Strong Opposition Against New To Be Built Jetty

Controversial part of NuStar's expansion plan, is the construction of a new, 1,730 meter jetty. The jetty will be located in the Smoke Alley area that is part of the island's main beach. Not only will that part of the beach (including diving spots) no longer be accessible to inhabitants and tourists, it will damage and destroy another part of the coral reef in Statia's marine park.

NuStar responds to the criticism with another one of their famous euphemisms: "The new jetty will have a “transparent” design that will minimize visual impact, and will have specialized low-impact lighting so that it does not create any light hindrance for Lower Town."

Statians Inspect Terminal by Boat

Source: The Daily Herald, July 23, 2011

SEAD Launches Online Petition: Please Sign

Change.org|Start an Online Petition »

Text of the Online Petition

We
St. Eustatius Awareness and Development (SEAD) Movement and other concerned citizens on the island of St. Eustatius, Dutch Caribbean

Conclude

That the proposed location for expansion of NuStar Energy L.P. in The Farm area on St. Eustatius (with an additional 40 tanks and a new to be built jetty) will:

1. Destroy a very valuable historical site which contains three possible slave cemeteries (possibly one of the largest ever found in the Caribbean!), an 18th century plantation cemetery, two possible slave villages, and a plantation complex;
2.  Have a dramatic impact on the island’s scenic views that will hamper tourism development and the atmosphere of a rural area that St. Eustatius (as The Historical Gem) is famous for;
3.  Increase the risk of accidents, major oil spill, damage to the island’s ecosystem in an area very close to schools, residential, touristic & recreational areas, and in the approach route of an airport;
4. Lead to the destruction of several natural reef systems in the Statia Natural Marine Park because of the new to be built jetty;
5. No longer give access to The Lower Town (main) beach of the island and popular dive sites.

And request

1. That NuStar Energy L.P. will look for other areas to build their new terminal, even if this would mean bigger investments;
2. That our concerns are heard by government, that government will not try to prevent an open discussion, and that the people of St. Eustatius are involved in the decision making process;
3. New research on how to improve the tourism sector and other economical development that will benefit the island.

NB The photo is an edited image of what the Farm area would look like when the proposed 40 new oil tanks are built.