They've scored in the court of public opinion, and now SATIIM leaders have taken their case to the Supreme Court. SATIIM's attorneys Lois Young Barrow and Dean Barrow made arguments. Young- Barrow argued that the permit given to U.S. Capital Energy to conduct seismic surveys in the park by the Chief Forestry Officer was without jurisdiction since he is not authorized to do so. She continued that even if he did have authority under the Park's Act, a permit can only be issued for scientific research in the park.
This afternoon SATIIM's second attorney Dean Barrow argued that the purpose of the Park's Act is to keep the environment under pristine conditions and that in order for exploration to take place in the park, it must be de-classified. He continued by pointing out that under the Ramsar Treaty on which the park falls government have obligations to maintain wetlands. He concluded that now that an EIA has been commenced on the project, it is confirmation that the permit issued without an EIA makes the permit illegal and is, he argues, a knock out blow to the respondent's case. The case continues tomorrow.
