The Silver Palms mega development project, approved in December 2024, is facing significant backlash for bypassing a comprehensive environmental review. Located in one of Belize’s most ecologically sensitive areas, the project was greenlit through a Limited Level Environmental Study (LLES), a streamlined process that excludes public consultation. Critics, including the Opposition, are demanding full transparency from the Department of the Environment (DOE) and Chief Environmental Officer Anthony Mai. Key questions have been raised: Why wasn’t a full Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) conducted? Why were major NGOs and government bodies like the Fisheries Department and the Ministry of the Blue Economy excluded from the decision-making process? The Opposition insists that Belizeans deserve accountability, not opaque agreements that could jeopardize fragile marine ecosystems. They are calling for the release of all project-related documents, a public explanation from the Chief Environmental Officer, and a suspension of further work until a full EIA is completed and disclosed. In response, Mai defended the approval process, stating that the project met legal requirements under the LLES framework. He emphasized that the development, primarily a subdivision project with minimal construction, did not meet the threshold for a full EIA, as the property size was just under 300 acres. Despite these assurances, concerns persist about the potential environmental impact and the lack of public engagement in the approval process.