“ROBUST” processes are in place to protect Jersey’s environment, the government has said in response to calls from a campaign group for an independent watchdog.
Save Our Shoreline Jersey argue that an independent environmental regulator should be set up to oversee the implementation of the new Marine Spatial Plan. The plan, which was recently published by the government in revised form, reduced the size of areas protected from 27% to 23% of Jersey’s territorial waters.
In a submission to a Scrutiny panel reviewing the proposal, SOS Jersey said an independent regulator would ensure that Islanders could “have faith that our surrounding waters will be properly protected, with independent oversight”.
Responding in a statement, the Marine Resources Department said: “The Government of Jersey provides a robust regulatory process for environmental legislation through the regulation directorate and associated functions.”
SOS Jersey argued that there had been failures since the signing of the Ramsar Treaty in 2000, a treaty which provides a framework for the conservation of wetlands and their resources.
The government said it was “not aware of non-compliance” with the treaty.
The environmental group also highlighted huge mounds of “very toxic” hazardous and inert waste which were created by the government at La Collette for two decades without planning permission. Since the dumping first began at the site, SOS Jersey said that heavy metals had leached into the sea from ash pits and were absorbed by shellfish.
Responding to concerns, Marine Resources said testing was carried out at a variety of locations, including areas adjacent to the reclamation site such as Havre des Pas.
