http://www.dominica-weekly.com/news-from-dominica/ten-questions-to-the-government-which-fall-outside-the-scope-of-the-environmental-impact-assessment/ Ramblings From The Nature Paradise of Dominica Sat, 30 Aug 2008 02:04:21 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.6 http://www.dominica-weekly.com/news-from-dominica/ten-questions-to-the-government-which-fall-outside-the-scope-of-the-environmental-impact-assessment/#comment-11916 Christian Volney Wed, 06 Aug 2008 17:25:13 +0000 http://www.dominica-weekly.com/news-from-dominica/ten-questions-to-the-government-which-fall-outside-the-scope-of-the-environmental-impact-assessment/#comment-11916 These are all very valuable questions and concerns regarding the pending Oil Refinery proposal. Unlike most of the opponents to this proposal, I believe in due process and the full environmental impact assessment on the feasibility in combination with the location and impact study. In Dominica we have a tendency to arbitrarily dismiss opportunities based on biased and outdated information because of the environmental lobby. I would be the first to lobby against the Refinery once the EPA or equivalent of releases its EIA on this proposal. What I am against is the fear-mongering displayed by the opponents and there blatant disregard for due process and the education of our people. We need to tell both sides of a story when we embark on an assessment. I am not saying that the Oil Refinery is good for Dominica, for that matter it is in conflict with the eco theme we have promoted over the last 20 years. We need to base our understandings, hence our decisions on fact and not hearsay or outdated information. Most of what I have read to date is based on studies in other parts of the world and based on outdates refineries. This technology has evolved since and we owe it to ourselves to await the environmental impact assessment study to be released before we jump to conclusions. If anything, we will learn to appreciate the meaning of due process and the impact it has on our understanding, hence decision. We cannot continue to base our decisions on outdated information being spread by environmentalist and there lobby, we need to grow up and base it on our understanding of the data once it s findings have been made available. I would bet, that at the end of the day, we will still dismiss this intent, but at least it will be based on fact of the day, not rumors of the past. I rest my case. Christian Volney. These are all very valuable questions and concerns regarding the pending Oil Refinery proposal. Unlike most of the opponents to this proposal, I believe in due process and the full environmental impact assessment on the feasibility in combination with the location and impact study.
In Dominica we have a tendency to arbitrarily dismiss opportunities based on biased and outdated information because of the environmental lobby. I would be the first to lobby against the Refinery once the EPA or equivalent of releases its EIA on this proposal. What I am against is the fear-mongering displayed by the opponents and there blatant disregard for due process and the education of our people.
We need to tell both sides of a story when we embark on an assessment. I am not saying that the Oil Refinery is good for Dominica, for that matter it is in conflict with the eco theme we have promoted over the last 20 years. We need to base our understandings, hence our decisions on fact and not hearsay or outdated information. Most of what I have read to date is based on studies in other parts of the world and based on outdates refineries. This technology has evolved since and we owe it to ourselves to await the environmental impact assessment study to be released before we jump to conclusions. If anything, we will learn to appreciate the meaning of due process and the impact it has on our understanding, hence decision. We cannot continue to base our decisions on outdated information being spread by environmentalist and there lobby, we need to grow up and base it on our understanding of the data once it s findings have been made available.
I would bet, that at the end of the day, we will still dismiss this intent, but at least it will be based on fact of the day, not rumors of the past.
I rest my case.
Christian Volney.

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