In the second week of December 2020 Pieter van der Woerd of NewGround Law was on Bonaire to represent STINAPA at a session of the Joint Court of Justice of Aruba, Curaçao, Sint Maarten and of Bonaire, Saint Eustatius and Saba. STINAPA is a non-governmental, not for profit foundation commissioned by the island government to manage the protected areas of Bonaire, including the Bonaire National Marine Park (the oldest marine reserve in the world).
Main question in the appeal procedure was whether or not a proper and good quality environmental impact assessment had been conducted on the effects of the construction plans in and around the nature reserve and water storage area Saliña di Vlijt. According to STINAPA, having a clear insight into these effects is essential for a proper protection of the ecosystems in both the Saliña and the Bonaire National Marine Park.
The Court in First Instance previously upheld STINAPA’s appeal. The Public Body Bonaire and the initiator had appealed against that decision. The ruling is expected in early 2021.