Minister says seismic work in Toledo Park is legal …

It’s an issue that has been simmering in the south for several months: the awarding of a government permit to a U.S. company to conduct seismic testing as part of oil exploration in the Sarstoon Temash National Park. The normally routine move has provoked the ire of a number of local leaders, including those of the Sarstoon Temash Institute for Indigenous Management. Their dissatisfaction climaxed earlier this month when SATIIM applied for a legal motion that asks the Supreme Court of Belize to stay any work in the park until the matter can be judicially reviewed. This morning Minister of Natural Resources and the Environment Johnny Briceño told us that he is disappointed at SATIIM’s decision to take the matter to court, but is not surprised.

Johnny Briceño, Minister of Natural Resources
?We do not believe that we have violated that agreement, in this matter, it is an issue that is addressed through the Chief Forest Officer, they are the ones that provide the permit, it does not go up to the ?Minister? as we can say. But as the Minister responsible, yes I can say it is in their consultations with me, I did support U.S. Capital to do some work, some seismic tests in the Sarstoon National Park.?

Janelle Chanona, Reporting
?Does this legal challenge change the dimension of discussions??

Johnny Briceño
?I think that if you want to look at the positive aspect of this, is that it is good that we can address this legally. As I mentioned before, someday sooner or later someone would have taken a case against government. We believe that once this is addressed legally, then we can go on to the other issues. I think to me, one of the most important issues is that how can we ensure that any development of any resource in the communities that surround that area can benefit.?

SATIIM is claiming that government broke a 2003 co-management agreement for the national park when it granted the company permission to conduct seismic testing within the protected area. The concession zone spans several thousand acres between Monkey River and the Sarstoon.