FALMOUTH, Trelawny — Amid growing concern that unregulated land filling on private properties along Falmouth roadways worsened flooding during Hurricane Melissa, a resolution calling for an immediate halt to the practice received unanimous support from councillors at Thursday’s monthly meeting of the Trelawny Municipal Corporation.

The motion, moved by minority leader Councillor Garth Wilkinson (Peoples National Party, Falmouth Division) also calls for stronger enforcement by the National Environment and Planning Agency (NEPA) to prevent encroachment on road reserves and the blocking of natural drainage channels. The resolution is to be forwarded to several government agencies for review and action.

Weeks after the Category 5 storm, the two main roads leading in and out of Falmouth remained submerged, reportedly due to the dumping of marl and other material. The historic town, which is said to be below sea level, continues to face significant flooding challenges.

“Dumping has affected the lives of many of us. I was one of them who suffered tremendously from Melissa because of dumping. Everybody wants to drive from their home onto the highway. The highway was made at a certain height,” said Wilkinson.

Referring to communities such as Salt Marsh, where he lives, and Greenwood, Wilkinson said some homeowners have seen their property inundated after neighbouring lands were elevated with marl, altering natural drainage patterns and causing run-off into lower-lying homes.

“I have a problem when I just see marl being dumped on a property. Melissa has exposed weakness in the governance system, causing significant flooding, erosion, debris deposit, and [has] endangered road users [as well as] damaged a roadway and adjoining private property,” he argued.

Pointing to what he described as a lack of oversight, Wilkinson said the aim of his resolution is to fill any gaps in the existing regulations.

“I don’t know if there’s any regulation that prevents persons from doing this. This resolution is really, as I said, [to ensure that] all dumping of marl, rubble, vegetation, waste along the roadway or adjoining private property should cease immediately and [be] disapproved by the relevant authority,” he stated.

The councillor said the issue extends beyond isolated communities, and warned that the consequences of indiscriminate dumping are affecting road infrastructure as well as nearby residents.

“All I’m asking is that the resolution should be forwarded to the municipal corporations, the National Works Agency, National Solid Waste Management Authority, the Public Health [Department], NEPA, ODP [Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management] and other concerned agencies for immediate attention and validation. It affects every single one of us inside this room,” he said.

Mayor of Falmouth and chairman of the corporation, Councillor C Junior Gager endorsed the motion.

“We support it. We support it because while it may not affect us today… there is always tomorrow,” said Gager, who is also councillor for the Warsop Division.

Minority leader in the Trelawny Municipal Corporation Councillor Garth Wilkinson, making a point during the monthly meeting on Thursday. (Photo: Horace Hines)

Minority leader in the Trelawny Municipal Corporation, Councillor Garth Wilkinson, who addressed the monthly meeting (Photo: Horace Hines)