The Shadow Environment Minister has defended the Opposition Party's stance on environmental issues.

And he urged environmentalists not to group the Progressive Labour Party with the Government's environmental track record.

Leon (Jimmy) Williams was responding to recent comments by the National Trust's Environmental Committee chairman Tim Marshall regarding the lack of bold initiatives from both parties.

On Wednesday, Mr. Marshall said the Government and the Opposition were both equally guilty of failing to come up with creative environmental ideas.

Yesterday Mr. Williams said that since he became Shadow Minister in 1994 he has addressed the preservation and the enhancement of the environment and the quality of life.

"During the Throne Speech and the Budget debate the PLP has stated its stance on the environment,'' he said. "He (Mr. Marshall) must not link the PLP with the Government. We've kept the environment to the forefront.'' Mr. Williams said it was the PLP that last summer brought to the media's attention Peter Perscesky's removal of natural boulders from neighbour's property in the Saucos Hill area.

"We have brought up in the House the subject of people not knowing what's going on next to them,'' he said. "We suggested that advertisements be placed in the Government's official gazette, so people will know where to look. This initiative has taken place.

"We brought the foreshore matter to the House; now any changes to the foreshore have to be advertised to allow Bermudian to learn about them.'' And he said his party had argued against the dumping of asbestos into Bermuda's waters and dumping at the Airport as well as campaigning for the preservation of the Natural Arches in Tucker's Town.

"If you look at our record I think you will see that we have done our job and we will continue to do so.'' Regarding Mr. Marshall's call for legislation to amend the appeal provision in the Development and Planning Act, he warned against removing the Environment Minister's authority.

"My party stood up on the floor of the House and condemned the fact that the Minister allowed ACE to build higher than the board allowed,'' he said. "But you have to take into account the concept of accountability.

"If you take the power to appeal away from him, there will be no accountability on appeals.'' But he conceded that there was room for improvement in the Act.