THE BEACHES OF ANGUILLA AND DOLPHIN PIER

I had the wonderful pleasure of visiting Anguilla for the first time this summer in the month of June. I have traveled to many of the Caribbean islands and Anguilla is by far my most favorite. The island is absolutely gorgeous, the beaches pristine and the people are very friendly. I brought with me 9 other family members and friends for a week vacation and it was the best one of our lives.

We stayed in a home on the beach in Blowing Point which was absolutely amazing. The home was absolutely beautiful and the view of St. Maarten was breath taking but a bit taken away by an abandoned pier. While staying in Blowing Point we learned about the issues with dolphin park.

It was my understanding that the Government of Anguilla owns some beautiful beachfront land near the Blowing Point Ferry Terminal. It's never been developed, and Anguillians and tourists alike know the quiet beauty of this beach and use it regularly for family swimming and picnics.

I was told that one of the wonderful things about Anguilla is every beach is available to every citizen and visitor-no one gets to "own" a beach. This accessibility means Anguilla's world-famous beaches are freely available to all.

I learned that last year the Government allowed the Dolphin Discovery business to build a huge pier on Anguilla's "national park," thereby affecting this beach for public use. After the pier was mostly built, the Anguilla courts ruled that Government had not followed its own laws to approve the project, and ordered the Attorney General to temporarily stop the dolphin business from further construction in the park or the water, or opening for business.

The Anguilla courts will decide in a trial starting on 27 July whether the dolphin company will be allowed to proceed with its construction on the beach and the national park land, to take over that area to run its business there. This is an important case for Anguilla. Does a private business get to take over a precious beach? Should the Government allow a private business to take over its park?

For the good of Anguilla, the court must say NO to the dolphin business at this location, and return the beach to its previous glory. When a beach is lost, it's lost forever, and we all lose.

Please accept this letter on behalf of an American tourist who plans to return to your beautiful country in July 2010.

Sincerely,
Michelle Kuhrt
(An American visitor)

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