CRATER APPEARS IN GAGES WALL AS LATEST SAC REPORT IS PUBLISHED

The vent, which first appeared in late August, has produced high pressure steam and gas which has caused the crater to appear in the end of the Gages Wall closest to Chances Peak. The photograph (courtesy of the MVO) clearly shows the degassing vent and the crater immediately below Chances Peak (on the right).

However the dome, now over 80 million cubic metres of material and over 3,000 feet above sea level at its highest point, is still some distance from the Gages Wall and at the moment is not putting any pressure on the wall which is still solid rock. The Gages Wall protects Plymouth and the upper reaches of the Belham Valley so MVO scientists watch it very carefully. Recent scientific helicopter flights have confirmed the ongoing integrity of the Gages Wall with no cracks appearing in it.

In the meantime, the Scientific Advisiory Committee's (SAC) report following their late August meeting in Montserrat has been published. The report warns that the present dome has reached a size where it could overtop the crater rim within a few months and threaten the western or northern flanks of the volcano with dome collapse pyroclastic flows.

Please follow the following link to find the Main Report.

NEW ALERT LEVELS FOR VOLCANIC ACTIVITY

• 0 Background seismicity with no new surface manifestation of volcanic activity. Volcanic activity is very low.

• 1 Low-level local seismicity, ongoing ground deformation. May be mild phreatic activity. Volcanic activity is low. MVO closely monitoring for increased activity. Make sure you are familiar with the Risk Map and Guide to Volcanic Hazards.

• 2 Dome building in progress, confined within crater or small to moderate phreatic or non-magmatic explosions. Low to moderate levels of rockfall activity, pyroclastic flows and associated light ash fall. Low to moderate long-period seismicity, with insignificant or lowlevels of swarms or tremor and no sudden changes or persistent escalation. May include shortpauses in measureable dome growth. Activity has increased. The Government will be taking steps to keep the public informed on the situation, ensuring that the sirens work and that the public understands the siren system. Make sure you are familiar with the Risk Map and Guide to Volcanic Hazards RADIO ZJB IS THE SOURCE FOR REGULAR UPDATES AND ADVICE

• 3 Confined dome growing rapidly, or growing to the west or north; or, unconfined dome growing towards the east or south. Dome may be changing its direction of growth, or there may be high levels of gas or long-period seismicity, or moderate levels of swarms or tremor. May be moderate to high levels of rockfalls and pyroclastic flows with associated light to moderate ash fall. This level of activity could include pyroclastic flows and light to moderate ash falls. There will be increased Government public information on the situation. Government will also be reviewing their evacuation procedures and plans. Continued testing of the siren system. Read your Guide to Volcanic Hazards. YOU SHOULD BE LISTENING TO RADIO ZJB FOR REGULAR UPDATES AND ADVICE

• 4 Large unconfined dome actively growing towards the north or west; or, large dome with: high levels of pyroclastic flow activity in other directions and/or high rates of dome growth; or intense earthquake swarms or tremor; or with tropical storm imminent or already affecting the island. Increased activity or potential for serious activity that could affect inhabited areas. Evacuation of persons and/or restrictions on movement is very likely. Read your Guide to Volcanic Hazards YOU SHOULD BE LISTENING TO RADIO ZJB FOR REGULAR UPDATES AND ADVICE.

• 5 Major dome collapse is under way with large pyroclastic flows and heavy ash fall. Explosive event possible if the activity continues. Or, existence of other obvious signs or strongly accelerating activity potentially indicative of imminent explosive eruption. Highly hazardous eruption underway or imminent. Evacuation of persons and/or restrictions on movement is very likely. Read your Guide to Volcanic Hazards YOU SHOULD BE LISTENING TO RADIO ZJB FOR REGULAR UPDATES AND ADVICE.

CREATING A VISION FOR THE CENTRE HILLS

How would you like to see the Centre Hills in the next 20 years?

That was one of the questions posed to the over 35 participants at the 4 day Centre Hills Project planning work shop held in mid September. A vision for the Centre Hills is a critical component of the management plan. This would also help to categorize the protected area to aptly fit into one of the many World Conservation Union (IUCN) listings, therefore making the Centre Hills status recognized globally.

The main aim of the workshop was to draw together key stakeholders of the centre hills Namely: Property owners, Users of the forest - whether it be for scientific or traditional use, Farmers, villagers and developers on the peripheral, Personnel from forestry, physical planning and agriculture, Persons from the media and other NGO’s CBO’s and government departments, including the Montserrat National Trust and the Montserrat Tourist Board.

Research findings were presented on recent activities including the biological assessment, socioeconomic assessment, stakeholder analysis and a preliminary eye opening review of Montserrat’s environmental legislation was also done. Legal Expert Christine Toppin Allahar covered all the bases in a gap analysis of the laws pertaining to the forest. Over the next few months, in collaboration with the Attorney General’s office she will endeavour to review existing laws and bring them in line with the current needs of the people. Ms Allahar has well over 20 years of environmental experience and has assisted other OECS countries in firming up their environmental legislation. This served to answer the question “What do we know?”

The latter two days delt with the visioning and the way forward to manage the resources of the Centre Hills such as agriculture, tourism, timber and other resource extraction, water resources, disaster mitigation, education, recreation, culture and scientific research through participatory management or “Where do we go from here?”

This concept was ably and effectively demonstrated by the workshop facilitator, Nicole Leotoad from the Caribbean Natural Resources Institute (CANARI). This public driven approaches intended to foster a general acceptance as persons feel a greater sense of ownership of the process and generally ensure the project stays on course.

DRAFT VISION FOR THE CENTRE HILLS

The Centre Hills National Park is the heart of the green island of Montserrat - a biologically rich and diverse forest supporting unique plants and animals - secure for enjoyment, education and study. The government and people of Montserrat share ownership and management of these valuable resources to support sustainable populations of species, environmental services and local livelihoods for the benefit of present and future generations.

You are invited to comment on this vision and how you feel the Centre Hills relates to you. For More information on the Centre Hills and the project you can visit the website www.malhe.gov.ms/centrehills or email the staff at GMcentrehills@candw.ms.

AG's ECSC ADDRESS

The Hon Attorney General of Montserrat, Mr Eugene Otuonye QC addressed the opening of the 2006 / 2007 Law Year of Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court at the Court House in Montserrat in mid September. Looking ahead to the New Year, Mr Otuonye reviewed the Prison, Law Enforcement in Montserrat, the Legislative Agenda, the issue of Fundamental Human Rights, the Public Service, the local Bar Association, and the provision of a new Court House. Before commencing his review, he said to Hon Justice Errol Thomas, who was presiding over the event, “My Lord, let me on behalf of the private and public bar of the Montserrat legal fraternity, the Government and people of Montserrat extend a hearty welcome to you, for agreeing to come over to conduct this Law Year Opening Ceremony.”

He continued, “I acknowledge with appreciation, the graceful presence of H.E. The Governor, The Hon. Chief Minister and other Hon Ministers present, Hon. Speaker of the Montserrat Legislative Council, Hon Members of LEGCO, The Acting Commissioner of Police (and all the members of the law enforcement Agency present), Permanent Secretaries, Heads of Department and other Senior Public Servants, distinguished personalities and leaders of the Montserrat Community.

In 1989, Hurricane Hugo literally wiped out Montserrat. Five years later, just as she was recovering from that, the Soufriere Hills Volcano roared to life, with cyclical activities and devastation - through 1997, 2003, and 2006; As I speak, there is a 70 million + cubic metres of dome, waiting to explode or collapse, at any moment. No country or territory, with similar topography, landmass and population, as Montserrat, would go through all these without being shutdown; but not Montserrat; she refuses to be shut down; indeed, Montserrat is on the move, thanks to the ZJB Radio’s programme Montserrat on the Move”.

Mr Otuonye continued “The opening of a Law Year is the auspicious occasion to take stock, reflect on the achievements/failures of the past year; to review events, situations and circumstances that impacted positively or negatively on the legal system generally and in particular, on the fundamental bedrock issues of administration of justice, maintenance of Law and Order, Rule of Law and Equality before the law; Preservation, Protection and Respect for Fundamental Rights and Freedom. More importantly, it is a time to outline plans and projects and strategy for implementation in the coming new Law Year.

I am relatively new in this jurisdiction and indeed in this sub-region of the Eastern Caribbean; so I am not sure whether I am competent to beat my chest for any achievements recorded within the last Law Year in the sub-region and this jurisdiction. However, I should place on record that since I came, there had been the appointment of the Hon Justice Ianthea Leigertwood-Octave, to the substantive post of the Judge of High Court for St.Kitts and Nevis, Dominica and Montserrat. We congratulate her on this well deserving appointment and express our gratitude to the Hon. Chief Justice (Ag) and the Judicial and Legal Services Commission.

I note that though, she is permanently stationed in St.Kitts and Nevis, the regularity of her visit as well as the Master to this Jurisdiction to deal with interlocutory and related matter have made her permanent residence in St.Kitts and Nevis unnoticeable.”

Looking ahead to the New Law Year Mr Otuonye, pointed out that Isaiah 43:16; 18-19 reads: “Thus saith the Lord, which maketh a way in the sea, and a part in the mighty waters ---Remember ye not the former things, neither consider the things of Old --- Behold, I will do a new thing, now it shall spring forth; shall ye not know it, I will even make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert”.

Mr Otuonye concluded by saying “I believe these words of the Holy Scriptures for the sub-region and for Montserrat. Yes, I behold new things in the incoming Law Year. Whatever are the achievements and shortcomings of the past Law Year, I believe better days are ahead; indeed the best is yet to come for the unified legal system of the sub-region of which Montserrat is a part.”

MONTSERRAT AND TRINIDAD DIABETES ASSOCIATIONS FORM PARTNERSHIP

Mrs. Valerie Lewis-Lynch, President of the MDA delivered a presentation on Montserrat, the volcano crisis and the work of the MDA to the Executive Board of the DATT. The Executive responded with great interest and numerous questions on the crisis and the management of diabetes in the island in general.

Following the presentation, Mrs. Lewis - Lynch signed the MOU on behalf of MDA while Mr. Carlton Phillip, President of the DATT signed on behalf of his Association. The signing ceremony was witnessed by Ms. Jasmin Garraway, former Tourism Advisor to Montserrat and Mr. John Adamson, Sales Manager of Pharmaco - a leading distributor of health care products including the Easi-check diabetes monitor.

Through the partnership, both Associations will exchange information and expertise on managing the disease and DATT has pledged to provide technical and other assistance to the MDA aimed at capacity building within the organisation.

According to Mr. Phillip “ We at the DATT feel duty bound to join hands with our brothers and sisters in Montserrat to strengthen efforts to educate people about the impacts that the disease is having in our countries”.

The terms of the MOU include the DATT’s support to the MDA for a period of 3 years in the areas of training for members, proposing the MDA for membership in the Diabetes Association of the Caribbean (DAC), the International Diabetes Federation (IDF) and the North American Region (NAR).

In thanking the T&T Association Mrs. Lewis-Lynch expressed her deep gratitude for the invitation to sign the MOU and the expressions of goodwill. “We at the MDA are very pleased to form this alliance because diabetes is such a serious problem. It is not a time to bury our heads in the sand but a time for action; the goal of the MDA is to help those with the disease to control it. We are therefore looking forward to a fruitful relationship between the two Associations to help us achieve this goal”.

The Associations plan to collaborate on special initiatives in Montserrat in November to celebrate the 1st anniversary of the MDA and the commemoration of World Diabetes Day on November 14th, 2006.

ECCB CORNER

Have you ever thought about how beneficial it would be to live below your means? Ask yourself: What can I live without? Do I really need to spend $85 a month or more for that cable plan? Or spend hundreds on cell phone chitchat? Or pay $400 for that latest pair of Nikes?

Living below your means requires spending on what you need, not on what you want or what you friend has. You can do it if you change some of your behaviours. This may mean eating fewer restaurant meals, finding less costly social activities or bargain shopping. You can also try paying for items using cash or a debit card instead of charging them. You can build a substantial savings if you make a conscious effort to cut your spending by living below you means.

The art of spending wisely is no simple feat. However, here are a few secrets that can help you to become a wise spender:

1. Be prepared to spend some time making decisions about your financial future. It is important.
2. Develop your financial goals - both long term and short term.
3. Develop a budget to match your goals. Plan for a positive result.
4. Test your goals and budget to ensure that they are realistic and achievable.
5. Review your spending against your budget over your pay day period.