Belize Court Stymies Offshore Drilling Plans
Belize's Supreme Court declared offshore drilling contracts issued by the Government of Belize (in 2004 and 2007) null and void. The ruling, handed down by Justice Oswell Legall , was in response to a case brought by Oceana, COLA, and the Belize Coalition to Save Our Natural Heritage. It effectively ends the Belizean government's immediate effort to allow offshore oil drilling in the Meso American Reef, the second largest barrier reef in the world. The court overturned the contracts after determining that the government failed to assess the environmental impact on Belize's ocean, as required by law, prior to issuing the contracts. The court also found that contracts were made to companies that did not demonstrate a proven ability to contribute the necessary funds…
USNS Comfort Arrives in Belize
The Military Sealift Command hospital ship USNS Comfort (T-AH 20) arrived in Belize on June 20, its first scheduled stop as part of the Partnership for the Americas mission to conduct training and humanitarian assistance operations. Comfort’s joint forces crew -- which includes personnel from Military Sealift Command, U.S. Navy, U.S. Air Force, U.S. Coast Guard, U.S. Army, Canadian Forces and Project Hope -- will work at various sites in Belize and provide medical treatment to Belizean citizens, as well as repair medical equipment and restore existing medical facilities. U.S. Navy Seabee Construction Battalion Maintenance Unit 202, based in Norfolk, will also perform construction work on two schools while in Belize. “We’re looking forward to serving the people of Belize.
