Placencians protest causeway proposal

When you mention “environmental controversy” these days most people think of the ongoing debate over the proposed Chalillo Dam. Not to be outdone, however, the good citizens of Placencia are raising their voices against a proposal that would have their lovely Peninsula linked to the mainland by a causeway to Big Creek. That proposal is a long time dream of prominent Independence resident Elizabeth Zabaneh, who also happens to be president of the Senate. Zabaneh wrote to the Ministers of Economic Development and Tourism asking them to consider the concept as an undertaking that would promote the economic development of the area, making it easier for tourists, including cruise ship passengers, to visit the villages of Seine Bight and Placencia. At the same time residents of the peninsula could access important services available at the rapidly growing community of Independence. It seems, however, that one woman’s dream is a nightmare for others. Citing concern that the ecosystem of Placencia Lagoon would be heavily damaged by such a causeway, a group of Placencians this weekend blitzed the media with an anti-causeway petition which accused Zabaneh of trying to ram the project through behind the back of Placencia’s village council. Needless to say, a project to build a two lane causeway almost two miles long, including a forty foot high bridge to let boats through, is not the kind of undertaking that gets rammed through anywhere, let alone in slow moving Belize. As for Mrs. Zabaneh, she wrote to Placencia Village Chairman Glen Eily, one of her most vocal critics, that she hopes once the emotionally driven storm has subsided, all concerned can sit down to discuss ways for the area to grow and prosper.