GREENROCK wants you to participate in the Public Consultation Period for the draft 2008 Bermuda (Development) Plan. The new Plan, which will succeed the 1992 version, will dictate how Bermuda's finite resources will be developed over the next several years.

The public has from June 6 until October 3, 2008 to submit comments and opinions of the proposed Plan and Greenrock, a registered Bermuda charity focused on sustainable development, is trying to make it easier for people to do so with their "Speak Up" campaign.

The organisation has created a web-based petition site to help gather people's opinions about the Plan and is canvassing the public to capture feedback, which they then will present to the National Trust and the Department of Planning. Greenrock provides points of review on their site, which will help those interested in wading through the 217-page document.

"What Greenrock has tried to do is put together some guidance notes," explained Andrew Vaucrosson, president of Greenrock. "A lot of these guidance notes really help you when it comes to navigating through these sections (of the Development Plan). The document is long; you have to get familiar with it. We recognise people are not going to sit down and read 217 pages but what we are hoping to do is if any of these notes trigger a reaction in people, maybe it will spur them to go to go the section, maybe it will spur them to turn around and say 'you know, this is something I am concerned about'".

Of those points of review, the group breaks them down between several general themes.

Clear and specific guidance

According to Greenrock, the Development Plan lacks specific guidance and direction on what mechanisms are in place to ensure energy efficient building designs and only refers to a planning/conservation strategy as "encouraging energy efficient building design and the development of renewable energy sources."

Mr. Vaucrosson believes this language is not specific enough to make a real impact. "We think the document should make more clear references to what they mean by energy efficiency because 'energy efficient' could be building materials or building techniques for construction, like for example biodiesal being used for construction equipment. Guidance like that would be very helpful. I don't think it's good enough or sufficient enough to just say energy efficient - it's just like saying 'you should lose weight' but not telling people how to go about doing that.

"When I say clearer guidelines, it would be helpful if the Plan said 'these are the technologies we support' and go so far as to support or encourage builders in some way, with perhaps some kind of incentive. None of that has been flushed out in the document. I think that it's very important that we talk about those things. Because if you think about it, for any foreign developer that comes here, the Plan is the Bible that they will abide by. So it is what the foreign (and local) architects and developers are going to look at so if we don't have that in place, it's like telling them we don't really care so at the end of the day they won't build something that is suited to our requirements," he said.

Environmental Impact Statements (EIS)

Due to Bermuda's unique size and finite resources, Greenrock believes that it should be standard practice to obtain an environmental impact statement for development projects. "Maybe in the old days it wasn't standard practice to obtain an EIS but you would think with the island developed as it is now you'd want to get to that point.

"The Plan only requires builders to submit an EIS based on the discretion of the Development Applications Board. So what we are saying is that for major development proposals and developments that are proposed in particularly sensitive locations or which involve complex and potentially adverse environmental effects, the Board may require the submission of an Environmental Impact Statement. Why are we saying 'may require'? Why not 'are required'? We're not sure how the DAB can make an assessment whether the EIS should or should not be required. In our view, it's common sense - get the EIS and you'll know exactly how sensitive the location is," Mr. Vaucrosson said.

Water conservation

Greenrock notes that the Development Plan does not touch upon the utilisation of water conservation techniques or alternative ways to re-use water. Referencing a statistic from the 2006 Sustainable Development Plan, Bermuda collects an estimated average of one billion gallons of rainfall in water tanks every year, however, in 2004, 1.58 billion gallons of water were used. It is estimated by 2010, less than two years from now, Bermuda will use 1.76 billion gallons of water in one year.

"When you have a fact so glaring like this, we need to start incorporating ways to conserve water, like greywater systems (reusing treated bath, sink or laundry water that accounts for an estimated 50 to 80 percent of residential waste water) or aeration techniques. We need to look at water efficient toilets, showerheads, taps; all sorts of things that use less water. No where in the whole document does it talk specifically about what builders can and should do," said Mr. Vaucrosson.

Transportation

While the Development Plan includes information on parking spaces, public transport and maintaining roadways and sidewalks, Greenrock wants to see more of a discussion about more pedal bike and bike paths, multi-user (car sharing service) or alternative energy vehicles, like electric cars and bikes.

"Electric vehicles are perfect for Bermuda," explained Mr. Vaucrosson. "We don't have far distances to go - nowhere is more than 30 miles away from where to have to go. Zero emissions, no sound, no heat exchange and no deteriorating component parts, so you don't have to be a mechanical engineer to deal with it. And, at the same price (as gas powered bikes). And it's duty free.

"The Plan could encourage car pooling (with a car sharing service). If you can share the cost of carpooling right on the spot with a credit card versus trying to rely on one person or the other to pay for gas, the car maintenance and the insurance. A car sharing service is a lot easier and simpler.

"There is a lot of forward thinking that could be done - and considering Bermuda's size and affluence it only makes natural sense that we would have early adapters to these types of ideas. It will improve our society, it will move us away from these super expensive cars and large vehicles."

Enforcement

Greenrock questions whether the document provides enough power and "teeth" to enforce any illegal development. According to the organisation, the Ministry of the Environment must be enabled to apply significant fines and penalties to deter any violations.

Mr. Vaucrosson believes that the time is now for people to do their homework and voice their concerns.

"Sixteen years have passed [since the last review]. A great deal of change has occurred in terms of construction materials, building techniques, energy efficiency, waste disposal, water conservation, and more importantly, in the way Bermuda has evolved.

"This document is one of the most important documents that will impact the future of Bermuda. And the general public needs to be engaged and speak up about it. So, if you want to see real change, you need to take the time to review and respond to the Development Plan," he said.

A spokesperson from the Ministry of Environment sees Greenrock's involvement as a benefit to the public consultation process: "We are very encouraged to see Greenrock getting involved in reviewing the Bermuda Plan and encouraging the public to be informed and to take advantage of the opportunity to comment on the Plan. We do not, at this point, wish to comment specifically on the issues raised on their web site, however, Planning will be contacting Greenrock to arrange a face-to-face meeting to discuss their concerns and to ensure that Greenrock fully understands and appreciates the differences between the Bermuda Plan, which is a land use policy document, and the legislation under which Planning operates."

Mr. Vaucrosson knows his organisation has their work cut out for them. "Greenrock's goal is to get people to review this document and submit their opinion on what sort of things they would like to see included or expanded in the current draft. Here is the only opportunity for the general public to take a proactive role in providing their input towards the document, which will shape the future of Bermuda. For people to allow this Plan to be enacted (without submitting feedback) and then come later after someone started building based on the Development Plan, I don't fault the person building because they are following the rules that were set out in the document by our Government, which represents us. It trickles down to that," he said.

While interactive public forums are not currently scheduled, the Environment spokesperson explained that there are other avenues for the public to view and be engaged in the consultation process: "(The Department of) Planning is holding a series of public exhibitions at three different locations across the island during June and July:- the City of Hamilton at the Department of Planning (on-going) and City Hall (one day), Somerset (two weeks) and the Town of St. George (two weeks). The public exhibitions comprise exhibition boards, a powerpoint presentation and hard copies of the Draft Bermuda Plan 2008 for viewing.

"At least two technical planning officers are available at all times at every public exhibition for members of the public to benefit from individualised customer service. In our view, this form of public interaction and discussion has potentially more benefits to members of the public than a general public forum in that we can help individuals on a one-on-one basis to find the zoning of their property, discuss any specific issues they have, and advise them on how to complete an objection form, etc.

"In addition, we are happy to meet with stakeholder groups to discuss particular issues or topics in relation to the Draft Bermuda Plan 2008 if they so request. We are also working with the Department of Communication and Information on some further media releases for September (e.g. TV ads, radio ads) prior to the end of the public consultation period on the 3rd of October."

For more information on the draft 2008 Development Plan and to voice your feedback, visit www.greenrock.org or www.planning.gov.bm.

Public exhibition times, dates and locations

On-going durng public consultation period

Department of Planning

3rd Floor, Government Administration Building

Friday, June 6 - Friday, October 3

Monday to Friday, during regular business hours

Currently being held this week

World Heritage Centre, Town of St. George

July 14 - July 18 from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.

July 19 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

To be held next week

St. James Church Hall, Somerset

July 21 - 25 from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.

July 26 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Already held

City Hall foyer

June 21

World Heritage Centre, Town of St. George

June 23 - 27

St. James Church Hall, Somerset

June 30 - July 4