EPA clarifies legal process as Vilvoorden dust nuisance case moves to compliance review

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) confirms the matter concerning dust complaints on the Essequibo Coast involving Vilvoorden Investment Inc. is now before the court. The Magistrate has directed that compliance with mitigation measures be assessed and reported to the court at the next hearing, set for June 04, 2026.

Key points:

1. The court has requested a formal assessment of Vilvoorden’s compliance with required mitigation measures; the EPA will prepare and present a compliance report at the next court hearing.
2. Vilvoorden has been asked to submit documentation to the EPA detailing mitigation steps taken and any proposed alternative measures. The EPA will review that submission and indicate whether the measures meet regulatory requirements.
3. The EPA will schedule and conduct a compliance inspection following its review and may present further evidence or amend its statements to the court as appropriate.
4. EPA officers visited the Vilvoorden site several times and attempted to engage with residents to provide updates, but was only successful at engaging some residents, on mitigation measures proposed and implemented by the developer.
5. The EPA remains committed to protecting community health, enforcing environmental standards, and pursuing all necessary administrative and legal remedies. The Agency wishes to reiterate that the matter is before the court and therefore will be addressed appropriately in keeping with the law.

The EPA urges affected residents to engage with our Officers, so concerns can be accurately assessed and addressed. Further updates will be provided after the EPA’s review of Vilvoorden’s submission, the compliance inspection, and the subsequent court proceedings. [Press Release from the Environmental Protection Agency]