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PHILIPSBURG, Sint Maarten – Minister of Public Housing, Environment, Spatial Planning and Infrastructure (Ministry VROMI) Hon. Maurice Lake says he stands for the protection of the Great Salt Pond, and looks forward in the new governing period to continue with the community consultation regarding the draft development plans.
Minister Lake said he took note of a petition that was presented more than a year ago which called for a stop to the landfill expansion, dumping and pollution in the Great Salt Pond.
"I agree we have to maintain the current status of the Great Salt Pond. It is a natural reservoir for rain runoff which then goes into the sea once it reaches a certain capacity.
"I agree with the protection of the people, wildlife, and the wetlands of the country. The new waste to energy plant which I have been working on during my tenure has reached a finalization point and once established and operational, it will lead to the processing of our country's waste.
"The dump fires should be considerably reduced or become non-existent. I do believe that the Great Salt Pond is a national resource and should be treated in that manner.
"The process of public consultation with the various districts regarding the draft national development plans is one way to go to have all those ideas as presented in the petition to be discussed and become part of the planning where our natural resources that exist today are protected for generations to come.
"I look forward to continuing with the draft development plan process in the new governing period," Minister Hon. Maurice Lake concluded.
