Guana Cay Citizens to Speak at United Nations Tuesday | 05.04.07

The itinerary for the United Nations event is now final.

MANGROVE DESTRUCTION, CONSERVATION AND RESTORATION
11 AM - Noon, May 8th, 2007

Mangroves are critical ecosystems for shore protection and fisheries, yet are being destroyed at an accelerating pace. This Presentation will discuss the global threats to mangroves and focus on the critical situation in the Bahamas.

Program
Chairperson
Dr. Tom Goreau
President Global Coral Reef Alliance

Speakers
Alfred Quarto, Mangrove Action Project
Importance of Mangroves, global threats, and mangrove restoration

James Cervino, Pace University
impacts of mangrove destruction on coral reefs and fisheries

Bill Parks
Threats to Mangroves in Bimini, Bahamas

Save Guana Cay Reef
Stopping the destruction of mangroves on Great Guana Cay, Bahamas

Fred Smith, Bahamian Attorney
The legal and policy steps needed to protect mangroves

Save Guana Cay Reef Secures Donations | 05.04.07

Save Guana Cay Reef was recently ordered by the court to put up a $100,000 security bond after applying for an injunction to halt development at Baker's Bay Club. Read the article in The Nassau Guardian:

Article from The Nassau Guardian

Free National Movement Cleans House | 05.02.07

"Wow, this is a total Wipe-Out of the PLP" - LoveFM

Prime Minister Hubert Ingraham was the second Prime Minister of the Bahamas, he is now also the fourth. After a fierce election campaign between Prime Minister Perry Christie of the Progressive Liberal Party (PLP) and former Prime Minister Hubert Ingraham, Ingraham has defeated Perry in a landslide. The FNM candidates have also cleaned house across the Bahamas, winning key seats in congress. The press in the Bahamas was taken off guard, many admitting that they were predicting a much closer race.

Prime Minister Perry Christie, once a roommate of Ingraham, has isolated Bahamians with his twisted economic development plan - the very plan which created the existence of this blog.

Unemployment has gone on the rise, public works projects have sat at a standstill, economic indicators are grim. All of this can be attributed to Perry Christie's so-called 'anchor-development plan.'

Prime Minister Christie much preferred the glitzy, fast and unabashedly trashy lifestyle defined by the Miami and greater Florida development booms of the 1980's and 1990's, over the simpler, culturally unique style of the Bahamas.

In American developers whose styles are as dated as the McMansions of Miami, Christie found allies, and premised his entire development plan for the country on his relationships with them.

A few weeks ago, a friend of mine forwarded me a letter from an American developer, asking the friend to invest. The letter advertised "very close ties with the Christie Administration.' You know what that means - being friends with the Christie Administration means special favors - let's fudge the environmental reports with our friends in Government, let's offer a few acres of crown land here, a few acres of treasury land there. As long as we're in with the Christie Administration, we can do anything...

Christie imagined creating megadevelopments in the small, wayward islands called Out-Islands - and turning them from sleepy white-sand beaches with pristine reefs into gambling centers, swanky clubs, golf resorts and marinas. The economies will boom, he thought. The money will pour in!

The Bahamavention advertising campaign was a complete failure, but its style matched precisely the tourism approach of the Christie administration.

Christie's ideas weren't too different from the Bahamas Tourism ads that appeared throughout North America during the winter 2006-2007 season. The ads were so poorly done, and so offensive to the type of person who might even consider visiting the Bahamas, that it has been claimed that the ads actually have had a negative effect on tourism dollars pouring into the country.

Christie's plan to build the Bahamas through the image of low-rent American developers like Michael Meldman would mean that the Out-Islands would lose the very qualities that made them tourist destinations: coral reefs would be lost, mangroves would be bulldozed, small communities would have dance clubs and gambling halls and giant airports plopped on land they had always rightly and legally believed were theirs for eternity.

Christie's plan, like the Bahamavention ads that paralleled the last days of his administration, is a total and complete bust. Good riddance and welcome back Hubert Ingraham.

Prime Minister Ingraham is a gentleman, a true leader, and a man who has often gone against popular sentiments in the Bahamians to make unpopular moves that turned out to be the smartest move possible.

Choose-a-mcMansion Bahamavention. Perry Christie gave special treatment to mcmansion style developers, who wanted to paint the Bahamian wilderness into a Miami or Las Vegas Strip.

Abaconians are counting on Ingraham to bring the rule of law back to the Bahamas, and to help guide the country to environmental laws to protect islands like Great Guana Cay.

More updates to come shortly.


Save Guana Cay Reef Needs $100,000 | 04.28.07

Today was the court date for Guana Cay. The developer is demanding $100,000 in security. The locals have two weeks to raise the money. If you are interested in helping the locals of Great Guana Cay win in the appeals court, stop the work at Bakers Bay Club and save their island, donate to their cause. At the top of their website is a link to paypal.

This court case affects more than the tiny island. It affects all of the Bahamas and will resound across the Caribbean. It will affect future golf developments around the world and encourage laws and better business practices. Most importantly, the win will encourage locals in other parts of the Caribbean to rise up against unethical and environmentally unsound business practices waged by foreigners in their backyards.

Here is the link

Antics Against Abaco Forum Create Outrage | 04.28.07

For something along the lines of 10 years, an online community formed in Abaco and its out-islands, which include Guana Cay. But the forum has kept a strict policy of not allowing controversy or opinionated emails. The idea was to stay away from flames and for the community to concentrate on advice and good-natured banter.

Anti Baker's Bay Club signs are vandalized in Great Guana Cay.

But, the market of ideas demands free speech, and eventually an alternative to the original Abaco Board came about. At AbacoForum.com, anybody can join any conversation and free speech rights are fully protected.

Baker's Bay Club does not like the product of free speech; because Abaconians despise the megadevelopment, and naturally, negative press does them little good.

Here is the first post from a thread created by Dr. Ralph, the website's administrator of the forum:

Today we received this communication from one of our advertisers:

Effective immediately, please withdraw my banner ad from your site. I ignored the first complaint call that I received but I have just received another. I have never even read the entries on the Abaco Forum. However, to some people, they are upsetting enough that I have had to make this decision. Both the complainants are influential local residents (US transplants, NOT Bahamians) who's criticism of me, and my participation on the site, could be very damaging to my own business. I would appreciate a rebate of the balance of my payment, which can be mailed to the address below. I apologize for this. Thank you for your understanding.

One month ago a person who is associated with the Baker’s Bay Club contacted our advertiser and told her, “The Abaco Forum is organizing a boycott against Lance Armstrong (Mr. Armstrong allegedly made statements that supported the Baker’s Bay Club, in a commercial sense). A second person who is associated with BBC likewise admonished our client, and she has thus asked to have her ad terminated.

Since the inception of the Abaco Forum, we have allowed commentary that has been critical of Baker’s Bay Club, and its parent company, Discovery Land Corporation. On several occasions, we have noted that we are “neutral” on the controversy, and have solicited commentary from BBC/DLC supporters. We had hoped we would get rational, thoughtful responses: something from a biologist, an economist, someone with insight. Instead, BBC supporters have chosen to express themselves by intimidating our advertisers, presumably because they have they “nerve” to support a web site that allows negative commentary about BBC/DLC. Both myself and the other owners of the Abaco Forum LLC have received intimidating emails from these two individuals.

To the two of you, and we know who you are, as well as anyone else who is considering attacking our advertisers or us personally, we want you to know this: while you may coerce every one of our advertisers to pull their ads from the Abaco Forum, we will NOT roll over and prohibit our members from expressing themselves about this issue. We will NOT be intimidated, we are NOT going away, this is not like the other site that you have cowed into submission. You are unmasking yourselves: you are moneygrubbing, hypocritical, destructive hacks. You are unable to defend yourselves with honesty, reason, science, and logic. Instead, you pick on the weak and vulnerable, and to what end? Filling your pocketbooks, pure and simple. Shame, shame on you!!!

To our members: we will not allow this or any other strong-arm tactic to change our policy. Say what you have to say, do it right, do it proud, do it with class. But in the words of Don Henley, “ I will not lie down, I will not go quietly.” Neither will the Abaco Forum.

Lawsuit seeks to block Ara Macao resort approval | 04.27.07

Notes from the Road has been following the story of the Ara Macao Resort and Marina Development in Southern Belize, an area I wrote about in 2002. This development is as equally repugnant as the Baker's Bay Club, although the scale is a much larger one. The Placencia Peninsula, easily visible on any map of Belize, is a huge piece of land characterized by a culture rich in Garifuna and Mayan traditions, and a relaxed tourism-based economy.

I strongly believe in the development of the Caribbean; but I am against 'Miami Overspill' that forces foreign developers to strong-arm themselves into a community, creating monstrous developments that threaten ecosystems, communities and cultures.

Here is the latest from this closely-related fight:

Earlier this month, the Peninsula Citizens for Sustainable Development
(P.C.S.D.) filed a lawsuit asking the Supreme Court to overturn a decision of the Department of the Environment (DOE) approving the Ara Macao Resort and Marina development at the northern end of the Placencia Peninsula in the Stann-Creek District.

The applicants also asked the court to grant an injunction to prevent Ara Macao Development Ltd. from proceeding with the development. The lawsuit is based in part on DOE's failure to comply with Belize's environmen-tal regulations.

The Peninsula Citizens also maintains that DOE unreasonably and irrationally appro-ved the development because it did not have critical information about environmental issues such as downstream beach erosion, effects of the development on the Peninsula's marine en-vironment (such as lobster, conch and coral reefs) and whether Ara Macao and other new developments could quickly use up the water supply that provides Placencia, Seine Bight, Maya Beach, Independence and Big Creek.

The environmentalists also argue that DOE's approval failed to protect the public's access and use of the 66' public reserve on the beach surrounding the development.

It also says the development violates zoning for the area under the Mango Creek/Placencia Special Development Area, as recognised by Belize law.

The Peninsula Citizens for Sustainable Development is a Belize non-profit corpo-ration and grass roots community organisation of Placencia Peninsula residents concerned with the development of the Peninsula.

The group (P.C.S.D.) brings information about proposed developments to Peninsula residents to ensure that all developments are environmentally sustainable with respect to the fragile eco-systems of the Peninsula, its communities and cultures.Donations to the Ara Macao Litigation Fund may be made by depositing funds into the P.C.S.D. account at Atlantic Bank, number 100158838.

Donations may also be made by cheque payable to the Peninsula Citizens for Sustainable Develop-ment, General Delivery, Placencia, Belize.

(Note: Justice Awich will hand down his decision on whether PCSD can go ahead with its lawsuit on 4 May 2007.)

____________________________________________
Peninsula Citizens for Sustainable Development Placencia, Belize info@placenciadocuments.info

SGCR Press Release: Their homes have been invaded, their lands have been stolen | 04.24.07

Save Guana Cay Reef Association alerts press to their ongoing battle for local and environmental rights in the Bahamas

In October of 2006, the Association appealed the Decision by Acting Justice Norris Carroll dismissing the judicial review against the Government and the Bakers Bay Developers.

The appeal is set for hearing on May 17, 2007. In the meantime, the Save Guana Cay Reef Association has applied for an injunction to restrain the Developers from continuing the desecration of the environment.

Since the Judgment the Developers have torn down many acres of forests, destroyed huge mangrove swamps and have been extremely busy dredging the marina basin.

In addition, the Developers have made applications to build but the Hope Town District Council, based on the objections from the Association, has deferred granting permits.

In addition, despite many requests from the Association to the District Council to let them know what permits have or have not been given, both the Attorney General and the District Council have failed to provide information to the residents of Guana Cay.

Thus, it can bee seen that the fight to protect local government rights and the environment in Guana Cay is also a fight for all Bahamians for freedom of information.

The Court of Appeal is set to hear the Association’s application for an injunction tomorrow, April 25, 2007, in the Court of Appeal in Nassau.

In addition, however, the Developers have demanded that the Association pay $100,000 by way of security for their costs.

The Association says this is another attempt by the Developers to block legitimate and reasoned challenges to the Government and other development activities.

Counsel to the Association, Frederick Smith, said

“The passionate freedom fighters from Guana Cay will not give up. Their homes have been invaded, their lands have been stolen, their peaceful, quiet and traditional way of life has been challenged by the quest for the almighty dollar.

The people of Guana Cay want the Government and the Developers to know that the Bahamas is not for sale. Our homeland is not for sale. It is not all about the money! People have rights. Local Government legislation gives the people of Guana Cay the right to say what should or should not happen on their island. Dictatorial Cabinet politicians and all for profit developers will remember that the people of Guana Cay are passionate about their local rights and are committed to protecting their environment. The fight will go on despite all the obstacles that the Government and the Developers may try to throw up!”

Foreigner-owned machinery, like tanks, stand ready to plow through Guana Cay's heritage. This photo from early 2006 depicts a part of Guana Cay that has already been destroyed.

In addition, the Save Guana Cay Reef Association is travelling to New York to attend and make a presentation on sustainable development in island locations.

The Association intends to make a presentation before hundreds of delegates at the United Nations. The Association intends to highlight the desecration of their homeland and environment on Guana Cay and to demonstrate that this is but one example of the shortsighted and destructive real estate and marina developments ongoing throughout the Caribbean and other coastal and other Island nations.

Mr. Smith also said

“What is happening in Guana Cay is but a microcosm of the challenges faced by so many other communities in small Island and coastal states and locations throughout the world. We hope that the freedom fighters in Guana Cay will help to educate the world about how important it is to preserve and protect local rights and the environment!”

Attached is a copy of the letter sent to the District Council requesting information which continues to remain unanswered.

Link to copy of unanswered letter

Editor of Links Magazine Responds | 04.24.07

After Links Magazine wrote an article depicting Michael Meldman and the Discovery Land Company as the owners of Great Guana Cay, I asked them about it. The editor responded. Just as we thought, it looks like Discovery Land Company is telling these magazines that they own the island, and these golf magazines are not objectively critical of the marketing material being spun into their advertorials.

Links Magazine is not the first golf magazine to make glaring errors about the Baker's Bay Club. It is important to stay vigilant about all the golf magazines. Most of them are no longer writing anything on Baker's Bay Club. But if any of them does, it is extremely important to contact every single one of their advertisers if they publish false material about or from Baker's Bay Club.

Here is the response:

Mr. Gauger:

Thank you for your note regarding the ownership situation of Guana Cay. We hired a freelance writer for the note and apparently, he got some false information, most likely from the developer. We apologize for the error.

We will talk to the writer and attempt to clarify the situation in an upcoming issue. If you have questions or concerns, please contact me at 843-842-6200. Thank you for your patience and understanding.

Editor

Turtle Nesting Ground, to be split up into 6 Lots | 04.23.07

I was under the understanding that Discovery Land Company decided to build only one lot at Gumelemi Cay, which is crucial to preserve as a critical sea turtle nesting site for 3 species of sea turtles. Apparently, Kathleen Sullivan-Sealey, the paid environmental consultant for the developer, talked them into putting only one lot up on that site.

Sealey told residents of Great Guana Cay as much in late 2006, when she met with residents of the island. Additionally, Jeff Jones told the islanders the same. This likely happened because the world's most famous ocean conservationist, Jean-Michel Cousteau, chastised the development for its plan to put 4-5 mega-mansions on the tiny islet.

But a new Bakers Bay Club website reveals that the company is not splitting the mini-islet into 4 or 5 lots, as previously advertised, but now, in fact, into six lots.

Notes from the Road has interviewed several of the most respected Sea Turtle scientists and conservationists. They all agree that the plans to put homes over these nesting grounds is insane.

Baker's Bay Club uses the press to create a feel-good feeling about their development, specifically using the turtles. In 2006, for example, the Abaconian published a press release thinly veiled as an article, about Baker's Bay Club employees 'rescuing' turtles nests from locals, who, according to the article, dig up, poach and eat the turtle eggs any chance they get!

This Baker's Bay Club press release was printed as fact in the Abaconian last year. It's contents have been completely fabricated. Baker's Bay is opposed by the world's most respected Sea Turtle experts, because the unwieldy size of their development adjacent to sea turtle nesting grounds poses a grave danger to at least 3 endangered species.

Baker's Bay Club's decision to increase the amount of units on Gumelemi Cay to 6 while lying to the public to say they had reduced the number to one is a dangerous move.

To learn more about Sea Turtles and the threat that Discovery Land Company poses to them, read this article.

Save Guana Cay Reef to Attend UN Event | 04.23.07

Save Guana Cay Reef Association has been invited to send delegates to the United Nations Commission, who will be discussing Sustainable Development in the third world at their New York City offices, in early May.

Tiny Guana Cay will speak at the United Nations on behalf of all environmental concerns in Bahamian Out-Islands as well as on behalf of their own fight against the Baker's Bay Club. The meeting is a historic one for the Bahamas.

The Guana Cay Association began their fight in early 2005 and are still fighting to save their tiny island from what they see as over development destruction. The are now widely recognized in The Bahamas as the grass roots non-governmental organization opposing the Baker’s Bay Club Development on Great Guana Cay’s pristine northeastern end, and the Save Guana Cay Reef Association is now pushing for environmental protection laws for the entire Bahamas.

The attending members from Save Guana Cay Reef have been accredited and will join the historic meeting attended by other member nations from around the world, UN agencies, major international funding agencies, the private sector and the press. Global mangrove protection will be a central issue, and Alfredo Quarto; the President of MAP (Mangrove Action Project) will join SGCR to speak on behalf of mangrove protection in the Bahamas and the Caribbean.

The Association will present videos, scientific documentation and photographic evidence of their concerns about unchecked development from islands throughout The Bahamas.

Loss of mangroves, threats to coral reefs, and fish habitat will be their primary focus. The group will have floor time on May 7th and they hope to capture the attention of the world as they work to save The Bahamas reefs, beaches and oceans. "This will be a wonderful opportunity to share our collection of research with other island nations facing similar concerns," said Sidney Weatherford, Guana Cay life resident and association member.

The association has built an international audience and attracted the support of organizations throughout the world. Scientists supporting SGCR include a coral ecologist from Canada, a coral scientist from Jamaica, a coral pathologist from the Woods Hole Institute in the United States, Jean-Michel Cousteau and Ocean Futures Society and the Sierra Club. The Global Coral Reef Alliance will be joining Save Guana Cay Reef and the association’s lead attorney, Fred Smith, in New York this May.

Save Guana Cay Reef has been integral in building the Save The Bahamas Alliance; a network of out-island environmental and community rights groups fighting like minded battles for local rights and environmental protection. Save Guana Cay Reef also networks with organizations in other Caribbean Basin nations to share ideas about sustainable practices so that these tourism and marine resource-based economies can continue to prosper from their delicate, but bountiful resources.

"We are absolutely not opposed to development," says SGCR President Troy Albury, "we just want the developments to be better planned, the impacts monitored, and most importantly environmentally safe for the surrounding reefs."

This visit is an historical one for the association and the Bahamians who started the campaign. It is the first time a Bahamian delegation has attended the UN on environmental issues and the SGCR members are thrilled to be representing their country and to know that their concerns will be heard internationally.

Save Guana Cay Reef continues to battle the proposed Baker’s Bay Club on the grounds that the development’s footprint is much too large and destructive for this small island whose economy relies on small-scale tourism and fishing. The world’s most respected coral and marine scientists back their position on Baker’s Bay Club’s monstrous mega development. They have stated publicly that the development will harm the islands reef, fishing resources, mangroves, and Guana’s quiet tourism-based economy.

The group plans to travel to the New York after the general elections, which they have been watching with deep interest. “When we started all of this we did not realize what a large impact land sales and development issues would be in the forefront of political concerns.” added Albury, “We are thrilled that our countrymen now know we must be told about every development in our islands and that we have the right to be involved in what happens in our country and most importantly with our land.”

Is Links Magazine Run by Idiots? | 04.23.07

After reading this short article by Links Magazine, I have to ask, does this magazine have any editorial credibility whatsoever?

The article says that the island of Great Guana Cay is owned by Discovery Land Company. This is laughable and insulting to the people of Great Guana Cay, who have lived on the island for 200 years. Discovery Land Company acquired a portion of the land illegally.

Also, Disney never owned Great Guana Cay, or even a portion of it. During Disney's tenure, the land was owned by Meister, who sold it to Discovery Land Company.

It is likely that magazines like this take what these developers tell them at face value. In fact, Discovery Land Company likely wrote this article in its entirety, and paid Links Magazine for it. These magazines have no editorial integrity whatsoever.

Discovery Land Company likely wrote the article, and wants people to think that they own the island for marketing purposes. If you look at the map that Discovery Land Company uses to sell people on their development, the map actually shows the area where their property ends...as water, falsely making it look like their property is indeed an island.

Additionally, Discovery Land Company wants to make Disney look as bad as possible. So it is likely that they contrived this article for their marketing agenda of using Disney as the bad guy.

I have emailed with and spoken with the editors of some of the other magazines that feature Discovery Land Company. One publisher/editor let it slip that he actually wrote a quote of a Discovery Land Company persona.

UNC Newspaper Offers Sharp Criticism for Mike Meldman, Discovery Land Company | 04.21.07

The editorial board of The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill has some fighting words for Michael Meldman's ironic environmental contribution to the University.

In an editorial titled, "Do as I pay, not as I do", the staff writes,

"Is the University for sale? You might think so as you stroll across campus past academic buildings, dorms, libraries and stadiums all named for major donors.

On its face then, the funding of a professorship at the UNC Institute for the Environment by Michael Meldman, a resort developer, seems like just another business transaction. He coughs up a few million and gets a professorship in return. But even though Meldman might be no friend to the environment, having a professorship named after him still can be a positive development for the University..."

The article continues:

"Perhaps the most amazing part is the DLC attempts to pass itself off as an environmentally friendly development company. According to the DLC's mission on its Web site, each of its communities "will embrace the natural grandeur of their settings and celebrate the traditions of the land upon which they are built."

We'd love to know how killing the reefs embraces the natural grandeur, and exactly what local traditions will the multi-million dollar mansions, golf course and marina be celebrating? It seems unlikely that the 150 Bahamians who live on Grand Guana Cay and rake in an average $21,300 per year are accustomed to the golf and yacht club lifestyle."

I have an idea. The University should accept the money from Michael Meldman and use it to help the locals of Great Guana Cay fight to save their coral reef and mangroves. Good work University of North Carolina student journalists.

Read the editorial here

Michael S. Meldman Distinguished Professorship in Conservation Scholarship at UNC, Daily Tar Heel Comments
04.17.07

The man who has in many circles come to be known as the most representative of environmental destruction in the Bahamas and perhaps the Caribbean has just teamed with the University of North Carolina to create the "Michael S. Meldman Distinguished Professorship in Conservation Scholarship."

Since Michael Meldman's megadevelopment is opposed by several of the most respected and influential conservation organizations and the entire coral reef community, it might seem ironic that a large American University would accept his money.

UNC accepted Michael Meldman's money and they put his name on their environmental professorship. But did they really know who he is?

But then, the subject of 'Rise Up Sweet Island' is the story of Meldman's Discovery Land Company - a company that has used unimaginable tactics to make their development appear the 'green good guys', even as mangroves are yanked from their roots and local rights are squashed.

UNC PRESS Release is available here

Michael Meldman's megadevelopment is opposed by some of the world's foremost conservationists and environmentalists because its footprint is much, much, much too large for an island the size of Guana Cay; and because the project plans for the development mean the coral reef and unique ecosystem of the island will be destroyed.

It is all too likely that Meldman's donation to the Tar Heels is politically intentional; designed to offset the mounting press about his development in the Bahamas. Donors often donate in order to make up for some perceived personal weakness, or to correct a perceived weakness in the public's eye.

Douglas Crawford-Brown, Professor of Environmental Science and Policy Director for the new Institute for the Environment at UNC-Chapel Hill Chapel Hill, wrote a response to several who wrote in about the Meldman issue. He writes, "Precisely the reasons why we accepted the gift to help develop the studies and processes that will reform such practices, bringing conservation and development groups to a neutral table (the University) to find more balanced solutions."

The tone is ironic because it is very unlikely that UNC accepted Meldman's money "precisely" because he is a controversial figure who is damaging the Bahamian environment. It is much more likely that UNC accepted his money without knowing about the depth of the controversy.

Secondly, Crawford-Brown's statement that UNC could be a neutral table to find 'more balanced solutions' suggests innocence on this subject. Throughout the Guana Cay issue, Discovery Land Company has tried to create an air of neutrality: They have a website called saveguanacay.com that appears to look independent, but is a mouthpiece of the developer. They have an 'independent' group of scientists who monitor the environmental impact, but there is nothing independent about what they are doing. The EIA was made to look like it was written by the University of Miami. In fact it was written by paid consultants to Discovery Land Company, using University of Miami's name in a way that greatly upset the University.

A University that accepts money from Michael Meldman and plans to use it to create a 'neutral table' is certainly not neutral. It seems that Crawford-Brown has a lot to learn.

The Daily Tar Heel Chimes In

Today, the University's student run newspaper wrote an article about the issue entitled, "Donor attracts flak for Plans. Company's resort said to harm reefs."

Read Daily Tar Heel piece

Internatioanally recognized coral scientist Tom Goreau and Greenpeace Oceans Specialist were both interviewed, representing the locals of Great Guana Cay:

Dr. Livingstone Marshall of Discovery Land Company, who Meldman defers all environmental questions concerning Baker's Bay Club on Guana Cay, was interviewed as saying that the company has set up nurseries on the island to help preserve native plant species. Readers of 'Rise Up Sweet Island' no that this has nothing to do with good environmental practices, and is in fact fluff.

The dichotomy between Dr. Marshall's comments and those of Goreau and Hocevar speak volumes.

Ingraham Rallies in Abaco | 04.14.07

Hundreds of supporters show up for the Ingraham rally in Coopers Town.

Last night, I listened in to Hubert Ingraham's rally speech in Coopers Town, Abaco. Ingraham is certainly an inspiring speaker; but many are especially paying attention to the meaning of his words. He is trumpeting the effectiveness of local government over distant rule. He is sharply criticizing making crown land available to foreigners, and offering ideas on policies that don't squeeze the locals out of residential and commercial land.

In unison with these ideas, Ingraham trumpeted the importance of the environment to the country's future, and to creating an environmentally sustainable country.

Ingraham is an important ally for Guana Cay; his campaign platform is their platform. Let's hope he follows through, and immediately halts construction of the marina and golf course at Baker's Bay Club.

Tonight, April 14, Ingraham speaks again. Listen in to the rally tonight at LoveFM.

New Blog Covers Bahamas Environment | 04.13.07

My Island Home covers Bahamas' environment issues during the Christie Administration's race to erect megadevelopments across the out-islands. It is encouraging to see blogs like this. The site has good aerial shots of criticial areas being damaged.


Ingraham Continues to make Guana Cay the Issue | 04.12.07

Guana Cay locals keep the message lit while Ingraham tours their message across the island nation.

In an article in Bahamas Journal, former Prime Minister Hubert Ingraham continues to make the Guana Cay issues central to his campaign:

"Five years later they have handed over thousands of acres of Crown Land to foreigners for residential developments for more foreigners. Five years later, deserving Bahamians are still waiting in that long Perry Christie line to have their applications for Crown Land processed," he said.

Electing Ingraham in May is crucial for ending the reckless development spree started by Perry Christie.

National Geographic Honors Megadevelopment Fight | February 24, 2007

The Northern Bahamas, including the reef at Guana Cay, are the richest shark waters in the world. The March 2007 issue of National Geographic visits the Bahamas megadevelopment issue from the perspective of Shark conservation. This reef shark image is a stock photo.

The March 2007 issue of National Geographic honored those fighting against megadevelopments in the Northern Bahamas. The article follows Sonny 'Doc' Gruber, a University of Miami marine biologist who owns and operates a lab dedicated to studying shark behavior in Bimini.

Bimini, like Guana Cay, is a small island that is being raped by an oversized American developer. Bimini's story is especially sad: the development in Bimini has lashed mangroves; but Bimini is so tiny, these mangroves form the wilderness that supports both the island and its nearshore environment.

Of the beautiful photographs accompanying the National Geographic article, the photograph of the lemon shark in the mangroves particularly struck me, for Guana Cay has its own mangrove river, the biology of which is so similar to this one. The Discovery Land Company development on Guana Cay has already all but destroyed this crucial marine-terrestrial environment.

I will quote liberally here from the talented Jennifer Holland. Many people in the Bahamas are thankful for her important piece.

Gruber has been studying Bimini's lemon sharks for some 25 years, amassing a detailed database that's the largest for any shark population, anywhere on Earth. His findings on how sharks effect their environment and what they need from it confirm, along with numerous other studies, the life-giving nature of mangroves - which is one reason the biologist is fighting mad about a contentious and outsize resort elbowing its way onto tiny North Bimini Island. Condos, a marina, and a casino are already underway, and plans call for a waterside golf course. Local Bahamians are worried about their shrinking access to fishing grounds, as the seafloor is dredged and the land locked up in gated communities. Gruber has his own concern - the mangroves. "They'll all be wiped out if the developers have their way," he says. "The North Sound will be the 18th hole. You can have your mai tai there."

As recently as 2002, plans were in motion to set aside 5 marine areas to preserve the economic and ecological lifeblood of the Bahamas, with Bimini rated as the highest priority. But a change in government put off the project, and there's been no movement toward protection, despite angry prodding and accusations of corruption. Instead, giant resorts such as the one being built on Bimini have grown up on several outer islands. "The government is selling off this environment, cheap," Gruber says.

Note: I highlighted the reference to the Prime Minister Christie Administration, which is a defendent in the Great Guana Cay case against the Baker's Bay Club. Here, even the National Geographic refers to the callous disregard of the Christie Administration.