The Editor Sir:

Attached and below is an open letter to the residents of Puerto Bueno, Bengal, St Ann:

We, the members of the St. Ann Parish Development Committee (PDC), wish to commend you for your perseverance in fighting what seemed like a losing battle, but turned into a victory for environmental justice.

Over the past several years you have individually and collectively voiced your objections to the intolerable dust pollution, noise and blasting impacts of a quarry and stone crushing plant that were allowed to operate adjacent to your community for over six years. Not only were they operating without planning approval, they were located in a scenic natural area designated for protection as undeveloped coast by the St Ann Parish Development Order.

Your meticulous documentation of the dust pollution and damage to your properties provided abundant evidence of the unbearable conditions imposed by these activities. Yet the menace continued unabated while the agencies and ministries responsible for environmental regulation turned a blind eye and a deaf ear to your pleas.

National good

The highway had to be built, so the citizens would have to suffer 'for the national good.'

Some of the residents simply gave up and moved out, their retirement dreams shattered by respiratory illnesses, constant cleaning and repair costs, and the loss of enjoyment of their homes and gardens. But those of you who stayed on continued the fight and waged an unrelenting campaign of letter-writing to the authorities and the press.

You eventually sought help from Northern Jamaica Conservation Association (NJCA), and with their encouragement brought your struggle to the attention of the Parish Development Committee and the Prime Minister, the Honourable Bruce Golding.

Close down

In the end, collective action prevailed: a group of citizens, supported by NJCA, the PDC, and the Planning Department of the Parish Council, persuaded the [new] Government of Jamaica to close down the crushing plant and quarry once and for all.

So thank you, Puerto Bueno residents, for inspiring the St Ann PDC to stand up for our rights for a safe and healthy environment. We salute your intrepid leadership and advocacy, and we look forward to your continued participation in the PDC, as we work together to improve the quality of life for the people of St Ann.

We are, etc.,

Frank E. Lawrence,

Chairman

Wendy A. Lee,

Secretary

St Ann PDC

st.ann_pdc@yahoo.com

In transforming communities