NCFC Government Announces Landmark Environmental and Infrastructure Commitments

The Cayman Islands Government(CIG) has announced what it describes as “a series of significant policy decisions that bolster environmental preservation, community infrastructure, and support long-term economic resilience.”

Timed to mark Earth Day, the Government said this reflects a clear and deliberate approach: coordinated work across Government to safeguard the Islands’ natural environment while ensuring communities across all three islands continue to thrive.

Hon. Premier André Ebanks said: “Our vision is clear: to build a stronger, fairer Cayman where sustainable development, environmental responsibility, and economic resilience go hand in hand. The steps we are taking today reflect careful thought, meaningful engagement, and our duty to deliver lasting results for the people of these Islands.”

Six New Protected Areas Designated Across the Cayman Islands

- Tarpon Lake National Park (Little Cayman) – protecting important wetlands while remaining open to the public via a boardwalk

- East Interior Nature Reserve (Little Cayman) – preserving a rugged landscape of ponds, shrubland and forest with plans for walking trails

- Sand Cay (South Sound, Grand Cayman) – protecting seasonal nesting grounds for least terns while allowing responsible recreational use outside the breeding season

- Duck Pond Little Cay – protecting essential mangrove ecosystems

- Western Mangrove Cays Marine Park (North Sound, Grand Cayman) – protecting essential mangrove ecosystems

- Expanded Salina Nature Reserve (Grand Cayman) – enhancing protection for native species including the blue iguana, Cayman parrots, and migratory black crabs

Caucus has also commenced the process of designating the Cayman Brac Lighthouse and surrounding bluff – 125 acres in an historic and ecologically significant site – as protected. Management plans for all areas will be developed and shared for public consultation before final approval.

Honourable Katherine Ebanks-Wilks, Minister for Health, Environment and Sustainability, said: “These seven Protected Areas are of ecological importance to our native and visiting wildlife, and hold cultural and recreational significance for Caymanians, residents, and visitors to our beautiful islands. I know that many in our community thought that these spaces were already protected, but with the formal Protected Area status now in place, these beloved and wild corners of our islands will be restored and maintained for generations to come.”

Cayman Forward: Aligning the Natural and Built Environment

In June, the Government will host Cayman Forward: Aligning the Natural and Built Environment, bringing together stakeholders from across government, industry, and community to increase collaboration, identify solutions, and inform policymaking. The forum will be facilitated by third-party experts to develop an action plan. Stakeholder consultations will take place throughout May ahead of the forum on 4 and 5 June.

Premier Ebanks said: “Our natural and built environments need and enhance each other — there doesn’t have to be contention. Tensions between pro-development and pro-environment perspectives have been growing in recent years, polarising our community. Our goal with Cayman Forward is to find common ground, using fact-based evidence and broad stakeholder input to shape solutions that will work for the greater good of all Caymanians.”

Single-Use Plastics Ban — Drafting Instructions Underway

The Government has confirmed that drafting instructions have been issued by Cabinet to prohibit the importation of specified single-use plastics. The initial phase will target eight commonly used items, including small plastic grocery bags, plastic straws, and polystyrene containers. An extensive public consultation is planned.

Hon. Minister for District Administration and Home Affairs, Nickolas DaCosta, said: “Protecting our environment is fundamental to building a resilient and sustainable Cayman Islands. These changes represent a practical and long-awaited step to reduce waste, protect our marine environment and support a stronger future for our country”.

Future of Little Cayman Airport Confirmed

The Little Cayman’s airfield and runway will remain in place, providing long-term certainty for residents, businesses, and stakeholders. The Government said the decision retains connectivity, access to critical services, and economic activity for the island’s community, while reflecting its commitment to preserving the natural and cultural character that makes the Sister Islands distinctive.

Premier Ebanks said: “This decision reinforces the Government’s vision of a stronger, fairer Cayman, where investment and development decisions are guided by inclusivity, sustainability, and long-term benefit. Confirming the future of the Little Cayman airfield provides certainty for residents and businesses, while preserving the unique character that makes the Sister Islands so special.”

District Administration and Home Affairs Minister DaCosta added: “The Edward Bodden Airfield is both a critical piece of infrastructure and an important part of Little Cayman’s history. The community has been clear about wanting it to remain in its current location, and the NCFC government has listened.”

The decision has been welcomed by H E Governor Jane Owen and the Civil Aviation Authority of the Cayman Islands Airport (CAACI). Governor Owen commented, “The Government has rightly recognised the improvements needed to ensure that the runway, in particular, meets international safety requirements.  I am confident that we can achieve this working together, and with the support of local landowners and specialist technical teams over the coming months.”

CAACI Director-General Richard Smith pointed out that the CAACI’s role is to ensure that aerodromes in the Cayman Islands meet applicable certification and licensing standards to operate commercial air transport services safely and in compliance with mandated requirements. He also explained that, consequently, the CAACI does not take a position on the location, size, or scale of any proposed aerodrome development.

Remarking on the various developments, Premier Ebanks said these commitments reflect the Government’s broader vision of a Cayman that is environmentally resilient, economically sustainable, and fair to every community across the three islands.