AD demands Mepa information on Dwejra 'mauling'
Carmel Cacopardo, AD's spokesman on Sustainable Development has asked MEPA in terms of the Freedom of Access to Information on the Environment Regulations of 2005 to release a copy of the permit (including the relative conditions) which it has issued for filming in the Natura 2000 site of Dwejra Gozo.
"The mauling of the Natura 2000 site at Dwejra Gozo in the year 2010, is further proof that MEPA is either incompetent, oblivious of its responsibilities, or else it is unwilling to administer such EU Natura 2000 sites in terms of its responsibilities as the Competent Authority for Malta an EU Member State," Mr Caccopardo said. "The Dwejra debacle follows the obscene development permits issued by MEPA in Mistra, Baħrija valley, Ramla l-Ħamra Gozo, all Natura 2000 sites. Furthermore it is to be underlined that Malta has received substantial financial aid under the EU Life Project in connection with the management of the Dwejra Natura 2000 site."
The latest incident at Dwejra raised a number of questions in respect of which answers were expected, he said.
"1. Why was this permit not monitored when it is well known that filming companies tend to ignore limitations imposed by regulatory authorities ?
"2. Why did MEPA not send any of its inspectors at Dwejra, a Natura 2000 site, to monitor adherence to the conditions of the issued permit as is usually done in such cases, thereby ensuring that no damaging actions are taken in hand?
"3. Where was the sand used at Dwejra transported from?
"4. Did the Works Division in the Ministry of Resources and Rural Affairs issue a permit for the transportation of sand as is required by article 3 of the Sand Preservation Act ?
"5. How can MEPA be sure of the origin of the sand used if it did not carry out adequate monitoring? In particular can it 100% exclude that the sand used was not transported from Ramla l-Ħamra, another Natura 2000 site?
"6. What legal action will be taken in connection with what has happened?"
The AD spokesman said the government through its agencies was not only paying lip service towards the protection of the environment, but to date all it had done had proven to one and all that it did not have an inkling of what environment protection was all about.
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Mark Cassar
Nov 5th 2010, 17:24
Mr Cacopardo writes "1. Why was this permit not monitored when it is well known that filming companies tend to ignore limitations imposed by regulatory authorities "
Film companies do NOT tend to ignore limitations. The majority of film companies actually take very good care of the locations. Mr Cacopardo would find this out if he did a statistical analysis or survey, which he obviously did not. Such a sweeping statement is very unfair on the film industry.
Carmel Cacopardo
Nov 5th 2010, 18:32
In the past, when MEPA monitored the permits issued it had to take action to stop specific unacceptable actions by film companies. Two specific incidents I am informed about concern Comino and Ir-Ramla l-Hamra. I am informed that there were other incidents too. Most are not reported in the press as they were avoided in the days when MEPA acted properly.
The point at issue is that the issuing of a permit has to be accompanied by strict monitoring which MEPA has not carried out.
Alfred e Baldacchino
Nov 5th 2010, 09:55
This shows what the Prime Minister wants: no two separate authorities because if they do not agree between them, then he needs another authority to decided who is right. Having the Environment and the Planning in one authority, is not important if they agree or disagree. The important thing is that the decision favouring development or economic gain is taken and then it is left to the two heads of the directorates to take it out between themselves. Statements issued by Director of Environment and by Director of Planning, not by the usual MEPA PRO seems that everybody is pointing his finger at each other and nobody is claiming responsibility or accountability. Still MEPA, is the Competent Authority (or as Cacopardo has described it, the incompetent Authority) of the Habitats Directive. As long as this mega eater of public assets persists to act like a bull in a china shop, tomorrows generations will rightly point their finger to the present political obstinacy in not wanting to establish the environment on proper professional basis, keeping it gagged simply for the benefit of economical gain. Who's paying tor the damage done?
J Farrugia
Nov 5th 2010, 08:18
Caccopardi being once more negative like his negative lobby group.
walter camilleri
Nov 5th 2010, 08:39
what's there to be positive about?
J Farrugia
Nov 5th 2010, 09:13
The sun, the moon, the stars, the birds in the trees, the fact that you wake up every morning and praise the Lord for all the good things around you. Isn't this enough or do we want more?
J. Borg
Nov 5th 2010, 09:52
J. Farrugia
try reading your own posts - on every subject
it takes a leaf out of the Inquisition era!!
Charles Sammut NY USA
Nov 5th 2010, 07:43
So what else is new? Why is AD surprised that MEPA looked the other way when blatant atrocities against the environment were taking place in Gozo? When did MEPA ever raise a finger to protect the environment in Malta? When you don't hear a whisper from the Minister of Gozo condemning these outrageous activities why would MEPA stand in the way in preventing these sites to be abused? MEPA will continue to act with indeference to the destruction of the environment as long as the Govt wants it to. The day the Govt says enough is enough is the day that MEPA would make an effort to do the job it is supposed to be doing. But if that day ever came about of course there will be very little left to protect. ECO - Gozo might as well have been uttered by a snake oil salesperson..
Andre Vella
Nov 5th 2010, 00:00
Go AD!
Edward Mallia
Nov 4th 2010, 23:33
Carmel Caccopardo is most unreasonable in his expectations of Mepa action. Is not Mepa still 'considering its legal options' on the Polidano-Enemalta fly ash debacle? Is it not still analysing the 'new' black dust? Is it not still playing The saga of the vanishing dust? Perhaps it is still looking for those lost Bahrija files. What's a little sand on the Dwejra rocks? Surely that will improve Dwejra's chances at the next round of Wonders of the Present Universe?
And Mepa will be able to claim all the credit.
John Carmel Navarro
Nov 4th 2010, 23:15
Well done Camel Cacopardo at long last someone with gumption to ask questions, if any irregularities are found than the Head of MEPA must resign forthwith. There just cannot be any cover-ups with permits being given on Natura 2000 sites, wake up MEPA before it is too late.