Kalinago Chief Annette Sanford has publicly disputed claims that her council was consulted during the environmental and social impact assessment (ESIA) for the Deux Branches quarry project, which is linked to the development of Dominica’s international airport. Her statement, posted on her Facebook page, comes amid growing concerns about transparency and community participation in the decision-making process.
Sanford explained that the Kalinago Council was listed as one of the stakeholders in the June 2025 Environmental and Social Impact Assessment (ESIA), but that, in reality, no consultation had taken place. She confirmed with former Chief Lorenzo Sanford that his council, too, had not held any discussions regarding the quarry’s operation during his term. The current Council received only one email from the Land Use Planning Division on March 3, 2026, and met with the parliamentary representative on January 22, 2026—two meetings that, according to her, did not result in any substantive comments.
The environmental and social impact assessment (ESIA) itself has been the subject of controversy. The community coalition Save Two Branches fought for months to make the documents available to the public, criticizing the government for initially providing only three physical copies in Roseau, with a limited viewing period. No copies were made available on Kalinago territory, despite the quarry’s proximity and its potential impact on the community. Activists ultimately scanned and distributed the documents themselves, thereby ensuring broader access.
Among the concerns raised regarding the environmental and social impact assessment (ESIA), there are conflicting versions of the report, inconsistencies in the site mapping (which overlaps with the Northern Forest Reserve), and a lack of identified experts or detailed scientific assessments. Critics argue that the report fails to mention international treaties protecting the rights of Indigenous peoples, such as the Escazú Agreement and ILO Convention No. 169, and that it does not adequately address the principles of free, prior, and informed consent.
Sanford thanked community members who submitted a copy of the environmental and social impact assessment to the Kalinago Council office, allowing residents to review it Monday through Friday, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. She emphasized that, despite repeated communications with government ministries and officials, the Council had been excluded from any constructive dialogue.
This dispute highlights broader issues of transparency and accountability in Dominica’s development projects. For the Kalinago territory, this controversy underscores the need for genuine consultation and respect for the rights of Indigenous peoples as the country moves forward with its international airport project.
Community groups have urged citizens to read the Environmental and Social Impact Assessment (ESIA) and submit their comments to the Land Use Planning Division by the March 30, 2026, deadline, presenting the issue as a test case for how Dominica balances national development, environmental protection, and the participation of Indigenous peoples.
You can view the full ESIA report by following this link: https://drive.proton.me/urls/7FT26PRJDM#lUjtHboCR4ek
