EMERGENCY CALL TO ACTION...READ THE FULL REPORT!!!

Three days ago, on 4th November, 2016, a damning report was published on the Department of Environment’s website in which they DO NOT support the approval for Dart to excavate 1,669 SQUARE FEET of coral reef/beach rock along Seven Mile Beach! http://www.doe.ky/sustainability/environmental-assessment/coastal-works/doe-coastal-works-reviews/ Page 2 states that “The application site is located within the Seven Mile Beach Marine Park and is within an active turtle nesting area.” In the most damning part of this excavation application, under Turtle Nesting, it states “The DoE turtle nesting beach monitoring programme has monitored this area since 1999 and has recorded nesting by both Green and Loggerhead turtles on the application site and adjacent lots. This is an active nesting area, particularly for Green turtles, with nest numbers increasing in recent years. In 2012, 16 nests were recorded in this location and there has been an average of 7 nests per year recorded over the past five years. Along this stretch of the coastline nesting has historically commenced from June through to September, with hatchlings emerging until November. Excavation works in the location are likely to result in shoreline retreat, which will result in a reduction in beach habitat for turtles to nest on. Furthermore, Green turtles demonstrate a high degree of nesting site fidelity (i.e. they return to the same place to nest year on year) and if the site is disturbed or obstructed the turtle may abandon its nesting attempts rather than seek an alternative location.” The Coastal Works Review application confirmed that this first excavation is so that they can get geological samples and analysis to next excavate 1,700 LINEAR FEET of coral reef/beach rock! However, “from correspondence with Dr Brian Jones, it is understood that 5 hand sized samples collected from the surface of the beachrock are required for the geological review and analysis.” FIVE HAND SIZED SAMPLES IS NEEDED TO DO AN ANALYSIS, NOT 1,669 SQUARE FEET OF EXCAVATION! Furthermore, on Page 3 regarding the Seven Mile Beach Coastal System, excerpts of studies and reports that were commissioned previously are quoted stating “Although the rock structure undoubtedly affects the shoreline dynamics significantly, its removal or lowering is not recommended. The structure also acts like a reef or detached breakwater providing coastal protection to the narrower dune ridge it fronts…Additionally, removal of the rock would upset the stability of the beach to the north.” WE STILL NEED YOUR HELP TO STOP THIS EXCAVATION OF THE ACTIVE TURTLE NESTING AREA SINCE THIS APPLICATION SITE IS LOCATED WITHIN THE SEVEN MILE BEACH MARINE PARK! We would like to extend our heartfelt appreciation to all the lovers of the Cayman Islands for signing the petition to vote "NO" for Dart permission to dig up coral reef/beach rock along Seven Mile Beach. Please email us at PeopleInitiatedReferendum@gmail.com to request a printable petition if you would like to assist in gathering the signatures of Caymanian voters, as per Section 70 of the Constitution, so that this petition can be presented to the Cayman Islands Government Legislature. Or simply share and tag so that your friends and family members can cast their vote online at https://www.change.org/p/vote-no-for-dart-permission-to-dig-up-coral-reef-beach-rock-along-seven-mile-beach Please commit to tagging at least 20 friends and family members to sign the petition! Thank you for helping!