committee to protect the Island's open land.

The Open Spaces Committee will look for ways to keep the developers away from spare land.

However, the group includes realtors Arthur Jones and Jeff Conyers. Mr. Jones denied there would be a conflict of interest. He said: "There will be conflicts from time to time. But we will look at this from the national interest not our own interests.'' The committee, appointed by Environment Minister Arthur Hodgson who is off the Island, yesterday met the Press.

Stand-in Minister Nelson Bascome explained why the committee was necessary.

He said: "It is extremely unfortunate that a country as small as Bermuda, with a population as dense as Bermuda, has never had the benefit of a government directed committee dedicated to the preservation of our land source.

"It is almost embarrassing Bermudians have had to wait until the last year of the Millennium for a government to address the sustainable development of Bermuda's reducing land mass.

He cited Government's proposed purchase of land on Smith's Island, St.

George's as a step in the right direction.

"We have several non-governmental organisations that are charged with protecting the environment and until now they have had to concern themselves with a myriad of environmental concerns. This Government is taking the lead in ensuring future generations of Bermudians will have enough land to build, raise families and enjoy the country on land they have worked extremely hard to obtain.

"Although I possess a great deal of pride with this announcement, my emotion is bittersweet.'' "It is bittersweet as the establishment of the committee arises out of a need to protect our fragile environment and preserve our diminishing available land.'' Mr. Bascome said the committee would have an advisory role until Parliament had time to give it statutory powers.

The committee's job will be to: To identify and evaluate innovative ways in which undeveloped land could be protected from development.

To evaluate methods to compensate the owners of land which is to be protected from development.

To get public opinion on land protection via forums.

Mr. Bascome said sustainable development chimed with the Transport ministry's transport initiatives and the Tourism department's ecological tourism plan in creating an environmentally friendly and environmentally responsible Bermuda.

Environment Ministry Consultant Dr. Roosevelt Brown said now that Paget Marsh had been opened to the public Pembroke Marsh should be the next target of the committee.

The Open Spaces committee will discuss land registration, incentives for redeveloping private buildings and the purchase of general open space by the government at a meeting on December 7. It will be held at the Cathedral Hall, Church Street, Pembroke. The public are invited.

ENVIRONMENT ENV CLUB CLB