Update on Blue Lagoon Summit of November 20, 2010

Blue Lagoon Restoration [BLR] Summit 2010 held at Goblin Hill Hotel Conference Center in San San, Portland was attended by 78 Portland community stakeholders and government officials. NGOs, rafters, artists & crafts persons, farmers, market vendors, small and informal business operators, JUTA drivers, housekeepers, villa staff, hotel managers, property owners, lawyers, architects, GOJ parish and national representatives , chamber of commerce members, environmentalists, land management agencies, elected officials, human right activists, resort property directors, attorneys, conservationists, physicians, media, wildlife managers, peace corps volunteers, teachers, regional planners.

In November, pre and post summit, lead BLR facilitator Adrienne Duperly met with Jamaica National Heritage Trust [JNHT] Executive Director, Laleta Mattis- Davis Liaison Team; and other Kingston based BLR stakeholders, esteemed friends, venerable Jamaican leaders and others wholeheartedly supporting restoration of Blue Lagoon as National Heritage Site.

Ensuing discussions helped to define restorative opportunities, socio-economic, cultural and marine environments, management and infrastructure requirements a holistic community approach requires by creating a healthy environment along this 30 mile radius encompassing beaches, reefs, islands and hillside enclaves. Blue Lagoon Restoration “SCD Jump-Team” was formed with a singular purpose, namely, to evaluate sustainable development potential in this coastal marine region of Portland.

SCD expert Dr. Warren Flint[S-N Non-Profit] joined Adrienne. The BLR Jump Team, spent 4 days in Kingston then 7 days in Portland leading up to the BLR Summit on Nov 20th. BLR Jump Team consulted residents, GOJ entities and stakeholders from St.Margarets Bay, Burlington, Norwich, Rio Grande River, Bryans Bay, Port Antonio, Drapers, San San, Zion Hill, Fairy Hill, and Boston Bay through Long Bay. Coupled with issues of concern and potential solutions offered by Summit participants at Blue Lagoon Restoration Summit 2010, sufficient data has been collected and updates “Blue Lagoon Restoration” to become BLR2.

JNHT Executive Director, Laleta Mattis Davis factors in Heritage Sites. Among JNHT plans to restructure Blue Lagoon {tide line} and its roadway, future JNHT goals include National Heritage and Historic Site restoration. Blue Lagoon is catalyst for 21st century heritage and marine site development,, a vibrant marine community epicentre.

BLR2 speaks to cultural heritage & marine education, public liability and public safety. BLR2 benchmarks excellence to build human capacity bringing a higher meaningful quality and standard to all levels of society. "100% Jamaican" product and service guarantees warrants skill and social development, more sophisticated understanding of current economic issues will bring some changes required to restore Blue Lagoon as a National Heritage Site.

The original BLR theme of “land, wood and water” will guide persons on the cusp toward mainstream society through best practice applications. BLR2 will help traditionally under-served residents to still waters with short and long term solutions. Our heritage is our birthright, entitlement to be part of the beauty that surrounds us at Blue [Hole] Lagoon. Dreams, imaginations enter the realm of possibility when a single vision envelops all:

GOJ legislation of Blue Lagoon as Jamaica National Heritage Site

Safe unhindered public access to blue lagoon via public thoroughfare

Safe unhindered public access to visit, and swim, in blue lagoon

Revise laws inadequate of preventing motorize boating regulations in lagoon

Legislate against motorized vessels travel between shoreline and inner reefs

Enforce existing laws prohibiting motorized vessels in lagoons & inside reefs

Create volunteer driven Blue Lagoon Community Association volunteer

group

Program and enact “neighborhood community watch” fiscal schedule

Monitor unregistered civil activities around BL heritage site and marine site

Form Blue Lagoon Activist Association Committee {BLAAC}

Use BLACC membership annual membership fees {$1000} to purchase

BLACC group insurance public liability, loss of life, limbs policy protection

Clearly set out doable community goals to achieve intended purposes

effectively

Register all residents, workers & Blue Lagoon heritage site property owners

Facilitate scientific and social studies relative to UNESCO World Heritage

Site Designation application

Support valuable practices and pay attention to the needs of others in

community