Opposition MP raises concerns about deforestation in Richmond 

By Admin. Updated 10:51 p.m., Wednesday, January 15, 2025, Atlantic Standard Time (GMT-4). 

Member of Parliament for South Leeward, Nigel Stephenson, has raised concerns regarding the environmental impact of the newly established quarry in Richmond, particularly focusing on the issue of deforestation.

During his contribution to the debate on the 2025 Appropriations Bill—commonly referred to as the Budget—Mr. Stephenson said one of how we can mitigate against the effects of climate change is by ensuring we have a lot of stress around us. 

In that context, he expressed concerns about deforestation, particularly the removal of trees in the Richmond area of North Leeward where the government has granted a permit for a company to establish a quarry. 

Furthermore, Mr. Stephenson, who was once a Geography teacher, pointed out that the “enormous volume of topsoil” being displaced from this area could lead to an “ecological disaster,” exacerbating the already critical situation caused by deforestation.

No data was accessed on the rate or volume of deforestation in the area at the time of this news report.

In 2021, the government signed a lease agreement with a company to establish and operate a quarry in the Richmond area for 30 years. The main reasons given were the scarcity of aggregate and issues with the external supply of aggregate to meet growing local demand.  

An environmental impact assessment was done. 

Mr. Stephenson’s comments came after he asked what the government was doing to ensure that low-line areas are protected from rising sea levels, particularly areas from Calliaqua to Buccament Bay, the main center of economic activity. 

On the northeastern Atlantic coast, the government has constructed millions of dollars of sea defenses and is in the process of constructing more, but Mr. Stephenson’s question surrounded adaptation measures on the western coast.