The United Progressive Party (UPP) has expressed strong support for the residents of the Kalinago Territory, Concord, Marigot, and the wider community of Dominica in voicing serious concerns over ongoing mining activities in Deux Branches, located in the Parish of St. Andrew.
In a written statement, the party’s leaderhip underscored that these operations pose significant threats to public health and safety, particularly for those who depend on the river for recreation, livelihood, and sustenance. Additionally, the UPP highlights that the mining activities infringe upon the Kalinago community’s right to free, prior, and informed consent, raising urgent questions about the legality and adherence to due process.
In light of these issues, said the release, “The UPP is urging an immediate halt to all mining operations in Deux Branches until proper procedures are followed and adequate environmental safeguards are put in place.”
Acknowledging that the public has spoken decisively, the party reports that over 3,000 individuals signed an international petition demanding the halt of the mining project. This widespread concern underscores fears about its detrimental environmental and social repercussions.
The party urges the government of Dominica to pause any actions that threaten the island’s natural heritage until a thorough process involving environmental impact assessments and the informed consent of affected communities is completed.
The UPP’s release lists a range of environmental risks associated with the mining operation, including irreversible damage to natural habitats and biodiversity, soil erosion, land degradation, water contamination, disruption of natural drainage systems, air pollution from dust, loss of agricultural land, and threats to food security. The destruction of scenic landscapes that form the island’s identity and tourism appeal, along with negative impacts such as reduced river flow, sedimentation, increased landslide risks, and harm to marine ecosystems, are also of grave concern.
“Dominica has long been celebrated as the Nature Island of the Caribbean. This reputation is more than a marketing label. It is a responsibility to current and future generations. Any development that threatens the environment must be subject to rigorous scrutiny through proper environmental impact assessments conducted by independent experts,” added the party.
The UPP went on to stress that any development threatening this ecological integrity must be subjected to rigorous scrutiny through independent environmental impact assessments. They express particular concern that the current project appears to have bypassed established laws, regulations, and international conventions aimed at protecting the island’s environment.
The party is calling on the government to immediately halt all mining and quarrying activities in Deux Branches until an independent review is completed, and a comprehensive environmental impact assessment is carried out. They also advocate for meaningful consultations with local communities and stakeholders, transparency regarding the project’s scope and purpose, and a clear timeline for decision-making that includes public input.
“Environmental impact assessments exist for good reason – they provide critical information about potential harm, allow for public input, and ensure that development proceeds in a sustainable manner,” asserts the UPP.
The UPP argues that the people of Dominica deserve governance that respects due process, prioritizes environmental preservation, and values long-term national interests over short-term economic gains and that this issue should transcend party lines.
In conclusion, the UPP emphasized that development must be sustainable, properly vetted, and genuinely serve the interests of the people, urging, “We must not sacrifice our environmental legacy on the altar of expediency.”
