~ Says Emilio Wilson Estate Foundation ~
PHILIPSBURG--Emilio Wilson Estate Foundation (EWEF) called on Minister of Infrastructure William Marlin on Monday to keep his commitments and protect and establish the entire Emilio Wilson Estate as St. Maarten's first National Park.
EWEF, via press release on Monday, reminded Minister Marlin that on March 22 this year he and the entire National Alliance (NA) parliamentary group had supported a motion by independent Member of Parliament (MP) Frans Richardson to protect the entire Emilio Wilson Estate and have it established as a Nature Park or land-based protected area.
"It would be exceptionally hypocritical of Minister Marlin, the NA and MP Frans Richardson to reverse their position on protecting Emilio Wilson Estate after having so passionately spoken about the need to protect the entire area during the Parliamentary meeting of March 22, 2012, when the aforementioned motion was tabled and debated," the foundation said.
It also reminded Marlin, the governing coalition, MP Frans Richardson and in particular the NA parliamentary group that the entire Emilio Wilson Estate had been placed on the monument list to prevent residential and commercial development of the area.
"It should also be noted that the Executive Council of the former Island Territory of St. Maarten decided to commence with the drafting of a zoning plan geared at the conservation of the entire Estate in July of 2008," the foundation said.
The foundation also said it was extremely disappointed, but not at all surprised, that Rainforest Adventures had stopped the archaeological survey that was being carried out by St. Maarten Archaeological Centre Simarc.
EWEF is of the opinion that the archaeological survey is nothing more than a permit requirement and a means to an end for Rainforest Adventures and that by stopping the archaeological survey Rainforest Adventures has shown its true colours.
"It is extremely unfortunate that Rainforest Adventures and the owners of Emilio Wilson Estate will not allow for the continuation of the archaeological research. Rainforest Adventures is in essence keeping the people's patrimony hostage, a situation the foundation is confident will only get worse if Government were to allow the company's plans for an amusement park at the Estate to continue.
"The foundation wonders if Rainforest Adventures plans to withhold residents from their heritage as a bargaining tool whenever there is a conflict with Government or as a manner of securing additional permits in the future," EWEF said.
Government has informed the owner of the estate that it is willing to purchase a part of the estate for US $17 million. In return, the owner of the property will be able to develop residential homes. Rainforest Adventures has since sought a meeting with Prime Minister Sarah Wescot-Williams and Marlin to obtain clarity, but has not been granted this audience as yet.
Neither Marlin nor Wescot-Williams has commented on the reported $17 million deal, despite persistent efforts to obtain information from them.
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