A protracted decade-long struggle by Middlesex farmers to secure reliable road access for their agricultural produce has encountered a significant new obstacle rooted in environmental concerns. The conflict centers on the Mae Johnson Road Extension, a community-built thoroughfare that represents the only viable route for local growers to transport crops to market.
The dispute reached a critical juncture when the Ministry of Sustainable Development’s Department of Environment issued a stop order halting construction, despite villagers having invested over $36,000 and obtained proper surveying and authentication from the Lands Department three years prior. Community chairperson Britany Roches asserts that farmers meticulously followed all protocols, including installing culverts, implementing drainage systems, and protecting natural springs during construction.
Environmental consultant Percival Cho, engaged by neighboring Silk Grass Farms, has raised substantial concerns regarding the road’s engineering feasibility. His assessment reveals a dangerously steep slope gradient between 32-35 degrees that poses both safety hazards and environmental risks. “These fragile, erodible soils when exposed to rain create wash-down effects that dig deep chasms into the road itself,” Cho explained, warning of potential mudslides that could compromise forest areas and water reserves serving nearby communities.
The standoff has created an urgent situation for local agriculture, with thousands of pounds of fresh produce potentially spoiling during peak holiday season, threatening both food security and livelihoods. Farmers remain open to alternative solutions, including government acquisition of existing roads through Silk Grass Farms property, but emphasize the need for multiple access points to serve all village growers equitably.
With construction halted midway up the slope and environmental assessments ongoing, the community awaits government intervention to develop a comprehensive solution that balances agricultural needs with environmental sustainability.