Update with ERA statement below – Friends of the Earth Malta, in a statement on Tuesday, said that it has today received additional images from the destruction taking place in Comino.

FoE Malta went on to say that it “also received shocking information that the ERA will be endorsing these illegal works at Blue Lagoon on the basis that the damage is done already and there’s nothing much to do from their side.”

It argued that “now the ERA Board has been pushed to accept this fait-accompli based on the `fact’ that the damage has been done. This is scandalous to say the least.”

The NGO stressed that, “one has to remember that this is a permit that was suspended by the Gozo Ministry itself once it realised that a permit would not be issued.”

FoE stated that the “ERA – the entity responsible for safeguarding nature in Malta – is basically acting as a rubber stamp to illegal works by the Ministry of Gozo in this specific case.”

Allowing these environmental crimes to happen at one of the most iconic places of the Maltese Islands is highly indicative of the onslaught being faced by Malta’s remaining open spaces, beyond the glossy images and the nice words we hear from politicians about functioning institutions.

In March, FoE, had condemned what it said were “illegal roadworks at the iconic Blue Lagoon in Comino.”

Although FoE Malta acknowledged that the path in question was subjected to “weathering and required some form of intervention, we believe that no Ministry or entity should be above the law as this is not only a form of environmental injustice but will also in the long term backfire thanks to those who in the short term are trying to bypass the laws and regulation in their quest to gain more political popularity and votes.”

FoE Malta, addressing a previous statement by the Gozo Ministry, had said that, “fixing a hazardous path might constitute an `emergency’ procedure, but creating a service culvert with manholes to pass utility services does not in a Natura 2000 island.”

FoE Malta reiterated its claim that there is no such thing as an established vehicular road network on Comino.

Update – statement by the ERA

The decision taken by the Environment and Resources Authority Board to allow the Comino works to continue were taken on the grounds that mitigation measures will be included, the ERA said.

The application that was determined by the board regarding works at Blue Lagoon in Comino was received following action taken by ERA, it said, “whereby the works that were being undertaken were in breach of a clearance issued by the ERA.”

It added that the “ERA Board’s decision was taken on the grounds that the proposed continuation of works included mitigation measures to curb environmental damage and to continue the works in a manner that does not impinge on the natural integrity of the area. The existing passageway formed part of the established network of passegeways on Comino.”

“Following an in-depth evaluation of the overall situation on the site, the proposed works in the environmental application were recommended for approval subject that these are undertaken in line with the conditions proposed in the environmental permit, the ERA said

The Authority explained that it has “imposed a specific permit condition to provide a Restoration Plan for remedial works on the area that was impacted by works carried out so far and prior to the issuing of the environmental permit. The objective of the required restoration plan is to reinstate the impacted area to its former natural state and is to be submitted within one month.”

“Permit conditions have also been included, such that these works are closely monitored by an ecological monitor. This shall be nominated by the applicant and approved by ERA. Additional conditions include hoarding and installation of dust containment measures both on land and at sea,” the Authority said.

It concluded by saying that “the permit will allow the commenced works to continue in a manner that takes into account the importance of the site and include the necessary mitigation measures on any residual impacts on the environment.”

Photos: FoE Malta

Permalink: Update – FoE Malta condemns “scandalous” ERA decision to endorse Comino works