Robert Lalah, Staff Reporter
Legal sand mining in the Yallahs River near Easington, St. Thomas. Sand mining from river beds is of concern to environmentalists because it results in increased channel flow which erodes river banks and causes flooding. - ANDREW SMITH/PHOTOGRAPHY EDITOR
RESIDENTS OF parts of St. Thomas claim that sand mining in the parish is threatening their homes, and insist that if something is not done to address the problem soon, many homes and even lives may be lost.
A sewage system in the Yallahs Housing Scheme was literally washed down a river recently, and residents claim that this was caused by the over-mining of river beds in the parish.
"It's really bad. The authorities really need to send someone down here and they will realise that there needs to be a cutback on mining," said Sheila, a resident of Phase one, Yallahs Housing Scheme.
The Yallahs River is no more than 150 feet away from Sheila's home. "It wasn't always like that. First time you couldn't see Albany. Now you can stand at my gate and wave to somebody in Albany," she said.
The Island Special Constabulary Force (ISCF) in St. Thomas is in charge of monitoring sand-mining activities in the parish. "The problem is out of our hands," said Commander Velma Thomas. She explained that there are about five quarries in Yallahs, all of which are operating in accordance with the licences issued to them by the Ministry of Land and Environment.
Ms. Thomas said that contrary to what many people think, there is no illegal sand mining taking place in St. Thomas. She said regular patrols and constant supervision of river beds has seen to this. Since the sand-mining activities are all legal, there is nothing the police can do.
But Ms. Thomas does admit that there is a problem.
A BIG PROBLEM
"Of course there's a problem. A big one. The ministry needs to send someone out here urgently. They issue the licences, so they should do a follow-up," she said. Ms. Thomas suggested that the authorities cut back on the number of licences being issued, until they have someone examine the state of the river beds. "In the long run, maybe they should even look at adjusting the licences and cutting back on the areas allotted for this activity," she added.
The Gleaner was unable to reach anyone at the ministry for a comment on the matter.
