27 February 2023 – The planned East-West Arterial (EWA) extension has brought up important issues to be dealt with by Caymanian society. The issue of traffic on Grand Cayman is one that cannot be ignored any longer because of the serious impact it is having on various sectors of the population, particularly those who live in the Eastern section of the Island. The National Trust is most grateful that the Cayman Islands Government (CIG) is attempting to arrive at an appropriate solution to this issue and in respect thereto has requested public input from all and sundry on their draft Terms of Reference (ToRs).

From the time of its creation under the National Trust Law 1987 by the then Members of the Legislative Assembly, the mandated purposes of the National Trust for the Cayman Islands under Section 4. (1) of the Law, included, inter alia:-

“ (1) … (b) the conservation of lands, natural features and submarine areas of beauty, historic or environmental importance …; and

(c) the protection of native flora and fauna.”
In addition, under Section 4. (2) of the Law the National Trust is empowered to include amongst its activities:-

“ (2) … (f) the provision of information, advice and assistance to the Government and other appropriate persons or bodies for the furtherance of the purposes of the Trust;

(g) the fostering of public interest in the purposes of the Trust through public information and public education; …”

Therefore, in accordance with its mandate, the National Trust reviewed the draft ToRs and prepared comments for submission to the CIG/Department of Environment (DoE). It is the hope of the National Trust that its input will assist CIG/DoE with preparing revised ToRs that will be fit for the purpose of progressing the carrying out of the essential Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA).

The National Trust supports the CIG’s expressed wish to follow the right process, so that, following the EIA, the CIG will be better able to analyze the EIA’s assessment of the pros and cons of the proposed EWA, and thus arrive at a sustainable solution, that will not only alleviate the horrendous traffic situation, but will conserve and protect as much as possible of the Central Mangrove Wetland, which, although too often its vital importance is overlooked, is essential to the long-term health and well-being of the people of the Cayman Islands.

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About the National Trust for the Cayman Islands

The National Trust for the Cayman Islands is a non-governmental organization whose mandate under the National Trust Law (2010 Revision) includes the preservation of the historic, natural and maritime heritage of the Cayman Islands for present and future generations.

About the Blue Iguana Conservation Programme

The Blue Iguana Recovery Programme began in 1990 with only 30 dedicated Blue Iguanas and the primary goal to restore the wild population to 1,000 Blue Iguanas, encouraging viable population in the long-term. Having met its primary goal in 2018, the initiative formally transitioned to the Blue Iguana Conservation Programme in 2019 with a new focus of sustainably conserving the native species of Grand Cayman.

About the National Trust’s Environmental Programme

The National Trust for the Cayman Islands’ environmental programme was founded on the concept that the protection of native plants and animals is best achieved by protecting the natural areas in which they depend.

About the National Trust Conservation Programme

The National Trust for the Cayman Islands’ conservation programme strives to protect Cayman’s native species and the habitats in which they live, and includes the endemic Blue Iguana of Grand Cayman, the Sister Islands Rock Iguana and Cayman’s native bat species.

About the National Trust Historic Preservation Programme

The National Trust for the Cayman Islands introduced the launching of its Historic Preservation Fund at its Annual General Meeting in September 2021 for the purpose of inviting increased support of its continuing efforts to encourage the preservation and protection of historic homes and buildings for present and future generations of the Cayman Islands.