Placencia Residents Concerned About Dredging

There are growing concerns tonight from residents of Placencia who complain that illegal dredging activities and sand mining in the South Stann Creek River is destroying their properties.  As seen in the following images, excavation has led to a considerable loss of beachfront and the damages are affecting the local tourism industry north of the peninsula.  As much as fifteen feet of seaside has eroded from in front of one property and the owner, in an email sent to News Five, says he is disturbed by government’s apparently sluggish response to the matter.  While there are immediate environmental concerns, residents are furious that the activities along the coast are reportedly being carried out unlawfully.  News Five attempted to get a comment from one of the residents today but we were unsuccessful.  We will continue to follow this story in our subsequent newscast.