In September of 2006 Mayan leader Greg Choq teamed up with attorneys Dean Barrow and Lois Young to battle US Capital Energy. US Capital Energy had commenced seismic testing in the Sarstun Temash National Park, an area co-managed by SATIIM which is Choq’s organization. It was a successful alliance; they won a decisive victory at the Supreme Court when Justice Samuel Awich found that the Forestry Department was wrong when it granted permission to perform seismic testing without an EIA. And that’s where it stood until February of this year when Barrow’s government gave US Capital permission to conduct seismic surveys in the same Sarstun Temash National Park.
The permission was granted but it seems that no one knew until US Capital Energy personnel started making movements around the national park in preparation for the seismic survey. And the permission has prompted an angry statement from SATIIM which says it is, “outraged and shocked at the decision....particularly outrageous is the unilateral and secret manner in which (permission was granted)...”
It continues, “we are deeply disappointed and feel betrayed by the Prime Minister... And felt that he would protect (the)....ideals we fought so hard for in 2006. “ And in case you didn’t get it, that line refers to the work Barrow did as an attorney, contrasting it with the permission granted by his government.
But there is a wrinkle. Since the middle of last year SATIIM’s co-management contract for the park expired, and it hasn’t been renewed – so technically, they don’t have to be consulted. But they continue all the co-management activities, including joint patrols with the BDF since the park boundary sits on the southern border. And one more thing, the court did not find that seismic testing was illegal inside a national park, but SATIIM’s interpretation is that it is inconsistent with the spirit of the National Parks Act.
Importantly, the permit states specifically that testing is not to be conducted in all that area which is considered to be the communal lands of Conejo Village. And while it does acknowledge communal ownership – it’s hardly enough, and SATIIM calls on the Prime Minister to reconsider the permit. The Prime Minister is expected back in the country tomorrow and will likely be asked to comment at his quarterly press conference which is rumored to be scheduled for Wednesday.
