CIG is spending $1.1 million more on land to block development

(CNS): The Ministry of Lands has confirmed that the Cayman Islands government has purchased two more lands worth more than CI$1.1 million with public funds. According to a brief summary of a recent cabinet meeting, ministers approved the purchase of both plots for conservation reasons. However, officials told CNS that the acquisitions were made to prevent development and maintain access to the ocean.

CIG paid CI $650,000 for just over two acres on Little Cayman (Block 88A, Plot 3) and CI $455,000 for land (Block 25B, Plot 243) adjacent to the old Mariners Cove site.

The recent acquisitions, approved by the Council of Ministers at their meeting on September 10, complement those disclosed in response to a CNS reader’s freedom of information request.

The public information request revealed that since the 2021 elections, CIG (first PACT and now UPM) has issued at least CI$45.5 million acquisition of over 60 plots, most of them purchased in the last 18 months. CI$12 million was spent on land acquisition on Cayman Brac alone. CIG also spent more than $2.1 million on Scranton Park and approximately $20 million on beach access on all three islands.

Some of the plots, including the more expensive acquisitions, appear to have been financed by the Environmental Protection Fund (EPF). However, despite the government’s claims that much of this land is designated for conservation purposes, less than C$1.6 million was spent on land acquisition to actually protect threatened natural habitats or species.

The Department of the Environment has confirmed that neither of the two new plots of land purchased by the government is a priority for the protection of specific species or habitats.

Lands and Survey reported that the National Council for Environmental Protection was consulted before the Council of Ministers approved the acquisition of the plots, in accordance with Art. 41 of the Nature Protection Act, as in the case of all land acquisition transactions.

Officials also said the land was purchased under budget line EA146 ‘Land purchases: protection’, which is not listed in the appropriations bill passed in parliament following the tabling of the 2024/25 budget last year.