NAf. 7,000 fine suggested
for destruction of old trees
~ Historical tree saved ~
OVER THE BANK--A fine of NAf. 7,000 is suggested for the people responsible for chopping down five Class II and III genip trees Wednesday morning when a plot of land was being cleared for construction at Over the Bank. A large old tamarind tree with a diameter of 1.4 metres was the only tree saved from the axe by the Inspection Department.
An old Creole-style house on the property was also demolished. While the house reportedly was more than 100 years old, it has not been catalogued as monument, leaving it open for demolishing.
Local watchdog group St. Maarten Pride Foundation decried the destruction and suggested that the house could have been transported to Emilio Wilson Historical and Cultural Park for preservation.
Destruction of the trees and house was reported to the Department of Property Management and Environmental Development ROB, environmentalists and the press, which prompted action from the government inspectors to halt chopping in time to save the Class I or Historical Patrimony Tree. The site was surveyed by resident archaeologist Dr. Jay Haviser, who suggested the maximum fine for the violators of the Tree Policy.
A Class I tree has a diameter of more than one metre. Its removal is strictly prohibited. If the tree is tampered with, a fine of NAf. 5,000 and possible prosecution can result. The cutting or removal of a Class II “Significant Tree” is tagged at NAf. 3,000 and for a Class III “Important Tree” NAf. 1,000.
In both cases, the destroyed tree has to be replaced by two 2-metre-high trees of the same species. The four trees chopped down at Over the Bank were “Important Trees” and one was a “Significant Tree,” according to Haviser.
In the wake of the destruction, Haviser said, “We are standing our ground. This how people would know what trees could not be removed or damaged without a map or booklet being printed, he said, “It’s basic knowledge. If you see a big tree on your property or elsewhere you know it is an old one.”
The Historical Patrimony Tree was catalogued by members of St. Maarten Archaeological Centre Simarc for its inventory of historical trees, the catalyst for the Tree Policy that was adopted by the Executive Council on March 4.
The inventory with the GPS coordinates of trees falling in the four classes is being entered into the ROB databank and will be used to locate trees when building and permits are requested, Haviser said. There are plans to also share the information with the Kadaster.
