Mt St Catherine trails reopened

The hiking trails up Mt St Catherine in Chaguaramas have been reopened to the public since October 24.

Planning and Development Minister Camille Robinson-Regis told Newsday on Tuesday after an event at the Arouca Community Centre that she had told the CDA to reopen the trails.

Mt St Catherine is the highest peak in Chaguaramas. Near the top, there are a Coast Guard base and a radar antenna.

Along the Mt St Catherine Road, the MH Tactical Response Group Ltd has a shooting range.

A few weeks ago a sign prohibiting the public from entering was erected.

After becoming aware of the sign on October 15, Newsday inquired about the closing of the road. The Chaguaramas Development Authority (CDA), the agency responsible for managing all land in Chaguaramas, did not say why the road was closed.

Robinson-Regis said the sign went up without the CDA's board or her knowledge.

According to a report from the CDA to Robinson-Regis, the MH Tactical Response Group began construction work without the necessary approvals from the CDA.

The group has a lease agreement with the CDA dated January 9, 2020, permitting it to construct and commission berms, an administrative office and toilet facilities.

A section of the lease says the group must submit all plans, drawings, schedules, specifications and other documents to the CDA for approval. The lease requires all plans and schedules indicating when and what works are to be done on the premises to be approved by the CDA.

The report said the CDA received no such plans and no approvals were given. Consequently, on October 20, the group was orally instructed to cease all work until "the relevant documents and information are provided to the authority and the necessary approval granted."

When asked if Mt St Catherine would become off-limits again if construction work resumes, Robinson-Regis said no.

Once the group gets the requisite approval they can do the work once all measures are in place to ensure the safety of the public.

So, she said, "The area will not become off-limits unless that is deemed absolutely necessary. We do not believe that will be the case."