Canadian Cries Foul Over Barbados Government Endangerment of Key Wetlands

OTTAWA, December 3 - Peter Allard, the Canadian owner of an eco-tourist facility in Barbados,
has filed a complaint against the Government of Barbados alleging it
violated its international environmental treaty obligations at Graeme Hall
Swamp.

The Graeme Hall wetland is a Caribbean flyway stop for migratory birds
between North and South America. The Sanctuary, located entirely within the
wetland, is home to some of the heaviest concentrations of biodiversity on
the island, and has been a major environmental education centre for
children, adults and visitors. It is recognized internationally under the
Convention on Wetlands of International Importance (Ramsar).

Since 1994 Mr. Allard has invested more than $35 million (US) in the
35-acre Sanctuary to preserve the last significant mangrove woodland and
wetland on the island.

His complaint filed this week with the Ministry of the Environment
alleged that Barbados has violated both the Convention on Wetlands and the
Convention on Biodiversity. The complaint alleges that for over a decade,
de-facto policies have been adopted that increase pollution, encourage high
density land development, and ignore environmental stakeholder interests
within the site.

Despite a 6,000 signature petition by citizens of Barbados to create a
240-acre national park at Graeme Hall, a new government zoning policy calls
for commercial and residential development for the majority of the area.

"Even without the impending development, the wetland has already
experienced increasing fish and crab kills in recent years along with
unpredictable water levels and toxic algae blooms," said Peter Allard, an
ardent environmentalist. "We have requested assistance and offered
technical and financial help to the Government of Barbados since the 1990s
to help correct years of government-run sluice gate and pollution
mismanagement."

The complaint also alleges that government dumped raw sewage by the
South Coast Sewage Treatment Plant into the Ramsar wetland contrary to
international law and its agreement with international lenders who financed
the plant.

    A copy can be viewed at:
    www.graemehall.com/legal/papers/Ramsar-Complaint.pdf
    Bridgetown, Barbados
    Archives and Art: www.graemehall.com/legal
    www.graemehall.com/reference.htm
    www.graemehall.com/press
    Additional Information: www.graemehallnationalpark.org
    For further information: Stuart Heaslet, ghns@heaslet.com/

For further information: Stuart Heaslet, ghns at heaslet.com/