Guidelines for shoreline debris removal

The Ministry of Sustainability & Climate Resiliency has issued guidance to property owners on the process to remove debris material, including large trees, from Crown Seabed and the shoreline. While a Coastal Works Permit is not required for the removal or clearance of debris or large fallen trees, affected property owners should complete the digital Coastal Works (Debris Removal) Notice form, which will notify the relevant Government agencies of proposed efforts to remove debris from the marine environment.

Once the form has been completed, the Departments of Planning, Lands and Survey, Environment, and the Recreation, Parks and Cemeteries Unit will automatically be made aware of the property owners’ intentions. If necessary, each agency can then speak to the property owner.

The proposed debris removal process should meet the stated criteria. If it does not, or if it involves construction of any structures, beach modification, or excavation, a full Coastal Works Permit Application may be required. The criteria for debris removal from the Crown seabed or the shoreline without a coastal works permit are as follows:

• Work must be conducted from shore; no heavy equipment should enter the marine environment.

• Equipment used to remove the debris from the seabed/marine environment shall be such that avoids excavating sand (e.g. use pinchers/grabbers, or rock buckets) to ensure that no excess sand or natural rubble are removed from the beach.

• In instances where fine rubble/debris is to be removed, this will be done by hand collection.

• No causeway or fill material shall be placed on the beach (including for access).

• If a barge is to be used, it shall only operate in water with a depth of three feet or greater.

• Only man-made materials and debris shall be removed from the seabed with the exception of large trees that have fallen into the sea and/or are obstructing access along the foreshore.

• The removal works shall not include construction of any structures, beach modification, or excavation of any kind.

• Materials shall be stockpiled a minimum of 50 feet from the current high-water line.

• Removed debris shall be stockpiled on the parcel for inspection purposes to ensure that no excavation of sand has occurred.

Minister for Sustainability & Climate Resiliency Katherine Ebanks-Wilks said since the passing of the most recent storms, Cayman’s shorelines had been left in a state that posed a major safety risk to anyone crossing the beach and ocean.

“Issuing this urgently needed guidance on the safe removal of debris is only the first step to addressing our compromised beaches,” she stated. “Tackling the beach erosion will require a cross-ministerial approach, and involvement by the private sector to develop short, medium and long-term solutions to the issues relating to beach erosion. This Guidance Note provides directions to affected property owners and ensures that the removal of debris can be done in a safe and efficient manner.”

The Ministry said that any unauthorised coastal works, including unpermitted construction of docks and/or excavation or dredging may attract fines or penalties in accordance with Section 21 of the National Conservation Act. Property owners are advised that they, and not the Government, will be liable for any and all liability arising from any activity by them, their agents, contractors or others working on their behalf in undertaking the clearing/removal of debris or related activity.

A Ministry statement said: “The onus is on the property owner to ensure that all agents, contractors or others working on their behalf are authorised to do so, and have all necessary, valid business licences and/or permits (including from the Department of Planning as necessary). Further, if a project requires the use or access of other private property not owned by the Property Owner, the onus is on the Property Owner to liaise with the relevant property owner(s) to secure the appropriate consent to use or access that private property.”

If you require further information on the Guidance Note, please email coastal.works@gov.ky .