Blue Lagoon designated National Monument

Re-posted from the Jamaica Observer October 2, 2018

Grange praises Blue Lagoon national monument designation

KINGSTON, Jamaica — Minister of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport, Olivia Grange, has welcomed the designation by the Jamaica National Heritage Trust (JNHT) of the Blue Lagoon in Portland as a National Monument.

The JNHT — an agency of the Culture Ministry — completed the process of declaration in August 2018 following what Grange said has been “six decades of effort to protect the Blue Lagoon.”
“We have long recognised the importance of this national treasure and efforts to protect it began as early as 1958. I am happy to be the minister who has taken the process to this stage where the site is now declared a national monument, “Grange said.

“This designation is critical to the process of preserving and protecting the Blue Lagoon for future generations and guaranteeing access to all Jamaicans to this natural lagoon with aesthetic and historic value that can stand above similar sites in the hemisphere.”

The Blue Lagoon was declared a National Monument on the basis of its aesthetic and scientific values, a release from the Culture Ministry stated. According to the ministry, the declaration comes following the expiration of a Preservation Notice — giving temporary legal protection to the property — which was issued under the signature of Minister Grange in October, 2017 and renewed in April, 2018. The declaration also follows consultation with stakeholders on the boundaries, purpose and effect of the declaration.

The Blue Lagoon National Monument declared area includes all those bodies of water up to the high water mark during high and low tide known as Unity Bay, Lime Kiln Bay and the inlet called the Blue Lagoon which together constitutes the Controlled Area. The boundary also includes the parochial access road known as the Blue Hole Road. It does not include the cay called Pellew Island.

In the meantime, Grange urged the JNHT to move to conclude consultations towards confirming the Preservation Scheme and Management Plan for the declared area as well as to move swiftly to conclude discussions with key government agencies regarding the sustainable management of activities at the location.

GREAT VICTORY FOR BLUE LAGOON JAMAICA!

It is with much gratitude that we are happy to share in this very good news from the Jamaica National Heritage Trust. The Preservation Notice has been signed which is the first step to protecting the integrity of the Lagoon as per the letter below. It was 60 years ago that Jamaica's first Prime Minister, Norman Manley sent his preservation notice to the Cabinet earmarking Blue Lagoon to be preserved for future generations. It is a great victory that is now taking place for Jamaica's environment and the beautiful Blue Lagoon. Congratulations to all who have helped to make this possible:
Blue Lagoon Preservation Notice Letter to Participants of the Meeting

Blue Lagoon Restoration Project Update

Blue Lagoon Restoration Sustainable Community Development (SCD) Summit:
Saturday, November 20, 2010
Time: 9 a.m.- 5.p.m
Venue: Goblin Hill, San San, Portland, Jamaica.
Pre-Register by email to : adriennejoan@eastlink.ca
by voice mail : 902- 479 2186 & leave your phone number and area code


To book a Cultural Heritage Community Daytime Meeting with Blue Lagoon Restoration/ Lead Facilitator/Cultural Specialist:
Adrienne Joan Duperly Dates in Portland: 11/04/10, 11/05/10
Dates in Kingston 11/23/10, 11/24/10, 11/25/10
Pre-Register by e-mail : adriennejoan@eastlink.ca by voice mail : 902- 479 2186 & leave your phone number and area code

To book a Community Development Daytime or Evening meetings with Blue lagoon Restoration SCD Specialist Dr. R. Warren Flint
Dates in Kingston 11/10/10, 11/11/10
Dates in Portland 11/13/10, 11/14/10, 11/15/10. 11/16/10, 11/17/10, 11/18/10


Meetings with "Blue Lagoon Restoration Summit and Sustainable Development In Jamaica" Assessment Team date/time preference and phone numbers must be sent before October 25, 2010. By email adriennejoan@eastlink.ca or voice mail to Adrienne at 902- 479 -2186

Blue Lagoon Marine Site 2010 Summit

to Reconsider Restoration of Blue Lagoon as a "UNESCO World Heritage Site" & "Protected Marine Site" and as a Sustainably Developed Community

“Consider” (con sidere ) means “with the stars”; “Reconsider” means to rejoin the movement of heaven and life.

"Restoration" describes the biological principles that inform all forms of life, including human beings, and uses these principles as a framework to bring a different vocabulary to the movement (quoted from “Blessed Unrest”by Paul Hawken).

Presented by Adrienne Joan Duperly in Consultation with Blue Lagoon Region Community,

St. Mary’s University School of Business Development Centre
and in Partnership with The Five E’s Unlimited

 Present....................Past..................And Future Generations Matter..........

"The important work of moving the world forward does not wait to be done by perfect men.” –George Eliot

Governing bodies, Affiliated Landowners, Developers and local Stake holder are invited to become essential partners for change. Blue Lagoon’s community took steps to identify their area’s present (common) challenges. Residents are asked to be the forces of positive change within their community. Educators, Scientists, Financiers are assisting by lending their time to help find agreeable solutions for personal, commercial, environmental and regional improvements which will safeguard the future of this beautiful coastal region of Jamaica.

Change is required for change to occur

This “Blue Moon” shone over Blue Lagoon on New Year’s Eve 2009 throughNew Year’s Day 2010. Some say this is a good omen. This celestial event happens only once in 20 years. Photograph by Adrienne Joan Duperly

Registered Participants will be advised of date and location for Blue Lagoon Summit 2010

Blue Lagoon area & Community Residents, stakeholders and developers are invited to meet with Blue Lagoon team of Volunteers and other Blue Lagoon residents to voice your relevant concerns, your suggestions.

Written submissions of your sustainable community development ideas must be sent to us by email as soon as possible, at latest before February 29,2010.

Prior to Blue Lagoon Summit programming, relevant documented submissions received from the public will be openly displayed, your ideas and comments circulated preceding Blue lagoon Summit Keynote presentation.

Portland Community Residents are requested to pre-register and submit your personal agenda and impressions (as attachments), by e-mail to: Adrienne Joan Duperly at email address: adriennejoan@eastlink.ca

BLUE LAGOON RESTORATION
Intro into Sustainable Development and Restoration of
Blue Lagoon Marine Natural Habitat in Jamaica
A study done by Adrienne Joan Duperly

The World Heritage Marine Programme mission is to safeguard the world’s cultural and natural heritage by assisting States parties with the nomination of marine properties and with the effective management of these sites. This will ensure that these precious marine areas will be maintained and thrive for generations to come.  All marine areas of “outstanding universal value” will be inscribed as World Heritage thus leading to a better protection of marine biodiversity. All marine World Heritage sites will be exemplary models of effective and results-based management, benefiting coastal communities around the world.



Earlier known as mysterious Blue Hole, Jamaica’s fabled Blue Lagoon area revitalization, habitat restoration and marine preservation depend entirely on wholesale support by location residents, property owners and
developers.

Privately owned villas rest on lands surrounding Blue Lagoon thus are off limits. Blue Lagoon and surrounding waters remain National property.These endangered coastal shores and waters marine life can only be protected once joint agreement between governing bodies, private owners and corporate stakeholders pursuing "UNESCO World Heritage Site" & "Protected Marine Site" status is reached.

This status will prove invaluable for present and future development, restoring Jamaica’s premier and most famous coastal lagoon and inflowing spring waters while preventing further decline of Blue Lagoons shores and coastal marine habitat.

Throughout Jamaica, village and town folk found rewards in Nature. Caribbean peoples were the very first naturalists, true “green” producers. Before global awareness evolved to recognition, island, sea and sky supplied resourceful island folk a mighty renewable harvest.

What next for Blue Lagoon? Entirely depends upon the choices made by those in authority. Divergent and interesting points of view will be expressed. Hopefully the tranquility and serenity Blue Lagoon inspires will be recalled, once more becoming a peaceful welcoming and natural place.