CEO Beverly Wade Praises Placencia’s Community Action on Beachfront Rock Removal: “That Is What We Need”

Placencia residents took matters into their own hands to remove rocks that were blocking a public beachfront in Placencia in early March. The rocks had been placed by the owner of a private property with the aim to prevent further erosion. However, the Department of Environment (DOE) did not grant permission and ordered its removal. 

The delay in doing so led to a tense standoff between locals, police, and the private property owner. 

In a formal notice dated February 27, 2025, the DOE had ordered their removal by March 7, 2025, citing the lack of proper consultation and approval for the structure. 

“The actual enforcement of that stop order, my understanding is there was a gap between that being done, and that is where the community went down there to do it,” CEO in the Ministry of Blue Economy and Marine Conservation, Beverly Wade, said.

She praised the community, stating, “I very much appreciate the passion from the community. That is what we need.” 

She added, “It is one of the things I have always appreciated. We have strong ownership of the space,” but urged for more coordination with relevant authorities before “taking action into their own hands.”

In a previous interview, Placencia’s Village Chairman, Warren Garbutt, said, “People just got tired, and enforcement is extremely lacking. We wait forever for action to be taken.” He added that “people are not respecting these letters given by these different entities.”

Wade urged national policies on coastal erosion for better management. She said, “I think it is time for us to look at the issue more holistically and put in some national policies that will address and help both developers, communities and all of us have a better understanding of how we help the situation.”