Bermuda's battle to get the US armed services to foot the bill for a massive $65 million clean-up of its old bases came under the spotlight at an environmental conference in the UK yesterday.

And Permanent Secretary of the Environment Brian Rowlinson told delegates at the Overseas Territories environment conference in London that the Island faced an uphill struggle in getting America to face up to its responsibilities.

Mr. Rowlinson said: "We are having little success in persuading the US government that the clean-up is their responsibility.'' After the US Navy weighed anchor and quit its two Bermuda bases in 1995, they left behind tons of oil, asbestos and potentially dangerous heavy metals.

Bermuda has been fighting for the US to do the work or cash compensation ever since.

The conference for UK Overseas Territories is part of Britain's commitment to protecting the environment, discussed in its White Paper on a new deal for the colonies.

A 1.5 million pot of cash has also been set aside by Britain to help pay for environmental work in its Territories.

UK Foreign Office junior Minister Geoffrey Hoon said: "The Government has modernised our partnership with the Overseas Territories.

"A key part of that is stepping up our commitment to conserve their rich natural environments.

"Their environments are globally important and we will work with the peoples and Governments of the Overseas Territories to ensure they continue to flourish.'' Mr. Rowlinson told the conference that Bermuda was vigilant in protecting its heritage -- citing strict controls on cars and the strict regulation of development.

But he added: "There is little doubt that planning restrictions have resulted in some degree of inequality.

"It has been suggested that landowners with property zoned for development are reaping rewards at the expense of their neighbours who choose not to develop, and whose land is now subject to strict controls.'' And he warned: "The next development plan will not be acceptable to the public if it fails to include an equitable approach to conservation zoning, along with more robust policies to protect and acquire open space and to preserve and conserve natural features, habitats and biological diversity.'' Mr. Rowlinson added that the trend towards larger cruise ships also threatened Bermuda's delicate environmental balancing act.

He said: "The potential impact of the ships themselves, of the civil works required to accommodate the ships, and the impact on services and facilities of so many passengers are major issues which must be thoroughly examined before we commit to accepting larger vessels.'' Mr. Rowlinson added that Bermuda houses -- with water tanks and cesspits -- were self-contained, so building could not be controlled by phasing sewage and water services.

And he said leaks from cesspits posed a threat to the underground water supplies tapped by Bermuda.

Mr. Rowlinson added: "We're equally concerned about the offshore disposal of some two million gallons per day of untreated sewage pumped from two Corporation sewage lines.'' But he told delegates from the other Overseas Territories and conservation bodies: "I am pleased to confirm that work is well underway on every one of these issues and I am confident the Ministry can be similarly bold, far-sighted and creative in preparing new policies and legislation.'' UK visit: Brian Rowlinson