, Halley said while they heard of the intentions in the past no one ever presented it to the community. Halley reiterated that if anyone knows about those plans, it is the politicians since none of it was ever discussed with the community. He made clear that no one ever came forward and said they intend to fill in the entire bay. "In my opinion it is ridiculous for someone to think that he or she can fill in a bay. Even though the GEBE power plant is located here all locals living in this area still come here daily to swim and relax. This is still a beautiful bay and to fill it in would be out of place.
In an invited comment, President of the St. Maarten Pride Foundation Jadira Veen said they were invited by LIEVENSE consultant who is working on government projects yesterday where it is expected that the project for Cay Bay would be presented. Until then the environmental foundations would not be able to comment.
Another group that attended the meeting yesterday informed SMN News that even though the project, which is considered one of the largest, was presented to them they were asked for their input and it was made clear that the environmental foundations would be providing advice an environmental recommendations, to the island government, but by no means they will endorse nor approve the project as this project would have tremendous impact to the marine environment.
Some of the concerns for the foundations are the mitigations plans on the part of GEBE so that sand does not enter GEBE pipes when dredging is taking place.
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