Tribunal established to review DOE’s decision on Waterloo Project

The Ministry of Sustainable Development has announced that it has established a tribunal to review the Department of the Environment’s decision on the much-talked-about Waterloo Project. Waterloo is the company that is advancing on the Port of Belize Port Expansion and Cruise Tourism Project in Belize City. The Environmental Impact Assessment (Amendment) Regulations dictate that the minister establishes this tribunal once objections have been raised. In this case, Waterloo has not only rejected the DOE’s decision but has threatened legal action in the international courts. Yesterday, the Ministry announced that it has put together a three-member tribunal. The chairperson is High Court Judge, Justice Patricia Farnese (far-nee-see). She’ll be joined by private sector representative, Lucy Fleming, who has extensive expertise in tourism and Professor Terrance Hughes. Professor Hughes is the science expert, who the release says has academic knowledge and training in disciplines including the environment, natural resources management, and other related disciplines. A definitive date has not been announced when the tribunal will begin deliberations; however, the Ministry did say that the work will begin “shortly.”