THE Diana-McCaulay-led Jamaica Environment Trust (JET) has backed the Negril Chamber of Commerce in expressing alarm at the removal of sand from the site of one of the hotels currently under expansion.

“JET understands that permission was given from the Mines and Geology Division to remove the sand, but no environmental permit was issued as is required by law.

“The problems of beach erosion in Negril have been extremely well documented and it is unconscionable that any kind of permission should have been given to remove sand from the marine ecosystem in that area,”JET said in a release yesterday.

“JET is especially concerned at the role of the Mines and Geology Division (MGD) in this matter, as the commissioner of mines should be fully aware of the requirements of the Natural Resources Conservation Authority Act, the release said.

JET also questioned why the environmental consultants did not advise the client of the need for an environmental permit, and why the NEPA enforcement team was not immediately aware of this illegal activity. The cease and desist order from NEPA has come too late and most of the sand has already been removed, the trust said.

JET, meanwhile, has called on NEPA to require the return of the sand to Negril so that it can be used in much needed beach nourishment in Long Bay.

“We insist that Government regulatory agencies like NEPA and MGD must be far more serious about ensuring that development does not harm Jamaica’s natural resources.”