Save Puerto Bueno

I grew up in Europe, but my mother is Jamaican and I have spent many enjoyable holidays on the North Coast of Jamaica. It is one of my favorite places, and I especially enjoy hiking and bird watching off the beaten path. Jamaica has so much natural beauty.
My mother and I have been following the controversies around mining in the Cockpit Country and now more recently the Puerto Bueno mountain.  With so many voices raised in opposition, and multiple petitions by individuals and organizations, why is the Government not responding to the cries of the people?
Jamaica has mountains, clear beautiful rivers and beaches, rich forests and high quality drinking water.
Many countries are not so blessed. I have worked in other islands, where the environment is much less desirable than in Jamaica. The people and the government must work to protect the environment or you will lose the privilege of healthy living.
Jamaica’s natural resources of bauxite and limestone aggregate are without doubt important sources of income for the country, but there must be balance between this economic activity and environmental preservation for the benefit of all Jamaicans and your important tourism industry.
It cannot be good governance to ignore the opinions and recommendations of your highly paid professionals and  specialists re the impacts of mining in areas such as the Cockpit Country and The Puerto Bueno Mountain. You only have to consider the degradation of your water supply, road system, air quality, your tourism product, and the safety of the communities being impacted.