Port Royal residents fear being marooned - Recent development taking away critical barriers

What is seen by some as Port Royal's last line of defence against nature's fury vanishing, residents have expressed fear they will bear the consequences.

The historic coastal town is facing a man-made disaster at Fort Rocky, where unauthorised development is stripping away its natural barriers. As mangroves and dunes vanish, residents worry that the next storm or hurricane will bring nothing but devastation. For decades, mangroves and sand dunes have protected Port Royal's homes, businesses, and way of life. But recent activities at Fort Rocky, an area once earmarked for an entertainment zone, have left many feeling helpless. The area is now being cleared for a parking lot to support entertainment events.

A press release from the Kingston and St Andrew Municipal Corporation late last week revealed that demolition and land clearance at Fort Rocky had taken place without consultation or approval. The development, intended to create an entertainment zone, unfolded with no oversight, leaving the already-vulnerable community even more at risk. Many residents first noticed the changes when they saw the once-dense mangroves being cleared.

At Lue's Grocery, a long-standing business in the area, the concern was palpable for the owner, who has lived in the community for 45 years.

"Nothing will be able to come in, nothing will be able to go out," she said, worried that the developments will isolate the town. While flyers for a party scheduled for March 15 have circulated, she dismissed the event as temporary and not part of any real revitalisation.

"Dem a think this is a one-time thing, and that's exactly what they are doing it for. Nothing more than that," she said. Another resident voiced concern over the town's readiness in case of disaster.

"Dah road deh is not fi that. Anything can happen...fire, hurricane, any little disaster. How will they respond quickly?" he asked.

Many fear that in the event of a hurricane, Port Royal could be cut off, left to fend for itself. They argue that alternative solutions, like shuttle services, should have been considered instead of clearing the mangroves.

"Over here is safe for parking. Shuttle bus could be one option," another resident suggested. "But dem might very well use it for other events. It's so dumb."

The Jamaica Environment Trust (JET) has raised red flags, warning that the development at Fort Rocky threatens the area's fragile ecosystem. JET CEO Theresa Rodriguez-Moodie highlighted that the mangroves and dunes play a crucial role in shielding the town from erosion and storm surges.

"By removing these, you expose the tombolo, making it more vulnerable because it is right next to the sea," she explained. A tombolo is a natural land formation that connects an island to the mainland or another island. In this case, the tombolo in Port Royal connects the area to the rest of the coast and serves as a natural barrier against erosion and storm damage. By removing the protective mangroves and dunes, the tombolo becomes more exposed to the sea, increasing the risk of damage to the land and the community. Rodriguez-Moodie pointed out that the area was protected, making the land clearance even more problematic. She told THE STAR that the issue is more than just mangroves being removed.

"The area is a protected area, and it has a management plan ... . You are not allowed to remove any plants, animals, sand, rock, stone...anything," she said. She also questioned the legality of the project, noting no permission had been granted for land clearance, and calling for those responsible to be held accountable.

"Whoever is responsible should be held accountable," she stated, demanding that no further work should continue until the environmental damage is addressed.

The Atlantic hurricane season begins on June 1, and residents fear the timing of this work could not have been worse. Historically, Port Royal has been one of the hardest-hit areas during storms. Now, without the mangroves, residents worry that they have lost their first line of defence.

"Next storm come, just know seh Port Royal people a go block off from the rest of the country," one resident warned.