Guana Cay Blog Archives

From legal-case.html — the Privy Council fight

January 01, 2010

Neil Hartnell writes: 'Lost opportunity to clarify murky' approval process.

The rape of Great Guana Cay: This incredible photograph taken by a commercial airline pilot in the summer of 2009 shows the scope of the Bakers Bay development's footprint. The white spots on the Atlantic side of Great Guana Cayare breakers against the coral reef.

By NEIL HARTNELLTribune Business EditorPosted to the Tribune on November 20, 2009THE attorney representing opponents of the $500 million Guana Cay mixed-use resort development yesterday said it was "regrettable" that the Privy Council did not determine in its ruling whether developers and the Government could sue each other under a Heads of Agreement, describing the case as "a lost opportunity to bring clarity to the murky development process in the Bahamas".Fred Smith QC, the Callenders & Co attorney and partner, said the four-year legal battle waged by his clients, the Save Guana Cay Association, against the Bakers Bay Golf & Ocean Club project had "highlighted and focused the need for the Government" to legislate this nation's development approvals processes, bringing clarity to both this and the rights of affected residents.Responding to the Privy Council's ruling, which prevented his clients from blocking Discovery Land Company's development on the grounds that the project's Heads of Agreement was 'ultra vires' or improper, Mr Smith said: "Regrettably, the case does not analyse what a Heads of Agreement is, and whether a Heads of Agreement is binding and lawful - a public expression [of intent] more than a binding document."Regrettably, the Privy Council has not clarified the issue of whether a developer could sue the Government to enforce a Heads of Agreement or vice versa."Mr Smith questioned whether, for instance, if a Heads of Agreement contained provisions for a developer to clear up any environmental damage if they failed to meet their obligations and abandoned the project, the Government "would be able to sue them to enforce these provisions or not".The newly-named QC added: "Unfortunately, at the Supreme Court, the Court of Appeal and the Privy Council, there was a lost opportunity for bringing clarity to the development process in the Bahamas, as murky as it is, without legislation that explains a step-by-step approach."The Association's four-year fight, Mr Smith said, had been "highlighting and focusing the need for the Government to legislate process and rights in regard to all development initiatives.

It's not going to away.

They're repeating it with the BEC Abaco power plant."It's sad that three levels of the judiciary did not take a more proactive approach in helping to guide the development process in the Bahamas."In its ruling, the Privy Council acknowledged previous findings by Court of Appeal president, Dame Joan Sawyer, who noted that the Bahamas had "no comprehensive legislation for environmental protection, or public consultation on the disposition of public land".In other words, major chunks of the Bahamas' development approval process, especially as it relates to major mixed-use resort projects, is not contained 'in stone' via statute legislation.

Rather, it is in policy, which can be changed at a stroke by public officials.The Privy Council, in its judgment, found the Guana Cay Heads of Agreement was intended to provide a framework for the planning and decision-making that would guide the development going forward."It is common ground that the provisions as to the granting of leases were too uncertain to be legally enforceable.

Other provisions of the Heads did probably create legally enforceable obligations.

But it is unnecessary to form a final view on that, since on any view the Heads constituted a considered political commitment on the part of the Government of the Bahamas, matched by the Developers' financial commitment to investment in the project," the Privy Council found."The proposed development was on any view a major development with far-reaching economic, social and environmental consequences.

It involved an investment of the order of $500 million. It involved large-scale infrastructure projects, both on land and in the sea.

The population of the Cay was going to increase greatly, and the pattern of its economic life was going to be transformed."Any complex project of that sort requires a strategic framework of planning and decision at the outset, followed by detailed planning and detailed decisions on particular matters as it goes forward.

In such a situation there is no fettering of official discretion in starting with a carefully-formulated general policy.

Indeed, to start without a carefully-formulated general policy would be a recipe for bad administration."Mr Smith yesterday told Tribune Business that the Association wanted the Government to pass a Freedom of Information Act and Environmental Protection Act, especially since there were no statutory provisions requiring an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) to be published prior to a major development being approved.And the Association's legal battle is not over yet, Mr Smith telling Tribune Business they were awaiting a hearing date from the Court of Appeal for their second bid to block the Guana Cay project, which is directly challenging the permits, approvals and licences given to the developers.Warning that the project's opponents were "not going to disappear into thin air", Mr Smith pledged that the developers would still be subjected "to an awful lot of scrutiny" as they moved forward with what he described as a "10-year project".Asked to recall what the Association had achieved so far, Mr Smith said the Government's Planning and Subdivisions Bill appeared to be attempting to codify and legislate, via statute, a much clearer development process.

The Bill, he added, dealt with issues such as EIA publication, town planning input and public consultation."The success that we have had so far is that there has been a substantial revamping of the EIA, a substantial revamping of the EMP," he said.

"There has been a lot of scrutiny and focus on environmental issues by the developers and the Government."The case has also caused the Government to implement a lot of the provisions in its Planning and Subdivisions Bill.

The Government, through this Bill, is going away from this overarching Heads of Agreement and is going back to more localised input and statute."In the meantime, the Association was going to monitor the developers to ensure they complied with local and local government rights, plus environmental laws, and assess their compliance with other obligations.

November 18, 2009

Privy Council Vindicates Right to Consultation

Save Guana Cay Reef has posted a press release on the Privy Council Ruling:The following comments result from the Judgment delivered by the Privy Council on November 17, 2009 in the Save Guana Cay Reef & Bakers Bay development continuing litigation saga.

SGCRA is very pleased that they have finally had their day in Court at the Privy Council.

Although SGCRA is disappointed that the Privy Council did not declare the Heads of Agreement ultra vires and stop the project, SGCRA is still very happy that SGCRA has been able to make a meaningful contribution to the enormous issues affecting the Bahamas by development, especially in the Family Islands where there remains such beautiful and unspoilt land.

The Privy Council noted that;

"The Bahamas are known throughout throughout the world for their natural beauty. It is also well known that the rich, natural resources and especially their coral reefs are risk from indiscriminate development".

SGCRA is pleased that even the Privy Council recognized the issue of "indiscriminate development" plaguing the Bahamas.

The Privy Council also noted that regrettably;

"The Bahamas has no comprehensive legislation for environmental protection, or public consultation on the disposition of public lands…".

SGCRA joins the continuing chorus calling on the Government to pass environmental laws and a freedom of information act which are sorely needed in The Bahamas development landscape.

SGCRA is pleased that the Privy Council also recognized that, although the BEST Commission does not exist as a statutory body, the preparation of Environmental Impact Assessments, have "become the usual practice", and"standard practice" in The Bahamas.SGCRA laments the fact that what should have been a simple judicial review matter and which should have been dealt with quickly, by the Courts in 2005, has taken nearly five years to wind its way through the judicial system. The Privy Council has criticized this process and stated that "These proceedings have followed a tortuous course".

SGCRA urges the Government and the judiciary, in future, to give priority to the disposition of judicial review proceedings, not only in the protection rights, but for the good administration of public law matters.

SGCRA is very pleased to note that the Privy Council recognized that SGCRA had a "legitimate expectation of consultation" which is an important step to prevent abuse in the exercise by Government powers and to prevent indiscriminate development.

In this regard, SGCRA was pleased to note where the judgment said "It is unfortunate that the Minister (Allyson Maynard)did not make good her promise of a meeting."The Privy Council also noted that consultation should also be "informed".

The Privy Council judgment is not the end to this fight.

Challenges through the courts have been only one avenue of challenge. SGCRA will continue to bring domestic and international publicity to this abuse and to the injustice to which the people of Guana Cay were subjected by the delays in the judicial process, the collaboration between the Government and the Developers, the financial pressure brought by Baker's Bay and the destruction of the environment and the ruination of the peaceful Family Island style life which this $500,000,000 mega anchor development project and Central Government's dictates and abuse have raped the Cay with.

November 17, 2009

Ragtag Reef Defenders Vow to Continue Fight after Privy Council Loss, Fight to Protect Diminishing Destinations in Caribbean Expands

Save Guana Cay Reef lost its case at Privy Council today.

Here is a quote from Save Guana Cay Reef President Troy Albury on a local forum:

The whole purpose of our fight from the start has been twofold.1 . to protect the environment - There are no laws on the books in reference to the environment so consequently there is nothing to enforce . So we have to do as Livingston Marshall says – balance the environmental impact - read - destruction with the monetary benefits . So in other words if someone can make money now forget about the environmental impacts later.

2. To be sure that these developments are monitored and that the local residents rights are not trampled and they are consulted on what is going to have a tremendous effect on their lives and wellbeing . Too many things are done in 'under the table' deals . Unfortunately there is no law that says we have to be consulted or even made aware of the these deals. Even the BEST commission which supposedly is supposed to approve and monitor the developments does not exist in law.

So we again call on our government to give us a Freedom of Information Act so there can be transparencies in these deals as well as an Environmental Protection Act to protect our natural resources . Until these two laws are in place we just have to hope that the government and developers will honor all of their promises. But like my mother used to say " a promise is a condolence to a fool."

I have no regrets and I am proud of the accomplishments SGCR has made. Countless hours of work by people dedicated to the cause will not go unnoticed. We have made a difference and we will continue to make a difference in the way Bahamians think about their environment and anchor developments.

September 11, 2009

Wilson City Power Plant

Take a look at this video about the power plant being built on Abaco. Abaconians are really coming together on this issue. That is important, because that's the beginning of building long-term environmental movement in a community. Click on the image to watch the video:

The video does a good job of calling out Prime Minister Ingraham on the incongruity of his platform - which called for transparency, environmental soundness and local government involvement, versus this Bakers Bay style project, being fast-tracked without local involvement and without transparency.

September 9, 2009

Britain Takes Over Turks & Caicos

Britain has suspended Turks & Caicos self governance after intense corruption in the island nation. Britain alleges that high level members of government were accused of selling crown land for personal gain and misusing public funds.

The claims of Crown Land corruption closely resemble events which led to the Bahamian government signing a Heads of Agreement with Bakers Bay Golf & Ocean Club. The plaintiffs in the court case argue the Bahamian government's decision to enter into a Heads of Agreement were irrational and not in the interest of the island's residents or the Bahamas. Follow the news on Turks & Caicos, the only island nation to share the Bahamas Archipelago.Britain Takes Over Turks & Caicos

July 1, 2009

A Primer on Her Majesty's Most Honourable Privy Council

Benjamin Franklin appears before the Privy Council in 1774.

In one week from today,Save Guana Cay Reefwill appear as the appelant at Privy Council in London. This 'court of last resorts' is the highest court in the Bahamian judicial system. SGCR will argue that the government and developers pursued a deliberate policy of non-consultation with the residents of Great Guana Cay, in order to fast-track a development that would harm the island's ecosystem, culture and environment.

Her Majesty's Honourable Privy Counil began in the year 895, when King Alfred's group of advisor's were known as the King's Privy Council. Historically, the King and Queen heard final appeals, but since they could not take on every appeal, the Privy Council took on a role similar to the United States' Supreme Court.

As the United Kingdom expanded its empire across the globe, the Privy Council began taking on cases throughout the Kingdom. Through the last several hundreds of years of history, the Privy Council became the court which heard final appeals from people in India, Africa, the Far East and the Americas.

Today, the Privy Council is one of the highest courts in the United Kingdom, and performs judicial functions for British Overseas Territories, Sovereign Base Areas, Crown Dependencies, and some of the Commonwealth countries. In small countries like the Bahamas, where judges are, by the sheer smallness of the government, are often too close to the government-in-power to truly be impartial. For the Bahamas, whose government corruption is well known and documented, the Privy Council acts as a final check to a court system which has inherent weaknesses of partiality.

When SGCR is heard before the Privy Council, they will in fact be making an appeal to the Queen of England, who refers her judgment to the the Privy Council, which meets on Downing Street.

These areas all hear cases at Privy Council:

AnguillaAntigua and BarbudaBahamasBelizeBermudaBritish Virgin IslandsBruneiCayman IslandsCook IslandsDominicaFalkland IslandsGibraltarGrenadaIsle of Man.JamaicaMauritiusMontserrat NiuePitcairn Islands.Saint Kitts and NevisSaint LuciaSaint Vincent and the GrenadinesSovereign Base Areas of Akrotiri and Dhekelia in Cyprus.St.

Helena and dependenciesThe Crown dependencies of Jersey and GuernseyTrinidad and TobagoTurks and Caicos IslandsTuvalu.

As the SGCR case against Bakers Bay Club and the Government of the Bahamas has proceeded through the Bahamian legal system, it has met before Privy Council on two occasions. On both occasions, the Privy Council offered a favorable result to the residents of Guana Cay. At one point in 2006, the Privy Council halted construction at Bakers Bay Club until a decision was made by the Bahamian Courts. This construction halt lasted six months, and according to Bakers Bay Club, cost them millions of dollars.

Read more:

I recommendThe Last Flight of the Scarlet Macaw, for a Belize environmental case which ends up at Privy Council. Although the result was unfavorable to the appellants, the case was the first of its kind in Privy Council, and the SGCR case is much stronger.

A quote from the New York Times review of the book:"You may think you've heard this tale before: the tree/bird/fish huggers against the land-raping multinationals. But few parts of Barcott's story are what they appear: what's local is global, insiders are outsiders (and vice versa) and scientists transform themselves, with the signing of nondisclosure agreements, into "biostitutes" for hire. Matola herself is a complicated hero — "strange and sometimes aggravating."

June 26, 2009

New Tribune Article, "Constitutional Rights at Stake"

June 26, 2009

Two Weeks to Privy Council, Guana Residents Reflect onSave Guana Cay ReefTriumphs

Readers have asked for a summary of where everything stands on theGreat Guana Cayenvironmental battle as the final Privy Council court date looms less than two weeks away.New readers should readEyes of the West Indiesto learn more about the issues. You can also check in atSave Guana Cay Reefto learn more about the issues and donate to the locals who are fighting Bakers Bay Club.

The locals of Great Guana Cay have recently spoken about their plight at the United Nations.

In 2004, then Prime MInister of the Bahamas Perry Christie actively promoted his road to economic success for the Bahamas: entice large-scale developers to Bahamas' quiet out-islands, give them incentives to build massive developments, and these developments will in turn seed the quiet economies into flourishing tourism industries.

The small island of Great Guana Cay was to become one of these anchor developments. Bakers Bay Golf & Ocean Club would be a luxurious golf and marina development, catering to U.S. west coast mega-rich, superstars and aging golfers.

Discovery Land Company, the Bakers Bay developer, signed into aHeads of Agreementwith the Perry Christie Administration. The document gave them unprecedented access, rights and privileges. The Bahamian central government even offered to hand over Great Guana Cay's public land to the developer.

In the Bahamas, this public land is called Treasury Land and Crown Land, and is designed to be held in perpetuity by Bahamians. On Great Guana Cay, which is only six miles long and a quarter mile wide, the crown and treasury lands were the island's only remaining public land.

This land, in fact, was where the islanders foraged for land crabs; a 200 year old tradition in the Abaco Islands, of which Great Guana Cay is a very small part.

The only problem was, the Bahamian residents of Great Guana Cay were never consulted. Nobody ever bothered to ask them if this is what they wanted.

Suddenly, a distant government had decided that their island would become a golf course. That their way of life would be gone forever. That their children would be raised adjacent to a gated community of California-style megadevelopment buildings, rising in all its pink splendor high up in the air, populated by fast-talking foreigners with poodles and big opinions on marlin hooks and golf gadgets.

What's worse, some locals were beginning to sense that such a large development: a massive contoured golf course, a 240 slip marina, hundreds of mansions, a hotel, tennis courts, restaurants, entertainment centers, could pose a threat to their island's treasured natural resources - one of the best remaining examples of a Northern Bahamas coral reef, a wildlife-rich mangrove, orchid and bromeliad coppice forests, refuge for numerous endangered species, and an aquamarine bay filled with endangered sea turtles, scattered starfish and conch, bottom-feeding sharks.

Quickly the Bahamian residents joined with hundreds of homeowners and formed an association calledSave Guana Cay Reef.

Now, so far, this was all expected. Golf developments are used to locals forming opposition to their developments. The threats that golf courses pose to local communities and environments are well known, and so developers are prepared for any possible action a local community may take against them. Discovery Land Company, one of the most cunning and successful luxury golf developers, was more than prepared for even the most vicious opposition to their development. No problem, all was accounted for.

In the end, the developer has more resources. No local group lasts more than a few years.

Except that on Great Guana Cay, the impossible happened.

For some reason, the locals continued to fight. All of the analysts and lawyers and consultants from the Bahamian government had no idea what was coming.

The locals of Great Guana Cay agreed to fight Discvery Land Company indefinitely.

The locals found a lawyer who was willing to take on their cause pro bono. Attorney Fred Smith took Save Guana Cay Reef through four years of the Bahamian courts, fighting both the Discovery Land Company and the Bahamian government. After four years of legal fights and many losses within the Bahamian court system, the case will now be heard by Privy Council in London.

Since the beginning, the locals have raised the point that the Perry Christie Anchor Development project was bound for failure. We now know these early concerns to be prescient. I compiled the current status of all of the anchor developmentshere.

Lets look back at why the Great Guana Cay locals initially decided to oppose Bakers Bay Golf & Ocean Development:

Construction is killing off the Guana Cay reef.A barrier reef encloses one of the Bahamas' most spectacular, most bio-diverse and most critically important Bahamian natural heritage sites in existence. The reef is enduring run-off, pollution and nutrient overload during construction of the massive development. Rich coral communities lie only 45 feet from the 13th fairway. Coral ecologistDr.

Mike Riskhas stated this activity will destroy the coral reef within a matter of two to three years.The mangroves ecosystemhas been uprooted and replaced by a marina for megayachts. Mangroves are critical to small islands for several reasons. They filter the nutrients from land, which is vital for coral reef health. They are also the fisheries for many of the seagrass bed and coral reef fish.

Lastly, they are a natural bulwark against hurricanes. Islands that develop their mangroves areas away often face increasing erosion problems in the future.

The mangroves area of Great Guana Cay also held species of flowering plants such as orchids and bromeliads.Bird migration routes permanently disrupted.The northern end of Great Guana Cay was first land for migrating warblers and other birds migrating on the Atlantic flyway. This habitat was unique in the Abacos but now has been lost.

Warblers need landfall after a lengthy sea route from the Atlantic states to the Caribbean en route on their continental journeys.

Great Guana Cay was a unique habitat because of the Bakers Bay property - thick in diverse terrain that no longer exists elsewhere in first landfall.Sea turtle nesting grounds disrupted.Since Bakers Bay Club began construction, sea turtle nesting grounds on the island have diminished.

Traditionally, green turtles, loggerhead turtles and hawksbill turtles all nested on the beaches of the Bakers Bay property.

These threatened and endangered species face fewer undeveloped beaches to nest, and the Bakers Bay beaches are another property lost to overdevelopment.Traditional crabbing grounds lost.Crown and Treasury Lands are public lands to be used for the benefit of Bahamians, in many ways like American national park land.

But the Bahamian government offered Great Guana Cay's public land to the gated Bakers Bay Club. For 200 years, Guana Cay residents used this mangrove-rich land as for crabbing; literally, for subsistence hunting of the island's land crabs. This land is now under construction.

These losses, possibly illegal, constitute a component of the legal battle.Locals believe that they should have a say in their own future.As somebody who grew up with a strong belief in ideas like local rights, individual rights, community rights and the rights in general of smaller units to more efficiently determine the health and success of their community, I concur with the locals of Great Guana Cay that they too should have political rights to determine the fate of their grandchildren.Gated golf communitiesare a subculture in and of themselves, and do not necessarily attract the highest quality people in the world.

Such a megadevelopment would alter the makeup of the island. Guana Cay's rich culture of native Bahamians and respectful cottage tourists would be forever altered by a golf community.

Guana's successful economy works well largely because it is a place for people to escape the kind of place that Baker's Bay would become.Endangered species.Developments built today have a higher standard to pass than developments built in say, the 1950s or 1960s, when we did not understand the consequences of development in sensitive areas.

Today, the Bahamas and Caribbean are one of the 'hotspots' for major diversity problems. Guana's north end is a unique habitat that scarcely exists anymore in the Northern Bahamas. Three species of sea turtle will be affected by this development, endangered elkhorn and staghorn corals will be affected by this development.

Migrating Atlantic flyway bird species (already in decline) will be affected by the destruction of their habitat here, which is important because the N. Abacos are first land after hundreds of miles of Atlantic flight.

Although the EIA didn't spend much time on the threat of the development to passerines, I am more convinced that this is significant as well.Erosion danger.The destruction of mangroves and coppice at the Bakers Bay property is significant. The right hurricane could significantly alter the island; split it in two.

In general, however, the erosion, silting, pollution, and sedimentation created by the clearing of native habitat will have spiraling significance in threatening the coral, the island's makeup, the beaches, and more. Remember that Baker's Bay isterraformingthe northern end of Guana. This is completely, 100% unacceptable in such an area.

The environmental consequences of such actions are considerable.Danger to Island's Economy.While the developer believes that this development will improve the economy of the island, many locals on Great Guana Cay disagree, and many believe that the development will harm their economy.

There are several indications that Bakers Bay is doing very bad; letting their Central American workers go, falling behind on payments, and seeing very slow purchase rates on their lots. Guana had 100% employment. It is a model of a successful economy.

But I know for a fact that many people are turned off to Guana because the development represents that the island is losing its charm which made it so successful for so many years. It is not up to a foreign developer to claim what is good for a place. It is up to the people who live there.

I talked to economists about this issue, and they were not convinced that Baker's Bay was so good to the local economy. And also, in terms of community rights, it doesn't matter what the development will do to the Abaco economy. It matters what it will do to the economy of the place that it affects.

June 24, 2009

Tribune Article ExplainsSave Guana Cay Privy Case

Just received this article from the Freeport Tribune, explaining the Guana Cay legal case. Link to PDF

June 15, 2009

Privy Council in 3 Weeks, New Images Reveal Details of Bakers Bay Construction Site

Save Guana Cay Reef's legal case against Bakers Bay Golf & Ocean Club and the Bahamian government now moves to Privy Council, the highest court in commonwealth countries. This court acts as a 'Supreme Court' for commonwealth countries like the Bahamas.

Privy Council will hear the arguments between July 7 and July 9 in London.

Meanwhile, back on Great Guana Cay, details of the construction site reveal that many of the promises the developer boasted of are simply not being followed. And project deadlines are slipping off track.

The developer advertised that Bakers Bay Club was environmentally sound, in part, because the homes would be built far from the coastal dunes and that a strict coastal buffer zone would be enforced. The image above shows the first home site in construction. It is the only home being built as of June 16, 2009.

The EIA stated the existence of coastal buffer zones as if they were facts; but here, with the very first home site, the developer has already thrown out some of their simplest environmental promises.Read the EIA

Here is a screenshot of the developer's own EIA, criticizing development too close to the shore.

Coastal buffer zones are crucial for the health of nearshore environments, as construction adjacent to beaches creates erosion and pollutants. While the settlement in Guana Cay also has buildings built near the coast, this settlement has existed for 200 years, long before the age of environmental awareness; and it is the sheer size of Bakers Bay which makes coastal buffer zones critical. In addition, the Bakers Bay property is the only property adjacent to the largest and most important part of the coral reef.

This home is being constructed nearly hanging over the coastal dune, precisely in the area where endangered sea turtles are known to nest.

Here is some information on coastal setback distances according to the EIA. The home above is located on the Atlantic side, which is categorized by the EIA as "High Energy Beach and Dune System."

This image depicts erosion inside the marina.

This image shows that in order to build the marina channels, large sections of mangroves had to be removed.

Although the marina is now officially open, many details are incomplete. The marina opened six months late, in April 2009.

This image depicts unfinished golf course details adjacent to the marina.

An image of the marina village. Visitors have stated shock at the marina's lackluster visual appeal. One visitor writes, "I expected something luxurious, but Bakers Bay is ordinary...very ordinary. I never thought Treasure Cay Marina was all that exciting, but now that I see Bakers Bay, I am really disturbed. This is such a nice area, and they have turned it into that cookie-cutter look. What a shame! There are so many areas in the Abacos with class, and this is not one of them."

Detail from the marina.

August 12, 2008

Guana Cay Granted Conditional Leave for Privy Council

According to the Tribune, Save Guana Cay Reef has been granted leave for the Privy Council. Fred Smith is quoted in the article, "We believe we have a very strong case, and have been denied due process. The issue of the ability of the Prime Minister to bind the country as to Heads of Agreement will be determined at the highest level...for the future development of the Bahamas, these are matters which are of fundamental importance."

March 20, 2008

Privy Council, At Last

Save Guana Cay Reef has applied to leave for Privy Council. A more detailed explanation of Privy Council and current events will be appearing soon.

February 19,. 2008

Reef Defenders Lose Appeal

The next step for case #1, Privy Council. Photo courtesy SGCR.

Here is a note from Save Guana Cay Reef President to the Abaco out-island community after losing the appeal in court. You can read a Nassau Guardian article on the subject here.

As many of you have probably heard by now the judges in the court of appeal in Nassau ruled yesterday in our appeal. Unfortunately the news is not good. The judges ruled that the decision in Freeport will stand. Each one of the three judges gave an hour long ruling that went through all of our grounds of appeal and basically they sided with the trial judge below.

They all admitted there were some gray areas but they quoted lots of laws that say that the government has the right through its legislative authority to do all the things it did .

All of them hinted that they maybe did not agree with how it was done or it could have been done differently but the government did what they were statutorily required to do by law so there was no grounds for appeal.Even though there are no environmental laws in the country they did consult with the BEST commission and according to law the judges cannot place another scientists view over the one provided by a government mandated organization.

We still believe both of those statements to be a matter of linguistics and interpretation but that is a matter for the lawyers to work out. Our lawyer is reviewing the judgement and we are considering our next move. Fred came out of court smiling and the first words out of his mouth are we are headed to the Privy so we will see over the next couple of days what our next course of action will be .

Troy AlburySGCRA

January 8, 2008

News Clippings

The following articles cover press from late last year on the Guana Cay court case.

12.07.07

SGCR Vows to Fight Indefinitely

11.24.07

Anti-Bakers Bay Group Launches Third Judicial Review

Save Guana Cay Reef will launch its third judicial review against the Bakers Bay Golf & Ocean Club.This review centers around theHope Town District Council,the local government council, and the way in which the council pushes forward permits opposed by the locals on the very island it affects.

On November 29, Save Guana Cay Reef will ask the court for a stop work order, putting an end to all work on the Bakers Bay Club site until the issues can be examined in court.

11.22.07

Tribune on 2nd Guana Cay Case

This is an early October article from the Nassau Tribune on the 2nd legal case against the Bakers Bay Club. Anything by Neil Hartnell on the Great Guana Cay case is a great read - this one will help interested readers get caught up on current events on Great Guana Cay.

10.03.07

Save Guana Cay Reef Issues New Case

Below is a press release from Save Guana Cay Reef announcing a second lawsuit against the Bakers Bay development.

On September 29 2007, the Freeport Supreme Court ordered that Save Guana Cay and Aubrey Clarke could issue a new Judicial Review case to sue the Government andHope Town District Council, the local government district for Guana Cay and the Bakers Bay Developers.

This is the 2nd Judicial Review case launched against the Government and Developers. It is the 1st against the Hope Town District Council.

Save Guana Cay is an association of Bahamians and foreign residents dedicated to preserving their unique heritage and culture, the land and marine environment, promoting respect for locals to be responsible for their island and saving Crown Land for future generations of Bahamians.

Guana Cay is internationally recognized as a unique marine and land environment and boasts one of the most picturesque and pristine traditional old Bahamian communities in the Abacos.

Despite this, in February 2005 the PLP Cabinet, under the direction of PM Perry Christie, and after years of secret planning and negotiations with developers, and following its now disgraced Anchor Project policy, dictatorially and without consultation with the residents of Guana cay, signed a Heads of Agreement with Bakers Bay, a foreign real estate developer, to allow a tax free $500,000,000 hotel, residential, golfing and the largest marina project in the Bahamas.

Since then the residents of Guana Cay mounted and continue to fight for their rights. They believe that the golf course will destroy the rich marine reef life.

The exclusively affluent and foreign gated residential community will destroy one of the few remaining forests, containing a fabulous variety of flora and fauna, in the Northern Bahamas.

The marina dredging and silting will destroy Joe's Creek, and the hundreds of ancient mangroves which protect against hurricane storm surges and are the nurseries for the marine life on which the fisherman on the island depend.

Their traditional crabbing and hunting grounds have been lost, as the former PM Perry Christie agreed to give it to the developers for $1 per acre or some other secret amount. Despite elections promises to the contrary, the FNM, according to the Developers, has issued the Crown Land Deed to the Developers of the last remaining 179 acres of Crown (public) Land left on the island. There will be no room for the local community to grow in the future. The 150 Bahamians will be surrounded by over 700 foreigners.

Perversely….the Developers, who only paid $1 per acre, have now offered to sell 1/3 of an acre of our Bahamian Crown land back to Bahamian citizens for $50,000 or $150,000 per acre, thereby making a swift profit of 149,999%. What were the PLP and what are FNM Cabinet ministers thinking?

The development will be completely out of scale with the small island community, dwarfing it in size. The construction of the development is expected to take 10 years, and will require hundreds of transient foreign laborers. The social, economic and environmental life of this old Bahamian community is being destroyed. The local citizens are becoming foreigners in their own land.

In Save Guana Cay Case number 1, the Association obtained an injunction (after several appeals in the courts in the Bahamas) from the Privy Council in London, stopping the development until the trial. In October 2006, at the trial, acting Justice Carroll, in the Supreme Court, ruled that the Heads of Agreement was valid and allowed the development to continue. Save Guana Cay appealed and is waiting for a Court of Appeal decision.

At the Court of Appeal hearing the Government and Developers argued that even if the Heads of Agreement was invalid they had received all necessary permits from the necessary government departments, and were therefore not relying upon the Heads of Agreement as authority to proceed.

In their pre election promises, the FNM party promised freedom of information, promotion of local rights and preservation of Crown Land for Bahamians. Since the FNM became the government,Save Guana Cayhave repeatedly asked the FNM to make full disclosure of all of the permits.

Despite their promises the FNM has failed and refused to give any information and Bakers Bay claims that the FNM government has given 150 acres of Crown Land to the developers.

The citizens of Guana Cay, trusting the FNM, are appalled by the FNM's betrayal, even though 90% voted for the FNM in the general elections.

Now, after pressure from the Court of Appeal, the Developers, 2 years later, have provided copies of the permits they say were necessary to proceed with the development. For 2 years, the PLP and the FNM have kept the details of this development secret from their own Bahamian citizens, preferring instead to conspire illegally with the foreign developers, and permitting the rape and destruction of the environment, as they have done in Bimini and elsewhere.

Save Guana Cay case number 2 challenges all of these so called "permits".

The defendants in this action are The Queen, the Director of Physical Planning, The Prime Minister, the Town Planning Committee, the Minister of Maritime Affairs and Labour, the Minister of Public Works and Transport, the Commissioner of Police, the Water and Sewerage Corporation, the Hope Town District Council, the Attorney General, and the Developers, Passerine at Abaco Limited, Passerine at Abaco Holdings Limited, Bakers Bay Limited, Bakers Bay HOA Limited, Bakers Bay Marina Limited, and Bakers Bay Foundation Limited.

Save Guana Cay claims that the defendants did not have lawful authority to give the permits; that contrary to law the citizens of Guana Cay were not consulted; and that in any event granting the permits was irrational and contrary to the Constitution because they discriminate against Bahamians and residents who have to pay customs duties while the Developers and their buyers invest and own tax free.

Save Guana Cay also claims that Crown and Treasury Land is only for public purposes and for Bahamians. It is not supposed to be given away to foreign developers, for their profit, tax free.

No agreement under the Hotels Encouragement Act was given by way of disclosure; so the citizens of Guana Cay ask this FNM government to make full disclosure and tell the public on what lawful basis Customs is allowing Bakers Bay to import materials customs duty-free?

The Association continues to ask for discovery and will shortly be seeking another injunction. We will go to the Privy Council again if necessary. The English seem to have a little more respect for local and environmental rights than our own country.

Bakers Bay is continuing to desecrate, destroy and ruin the environment. See the photos exhibited with the court papers.

The citizens of Guana Cay will continue to fight for their rights as against the PLP, the FNM, and these destructive foreign Developers who have taken away their environment, heritage and quaint, picturesque Family Island.

Troy Albury is the president of Save Guana Cay, and copies of the action and his affidavit are attached as well as a copy of the Court order.

This war will continue and the citizens of Guana Cay need funding to continue to fight for their rights. We invite the public to visit our website, contribute to our cause financially, and to give support by letters to the Editors, press statements, telephone calls to the FNM members of parliament and in any other way possible.

This is not just about Guana Cay! This is a fight for the future of the Bahamas! What is happening in Guana Cay is one of the more abusive examples of what is happening all over the Bahamas.

Save Guana Cay is a member of Save The Bahamas and supports all those other freedom and environmental fighters in Nassau, San Salvador, Bimini, Harbour Island, Mayaguana, Rum Cay, Exuma and elsewhere in the Bahamas, the Caribbean and the rest of the world, fighting to protect their homes, cultures and environments from ignorant and blind politicians and rapacious and destructive developers. The politicians care for nothing more than to win political brownie points by announcing some development and the developers to make a fast dollar!

Please help us to protect our children's heritage and the future of the Bahamas!

Troy AlburyAubrey ClarkeAnthony RobertsFrederick R. M. SmithCounsel to SGCRA

05.14.07

Save Guana Cay Reef calls on the new FNM Government to bring Sunshine to Guana Cay

The Save Guana Cay Reef Association continues its fight to protect the rights of the Bahamians and residents of Guana Cay.

After having completed a very successful international exposure of their plight at the United Nations, the Association applauds the FNM Government's commitment to freedom of information and, in particular, Prime Minister Ingraham's speech in Abaco promising that the Ministries of Government will now make relevant information available to the public.

For 2 years, the Association has been trying to discover what permits, approvals, concessions and/or licenses may have been issued to the Bakers Bay Developers by the Hope Town District Council, Ministry of Works, BEST Commission, Ministry of Health and other Government organizations.

Disgracefully, for 2 years, they have been stonewalled and not one piece of information has been provided, other than by Captain Allens of the Docks Committee.

The Association celebrates the arrival of the Government in the sunshine and is now taking the FNM Government, its Manifesto, and the promises of the Prime Minister at face value.

Today, the Association has written to Mr. Hubert Ingraham, the Prime Minister, Mr. Zhivargo Laing, the Minister of State for Finance, Mr. Sidney Collie, the Minister of Lands and Local Government, Mr. Neko Grant, the Minister of Tourism, and Mr. Earl Deveaux, the Minister of Works requesting that Bahamian citizens at Great Guana Cay be provided with the normal information which citizens of a country, especially those on the local level, should be entitled to.

Attached are copies of all of the letters.

The citizens of Guana Cay continue to fight for their environment and in particular, for their rights under the Local Government Act, the visionary piece of legislation which the FNM enacted when they were in power in 1996.

In addition, the Association's letters call upon Mr. Collie as the Minister responsible for Crown Lands to stop the trespass and destruction of the Crown Land at Guana Cay, especially since Ms. Deborah Fraser of the Attorney General's office has given evidence that no Crown Grants had yet been issued to the Bakers Bay Developers. The rights of the citizens of Guana Cay have been savaged over the last 2 years by the PLP administration, their small community has been destroyed and their environment is being devastated.

The citizens of Great Guana Cay call upon the FNM Government to make good on its promises to protect the Bahamian people from abuse, protect Crown Lands for Bahamians, and make full and transparent disclosure about what the PLP Government has allowed the Bakers Bay Developers to do at Guana Cay.

Frederick R. M. Smith

05.21.07

"Case May Rock Nation"

On May 17, the islanders of Great Guana Cay once again met with Discovery Land Company in court. As you know, the locals lost the case in the Supreme Court during the time that Perry Christie served as Prime Minister.

This image shows the guarded entrance to the crown and treasury land - now illegally in the hands of the developer. The appeals case looks at the illegality of giving crown and treasury land - similar to National Park land in the United States - to a foreign entity for a pittance. Photo by Anonymous.

The appeal was extremely successful, and the appeals court judges asked very, very difficult questions of Discovery Land Company. Michael Barnett, lead attorney for Bakers Bay Club, was largely at a loss as judges asked very specific and very pointed questions.

The judges did not place an injunction on Bakers Bay Club; but they promised to have a decision within two months. Bahamians are very excited about the prospect of having the Supreme Court decision overturned, as the evidence that the developers and the now-out-of-office Central Administration together engaged in an illegal and unethical proposition that willfully hid crucial details from locals, and intentional stepped over legal bounds to make this monstrosity happen.

5.22.07

What are they Hiding?

The following letter from Fred Smith to the attorney for Discovery Land Company/Bakers Bay Club and the Former Bahamian Prime Minister's administration steps up the requests to see documents that Discovery Land Company is trying very, very hard to keep hidden from public view. In the United States, these sorts of documents are public. But Discovery Land Company, and the former administration don't want the public to find out what they know, because if these documents are uncovered, we'll find out just how illegal the relationship and Heads of Agreement between the two entities really is.

Mr. Michael BarnettGraham Thompson & Co.

Dear Sir:

Re: Save Guana Cay Reef Association – Your undertaking to immediately provide copies of Permits; discovery generally

Thank you for your letter of the 22nd instant.

I am surprised that your clients are resistant to the scope of documentation to be discovered.

I note your reference to the provision of "permits" relating to your clients "construction" on Guana Cay.

This is not what was undertaken.

You will recall considerable exchanges between the Court and Counsel for the parties relating to the basis upon which your clients were engaging in any activities on the Cay.

You represented to the Court that everything your clients were doing had all necessary approvals, permits, licenses, agreements as may have lawfully been necessary under the relevant statute, be it from some central government or local government authority, and hence your clients' activities never did and do not rely on the Heads of Agreement as a basis for engaging in any activities.

In particular, in relation to the lawful basis upon which your clients were purporting to build anything, lay out roads, etc., or the basis upon which they were importing materials (for instance, under the Hotels Encouragement Act or the Heads of Agreement) and the basis upon which they were conducting extensive dredging, drainage, construction works, bulldozing, destruction of mangroves, tearing down and uprooting forests, taking away sand and blocking Joe's Creek, and particularly any such works on the Crown and Treasury Lands and the basis upon which your clients purported to possess and occupy such lands.

You will recall that, as a result of such representation, the Court of Appeal denied the injunction because they held, if your clients had all lawful permits even if my clients won the appeal, your clients may still have been lawfully entitled to do what they had been doing.

Whilst my clients do not agree with that proposition it is nonetheless the basis upon which you undertook to provide the relevant documents and the basis upon which the Court refused the injunction.

Unless we have your confirmation by return that your clients will comply with the undertaking given to the Court and not in the narrow sense which you now suggest, we shall have no alternative but to take action upon the breach of your undertaking.

In addition, please provide the remaining items sought.

Yours faithfullyCALLENDERS & CO.

Frederick R. M. Smith

April 24, 2007

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

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

May 4, 2007

Save Guana Cay Reef Secures Donations

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 Bakers Bay Club. Read the article in The Nassau Guardian:Article from The Nassau Guardian

November 21 , 2006

Supreme Court Decision Flawed, Likely Corrupt

Justice Carroll insults Abaco Sailing Community in illogical Argument

Justic Carroll's supreme court decision to have the local's case against the Bahamian government and the Discovery Land Company was made in a judgment that went on for over 200 pages. In all of those 200 pages, discussion of the environment was limited to just one paragraph. Before reading the paragraph, remember that the environmental arguments made by the locals of Guana Cay are supported by an international consensus of coral reef and conservation specialists, including top-level conservation NGO's. All Bahamian environmental NGO's support their position. Here is Justice Carrol's reasoning:

"It is to be observed that the Applicants do not appear to have anything against the coming of foreign second homeowners or even against foreign persons who come and live on their sailboats or yachts: Thousands of these latter are said to come year after year and the Applicants herein want the environment to be protected so that such persons can continue to come, year after year. They want these kinds of tourists, visitors,homeowners to come but not to the Developer's project!

It is a known fact that sailboat owners and yachtsmen also find it necessary while anchored in our pristine waters to get rid of their domestic and personal waste and that for the most part it gets deposited into those pristine waters!"Great Guana Cay, at any one time, has about 20 visiting sailboats or yachts, most of which are visiting the main settlement harbour, a natural harbour which has been traditionally used for commerce and tourism since the earliest days of the cay.

At any one time, about 8 of those 20 visiting boats, most of which are sailboats, can be seen moored in the pleasant Bakers Bay. Bakers Bay itself is one of the attractions that brings sailors to Guana Cay. The peaceful Bay's incredible beauty attracts perennial visitors.Bakers Bay itself is a seagrass area, facing the Sea of Abaco.

It is filled with turtle grass, starfish, and roaming nurse sharks. The environmental impact of about eight sailboats a day on these seagrass beds is next to nothing. These boats drop an anchor, probably leach some gasoline.

To suggest that the Abaco sailing community dumps their personal and domestic waste in the seagrass shores of Bakers Bay is illogical and ignorant.International regulations about disposal of waste are strict; and the sailing community, which itself is an environmentally responsible community, tends to follow these laws carefully.

It is undoubtedly extremely unlikely that sailboats in Bakers Bay dump their waste in the bay, ever. Even the chance of being caught by fellow boaters would be enough to dissuade an isolated litterbug.To compare these 8-boats-a-day to the dangerous megadevelopment being constructed by the Discovery Land Company is preposterous.

The Bakers Bay Club will terraform the northern 2/5's of the island, dig out a giant 250 slip marina, build 500 buildings, a hotel, tennis courts, recreation facilities, and invite...yes invite the so-called megayachts - 100-300 foot super-yachts, into Bakers Bay. Their megadevelopment will destroy the coral reef, mangroves and important fisheries associated with the island's only estuary.

Recent news indicates this Judge's decision is not independent. Carroll, who is politically aligned with the PLP party, likely fell to the layers of corruption and deceit now being uncovered about this administration.

Updated November 21 , 2006

Justice Carroll Not Independent

Photo by Erik Gauger. The Guana Cay reef is in imminent danger,according to several well known conservation groups.

A thunderstorm of press has gathered in the Bahamas over the latest of many twists and turns in the Bahamian court case against the Bahamian government andMichael Meldman's Discovery Land Company.Justice John Lyons, in unrelated court cases, has determined that the Bahamian constitution has been severely compromised.

Supreme Court justices must constitutionally have tenure to make Supreme Court decisions - but Justice Norris Carroll is not tenured, and is therefore influenced by the political atmosphere that keeps him employed.This press release from the locals of Guana Cay comes out as Discovery Land Company asks them to pay for the billion-dollar project's legal fees.

This move is another example of the developer's ill will toward the people of Great Guana Cay. While the developer admitted that the local's case against them has helped them change some of their most unsustainable components of their development, they still insist on crushing the local's right to defend their island.

In this latest move, the locals also claim that Acting Justice Carroll is not independent of the politics and powers that be.

The allegations of corruption in the current Bahamian administration are making the rounds in the newspapers as it becomes clearer that these allegations of corruption are bringing down the administration.

Here is the press release from Save Guana Cay Reef:At a hearing before Justice Carroll in Freeport today the Save Guana Cay Reef Association took 2 preliminary objections as to the court's jurisdiction to hear any aspect of the matter and in particular to deal with applications by the Government and the Bakers Bay Developers for an order that the Association pay 2 different sets of costs of the Developers' and the Government, and asking for them each to be certified fit for 2 counsel each, i.e.

4 sets of counsel costs against the Association.

The Developers were represented by Robert Adams of Graham Thompson and Co, and Leif Farquharson represented the Government. Fred Smith appeared for the Association. No appeal has yet been filed by the Association on the Judicial Review ruling of Justice Carroll as the costs issue had yet to be ruled on.

Mr. Smith objected to the hearing on 2 points. Mr. Smith submitted that,

Justice Carroll ruled against SGCR and continued with the hearing of the costs application. The Developers and the Government submitted that costs are normally paid by the loser and this case should not be an exception.

Mr. Smith argued that this was a case of major and general public importance and that his clients should not be penalized in costs. He said;

"The Association is comprised of citizens who were simply standing up for their local rights. The courts are not there just for the rich or powerful. If the Court orders the Association and Mr. Clarke to pay costs it will send a chilling message to people in the Bahamas."

"It will mean that there is a big huge gate at the entrance to the halls of justice, and you can only unlock the gate with money. If you do not have money, or if you are not big and powerful, stay away because you will not be able to afford justice."

"This is unconstitutional. People will thereby be deprived of their right of access to the courts for determination of their rights. What's the sense in having fancy laws and courts if you cannot enjoy their protection…if you get chased away because you cannot afford them? If you cannot afford to get through the gate because you cannot afford the membership fees?"

Mr. Smith also submitted;

"The Developers have already put into evidence that Mr. Clarke and the Association have no assets, so why bother to ask for costs? I'll tell you why! Because, once the court orders costs, they will put in big fat huge bills, get their certificates and demand payment; then they will hound Mr. Clarke and the Associations into bankruptcy. Then we will not be able to appeal, or if we do huge security for costs will be sought which will again be another roadblock to justice."

Mr. Adams and Mr. Farquharson submitted that justice should be blind; "The court should not take into account whether you are rich or poor"

Justice Carroll adjourned to make his decision. In the meantime he invited the Developers and the Government to consider being "gracious" to their neighbors and citizens.

In the meantime, Mr. Smith asked for leave to appeal to the Court of Appeal on the 2 objections to jurisdiction.

If Mr. Smith is correct in his second objection as to Justice Carroll not being institutionally independent because he does not have security of tenure, it will mean that the Judicial Review application will have to be heard again by a new judge.

In addition however, if Justice Lyons is correct, and the independence of the judiciary has been compromised by Cabinet's failure to comply with the provisions of the Judges Remuneration and Pensions Act, there may be no judges with jurisdiction to hear the retrial of the Judicial Review Application. Indeed, the Court of Appeal judges may suffer from the same constitutional infirmity.

"That is the conundrum. That highlights the constitutional crisis"said Mr. Smith."Until this issue is finally determined by the Privy Council any litigant from 2003 onwards may be able to challenge any ruling or judgment of the Supreme Court on this issue of judicial independence. That is why we must get this determined as soon as possible so that the people of the Bahamas know where we stand."

"We cannot continue in this Constitutional limbo land!"

November 24, 2006

Guana Cay Files its Notice of Appeal

From the Press Release dated November 24, 2006: The Save Guana Cay Reef Association has filed its Notice of Appeal against the Judicial Review judgment of Acting Justice Norris Carroll.The Association intends to pursue its appeal as soon as the Court of Appeal can hear it.

In the meantime, the Association is battling a claim by the Government and its developers for payment of their costs in the Supreme Court trial.Justice Carroll refused to recuse himself on the costs application.

That too will soon be dealt with by the Association.The Association remains steadfast in its commitment to resist this abusive and inappropriate mega development to which the pristine natural environment of Great Guana Cay has been subjected.The developers have commenced extensive civil works again.The Association is now considering other actions and the possibility of an application for an injunction to restrain the developers from continuing with the works in the meantime.Attached is a copy of the Notice of Appeal and the recent order by Justice Carroll.

October 19, 2006

Guana Cay Locals' Supreme Court Case Thrown Out

As widely expected, Justice Norris Carrol threw out the local's Supreme Court case. Construction has restarted at Bakers Bay. The court's decision was based on the notion that the federal government has ultimate authority over the economic direction of the country.

The environmental issues, at the heart of this debate, have been addressed by the developer, and were also not addressed in the lengthy ruling.Although the news is a blow to local rights, tourism and the Bahamas environment, the appeals process, and, if necessary, the Privy Council, come next. Guana Cay locals are energized to end the siege of their island.

August 09 , 2006

Injunction Upheld against Bakers Bay Club

Privy Council votes to maintain injunction against work at Great Guana Cay site. No construction at Bakers Bay in the foreseeable future. Time and credibility are running out for beleageured developer.Read pre-trial press here

Construction in the marina after the injunction was lifted from May to July (construction has now been halted again) was irresponsible, shifting the nutrient levels dangerously close to the coral reef. Bakers Bay Club will now have to await the decision of the Bahamas Supreme Court in order to continue environment-altering construction.

August 02 , 2006

Bakers Bay Club using Intimidation Tactics

One week after the Privy Council announced construction at the Bakers Bay Club site must be halted, American Bridge (the developer's construction company) appears to be leaving the island. Amidst the noise and the dust and the barges cranes swinging back and forth, Discovery Land Company makes an unusual move.

I am attaching a press release from Save Guana Cay Reef which explains Discovery's latest move. You can also read about it inThe Nassau Guardian.

American Bridge workers remove the silt curtain, which was hapharzardly used to minimize silting into the nearshore environment during dredging and construction. It appears that American Bridge is packing up to go, for the time being anyways.

Workers are holed up at the Northeastern end of Great Guana Cay. Living conditions here are harsh, and there are whispers of massive worker backlash against the developer. Now, it appears work is stopping almost entirely.

SAVE GUANA CAY REEF ASSOCIATION

PRESS RELEASE

Bakers Bay Developers bring pressure on Association

Make statutory demand before applying to liquidate

Save Guana Cay Reef Association Limited

August 1, 2006

The Association announces that it has been served with a Statutory Demand by the Bakers Bay Developers in respect of costs of $10,000 ordered to be paid by the Court of Appeal on June 28, 2006.

The Statutory Demand is signed by Mr. Joey Arenson, who is a Director of Passerine at Abaco Ltd. and Passerine at Abaco Holdings Ltd.

The Association views this Statutory Demand as a prelude by the Bakers Bay Developers to try to kill the Save Guana Cay Reef Association.

If the $10,000 costs are not paid then the Bakers Bay Developers can petition the Supreme Court to liquidate and wind up Save Guana Cay Reef Association Ltd.

This is another example of the vindictive approach by the Bakers Bay Developers in dealing with the people of Guana Cay.

The President of the Association, Mr. Troy Albury said

"This Demand and threat by the Bakers Bay Developers demonstrates their lack of respect for the people of Guana Cay.

The people of Guana Cay are fighting to protect their culture, tradition and environment. Instead of recognizing the legitimacy of our position, and recognising that we do speak for the people of Guana Cay, Bakers Bay are trying to use this demand for the payment of costs to muzzle and suffocate us to death.

Our Association speaks for the hundreds of Bahamians in Guana Cay who are desperately fighting to preserve our way of life.

It is a disgrace for the Bakers Bay Development Company, even though it is entitled to costs, to use this as a means of trying to kill our Association."

Mr. Smith, Counsel for the Association, said

"This is highly unusual. The Association, the Government and the Bakers Bay Developers are in the thick of legal battles. We are all waiting for a decision from the Supreme Court.

Usually parties wait until all the legal battles are over and the dust has settled to claim costs that have been awarded and to set off awards of costs that have been made throughout the different stages and levels of the fight .

The attempt by Bakers Bay to collect this $10,000 is simply an attempt to bring pressure to bear on the people of Guana Cay to stop their fight for justice.

The people of Guana Cay will not be intimidated".

The Association has appealed the decision of the Court of Appeal awarding the costs against the Association and if Bakers Bay Developers move to liquidate and wind up the Association, they will have to apply for a stay pending the outcome of the Privy Council Appeal.

A copy of the Statutory Demand is attached hereto. Section 188 of the Companies Act 1992 Chapter 308 provides that if the debt is not paid within 21 days of service the Developers are entitled to present a winding up petition in the Supreme Court against the Association.

Frederick Smith

July 27, 2006

Massive Court Victory for Guana Cay Islanders

Save Guana Cay Reef attourney Fred Smith faces the press in undated photograph. Photo SGCR.

"The people of Guana Cay are dancing and celebrating in the streets"For two years, the local Bahamian population of Great Guana Cay has been embroiled in a bitter battle with an American golf course developer, Discovery Land Company, whose plan to build a mega-development is opposed by most Bahamians and a consensus of coral reef scientists around the world.

The fight has been centered around an 18-hole golf course, 500 residential units and a marina for mega-yachts, to be dynamited out of mangroves.Since 2004, the residents of Great Guana Cay have been stating that such a development would invariably destroy their coral reef, eliminate their mangroves and alter the environmental relationship between their island's unique terrestrial ecosystem and the nearshore environment.The battle has taken many turns, especially in the Bahamian Supreme Court system.

But just now, the locals of Great Guana Cay have secured an amazing battle victory; a victory in a war that is expected to last years, and the outcome of which has been deemed by environmentalists to be crucial to the future of coral reef and mangrove conservation in the Caribbean.In November 2005, after consulting with their 10-man legal team, Discovery Land Company voluntarily decided to halt construction on their development until the Supreme Court case against them and the Prime Minister was decided.

Construction Equipment is photographed on July 29 on the Atlantic-facing beaches, despite a work stop order from the Privy Council in England. This area is an important sea turtle nesting site, and such construction equipment is strictly forbidden on such beaches. All 7 species of sea turtles are endangered. 5 of them visit these waters, and at least 2 species nest on this beach. Photo SGCR.

For two years, the local Bahamian population of Great Guana Cay has been embroiled in a bitter battle with an American golf course developer, Discovery Land Company, whose plan to build a mega-development is opposed by most Bahamians and a consensus of coral reef scientists around the world. The fight has been centered around an 18-hole golf course, 500 residential units and a marina for mega-yachts, to be dynamited out of mangroves.

Since 2004, the residents of Great Guana Cay have been stating that such a development would invariably destroy their coral reef, eliminate their mangroves and alter the environmental relationship between their island's unique terrestrial ecosystem and the nearshore environment.

The battle has taken many turns, especially in the Bahamian Supreme Court system. But just now, the locals of Great Guana Cay have secured an amazing battle victory; a victory in a war that is expected to last years, and the outcome of which has been deemed by environmentalists to be crucial to the future of coral reef and mangrove conservation in the Caribbean.

In November 2005, after consulting with their 10-man legal team, Discovery Land Company voluntarily decided to halt construction on their development until the Supreme Court case against them and the Prime Minister was decided. The hope was to avoid a court injunction. But since the Bahamian Judge has been deliberating for months and no decision is expected any time soon, Discovery Land Company appealed successfully to the Bahamian court system to be released from their voluntary work stop on May 8 th.

Starting work at Bakers Bay Club, of course, meant further destruction to Great Guana Cay, and so mangrove destruction and further threats to the coral reef began at a blistering pace.

But today, Fred Smith, a bright Bahamian attorney with a singular devotion to this tiny cay, successfully urged the Privy Council to halt all work at the Bakers Bay Club until the Supreme Court Case has been decided.

(read the full Submissions)

The Bahamas is a small country, and in such a political closed-circle, corruption and influence come easily. This is especially possible with regards to the Great Guana Cay issue, because the Prime Minister himself, whose administration are defendants in this case, are basing their administration's success on the idea of planting 'anchor developments' in each of the Bahamas' out-islands, rolling through red tape and local opposition in the hopes of quickly creating employment.

But an outlet exists for corruption in the Bahamas court system: The Bahamas is part of Great Britain's loose confederation of independent states, the so-called 'Commonwealth.'

Above their own Supreme Courts, each member of the Commonwealth has an outlet to the 'Privy Council', a Commonwealth-wide Supreme Court that serves to keep small-countries' own court systems in check. Notes from the Road interviewed Attourney Fred Smith shortly after his victory. We asked him why a Privy Council is necessary. Smith says, "It's our lifeline to a more enlightened jurisprudence, and it insulates our jurisprudence from nationalism, insularity, myopia, subconscious political interference, and sometimes lack of intellect."

Marina construction was occuring at a rapid pace. Photo SGCR.

Fred Smith argued to the Privy Council that the relationship between Discovey Land Company's Bakers Bay Club and the Prime Minister of the Bahamas was in fact not legal, and that the 'Heads of Agreement' document that was designed between the two entities should be thrown out. Smith has argued that the proper permits for the development were never authorized, that development went ahead without the involvement of the local community and local regulatory obligations, that crown land cannot be given away to foreigners, etc.

The Bakers Bay Club, which had been thrilled to be able to work through the months of June and July are now certainly holed up in their Northeastern Guana camp, angry, confused. The swearwords eminating from that place must be horrendous.

Opposition to Bakers Bay Club is everpresent on Guana Cay. Photo W. Schubert.

The anger shows. In recent months, as the developer appears to lose more and more ground in the public eye, in the international press and with conservation NGO's, they have begun to act increasingly belligerant towards those opposed to their development.

A recent interview on the Bahamas' most popular radio show featured Livingston Marshall, the Environmental and Community Affairs officer for the developer, and Steve Adelson, one of the development's general managers. In the interview, Marshall exclaimed that the opposition to their development hardly existed, and that only a few tired souls continued to persist.

Use of silt curtains was irregular.

This statement is one that Marshall exclaims over and over again. In an email, he writes, "Name me just two people who are against us?" The Bahamian press, which at its worst is too lazy to edit the developer's press releases, will print these releases in their entirety.

In almost every release, the developer states that that the opposition to their development is financially-motivated, or the realm of foreigners, or is almost non-existant. All of these notions have been thoroughly debunked over a year ago, but in the Bahamas, truth can be coated with sugar and money. It's ironic that a widely unpopular foreign developer, led by a board of arrogant, image-conscious executives, is able to tell native Bahamians that they don't exist, and that they are not Bahamian, all at the same time.

But if you've ever read the advertorials in magazines like Executive Golfer, which fawn over the successes and alleged handsome qualities of the Discovery Land Company's CEO, it makes sense that the Discovery Land Company sees truth as something you can buy.

Fred Smith called the radio show and responded by saying that it simply wasn't true, and Dr. Marshall knew it. That the shares of 'Save Guana Cay Reef' were distributed among hundreds of residents of the island, none of which had given up on the cause.

Not only are the majority of Guana residents opposed to the development, but the Bakers Bay Club is voraciously opposed throughout the Abaco Island chain.

Although the Abaco Message Board, which is the de facto means of communication for Abaco residents, maintains a strictly non-political atmosphere, it defers political talk to the Save Guana Cay message board; another indication that the guana Cay's opposition to bakers bay club is central to Abaco culture. The talk show host asked Marshall to respond, after these short commercial messages. When Marshall and Adelson came back on the program, they quickly changed the subject.

According to locals, on Bahamian Independence Day a few weeks ago, an American general manager for the Bakers Bay Club was enraged to find a Bahamian family celebrating their independence with a barbecue on the public beach, as was customary in the Bahamas. The general manager allegedly ordered Bakers Bay Club guards to have them removed, but the family refused. When the police told general manager Carter Redd to lay off, the family was allowed to cook their hot dogs on the beach, as is allowed in Bahamian law.

A few days before the Privy Council case was announced, the Bakers Bay Club announced they were creating a foundation called theFig Tree Foundation, which would help locals of the island in a number of ways, including offering them multi-million dollar lots at the Bakers Bay Club for $50,000. It was clear that Discovery Land Company was trying to buy out opposition to their development.

The developer's press release printed in The Nassau Guardian states, "Bakers Bay CEO, Mike Meldman said the mission of the Fig Tree Foundation Ltd. is to protect the Great Guana Cay community and enhance the quality of life for all people living on Great Guana Cay.

The Foundation will accomplish this mission by raising funds which will be dedicated to all facets of the Great Guana Cay society and directed toward the community's educational, environmental, medical and general social needs."

The developer continues to state, "With the guidance of key members of the community who will help direct resources, the Fig Tree Foundation Ltd. aspires to strengthen individuals, institutions, the environment, and services on Great Guana Cay."

But there are no key members of the Guana Cay community in the Fig Tree Foundation.

Failing to follow up words with deeds is no isolated incident with Discovery Land Company supporters. Dr. Marshall's comments that "(Bakers Bay Club) will install web cams within the next several days/weeks such that additional external monitoring of the project can be had…" If you compare that statement with the words on Page 77 of the initial developer's Environmental Impact Assessment, "THE MOST CRITICAL TECHNOLOGY TO BE USED ON THIS PROJECT IS ON-SITE "WEB-CAM", USED TO MONITOR VARIOUS PHASES OF CONSTRUCTION.

Real time web-cameras will help prevent problems from occurring as well as help guide restoration of "errors".

Of course, none of these important considerations have yet to be implemented. If the "most critical technology" to be used for monitoring construction, has not been implemented, what about the rest of the prevention, mitigation, monitoring, and reporting actions which have been promised?

The Environmental Impact Assessment has been critically maligned by experts as being an unsubstantial document. Despite it being light on critical environmental elements, the developer continues to ignore its most essential recommendations.It is so likely that the Fig Tree Foundation is being used as an attempt to divide and conquer the locals of Great Guana Cay that in the press release, this point is brought up:

" In reference to Discovery's motive behind launching the Fig Tree Foundation, Mr. Meldman said, "We do this sort of thing everywhere our properties are located. This is not being done here at Great Guana Cay just becausewe want to quiet the previous situation."

Notes from the Roadhas been looking into this claim. To date, we have found no evidence that foundations were set up at any of Discovery Land Company's mainland U.S., Hawaii and Mexico golf courses.Can you buy the truth?

Perhaps in the Bahamas, but with the intervention of the Privy Council, the watchful eye of NGO's, a motivated and proud island and growing dissent throughout the Bahamas, Discovery Land Company is quickly learning that Great Guana Cay is noExecutive Golfer Magazine.

Fred Smith's submission to the Privy Council begins with these nine points:

1. This is a matter is of great public importance for the future of The Commonwealth of The Bahamas.

2. The Petitioner prays that pending the hearing of the Petition for Special leave to Appeal being heard in October 2006, Your Majesty in Council will see fit to order that judgment the Court of Appeal dated May 6, 2006, whereby the Developers (as described in the Petition) were relieved of their voluntary and unsolicited undertaking not to proceed with the physical works of a development on Great guana cay in The Abacos, will be stayed, thus preserving the status quo until final determination of this matter.

3. Although it is a matter which focuses on a small cay in one of the Family Islands of The Bahamas, Great Guana Cay in the Abacos, it affects the lives of many other communities throughout the Bahamas where identical challenges have arisen.

4. It concerns the lawful entitlement of local communities in the Family Islands to decide whether or not they would, through the provisions of the Local Government Act, grant licenses and permits for certain developments as opposed to the Respondents entering into secret agreements granting omnibus approvals to developments without regard to the many laws which ought to govern the process.

5. It concerns the attempt by local communities to save their pristine marine and land environments from massive destruction. It concerns the attempt by such communities to preserve their culture, heritage and traditional way of life in the face of foreign land speculation which involves the creation of exclusive mega yacht, residential and golfing hotels and communities from which the locals are effectively excluded.

6. It concerns respect for local rights; wholesale disregard by central government of local rights as set out in the Local Government Act; failure on the part of the Government, Respondents and developers to respect for the Rule of Law and due process; failure to respect legitimate expectations to consultation before the grant of licenses and or permits for development activities; the illegal collusion between central government and developers to permit massive and environmentally destructive developments without regard for the grant of lawfully required permits under various laws; the protection of Crown and Treasury lands (which are to be held in trust and for the benefit of Bahamian citizens) from illegal alienation by the Respondents to foreign land speculation developers for little or no consideration without Parliamentary approval as required by law.

7. The outcome of this matter ultimately affects how dozens of foreign developments in The Bahamas (representing billions of dollars of investments), where the Government of the Bahamas has entered into what have come to be known as "Heads of Agreements", will be conducted.

8. Will the Respondents (who have no lawful authority to enter into the Heads of Agreements) be able to arbitrarily dictate what is to happen in the Family islands without reference to the relevant laws, or the wishes of the local islanders, or will the Government (the Respondents) be held accountable to respect the laws of The Bahamas?

9. In the meantime, until the matter is determined by the pending judicial proceedings, the Petitioners invite Her majesty in Council to preserve the status quo. If the destruction of the environment is permitted to continue, there will be nothing left to litigate about, as their heritage, culture and traditional way of life will have been irreversibly destroyed.

SAVE GUANA CAY REEF ASSOCIATION PRESS RELEASE

Anti-Bakers Bay Club signs dot the island. Photo Anonymous.

PRESS RELEASE

Victory at the Privy Council!

Privy Council issues injunction against Bakers Bay Developers

Privy Council orders Developers to continue to abide by November 2005 undertaking to stop work at Bakers Bay Development on Guana Cay

27.7.06

The Privy Council today ordered a stay of the Court of Appeal Ruling dated May 8, 2006 releasing the Developers at Bakers Bay in Guana Cay from their undertaking not to continue with any physical works at Guana Cay.

On Tuesday, July 25, 2006, the Save Guana Cay Reef Association filed its Petition for special leave to appeal to the Privy Council against the May 8 decision of the Bahamas Court of Appeal releasing the Developers of their November 2005 undertaking to stop work in Guana Cay.

In the application for special leave to appeal, the Association asked for a stay of the Court of Appeal's decision and for the reinstatement of the undertaking by the Developers to stop work until the Supreme Court gave its judgment.

As a result of the May 8 decision of the Court of Appeal, the Developers were released of their undertaking if Justice Carroll in the Supreme Court in Freeport did not, by May 31 2006, deliver his ruling on the judicial review application.

Todate, Justice Carroll has not issued his Ruling in what is admittedly a very complex and complicated case for the Bahamas.

In June 2006, as a result of the Court of Appeal decision, the Bakers Bay Developers started working again; clearing forests, burning trees, dredging the beaches, dredging the mangroves, and destroying the physical and marine environments.

The Association had opposed the motion in the Court of Appeal by Bakers Bay to be released from their undertaking on the ground that it was causing irreparable damage to the environment. The Association also filed a motion in the Court of Appeal asking for an injunction in the event that the Developers were to be released of the undertaking.

The Association also sought an injunction against the Secretary to the Cabinet, the Prime Minister as the Minister responsible for Crown Lands and the Treasurer of the Bahamas.

The Association also applied to commit the Developers for breach of their undertaking.

A copy of the undertaking is attached.

In the May 8 decision, the Bahamas Court of Appeal ruled that there was no evidence to indicate breach of the undertaking and consequently did not order committal of the officers and directors of the Developers. There is still a committal action before the Supreme Court. The Court of Appeal said that they did not consider the undertaking should last indefinitely.

The Court of Appeal also said that they regarded the Association's application for an injunction as misconceived, dismissing it and ordering the Association to pay the costs of the Government.

Subsequently, on June 28, 2006, the Association applied to the Bahamas Court of Appeal for permission to appeal the May 8 decision of the Court of Appeal to the Privy Council.

The Court of Appeal dismissed the Association's motion for leave to appeal on the ground that the Court of Appeal did not have jurisdiction and also refused a second application for a stay of the Development pending an appeal to the Privy Council.

The Court of Appeal also ordered the Association to pay $8,000 in costs to the Government and $10,000 to the Developers.

Subsequently, on Tuesday, July 25, the Association filed its application for special leave to appeal in the Privy Council.

In view of the ongoing destruction of the environment, the Solicitor for the Association, Mr. Theo Solley of Muirhead and Co. and Counsel Ms. Ruth Jordon, were able to obtain an urgent hearing before the Privy Council today.

The Privy Council issued an injunction in the terms of the letter of November 22, 2005 from Graham Thompson & Co. until the Judgment of the Supreme Court or the Petition for Special Leave whichever is the earlier, with liberty to the Developers to apply to discharge the order by 48 hours notice.

The Board was Lord Scott, Lord Brown and Lady Hale.

Photographs showing the extent of the ongoing devastating and destructive work to the environment are attached to the next email which may be published.

Mr. Smith, Counsel to the Association, said:

"This appeal before the Privy Council comes in a long line of continuing applications being mounted by the people of Guana Cay through their Association to protect and preserve their rights and the environment.

The people of Guana Cay remain serious, committed and determined to fight for their rights and they anxiously await the decision of Justice Carroll on the merits of the judicial review application.

The people of Guana Cay vow to continue the fight.

The people of Guana Cay are dancing and celebrating in the streets".

The submissions made before the Privy Council in support of the stay application follow in the next email as well as the actual Petition filed.

Frederick Smith

From local-government.html — local rights and the Hope Town District Council

January 14, 2009

Abaco Study Discusses Sustainable Planning

Larry Smith of BahamasPundit wrote another interesting article on development and Abaco. Here I quote three paragraphs from the article. A study by Andrews University suggests that conventional resort developments are a bad model for Abaco; exactly what The Great Guana Cay Blog has been saying since 2005:

"Conventional resort development typically features large hotels, a closed environment, golf courses, and a utility infrastructure that demands high water use and distant power transmission," the proposal says. "This model typically relies on a cheap labor force, high numbers of visitors, and intense access to amenities such as beaches, marinas and nearby transportation (airports).

"When systems fail over time, projects can become difficult to maintain because the Bahamas does not provide a sophisticated maintenance industry to sustain such a scale of development. This can mean further reliance on imported labor or the gradual transformation of the project into an obsolete and unmanageable relic. (Such) projects are sometimes abandoned with devastating affects on the local job market and economy (eg: the Four Seasons Resort on Exuma) and irrevocable harm to natural ecosystems."

The Andrews proposal seeks to define which communities should be built in what sectors of the island based on the best Bahamian settlement traditions, improved for the 21st century. Special requirements such as green corridors for wildlife are also stipulated, while conventional resort development is discouraged.

Read the full article by Larry Smith.

February 25, 2008

Duncombe Critical of Inland Marinas, Golf Development

From ReEarth. You can read more about Albany at the ReEarth website section on this development.

Environmental activist Sam Duncombe is criticizing the proposed digging of a deep channel through one of the longest stretches of continuous beach in New Providence. The developers of the Albany project are proposing to do the work in order to create a canal.But Duncombe wants lawmakers to enact legislation that would prevent the cutting of Bahamian beaches and the creation inland marinas. She also wants Bahamians to pressure the government to put its feet down on foreigninvestors whose developments cause major erosion and destruction of Bahamian beaches.

During a press conference on Adelaide Beach Tuesday, Duncombe pointed out markers on the southwestern coastline that developers plan to use as guidelines for where the marina slip would begin. She also tookreporters on a ten-minute walk outlining the amount of beach area that Bahamians would have access to once the Albany project is completed.

Since the Progressive Liberal Party signed the Heads of Agreement, the Albany project has been met with a mixture of support and criticism. Some Bahamians have taken issue with the proposed redirection of traffic in the area and limited access to Adelaide Beach; while others welcomed the development and the potential benefits it could bring to the community and local economy.

At a town meeting to discuss the development last year, a group of Adelaide Village residents and business owners said the project would have a positive impact on the village.

The Bahamas Environment, Science & Technology (BEST) Commission website contains a 124-page Environment Impact Assessment (EIA) of the Albany project, outlining the impact it will have on the environment and marine life. Duncombe is encouraging Bahamians to become familiar with the document.

"People need to recognize the power we have as individuals and collectively when we speak and what that power means to politicians," she said. "The Clifton Cay development was another example of how incredible and how powerful people can be, because during the first and only meeting the government had about Clifton, over 500 people showed up at Lyford Cay town hall and everybody said 'no', so Clifton never happened," she said.

According to Duncombe, once developers build the canal, they will have to place heavy machinery on the beach to dredge the sand in order to renourish the beach."What we have to know is that when you cut through a beach it's going to erode over time," she said."I've been coming out here for 20 years and I can tell you without a doubt, every summer there are thousands of people coming out here enjoying the beauty and serenity of the beach. Do we want to give thatup for a few hundred wealthy people?"

11.22.07

San Salvador Locals and Development

An update by Neil Hartnell on the San Salvador development issue. San Salvador's Pigeon Creek area is considered its most ecologically important. The local environmental group has put forth a proposal to turn that area into a national park, but those plans are being ignored, and investors are preparing to develop part of it.

11.21.07

Tribune Article on Hope Town District Council

Neil Hartnell covers the Hope Town District Council updates on permits to Bakers Bay Club.

06.27.07

Don't Forget what happened in Hopetown

Bahamians should have a record of the history of the earliest incidents surrounding the Bakers Bay controversy - these documents are critical in explaining the abuse of power and the threats to the young Republic.On May 19, 2005, the central Bahamian government overstepped their authority and granted permits to Bakers Bay Club, even though these were permits to be issued, or not issued, by local government. Local government for Great Guana Cay is called the Hopetown District Council.

05.08.07

Guana Cay Citizens at United Nations Today

Today is a historic day for the fight against the Discovery Land Company's massive megadevelopment on Great Guana Cay. The citizens of Guana Cay, their attorney and a group of scientists will be representing the push for sustainability in the Bahamas today. I will be reporting in with updates all day. Here is an article from The Nassau Guardian:Click to visit Nassau Guardian ArticleGuana Cay fight goes international Smith to speak at United NationsBy ANGELO ARMBRISTER

05.08.07

Outline of United Nations Presentation

|The following is Attorney Fred Smith's outline to the United Nations speech given today in New York. I encourage you to read the entire outline, which is linked at the bottom of this post.

Tuesday, May 8 at the United Nations: sunny Bahamian weather in New York City.

Mangroves are critical ecosystems for shore protection and fisheries. They are essential to a healthy coastal environment; yet they are being destroyed worldwide at an accelerating pace. They represent an international environmental resource that is little understood or appreciated.

In The Bahamas, vast areas of mangroves are being destroyed by foreign development speculators to create all-inclusive tourist resorts and exclusive real estate, golf and marina developments. In Bimini and in Guana Cay the devastation has been catastrophic and continues.

Delegates listen to a speech given by the group affiliated with Guana Cay and Bimini, on the relationship between mangroves and coral.

The Government of The Bahamas, in particular the former recent PLP administration of Prime Minister Perry Christie, which was last week voted out in general elections after five years in power, has encouraged and promoted this at the altar of "Development" at all costs! Despite paying lip service to "Environmental Protection", there is no environmental protection act.

This presentation is part of a group presentation on behalf of the Save Guana Cay Reef Association, an NGO from the Abacos in The Bahamas in conjunction with the Mangrove Action Project, an NGO from Bimini on the legal and policy challenges faced in protecting mangroves, and by extension the environment in The Bahamas. This paper addresses issues relating to environmental protection, tourism, land and marina developments and land use in The Bahamas.

These are issues which present challenging social, economic, and political considerations, not only for The Bahamas, but also for neighboring Caribbean nations and coastal communities worldwide, especially those that are being "discovered" by developers, precisely because they are beautiful, pristine and secluded environments, away from the hustle and bustle of large towns and cities and therefore ripe for glossy development plans and marketing to affluent second home buyers, golfers and mega yacht owners looking for offshore berths.

Fred Smith at the United Nations

Leaders in coastal communities are challenged to become educated, debate and develop rational approaches to these challenges. Although there are many similarities in the impact on the environments of coastal communities, their cultures and rights are often affected in unique local ways.

This paper will focus on The Bahamas, and in particular, Great Guana Cay, a small island in the northern Bahamas Island chain known as The Abacos. Although localized, the story of Guana Cay represents a microcosm of what is happening throughout The Bahamas, and elsewhere in coastal communities. It is a story that is still unfolding politically and in the courts...

You can read the complete outline of the United Nations speech today.Click here.

February 21, 2007

Guana Cay Citizens Demand Rights, Vow to Fight On

Today's press release from the citizens of Guana Cay:

February 21, 2007

Guana Cay Residents continue to fight for right to be heard!

Claim that as citizens in their own home they have a right to be consulted!!

Bahamian citizens continue to fight for their rights as Bakers Bay and Government continue to mash them up!!!!

Save Guana Cay Opposes Applications by Bakers Bay to Hope Town District Council for 6 permit applications for projects each ranging from $600,000 to $1.6M for buildings at Great Guana Cay

Save Guana Cay Association continues to wage war on the Bakers Bay developers. They have discovered that the Developers have applied to build millions of dollars worth of buildings on Guana Cay.

Counsel to the Association, Fred Smith, has written today to the Hope Town District Council asking them to give the people of Guana Cay their right to be heard.

The text of the letter is set out below.

"We act on behalf of Save Guana Cay Reef Association Limited, as well as Mr. Anthony Roberts, Mr. Aubrey Clarke, Mr. Stephen Jenkins, Troy and Maria Albury, various other residents and landowners and citizens of Great Guana Cay

As you are aware, the Association and Mr. Aubrey Clarke are currently plaintiffs in litigation against the Bakers Bay/Passerine Group of Companies proposing to develop the northwestern portion of Great Guana Cay. The Prime Minister and various other government agencies are also defendants.

Our clients have challenged the legalities of the Heads of Agreement. More particularly, our clients have also vigorously complained that throughout this process they have not been provided with an opportunity for proper consultation and participation as stakeholders in the decision-making process of any central and/or local government person or agency having responsibility for consideration of applications.

Central to our clients' complaints is the fact that our clients consider that it is the local government's authority, specifically the district council, which has the duty and responsibility under the Local Government Act to consider the many different applications which will need to be made under the Local Government Act. Apparently, many applications have somehow been made directly to central government agencies in Nassau thus bypassing the local district council.

In addition, apparently in between the recent elections of new members to the district council, the administrator to the Council apparently issued certain permits.

Despite our many requests to central government, to the Attorney General and to the administrator, no one has seen fit to provide the citizens of Great Guana Cay with copies of either the applications or the permits issued.

The reason for this is that our clients were not given an opportunity to be heard on any such applications and the persons to whom we have written are anxious and fearful that if we are provided with copies of the applications and/or the permits, we would then seek to challenge them in court.

We are able to confirm that this is indeed the case. Once our clients do find out what permits have been issued, they will take appropriate action to seek to quash those decisions.

Locals have been denied rights as the developer and the Central Government Plotted to make foreigners rich at the expense of the community.

We should also refer you to the several letters written by the previous Chief Councillor, Mr. Walter Sweeting complaining that the district council has been bypassed in the consideration of applications and the issuance of permits. Again, this is a matter which we intend to continue to pursue as soon as we discover the relevant information.

We therefore take this opportunity to ask you to please provide us with copies of any applications and/or permits that have previously been made of which your council or the administrator is aware, either to the central government and its agencies and/or to the district council and/or such as may have been issued by the administrator to the Council.

We have previously requested this of Mr. Wayne Hall who was your Chief Councillor since Mr. Sweeting demitted office.

It is therefore with considerable appreciation that our clients have now been made aware by the posting of a Notice indicating that six permit applications have been posted on February 17, 2007on the post office board in Hope Town (and I might add not at Great Guana Cay), indicating that there are a number of projects ranging from $600,000 to $1.6M which applications are due to be heard this Thursday, February 22, 2007.

As a general point, our clients are opposed to the scale, scope and extent of the proposed development.

As you are aware, our clients' complained of the extensive environmental, social, cultural damage as well as the destruction of their traditional way of life.

Local government is all about local rights and taking into account the views and allowing those who are most closely affected by the proposed developments, to be consulted and to have their views properly considered. The district council is statutorily supposed to be representative of the citizens, residents and landowners of the district.

We are aware however that your council has some qualification and appointment challenges. We understand that many of you were actually appointed by the central government and not elected to office. Our clients reserve their rights to challenge this process as being illegal and intend to do so in due course.

Our clients would like to have an opportunity to make representations with regard to those proposed applications.

In that regard, our clients would like to have copies of the documents submitted by the applicants, so that they, and their advisors, can consider the same and be properly advised with regard to matters they might wish to raise which may be of concern regarding the applications.

Our clients have only just been made aware that these applications are before the council and not having had the benefit of any details with respect thereto, and given the fact that the applications will be considered so soon, our clients will not be in a position to be properly informed so as to be able to make sensible, rational and constructive comments.

We also understand that your council has been provided with copies of the BEST Commission reports and the current Environmental Impact studies. These have been repeatedly promised to our clients but, again, despite the fact that our clients are the ones most affected, they have not received copies thereof.

May we also ask that, in the spirit of transparency, accountability and in the interest of natural justice, and having regard to our clients' rights to be heard, that we be provided with copies so that we can take they into account when making representations. Our clients are prepared to pay the cost of any copies, and are prepared to collect them at your convenience.

In the meantime, we ask that you adjourn the consideration of these applications until such time as our clients have been provided with the information sought.

Accordingly, may we please have confirmation that you will provide the information sought and adjourn the hearing of the applications.

We must put you on notice that if our clients are not treated fairly and if the applications are considered and/or approved without our clients being given the proper opportunity to make representations for your consideration, our clients will bring proceedings to enforce their rights in due course.

Our clients do not wish to litigate against their neighbours but must emphasise that the central government and the developers appear to be using our clients' neighbours and pitting them against each other.

Yours faithfully,CALLENDERS & CO. Frederick R. M. Smith

June 16, 2006

The Mayor of Great Guana Cay

Glenn Laing is the sort of fellow to whom laughs come easily. People, when imagining him, imagine his belting laughs, strung out over gentle conversation and the martini shaker. On the small seven-mile islet of Great Guana Cay, Glenn is known for his alcoholic concoctions; his bartending prowess has won him many awards. Forever it seems, Glenn has presided over the bar, shaking the martini shaker amid a handful of drinkers, and a dry sub-tropical woods, and an empty beach, and a beautiful bay called Bakers Bay.

Glenn, a resort manager, a bartender, a man of many hats, is also, in the island nation of the Bahamas, a national hero. You wouldn't necessarily at first imagine it. Glenn is a soft-spoken middle-aged man. Bahamians from the northern island of Abaco and its many tiny cays have starkly different accents loosely based on their race. Caucasian loyalists, who settled in Great Guana Cay two-hundred years ago, have accents that resemble their ancestors: British colonists in the new world.

the tiny administrative center for Great guana Cay.Photo courtesy Save Guana Cay Reef.

Abaconians of African descent, who became free men in the Bahamas, have entirely different dialects; and Glenn, as the only black Bahamian on Great Guana Cay, speaks in this gentle West Indian whirr.

Friends of Glenn refer to him in jest as 'the ladies man', but the Glenn people recognize is the one who loves Abaco, and wants to share its rich history with everyone he knows. He is a genuine Abaconian; a representive of an island region in the Bahamas so different, so isolated, so unique from the rest of the country that only recently in history, the island chain fought and lost in an attempt to become its own nation.

Glenn also happens to be the District Councillor of Great Guana Cay in an administrative unit consisting ofGreat Guana Cay, Man-O-War Cay andElbow Cay.

In theAbacos, Glenn is known as "Mayor Glenn."

Normally, a district councillor is the sort who helps speed along the permit process, who votes on regional island matters, fights for well-needed funds to patch pot-holes or to repair pilings on the mail boat dock. The distant Central Government often ignores Abaco, which with its healthy tourism and timber economy, does more than its fair share in funding the faraway treasury.

Campaign T-Shirt for Mayor GlennPhoto courtesy Save Guana Cay Reef.

Glenn probably never imagined he'd preside as Great Guana Cay's elected representative during this time. Glenn probably never imagined he would preside over Great Guana Cay when the seven mile island began to symbolize to all Bahamians the rights of local communities and Bahamians in general against a distant and arguably corrupt central government.In 2004, the citizens of Great Guana Cay learned that the Central Government of the Bahamas had designed a questionable relationship with an American golf course developer called Discovery Land Company. The Central Government would hand over key obligations of its responsibility on Great Guana Cay to Discovery Land Company such as sanitation and waste management, in exchange for granting Discovery Land Company unimaginable rights to build an unimaginable footprint of a golf course, gated community and marina, spanning 2/5ths of the island. The island's mangroves would be blasted by dynamite, torn to shreds. The island would be cut into parts to build an unnatural marina for mega-yachts. And a consensus among marine scientists would predict that Discovery Land Company's Bakers Bay Golf and Ocean Club would destroy the nearshore marine environment of the island, which, the locals explained, was vital to their economy and culture.

The world's top marine biologists and conservationists would join Glenn and the islanders of Great Guana Cay in fighting the quite possibly illegal relationship between the developer and the government, claiming that the development would destroy the island's coral reef, and that local communities must be afforded a say in the destiny of their own community's future.

But little could be done. In the fall of 2005, things started looking bad for the island of Great Guana Cay.And then Glenn began feeling chest pains. A few hours later, a stroke. In his bed in the days before being flown to the United States, where he continues to this day in recovery, he was talking nonsense, mostly. He was saying things like this, "I've got to save the Bahamas! I have to get better, so I can save my island!"

Great Guana Cay had seen its first casualty. Glenn, the island's public face was now on some bed thousands of miles away. A temporary representative could theoretically be elected in his place, but he would have no vote, and no say.

Discovery Land Company, around this time, was moving in for the kill. From the outside, it had appeared that the islanders were growing weak and unable to continue the fight against the foreign developer and the Prime Minister. The San Francisco golf development company put forward their Bahamian face, Dr. Livingston Marshall, to attack and attempt to discredit the people fighting for their island's coral reef and community.That November attack is now known as the Dr. Livingston Marshall paradox.

From "Rise Up Sweet Island" (unpublished, 2005–2006)

Erik never finished this piece for publication — most of it was raw, unedited material unsuitable for the record. But a few passages hold up as real reporting and are preserved here.

Troy Albury's Sixth Affidavit: Fishing and Land-Access Rights

Great Guana Cay has always been a fishing community. Although the island consists of both second-homeowners and native Bahamians, it is the Bahamians who have largely maintained the traditional fishermen lifestyle. Although the Great Guana Cay issue is now known around the world, few have focused on the fishermen themselves. In fact, these Bahamian fishermen are helping lead the charge against the Bakers Bay Club, and with good reason too. They know by experience what will harm their fisheries, their source of employment.

The sixth affidavit of Troy Albury mentions this:

"The community of Guana Cay has approximately 150 Bahamian residents, landowners and a further 150 non-citizen home owners and periodic residents. Of the Bahamians there are many fishermen. In fact Guana Cay traditionally has had a small fleet of fishing vessels and enterprises of approximately 15 vessels and approximately 30 fishermen. These vessels and the fishermen fish for lobster, conch and fish throughout the year during the relevant seasons for the catch. In addition, these fishermen are landowners and residents of Guana Cay, and they are also mechanics, craftsmen, carpenters, joiners and persons employed in the boat maintenance and fishing trade, in addition to the actual fishermen themselves. This continues to be an economy and traditional way of life in the community."

In Troy Albury's sixth affidavit, the island's fishing-village culture is described further:

"A culture has developed on Great Guana Cay as between the Bahamian landowners and residents and the non-Bahamians of mutual respect, accommodation and cooperation in respect of almost all facets of our daily existence in the small community. Crime is almost non existent and happens rarely, if at all. For the most part we sleep with our windows open and doors unlocked. At times many homes are unattended for weeks and unlocked. I can personally say that I do not even know where the keys for my home are as they have never been used."

Later, the affidavit addresses the fishing grounds directly:

"Residents and the fishermen rely on the pristine marine wetland, reef and water environment. That is why the local economy of Great Guana Cay has for decades continued to thrive. For instance, the local fishermen and visitors do not over fish the conch, lobster and fish stock in and around the Island and the fishing fleet generally travels great distances to other fishing grounds for any large commercial catch. This has all resulted in a very attractive and desirable community, environment, and sustained a marine and land resource on, in and around Guana Cay."

On the security guards restricting access to Crown and Treasury land, Albury's affidavit states:

"My family, and many other residents of Guana Cay, have, since the establishment of fences and barriers along the perimeter of the Crown or Treasury land, been prevented entry thereto and also because there are security officers patrolling the perimeters we have been periodically refused entry and have been unable even to walk along the coastline to access the beaches, traditional crabbing grounds and other areas where we have crabbed, picked fruits such as coca plum and seagrapes and otherwise used the areas both below and above high water mark traditionally."

And on the buoy lines placed to restrict access by boat:

"The buoy lines have prevented many residents, who have traditionally accessed those public beach areas by boat, from accessing them. It appears that the Developers are doing everything which they can, not only to prevent access to what may be their perceived property, but also to Treasury Land, Crown Land and beaches to which we have always traditionally had access."

Even fishermen from neighboring islands who traditionally used the public areas of the Bakers Bay area were reportedly denied access. The affidavit records testimony from a Man-O-War Cay community meeting:

"At the meeting, there were many fishermen and residents of Man-o-War Cay. A number of them protested and complained that they have been denied access to traditional crabbing grounds in the development site. They said that since the Development has begun, they have periodically attempted to land on the beach and/or to walk inland in order to access the crabbing area. The crabbing area is located in that part of the Development which comprises, for the most part, Crown Land and/or Treasury Land. Even though this land does not belong to the Developers, they have posted security guards which patrol the area and those guards do not allow them to enter the property."

All of this was happening before major construction had even begun.

The Yosemite Allegory

Written December 2005 (approximate date).

Let's imagine the following. I will use Yosemite National Park as my example, because it is a spectacular and well known symbol for America's public lands. If you wish to replace in your mind another such wonder from another country, please do so. Imagine the Vatican, or the Alps, or Mount Fuji, or the Kremlin. Imagine Mount Everest, or Tikal.

Imagine that a group of foreign theme-park developers sign a secret document with the President. The document is the result of months, maybe even years, of exchange between the president and these developers. They call the document, "Heads of Agreement."

The document is an agreement that turns over Yosemite National Park and portions of adjacent National Forest to the foreign developers, to build an electronic fun park. It is likely that the President had no authority to turn over the land to a foreign developer, but the laws seem confusing. There is no observable way to keep the President from moving forward.

The people living in the Sierra Range adjacent to Yosemite National Park, many of whose families had been living on land adjacent to the park for hundreds of years, were not consulted publicly. The developers held a public meeting, but they announced it only six hours before, while most of the Yosemite Valley residents were working outside of the valley.

Under a hotel-encouragement act, the President offers several exemptions from a wide array of taxes and obligations, including property taxes, customs duties and stamp duties. The developer is given the authority to import and export construction equipment. The President hands over control of the local utilities — water, sewage, phone and even electricity — to the developer, and even gives the developer rights to extend existing roads and allow them special access through Yosemite's famous valley, even at the expense of residents or the environment.

All of this sounds insanely unlikely, and it may be. But everything you read above happened. Although instead of America and the President and Yosemite, it is the Bahamas and Prime Minister Christie and Guana Cay's crown and treasury land.

Discovery Land Company

August 6, 2012

Death at Yellowstone Club

Teenager dies at Discovery Land Company-managed property in Montana.

Read more.

August 10, 2010

Spanish Oaks Blog Discovered

As Discovery Land Company megadevelopment Spanish Oaks, based in Texas, spiralled towards foreclosure, a blog by residents of the community offer clues about Discovery Land Company and prospects for Bakers Bay. Read the Spanish Oaks blog here. It is a fascinating look at how residents see a Discovery Land property once the property is in trouble.

Here is a sample blog post from March 30, 2010.

You might wish to expand on these topics and prepare now to attend the annual meeting (as of this writing, unscheduled) which is perhaps the most important one we've had in our short life as Spanish Oaks. The more people who speak up, stand up and make their feelings known, the more force it will have. This is no time to be passive-aggressive.

It is said that the annual (2009!) meeting is being held off until they get their financial house in better order.

1- Are funds co-mingled from the golf club to the general project?

2- Why is there only about $5000 in the reserve fund for the project? (Note east side road deterioration.)

3- What is being done about the sorry state of our common areas: weeds, erosion to the 'paths,' the broken curbing, the mail area trash? What is the state of our common area landscaping contract?

4- How does the east end mail area get so trashy AND NO ONE IN MANAGEMENT notices until upset owners complain? How can we insure more pro activity?

5- Is it time to seriously talk about eliminating staffing both gates - at least overnight - to reduce expenses? (Speed passes and push button codes would allow entry.)

6- What plan does Discovery have to revitalize the project?

For new owners note: When Daniel Porter passed control to Discovery, we noted a different view of the 'plan' for the community and what appeared to be a relaxed set of design rules. IF THAT HAPPENS AGAIN, we can expect another set of changes. Will this affect us and how?

April 1, 2010

Battered Farallon Capital Management Plans Restructuring

According to the Wall Street Journal, Farallon Capital Management is planning a restructure.

Some are wondering whether this could impact Bakers Bay Club. According to sources, Farallon Capital Management has been a key investor in Discovery Land Company projects.

According to the Wall Street Journal, Farallon's assets have declined by 40%. This paragraph seems to indicate that Farallon may cut its real estate assets.

"Other changes could be coming. Farallon's real-estate holdings that declined in 2008 didn't bounce back in 2009 the same way the firm's credit holdings did. Farallon executives have talked about restructuring or selling about $2.5 billion in existing real-estate assets, among other options, a person close to the matter says."

We'll be sure to stay on top of this news and its potential impact on Bakers Bay.

Link to NY Times Blog Post
Link to WSJ Post

August 25, 2006

McMansion Concern over Gozzer Ranch

I was not surprised to find that the Spokesman Review, the newspaper covering North Idaho, finds Discovery Land Company developments distasteful. For a year, Notes from the Road has argued that Discovery Land Company builds trashy mega-developments that do not fit in to the local environment or culture at all. This is especially true at Guana Cay, where the development's proposed style is so distasteful that it will irreparably harm the local tourism economy, which relies on idyllic qualities, natural beauty, and an old architecture steeped in history.

This is what the Spokesman Review says about the Bakers Bay Club sister project:

"The resort – which seems ripped from the golf Mecca of Palm Desert and plunked in a former hayfield – caters to an average client that Chesrown describes as a 46-year-old incredibly wealthy workaholic with a big ego and passion for golf. This typical client owns numerous homes and is looking for a distant summer getaway the whole family savors. Some people compare these golf communities to a Disney World for adults but with family-friendly activities."

January 17, 2006

Cordevalle Golf Club in Violation of 1996 Use Permit

Cordevalle Golf Club, also a gaudy, over-the-top Discovery Land Company project, was found in violation of their 1996 use permit. According to Unfarallon.info,

"The San Jose Mercury News identifies Farallon and developers Haas & Haynie as the principal partners of a luxury golf club in San Martin, Santa Clara County. Once called “Lions Gate,” the development was opened as Cordevalle Golf Club and Resort in 1999."

"In 2002, the Santa Clara County planning commission discovered that Cordevalle was in violation of its 1996 use permit. First, the commissioners contended, the golf course never honored its commitment to reserve 60% of the total rounds on an annual basis for public use. Instead, it offered invitation-only individual memberships priced at $250,000. Second, it failed to carry out a host of environmental protections promised in 1996. The Planning Commission held a series of public hearings to determine whether to revoke or revise Cordevalle’s use permit." - Unfarallon.info

Bakers Bay Golf & Ocean Club

October 1, 2012

Multiple Reports Surface: Bakers Bay Targets Local Businesses Associated with Coral Reef Group

Multiple reports have surfaced that Bakers Bay is turning back visitors whose rentals come from local business-owners affiliated with efforts to protect the coral reef. Local businesses are furious. According to one business owner: "They are discriminating against the customers of our neighbors, for what? For caring about their environment? This sets a bad, dangerous precedent for relations with the community."

September 12, 2012

Bakers Bay Commitment Failures

Sketch of a house in the Guana Cay settlement.

Locals are pointing out that Bakers Bay has not lived up to its commitments to the community.

An article in the Nassau Guardian describes how locals on Great Guana Cay are pointing out that Bakers Bay has not lived up to its community promises as described in the Heads of Agreement.

From the article:

Arguing that it would only cost the developers $300,000-$400,000 to construct these amenities, Mr Albury urged the Hope Town District Council, the area's local government authority, not to grant Baker's Bay any more construction permits or duty-free equipment/material imports until the situation was rectified.

"Every other week they've got approvals in for new houses, but there are no permits - and no drawings have been done - for the community facilities. There's not even a start," Mr Albury complained.

He said the amenities, according to the Heads of Agreement, were supposed to have been completed by 2008 and before Baker's Bay moved on to Phase Two - the very construction stage it is now engaged in."

Source

October 24, 2011

Historic Break in Reef Defenders Case

Save Guana Cay Reef is back in court as judges agree that the case in opposition to the construction of the Bakers Bay Golf & Ocean Club has a compelling chance of success. Save Guana Cay Reef will face the Bahamian Government and Discovery Land Company in court early next year.

Locals on the small island of Great Guana Cay were concerned that the developer would fail to follow their own environmental monitoring agenda. Five years after a lawsuit began, evidence of follow-through on any component of the monitoring program is scarce. Here, the golf course creeps up to within feet of the island's coral reef.

Over the past 6 years, the court case has taken a number of twists and turns. Every time, the government and the developer were able to block the appellents on technicalities. But in the latest round of trial battles, the judges agreed that the case should be heard on its own merits, and not dismissed simply based on a neverending string of legal technicalities.

The Save Guana Cay Reef case has become a driving force in the Bahamian legal system, forcing a conversation and even legal precedent for the importance of consultation, the rights of locals and even environmental considerations.

A California-style mega-resort is being constructed on the northern end of Great Guana Cay. Locals believe the large imprint of this development will wreck havoc on their coral reef.

This latest Leave to Appeal is an important step in the ongoing case against the Bakers Bay Club development. The Tribune quotes Save Guana Cay Reef attorney Fred Smith: "This case remains of pivotal importance to the Bahamas" in establishing jurisprudence that will guide future governments and developers on the development process, in the context of environmental and local community rights, Mr Smith said.

Read the complete article by Neil Hartnell at The Tribune.

September 11, 2011

Reef-Side Erosion at Bakers Bay

Images of the beach adjacent to the most critical section of the coral reef at Bakers Bay after Hurricane Irene:

April 18, 2011

A Coral Reef's Worst Nightmare

I was disappointed to see how close the Bakers Bay Club golf course was to the ocean. This photo shows the golf course literally feet from the ocean. This part of the course is only yards from the most important and largest sections of the Atlantic-side coral reef. The sheer amount of fertilizers, watering and nutrient-creation from this course are stunning. And there is no public monitoring by any group. This scenario is a worst-case scenario for Guana's reef.

April 16, 2011

Bakers Bay Questions

Here is a first set of questions that I think anybody who is interested in the megadevelopment saga of Bakers Bay should be asking. I do not know the answer to all of these questions. The only answer I cannot accept is for the developer to say that the economy made these promises impossible.

1. What happened to the 1.2 Million Bahamas National Trust Donation?

Baker's Bay announced that they would offer the Bahamas National Trust a donation of $1.2 Million over a six year period. It's now 2011, five years into the donation terms. How much did Baker's Bay actually contribute to the Bahamas National Trust?

2. What happened to the Fig Tree Foundation?

Baker's Bay created a non-profit foundation called the Fig Tree Foundation, whose purpose is to "protect the Great Guana Cay community and enhance the quality of life for all people living on Great Guana Cay. The Foundation will accomplish this mission by raising funds which will be dedicated to all facets of the Great Guana Cay society and directed toward the community's educational, environmental, medical and general social needs."

Source

3. Did you know that Baker's Bay is offering 20 lots to Bahamians at $50K each?

Baker's Bay claimed in 2006 that 20 lots from the Baker's Bay Club would be sold to Great Guana Cay locals for $50,000 each in order to raise funds. Is this offer still available and are Great Guana Cay locals aware of this offer?

Nassau Guardian Archives

4. What happened to Monitoring by Earthwatch and the University of Miami?

The following five questions are sourced to the Heads of Agreement document betweeen Bakers Bay and the Bahamian central government.

Heads of Agreement PDF 1, Heads of Agreement PDF 2

7. What happened to the Clinic with a nurse and/or doctor, with helicopter usage to the mini hospital in Marsh Harbour?

8. What happened to the promise for police on Great Guana Cay?

9. What happened to the Environmental outreach with the community of Great Guana Cay, as promised in the Heads of Agreement?

10. What happened to the Fire House promised for Great Guana Cay in the Heads of Agreement?

11. What happened to the Beach pavillion with picnic tables and grills at the "public beach" as promised in the Heads of Agreement?

12. What happened to fresh water and access to a sewerage plant as discussed in public meetings between Baker's Bay and stakeholders?

13. Bakers Bay advertised itself as a Blue Flag Marina, which is an award that goes to marinas that meet certain environmental standards. Now that the marina has been open for two years, why is Bakers Bay not advertising its affiliation with Blue Flag?

Even in April 2011, numerous tracks are golf cart and/or truck tracks are found on the beach leading from the Bakers Bay golf course. The beaches here are critical as year-round sea turtle nesting grounds, and Bakers Bay is very well aware that conservationists frown deeply upon driving vehicles on sea turtle nesting grounds.

April 8, 2011

Yes, the Beaches at Bakers Bay are Public

All beaches in the Bahamas are public to 10 feet above high tide line, and anybody should feel welcome on Bakers Bay beaches. If for any reason, security guards attempt to stop you, record them with your video camera or camera phone, document the event and report to local authorities.

March 12, 2011

Sailing Bloggers feel Bamboozled by Bakers Bay

I saw this post on Bakers Bay Club today, and I thought I'd post a portion of it here. Remember that there are very few blog posts or articles written about Bakers Bay at all. The only material you see written is in golf advertorials. So it is interesting to note that almost anything in print that isn't paid for by Bakers Bay is negative press.

"Our ride this morning took us to Bakers Bay where a very upscale marina and development is struggling to stay alive. An acre lot there is a million dollars. That might explain the slow development. There is a restaurant at the marina. They were serving breakfast and according to the menu, the prices were actually lower than other eateries on the Cay. What the heck, let's eat. We ordered and decided to have a mimosa for starters. Mimosa is Champaign and orange juice and replaces Blood Marys which Bear and I do not like. Usually the Champaign is some cheap swill but it goes well with the OJ. When the check arrived, we thought there was a mistake. The food was $28 and the four Mimosas (served in scrawny 2 ounce flukes) were $25 each. Wow! That must have been some really great Champaign. Now I know how the place plans to help the bottom line. That might explain why we were the only folks eating breakfast. Breakfast shot our budget for the day."

Was it Boone's Hill Bubbly in that Mimosa?

Read the rest here.

May 6, 2011

Bakers Bay Airplane Woos and Wows

A clip from the May 2011 Abaconian shows a press release of the Discovery Land Company's 727 flying to Abaco from New York, carrying rich guests in hopes of wooing them into buying land at Bakers Bay.

May 28, 2010

State of the Island

New photographs, taken only a few days ago, reveal the extent of devastation by Bakers Bay Club. As early as 2005, my travel photography blog was predicting that the footprint of the Bakers Bay development would be massive. Although the photos below, taken only a few days ago, show a globally important marine area completely transformed by a megadevelopment, you should know that the construction process at Bakers Bay is still in its early phases. Only a handful of the buildings are complete. When Bakers Bay is complete, the only natural area remaining will be the Joe's Creek area, most clearly visible in the 3rd image, lower right.

Compare these photos to the promises of the EIA, which stated, "The 'open space' in the development will help residents appreciate the natural vegetations communities now present on the islands. The diverse coastal coppice and wetlands will be incorporated into the development and golf course design to preserve the unique landforms of the property. This landscaping will rely heavily on native plants and seed stock, with an aggressive program to protect and re-locate the slow-growing native trees. The developers seek to achieve a uniquely Bahamian project."

This image reveals just how close the marina is to the coral reef. You can see reef structures in this image.

June 1, 2010

Hoping to Pack them in like Sardines

Recent aerial imagery of Bakers Bay proves several points we have been making in the past - the lots at Bakers Bay are so tiny, it appears they want to pack them in like sardines in a tin can. And there is nothing wrong with small lots, except in a case like this. Small lots means lots of buildings - 550 are proposed - and that is much too high density for this ecosensitive marine region.

But the aerial images also suggest something else that is quite interesting. Only one home is under construction at Bakers Bay, and one lot has been cleared for construction.

The permit for the first lot is under the name Michael Meldman, the CEO of Discovery Land Company. This means that even in May 2010, it appears that no homes are being built for paying clients. Does anybody know why?

The golf course is in final stages of development. Men in hazmat suits are spraying the course regularly in hopes of turning the sand green with grass. Shouldn't dozens of homes now be under construction? If you have any thoughts on this, reply at Abaco Forum's Rant or on the Great Guana Cay Facebook Forum.

We are also interested in the golf course being built so close to the water. Here, this segment of golf course is placed right on the beach.

The ninth hole at the Bakers Bay golf club. As suspected, the golf course is being built directly adjacent to the beach without sloping to avoid pesticides, pollutants and nutrients from entering the nearshore environment. In the background is Gumelemi Cay and the north end of Great Guana Cay. This area is the beginning of the most critical section of the Great Guana Cay reef.

The EIA stated, "The development design aims to minimize chronic environmental degradation to the island environment with special consideration to creating a coastal buffer zone, and minimizing ground water contamination and management of solid wastes and pollutants."

Later, the EIA lambasts developments in other islands where developments are built too close to the shore.

But in this image, we see that Bakers Bay, like the developments it lambasts, homes are being built as close to the water line as possible. As we suspected.

August 9, 2010

Bahamas Columnist Reports Coral Disease off Bakers Bay Golf & Ocean Club

Bahamas Punch columnist Nicki Kelly reports coral disease killings corals off Bakers Bay golf course.

Locals have been reporting Bakers Bay employees in orange hazmat suits spraying the golf course early in the mornings, adjacent to the golf course. In the developer's EIA, the danger of fertilizers is mentioned:

Golf courses are intensive production systems, and the frequent mowing and application of fertilizers or pesticides requires careful management to avoid damage to the surrounding environment. Nitrogen, phosphorus and many pesticides are potential pollutants of groundwater, and monitoring of their movement from turf grass areas to receiving waters is needed. Passerine at Abaco RCD strives to demonstrate golf course best management practices to reduce the threat of NPS pollution to marine and wetland resources.

Golf course fertilizers are notorious for creating a set of conditions unfavorable to corals. These fertilizers have high levels of chemicals such as nitrogen and phosphorous, which spurs the growth of algae in the water, stressing the corals, and making them more susceptible to disease.

Notes from the Road obtained images from divers directly off the Bakers Bay golf course. The images are possible early signs that the golf course is killing the reef as predicted by locals and coral scientists.

July 8, 2009

Hubris

I just received this image of Great Guana Cay taken at 24,000 feet. It is the best image yet explaining the unbelievable hubris of Discovery Land Company and the University of Miami scientists who, in their EIA for the development, wrote, "The Developers believe that good environmental stewardship will add value to the community, as well as protect property from storm damage and erosion. The Project is compatible with the pattern of development of second homes and vacation homes throughout the cays and mainland of Abaco."

For those of you who are not that familiar with Great Guana Cay's development issue, let me explain a few things. The orientation of this image is not exactly north to south. You can visit my Guana Cay map to compare.

In the upper edge of this photo is the Atlantic Ocean. Hugging the Atlantic side of the ocean is the Guana Cay coral reef, which is part of the Abaco Barrier Reef. The swollen end of the island is where you can see a golf course and home lots being constructed. This area is where the Guana Cay coral reef is its most magnificent, and may be the best or second best reef - in terms of sheer diversity, coral sizes and overall reef size, that exists in the Abacos.

The rest of the denuded areas are the rest of Bakers Bay Club; more home lots and the marina itself. This marina was dug from porous limestone. Pollutants from the marina will have a quick path to the reef.

The sedimentation, nutrient, pollutant and silting issues being created by this development are very clear by the scope and size of land removal occuring at a fast pace. It is in the interest of global conservation and the preservation of reef ecosystems to have construction at Bakers Bay halted as soon as possible. Today is Day 2 in the Privy Council court. Godspeed, reef defenders.

July 4, 2009

Bakers Bay Club and Environmental Reporting

In an earlier post, we discussed how all of the local's concerns about Bakers Bay Club's harm to the local environment, culture and economy have begun to actually happen. As the Guana Cay residents are only a few days away from their court date at Privy Council, I thought we should take a look at Discovery Land Company's early promises of environmental monitoring and reporting. Have they followed through with monitoring and reporting as established by early promises and references in the EIA? Was the promise of environmental monitoring and reporting a sham? Read on and decide for yourself.

Environmental monitoring is the act of having an independent team of scientists monitor the quality of an environment; ultimately the review and publication of monitoring results is to satisfy some objective. When a developer who is engaged in practices that could harm a local environment is required or volunteers to have their practices monitored, the idea is that this monitoring and reporting serves to make the affected community aware of potential incidents, to keep them involved in the development process, and ultimately, to provide a check and balance, a motivator, to keep the developer's development practices in check.

According to the developer's EIA, this quote summarizes what Discovery Land Company promised:

With the Great Guana Cay Foundation, the Environmental management team will work to develop strategies and scope of work for implementing: • Educational outreach programs and training programs • Clear management and project communications and reporting • Independent reporting and verification

The course of development, the results of the monitoring programs and any incidental occurrences will be documented on a regular basis. Information gained and processed will be reported directly to all necessary government agencies and stakeholders. A defined liaison will be identified with this responsibility.

Unfortuantely, none of the above has happened. If there was a monitoring team on site, there no longer is. Kathleen Sealey, who was once in charge of the project, is no longer involved, and Earthwatch, which once helped with environmental monitoring, has not visited the island since about 2006.

Locals have been denied any reporting whatsoever. Guana Cay residents have never seen any incident reporting, and they have been denied all the monitoring and reporting activities the developer promised.

Discovery Land Company stated that a Ms. Shenique Albury was the representative between Discovery Land Company and the locals, but few people know who this person is, and she has not been on Great Guana Cay since 2005, at which time she left to complete her studies.

Discovery Land Company created a website that was designed to look like the developer was gearing up for an extensive monitoring and reporting function. Non-functioning links to environmental reports and web cams would allow all affected parties the opportunity to be involved and notified of construction practices and their consequences onsite. The website was designed to look independent of the developer themselves, as if a third party was responsible for independent monitoring. The website, which has not been updated since November 24, 2005, or almost four years ago, was a complete sham, designed as marketing tool to make it look like Discovery Land Company intended to provide incident monitoring and reporting to the local community.

Kathleen Sealey writes in the developer's EIA, "THE MOST CRITICAL TECHNOLOGY TO BE USED ON THIS PROJECT IS ON-SITE "WEB-CAM", USED TO MONITOR VARIOUS PHASES OF CONSTRUCTION. Real time web-camera will help prevent problems from occurring as well as help guide restoration of "errors"."

Of course, the web-cam has not been implemented. There is a WEBCAM tab at the Great Guana Cay Foundation website, but it is not functional. Locals were led to believe that the University of Miami monitoring team would allow transparent access to all construction activities. In fact, construction activities are so secretive that local's are often kept off public beaches near the development. Without Monitoring: Without monitoring, it is all but certain that Bakers Bay is covering up oil spills, driving over sea turtle nesting grounds, planting exotic plant species, dumping pesticides into the coral reef and so forth. It is a shame, but hopefully the lesson will serve other local groups throughout the Caribbean basin that promises are often just tools to make megadevelopments more palatable. All too often, when the developer is unethical, monitoring and reporting promises are just gateways to getting the development approved by required authorities. Learn More: Read the University of Miami EIA. Read the University of Miami EMP.

May 28, 2009

Bakers Bay Memo Reveals Speeding Issues

Over the years, I've been reporting (and have witnessed firsthand) the reckless driving of Bakers Bay employees at the settlement in Great Guana Cay. I have always argued that you judge a development by how they fit in with and assit the local community - this memo confirms the disregard that many Bakers Bay employees have for the local community at Great Guana Cay:

May 8, 2009

Captain Laments Bakers Bay Changes

This is a guest essay from a sailboat Captain who frequents the Abacos.

Fifteen years ago I had the wonderful opportunity to travel through the Abacos with my parents on their sailboat. I spent the entire three weeks of my college Christmas break exploring the Bahamas, sailing from island to island and getting to know the Bahamas for the first time. Something about that trip hooked me for good, the remainder of my days sitting in class were spent daydreaming of the islands and their magical waters.

Photo SGCR

During that particular trip I had sailed with them to Eleuthera where we spent a week or so before heading to the Abacos where I spent the rest of my vacation. The Bahamas at that time had a feeling of being detached from the rest of the world. The people who called these islands home and the few visitors who made the trek here were rewarded with some of the most unspoiled and pristine ocean ecosystems on Earth. It was this natural beauty that lured me into fantasizing about returning to these islands on my own boat and with more time. That time came a few years later when I made the commitment to a vessel of my own and a commitment to explore the Bahamas without time constraints. I invited my girlfriend, now wife to join me and after a yard sale she flew down with a one way ticket. I picked her up in Marsh Harbour, Abaco and for the next two months we slowly made circles around all the islands of the Abacos. We lit the famous lighthouse in Hope Town on Elbow Cay, walked the quaint streets of Plymouth on Green Turtle Cay, bought a used snorkel from Troy at Dive Guana on Great Guana Cay, and spent countless days snorkeling the barrier reef that lies just offshore all the islands.

Since we were on a shoestring budget with a focus on making our experience last as long as possible we got most of our food from the sea. I had some fishing experience, but after going hungry too many times I discovered getting in the water and spearfishing was a much more effective and proficient form of providing protein. This experience also made both of us somewhat of marine biologist of a sort. Jeannette did not carry a spear, but she was a quick learner and would help me spot prime fish or the telltale antenna of a lobster hiding under a ledge. With more and more time spent in the water we were soon able to quickly discern what certain ecosystems held as far as fish, lobster, conch, and the health of the reef. On this trip we ended up spending seven months sailing through the Bahamas all the way down to Staniel Cay in the Exumas covering roughly five hundred miles within the Bahamas and fifteen islands.

Photo by Whitney S.

Since then my wife and I have sailed an additional 10,000 miles through the Bahamas and once to the Leeward and Windward islands of the Eastern Caribbean. We have first hand witnessed the difference between a thriving reef and one that more resembles a desert graveyard. With each returning trip to the Abacos we have seen the changes both on land and below the surface. On Great Guana Cay we remember anchoring in Bakers Bay by ourselves, walking our dog through the ruins of the Disney cruise ship depot. Even though they were ruins, the style and motif was that of the islands, somewhat of a Robinson Crousoe theme. Thatch roof buildings that blended with the landscape. Small boardwalks and dirt paths weaved among the casuarinas and palm groves. We would pack a lunch and enjoy the shade of the woods and marvel at how fast nature could reclaim its lost property. It was also a prime location to access the reefs just around on the ocean side. A short dingy ride from the anchorage around the north end of the island lay some of the most prolific reef in the Caribbean. Magnificent staghorn coral gardens, elkhorn coral, and giant brain coral make the reef an astonishing labyrinth of underwater habitat.

Coral formations that are scattered across the sugar sand bottom in thirty feet of water and reach to within feet of the surface provide an beautifully balanced ecosystem for a plethora of fish. With water so clear spotting fish on the bottom thirty feet below allows you so observe the wonders of this underwater world in incredible detail. Returning to the miles of beach that make up the shore at the Bakers Bay anchorage after a day of snorkeling the reefs we clean the fish and start a fire as the sun begins to settle in the late afternoon. As other sailors would share this paradise, potluck dinners would form on the beach of Bakers Bay. As the rum and stories flowed into the night around a small fire on the beach friendships were formed in a setting that makes you love life the way you wish everyone could. It was all so simple and free where if you took the time to find the spot you could experience nature at its best.

After years of finding these amazing anchorages and falling in love with all that is provided for us on this beautiful planet we have come to realize how rare these areas are. Not only are these magical destinations far and few between, but they are also very delicate and complex. What makes the Bakers Bay area the ideal tropical paradise with its miles of pristine beach, lush palm groves, and world class reefs are the lure for commercial development. The last time we sailed past Bakers Bay we nearly cried at the destruction of this piece of paradise. Although you can still legally anchor in Bakers Bay it is no longer a place where one would care to spend much time.

With their private dock and ferry service shuttling high paying guests to their resort the once ideal anchorage has been bought out by visitors striving to experience the Bakers Bay area how it once was. It's odd how in the attempt to develop and exploit this area for the natural attractions that were the lure in the beginning they are now destroying their most valuable resource. The argument that they are bringing jobs and money to the local population is turning a blind eye to the fact that without preserving the resources already in place, they are taking jobs from the local fishermen, destroying the dive industry as the reefs are being killed from the golf course runoff, and ultimately leaving an ugly scar on the land and in the eye of the locals. Great Guana Cay where Bakers Bay is, is too small of an island to support this scale of development and the ecosystem and locals will be the ones to pay the price.

Captain Brian Pucella

March 15, 2009

Aerial Photos Reveal State of Development at Bakers Bay

March 2009: an image of the golf course, which is being constructed feet away from the coral reef.

March 2009: the marina, which was supposed to have opened in November 2008, appears underwhelming in comparison to the watercolors depicting it. More imortantly, the marina butts directly up against the island's coral reef - a recipe for ecological disaster.

March 2009: the marina with a view of the deepwater channel. By cutting the island in half, critics worry that without the protective mangroves that existed here before, a strong hurricane could rip the island in two.

March 2009: image reveals massive terraforming of native habitat.

March 9, 2009

Bakers Bay Fails to Donate Full Sum to Bahamas National Trust

In 2007, controversial megadevelopment golf developer Discovery Land Company offered $1.2 million to Bahamas National Trust. Bahamas National Trust is the only private environmental organization in the world that is also charged with the country's primary environmental challenges by the government itself. It is an unusual relationship, and while the federal government of the Bahamas only offers the organization a pittance, Bahamas National Trust needs to rely on outside donors.

The move was vehemently criticized by environmental groups:

Mangrove Action Project Article on Donation, Freeport News on Bakers Bay 'Blatant Bribe'

Notes from the Road has held for several years that Bakers Bay Club does not hold up to the donations that it so publicly declares. Here is another example. Bakers Bay Club indeed donated to Bahamas National Trust, but only a quarter of what they said they would this year. Bakers Bay just announced they were donating $100K - a quarter of the publicized amount for the year.

January 14, 2009

Bakers Bay Club Marina Opening Delayed

According to the latest issue of The Abaconian, delays in Bakers Bay Club opening its marina continue. Although the marina was advertised with a November 2009 date, it has now been pushed back to April 2009. That is a six month delay on a flagship launch.

January 14, 2009

Blogosphere Negative on Bakers Bay Club

The cruising world has its share of bloggers and other online users. We track how the blogosphere responds to news about Great Guana Cay and particularly about the Bakers Bay Club. Repeatedly, we find almost unanimous disapproval of the Bakers Bay Club. A few recent examples:

1. Hockey star Gary Aldcorn, who played 226 games in the National Hockey League for the Boston Bruins, Detroit Red Wings, and Toronto Maple Leafs, is now part of the cruising community. In his lyrics, he laments the Bakers Bay Club.

South through the isles of Abaco, Manjack, Green Turtle – and away we go

The weather's fine around the Whale, Hit the sea of Abaco – and away we sail

Visit Guana and Treasure Cay, Rue the day they sold Baker's Bay

link

2. A boating account of visiting Bakers Bay

Bakers Bay was a disappointment. It is now the playground of the rich and selfish and piggish. Two mega yachts anchored right in the channel depicted in Steve Dodges Cruising Guide to the Abacos - we sailed between them. They had all their boat toys out -- runabouts, wave runners, skidoos, etc and just being a nuisance.

link

December 4, 2008

Notes from the Road in Vanity Fair, January 2009

Vanity Fair writer Punch Hutton erred in a November 2008 Vanity Fair article when he did a write-up touting the Bakers Bay Golf megadevelopment. He erroneously called Guana Cay's reef the third largest in the world. This was not a typo. The idea that the Abaco barrier reef is the world's third largest is a colloquial misbelief that gets passed around among tourists in the Northern Bahamas. How did this misnomer get passed on to Punch Hutton? Probably from the marketing material that was sent to him by the Bakers Bay Club. The marketing folks at the Bakers Bay Club are notorious for passing on fibs and mistruths to editors in an effort to make their golf megadevelopment sound better. I have also written to Southern Boating and Links Magazine (see article here) correcting errors that were likely directly passed on from marketing material to press.

Why do consumers of travel journalism let travel writers get away with so much? In an age when so many developing country issues and so many environmental issues are directly tied to tourism, travel writers need to be held to a higher standard.

I am grateful to Vanity Fair for not only printing my letter to the editor, but for doing such a great job in fact-checking my own letter. The letters department graciously allowed me to prove all my claims by citing and allowing experts to explain my claims. But Vanity Fair left out the most important part - the fact that writer Punch Hutton made such a large editorial error. That's fine with me - letters' sections notoriously need to edit letters down in size. So I'll make the correction here:

Punch Hutton falsely claimed that Bakers Bay Golf & Ocean Club sits on the third largest reef in the world. This is far from the truth. Here are some that are much bigger: The Great Barrier Reef in Queensland, Australia is the largest in the world. The Belize Barrier Reef is the second largest in the world. The New Caledonia Barrier Reef is almost a thousand miles long. And the Andros Barrier Reef, in the Southern Bahamas, is considered the third largest reef in the world.

That doesn't take away from the Abaco barrier reef. It is quite large, and of extreme importance to the future of West Indies marine conservation. It is also stunningly beautiful. This reef's apex of diversity is off the edge of the tiny island of Great Guana Cay. Specifically, just off the shore from the Bakers Bay Golf & Ocean Club golf course.

Oh, you want to read my letter to the editor? Pick up January 2009 Vanity Fair.

August 12, 2008

Open Letter to Megastar Cher from Great Guana Cay

After megastar escapes from 'Moonscape' Bakers Bay Club

Dear Cher,

We are the Bahamian citizens of Great Guana Cay, which you visited last month.

Our ancestors have lived on this island for 200 years. We are proud of our tiny island, with its smiling people, lovely visitors, its blue water, its white beaches.

The decisions Hollywood celebrities make affects wildlife and small countries immensely. Megastar Cher, after visiting Bakers Bay Club, realized the development was an environmental catastrophe.

We are proud of our old loyalist architecture, of our diverse and colorful settlement, the gardens we create, our lovely moon-shaped harbor. We are especially proud to have one of the Caribbean's most spectacular coral reefs - stunning elkhorn and staghorn structures which are home to brilliant angelfish, wily soldierfish, shimmering sardines in our networks of underwater caves. We are proud of our many species of sharks. We hold especially dear our three species of sea turtles that nest on our shores each year. Their offspring will travel the world by ocean current, but they will have been born here, and they will return here.

We are proud of our migrating birds – dozens of species of warbler, bright marsh birds feathered in green, blue and ochre, kestrels, bananaquits, even glossy ibises. We are proud, even, of our mangroves and our deep-rich forest, filled with delicate orchids and primeval bromeliads, and flowers found in few other places around the world. This jungly place produces plenty of mosquitoes, yes, but the mangroves that sustain mosquitoes are necessary as part of our unique ecosystem. Mangroves are the nursery of the coral reef, and mangroves also keep our island intact. And, it takes a sort of unique person to like a place like Great Guana Cay. It's not for everyone, and we've understood that ever since our ancestors toiled for conch and sisal, and settled in this distant outpost of the western hemisphere. Small spaces, and particularly small islands, make for unique living conditions - it boxes some people in. We thrive here because we love our neighbors and because we see the ocean as part of our backyard, not as our limits.

We understand that you had a horrible time at the Bakers Bay Golf & Ocean Club development property, which is under construction on the northeastern end of our tiny island. We agree, what you described as a moonscape used to be our island's mangroves before it was slated to become a golf course and marina to the rich and famous. You are not alone. For three years, we, the Bahamian residents of this island, have been fighting the Bakers Bay Club on the grounds that it will devastate our sea turtle nesting grounds, our coral reef and our mangroves. Yes, we don't like mosquitoes either. But we'll take them over the devastation of our island, our way of life, our children's future and our economy. If celebrities like you buy into the Baker's Bay Club, our children will have no hope. The Sierra Club, the Mangrove Action Network, the Global Coral Reef Alliance, all Caribbean turtle conservation organizations, researchers from NOAA and marine institutions around the world, as well as Jean-Michel Cousteau, the world's most revered marine conservation figure, all support our efforts to save Guana Cay reef. You can learn more at saveguanacayreef.com

Please do not consider your time at Bakers Bay representative of the Bahamian experience, and particularly, of the Great Guana Cay experience.

Your fans in Great Guana Cay,

Save Guana Cay Reef Association LTD, General delivery, Great Guana Cay, Abaco, Bahamas

July 27, 2008

Megastar Cher Rescued from 'Moonscape' Bakers Bay Club

Dozens of eyewitnesses helped us piece together a sensational rescue from last week. Pop superstar Cher was invited to tour the Bakers Bay Golf & Ocean Club. The Bakers Bay staff rented a house for her to stay in the Orchid Bay development area, on the south end of the island.

But, according to local eyewitnesses, Cher complained about the Bakers Bay Club, citing that the place looked like a moonscape, without any trees. She was outraged by the mosquitoes, flies and other critters at Bakers Bay. Enraged at the environmentally irresponsible development, Cher demanded a hundred-and-fifty foot yacht rescue her from Great Guana Cay immediately. Getting such a yacht proved impossible for the Bakers Bay staff, who showed visible stress at Cher's demands.

Cher was livid. At Docksiders, a beautiful upscale restaurant overlooking the harbour, she refused food or drink. Apparently, her horrible experience at Bakers Bay had sent her into an understandable shock. As the Bakers Bay staff were unable to meet her request for a hundred-and-fifty foot yacht, the sea plane owned by the Miami dolphins owner made a dramatic entrance at Fisher's Bay. Cher was quickly rescued from Bakers Bay. The sea plane launched from the bay, and Cher was gone. She was taken to Harbour Island. Far to the south of the Abacos, Harbour Island is an established wealthy hideaway for stars. No mosquitoes there. And no environmentally irresponsible moonscape either.

The Cher incident is another in a growing list of celebrity mishaps and embarrassments at Bakers Bay.

February 18, 2008

Still No Transparency, No Accountability

Three years later, Bakers Bay Club offers little of the transparency recommended in their own Environmental Impact Assessment. Bakers Bay Club gives the appearance of being open and transparent about their plans, but if you examine their claims and the EIA itself, you will find that over the past three years, most of the critical information is still missing.

- After receiving criticism about the lack of marine information in the EIA, the developer was expected to produce a new, revised EIA. That EIA was apparently never actually created. The official EIA is still the original one.

- The EIA makes several suggestions for involving the community and environmental organizations in reporting. Those suggestions were never made, even the most important ones, as charged by the EIA. Although Livingston Marshall, VP of Environment and Community Affairs at Bakers Bay, stated such efforts would be put in place, they never were.

- The environmental monitoring team allegedly produces a report card for the development on a monthly basis, but that report card has never been made available to the public.

- Primary questions about the developers plans for hurricane protection, wastewater treatment, removing nitrogen from the water - have never been answered. It is widely understood that the developer has not yet figured these parts out.

January 01, 2010

Bakers Bay EIA Addendum

I want to share this addendum to the Bakers Bay EIA with you. Three years later, this addendum is even more unbelievable to read than when it was originally discovered. I am leaving it in its original format with the University of Miami logo on it.

This document helps clarify the position of the environmental monitoring team for the project, and how they admit in these notes that they are subjects of an experiment, and the ultimate environmental effects of this development are simply an experiment for the benefit of science. This is the great irony of the Guana Cay debacle. Foreign scientists can establish a monetary relationship with a foreign developer in a country hungry for jobs, and completely shirk the local community and its environment for the supposed interests of the greater good. This reminds us why Great Guana Cay is an issue about the importance of locals as being the most important components of their environmental and cultural future. Smaller units - families and communities - are the ones who understand and are closest to the long-term future of their home.

The leader of the Environmental Management Team which created the document below represents a minority in the conservation community which arrogantly assumes otherwise. I am also adding photographs from August 2007 into the text. The highlighting is my own.

CHAPTER 9: ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT PLAN. The involvement of ecologists and a research team is critical to understanding the longterm impacts to the island environment. The Passerine at Abaco presents a great opportunity to local and international naturalists to study first hand the impact of various practices, and see the long-term implications of development. The promotion of Passerine at Abaco as a case study site for small island development will encourage independently funded research on the island, and in adjacent marine environments. Plan Components and Overview: The Passerine at Abaco is a unique development project in the transparency of its site management and environmental reporting. The project will be an experiment in sustainability for small island developments. Clearly, local residents or Bahamians in general would not appreciate being the site of "experimental" approaches to development of their natural resources, but the aim of the experiment is to provide a truthful documentation of the real ecological costs.

Much of Great Guana Cay's mangrove habitat is gone, and in its place, a dangerous marina is being constructed, which is expected to leach nutrients into the coral reef (you can see coral structures in the lower righthand of this image). Courtesy SGCR

The Great Guana Cay site is already severely impacted by previous development at the "Treasure Island Site". (Erik: this was true, but the Disney/Premiere/Meister environmental damage to the site was a fraction of the Discovary Land Company danger to the site, and is essentially an irrelevant point.) The appendices include a section of news articles from 1988 and 1989 on the controversies that surrounded the original construction of the cruise ship resort site and approach channel. Without legal action against the present owner for mitigation costs, the ecological health of the property will continue to decline. There are significant environmental issues associated with: unknown material dumped in two landfills; invasive alien plants displacing native vegetation; invasive alien insects (Lobate Lac Scale Insect) impacting the health of native trees, especially after hurricane disturbances.

Erosion of beaches from the removal of dunes and natural vegetation along Bakers Bay; erosion of beaches from Australian pine (invasive alien plants); accumulation of trashes and unregulated dumping.

There is no stewardship of the natural resources or management of the property of this time. Many people, both local residents and visiting yachtsmen, reportedly use the property, yet no person or organization takes responsibility for management or stewardship of the resources. (Erik: the use of the land was minimal; at most for crabbing, at worst wandering sailors and children littering along the paths) As land becomes increasingly scarce in the Abacos (and all of The Bahamas), there needs to be an overall land use plan that sets aside natural areas for tourism, recreation, and conservation of the natural heritage of the country.

The Marina is being built dangerously close to the coral reef. This Environmental Management Plan (EMP) outlines four components that set a model for private land stewardship in the country, particularly for private resort communities with technologies and protocols appropriate for use in national parks and publicly-held lands (Crown land). Four facets of the EMP designed to disseminate information, define procedures and accountability and coordinate all necessary personnel and stakeholders include: Bakers Bay Club EIA - Addendums 131, March 2005, Part 1, 131: 5.) Clearly articulated and measurable environmental goals; 6.) Educational outreach programs and training material for a. Contractors, construction crews and all on-site workers, b. Local communities, c. Regional Non-government environmental organizations (e.g. Friends of the Environment), d. Local businesses and business leaders; 7.) Clear management and project communications and reporting with a. Published "Chain of Command" for site management, b. Documentation and accountability to EIA policies, c. Incident reporting and management plan, d. Clear reporting responsibilities; 8.) Independent reporting and verification, with monitoring data available in a "scorecard" format. It is often very difficult to document the real ecological costs of development until many years after the developers have completed the job and left. The long-term environmental impacts pose a significant financial burden to residents of the resort community. For example, resort development in the Florida Keys commonly underestimated the flushing rates of residential finger canal systems. Twenty to thirty years after the construction, residents are faced with very expensive mitigation options to improve near shore and canal water quality, with millions of dollars slated for advanced wastewater treatment plants, backfilling canals, and re-landscaping canal margins.

11.21.07

Guardian Ponders Why Homeowners are Selling Guana

Why are Guana Cay homeowners selling property on Great Guana Cay - the answer is obvious - Bakers Bay Club is ruining the island. This article in the Guardian poses the question:

Article

08.25.07

University Class Erupts over Bakers Bay Propaganda

Imagine yourself in a classroom somewhere in the United States.

Imagine that this classroom is a class on environmental science. Imagine that the Professor asks each of his students to pick a country somewhere in the Caribbean Basin and to write about some environmental issue the country is dealing with.

Imagine that today is the day for the girl who has Bahamas to give her speech.

Imagine that the girl who got Bahamas is up on the podium, the words 'Guana Cay' appear on the projector screen. She says that there is this island in the Northern Bahamas called Great Guana Cay. Her best friend's dad, he works for a company called Discovery Land Company, which is building a golf resort there.

She explains that before the developers arrived on the island, things were terrible. There was rampant crime, for example. The developer's have to be alert, for fear they will be assaulted or mugged.

Her presentation went on to repeat ugly, dehumanizing stereotypes about the islanders themselves – framing the people of Great Guana Cay in crude, prejudiced terms lifted straight from the developer's own talking points, as though the local Bahamian community were an obstacle to be replaced rather than a community with two hundred years of history on the island.

She explained that the developers were a model for environmental practices, and their environmental practices should be followed throughout the Bahamas. She did not get into details, or show any photos of the work site.

Now imagine that the young woman who has Costa Rica is sitting in her seat, gripping her chair, incensed. Imagine that Costa Rica is a very bright young woman. She is aware of the controversy at Great Guana Cay. She reads Notes from the Road. She is familiar with the court case arguments and the environmental science which predicts the development will kill the island's coral reef within a matter of years.

She gets up and says that this girl, Bahamas, has bought into propaganda and the developer's bullshit. She explains to the class that the Baker's Bay Golf and Ocean Club project by the Discovery Land Company is one of the most controversial projects in the Bahamas. She says that it it is opposed by conservationists and coral reef scientists around the world.

She explains that the 170 people who live on Great Guana Cay are a resilient and fiercely independent people who have populated this lonely outpost on the edge of the Atlantic for 200 years, crafting it into a peaceful and charming fishing and tourism community with 100% employment, no crime, and no police.

She explains that Guana Cay holds what scientists say may be the best reef in the Bahamas.

That day was April 20th, 2007. The professor of the class asked that the name of the University not be named.

The professor allegedly told the student to re-do her report on the Bahamas. She was told that she should not have relied on the developer for all of her information. Costa Rica was commended in front of a very tense class.

07.04.07

Bakers Bay Club Accused of Blatant Bribe

The Freeport News wrote a stunning article today on the recent news of the Bahamas National Trust's alleged bribe from Discovery Land Company. Below are a few quotations. "It is with extreme disgust that we, the Save Guana Cay Reef Association, read in the papers that such a 'blatant bribe' was being used to sway the public opinion in reference to the Bakers Bay development, in Guana Cay," the SGCRA statement said.

"The Bahamas National Trust graciously received the donation. We realize they are a cash strapped organization and we respect their work, but that is no reason 'to sell your soul to the devil.'

"Accepting the donation is one thing, we cannot fault them for that, but the gushing words of praise that followed in the press release from the BNT, was nothing short of appalling."

The SGCRA noted some early literature produced by the developers in which they mention the BNT as being a part of the project. They were even mentioned as being a part of the environmental monitoring team in the Heads of Agreement between the developers and the government.

06.27.07

Locals suggest Discovery Land Money is Bribe

The following is a press release intercepted from Discovery Land Company. This is an exquisite example of how the company is using donations to lure the Bahamas' environmental officials into accepting their ecological nightmare. Notice how they misspell environment.

"Bahamas National Trust and Bakers Bay Join Forces To Preserve Evironment" Mr. Neil Mckinney, Mr. Glenn Bannister, Dr Livingstone Marshall, Mrs. Beverly Taylor and Mr. Eric Carey

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Nassau, Bahamas. June 25, 2007…. The Bahamas National Trust's (BNT) ability to achieve its mission was significantly enhanced on Monday when Discovery Land Company (DLC), developers of The Baker's Bay Golf and Ocean Club at Great Guana Cay, Abaco, announced a pledge of $1.2 million to the organization.

"The Trust is very grateful for this generous grant by Discovery Land Company and the Baker's Bay Golf and Ocean Club which will support the mission of the organization, and more specifically assist in providing management and infrastructure for national parks throughout our country," said Mr. Eric Carey, Executive Director of the BNT.

06.27.07

Ocean's Empty

Mike Meldman, the CEO of Discovery Land Company and an actor in the breezy summer Blockbuster, "Ocean's 13", appears to be on a public relations rampage to fix his company's image, and to make Bahamians and his clientele forget that Discovery Land Company is destroying Guana Cay and one of the Bahamas' most critical reef systems. I am going to show you some examples of Discovery Land Company's recent attempts to fix their public relations image, illustrated through clippings in the press and their own marketing language. While you read these real-life recent examples, remember that Discovery Land Company is not in business to help people out and be friendly to everybody, nor are they in business for peace and love. They are in business to make money and to satisfy their investors. If Michael Meldman were just wasting millions of dollars on philanthropic endeavors, he would be fired by his investors. No, these following examples are carefully crafted corporate decisions to maximize revenue. These are advertising and public relations dollars designed to confuse and deceive both the Bahamian public and Discovery Land Company's clientele. Will Bahamians take the bait? Take a look at this example. On April 2, 2007, the University of North Carolina announced that they were creating an environmental professorship in which Meldman was the primary donor in a multi-million dollar professorship for environment and conservation studies. To the student press at UNC, the irony of this made front-page headlines. The students understood that Meldman was trying to use money to fix the perception of himself and his company. Clipped from an official UNC publication:

In May 2007, Discovery Land Company updated its website and added a new section which is designed to make the company look philanthropic. There are no details, only vague writing that says the company will help with foster children. But it sounds good.

Yesterday, the Nassau Guardian published a press release entitled, "BNT benefits from Baker's Bay" which announced that Bakers Bay Club was giving $200,000 to the Bahamas National Trust (BNT).

I admire the Bahamas National Trust deeply, and I encourage donations and support to this institution whose importance to the Bahamas grows every day. But Baker's Bay Club did not give this gift out of good will, love for the environment or for the people of the Bahamas. If they spent their millions so freely, their investors would fire them. Rather, the Baker's Bay Club is offering this donation, at the very least, to improve their public image. At the very worst, the donation will be used to as a carrot, dangled to lead Bahamians from the devastation and outrage being caused by this unacceptable megadevelopment.

I have seen the worldwide coral reef and mangrove communities speak out against this development. I have listened to eminent marine biologists and conservationists denounce this megadevelopment for the many ways it will harm crucial reef, mangrove and terrestrial environments. Let's be clear about one thing – Guana Cay's environment is unique in this world, and its elkhorn and staghorn coral structure is considered one of the best and last of its type in the world. National treasures like Guana Cay need to be protected. Guana Cay's marine environment has supported a sustainable fishing community for generations, its beauty draws international tourism not only to Guana Cay's small cottage tourism center, but its reef helps fill up hotels and homes in places like Treasure Cay, Hopetown and Green Turtle Cay. Beyond the vital economic importance of Guana Cay's unique and fragile environment, is the overriding international importance of saving these unique environments before it is too late; before these treasures of God are gone forever.

The article quotes: "Those funds will come in the form of $200,000 per year in each of the first three years and thereafter we will sit with The Trust and we will look at its accomplishments, objectives and milestones, with a view to supporting the trust again to the tune of a second three-year grant for another $600,000." To me, this is code for "our bribes will influence your policy." Baker's Bay Club has come up with an ingenious way to ensure they can dangle money in front of an underfunded agency with the hope of influencing policy. I have seen Baker's Bay Club use money to influence and change public opinion many times before. Bakers Bay CEO Michael Meldman, in a previous Nassau Guardian article, was quoted as defending his motives for donating money to offset negative publicity on Guana Cay. He said, "We do this sort of thing everywhere our properties are located. This is not being done here at Great Guana Cay just because we want to quiet the previous situation." But actually, after calling all of their other properties, we found no similar foundations or donations existed at the time that article was written. Money is being channeled by calculating marketers precisely to change opinions in the Bahamas, even while outside of the Bahamas, opposition to the project is unanimous among professionals concerned about the effects such a development will have.

Bahamians are deeply religious, deeply moral people. They understand that their natural environment is a great economic and cultural resource. They will not be fooled by the latest comedic public relations scam perpetrated by the Baker's Bay Club.

Baker's Bay Club has lost the scientific battle over whether their development is good or bad for the environment. An international scientific consensus strongly condemns the large, dangerous footprint of this megadevelopment. I urge the BNT to take sides on this issue which is so important to the Bahamas' future. Bahamians are not owned by rich Americans dangling carrots in front of their mouths. Perhaps its time for the Bahamas to seriously consider abandoning this illegal and dangerous development and strongly consider the Baker's Bay property, its coral reef, the nearby Fowl Cay reef, and the mangrove and orchid forests of Guana Cay's northeastern wilderness into a national marine and terrestrial park. The economic and environmental benefits will resound for generations, and the positive press will help reverse the negative press Bakers Bay has brought to this proud country.

Here is the article and quote from the Nassau Guardian article I mentioned above:

Here is another example of Bakers Bay Club using the Bahamas National Trust to their marketing advantage. They actually claim that one of their public relations' schemes consists of Bahamas National Trust officials. But read below and then see the letter from the Bahamas National Trust: Q: How will development efforts impact Joe's Creek, the mangroves and the bonefish flats on Guana Cay?

A: Contrary to prevalent rumors, Joe's Creek, the mangroves and the Guana Cay bonefish flats will all be preserved and not altered by development (EDITOR's NOTE: Discovery Land Company's advertising material was inaccurate. Mangroves have been removed, destroyed and Joe's Creek has been severely mangled.) The Joe's Creek area is the centerpiece of a 70-acre preserve (EDITOR'S NOTE: Less than 70 acres of the Joe's Creek area remain) which will be set aside by the developer. The preserve will be established to forever maintain the land in its current natural state. The general public will continue to have access to this preserve area for crabbing and other uses consistent with the environmental sensitivity of the area (EDITOR'S NOTE: locals who have accessed this public land for generations have been turned back by Discovery Land Company sentries). A developer-funded interpretive center, public trail system and 5-acre public beach park will provide restrooms, fire pits and a public dock for small craft. The preserve will be governed by an independent foundation made up of representatives from the College of the Bahamas, Bahamas National Trust, and the University of Miami.

(EDITOR'S NOTE: the above statement is inaccurate. At the time of printing, the Bahamas National Trust had no intention of being involved in this scheme. See note below from the executive director of the Bahamas National Trust in response to the above advertising material.) April 20, 2005

Troy D Albury,

Thank you for the letter of April 14, 2005 regarding Bahamas National Trust's involvement in the proposed development at Guana Cay, Abaco.

January 22, 2006

Aerials Show EIA Recommendations Out the Window

The following photographs examine the dangerous gamble Discovery Land Company is making with Guana Cay.

Impossibly close to current developments, the Bakers Bay Club marina is being shelled out of Guana Cay's mangrove areas. Constant development threatens nearshore waters: The development of the marina continues dangerously close to the reef-side of the cay with no use of plastic barriers between the construction area and the coral reef. Guana Cay's porous limestone means pollutants, nutrients and construction-related chemicals will almost instantly leach out into the reef: a potent combination which scientists indicate will devastate this reef, one of the last remaining truly healthy reefs in the Atlantic-Caribbean. Detail of marina construction on the Sea of Abaco side. Bakers Bay Club's Tent City. Foreign worker's lounge in an isolated camp in the northern sector of the island while native residents are terrorized by the Bakers Bay Club.

February 13, 2007

New Photos Reveal Unspeakable Devastation

New photos taken in February 2007 reveal the extent of what has been lost at Great Guana Cay. Saving the island and its nearshore marine environment now requires speed and action from Bahamians, concerned tourists and the government.

The island is nearly cut in half as development of the marina unfolds.

Strange sediments appear in the water adjacent to construction.

Every day, there are more plumes of billowing smoke and less land. Here, fast-paced construction abutts the coral reef.

October 19, 2006

Funny Business with the Field Club

The Bakers Bay Club is practicing funny business. Foreign employees of the Bakers Bay Club appear to mock the native residents of Great Guana Cay, who approach this public beach by boat. Anthony Roberts asked the Chief Councilor, Wayne Hall, if it was against the law to drive on beaches. His answer was yes. Anthony then asked, "Then why are the employees of Bakers Bay Club allowed to drive the beach at Bakers?" Hall answered that he was not aware that they were driving on the beaches and asked what they were driving? Roberts answered, "ATV's and tractors!" Additionally, Bakers Bay employees were raking the beach with ATV's, which is clearly also against the law.

The Bakers Bay Club employees have been, or were, driving without licenses all about Guana Cay for months.

In current (April 2006) Bakers Bay literature, the Bakers Bay Club refers to a large hunting grounds on mainland Abaco. Rumor on the Abaco mainland has it that this is an additional 3,000 acres of crown land, although that information cannot be independently verified. In this literature, Bakers Bay Club writes that they will be hunting 'Abaco duck.' Locals refer to the White-Cheeked Pintail as the "Bahama Duck" but there is no such thing as an "Abaco Duck." The species they are referring to is clearly a no-take species under Bahamian hunting regulations, and a threatened West Indian endemic.

Sept 23, 2006

Bakers Bay Club Environmental Documents filled with misinformation, irrelevancies

Discovery Land Company offered to share information and work with one environmental group; a local group based in the Bahamas. In response to this group's criticism and suggestions of the project, Discovery Land Company offered the environmental group some documents. Below is the partial text of one of those documents. It is titled, "BAKER'S BAY GOLF COURSE DESIGN NARRATIVE." It is not signed or dated. No individual claims responsibility for the document. The document is irrelevant to the environmental concerns at hand, which is not surprising, as this has been the case throughout Discovery Land Company's stay on Guana. Below is the text of the document in italics. Comments are in regular type.

Past experience has proven this, as there have been no negative effects noted on any of their previously developed projects. Other projects include The Estancia and Mirabel Clubs in Scottsdale, Arizona, Ironhorse in Whitefish, Montana, Vaquero, in Dallas, Texas, and the recently completed Kukio Golf and Beach Club, on the Island of Hawaii.

For two years, Discovery Land Company has stated that their developments in other locations have had no similar negative effects on the environment - this is of course true; none of their developments are located in similarly ecosensitive locations, and certainly none of their developments are located adjacent to a coral reef. In fact, the soil type common to Discovery Land Company's other locations could be called of a terrigenious composition, compared to the carstic limestone of Great Guana Cay, which is so permeable that a glass of water would simply dry up on the surface and almost instantly sink into the island. There are many examples where such developments have damaged coral reef ecosystems. The unnamed author does not seem to have a grasp of the science relevant to coastal eutrophication and coral reef biology and the impacts of such a project on these very fragile and threatened ecosystems.

The developer believes that the keys to short and long-term success are strongly influenced by three essential elements: 1. employing responsible, qualified personnel, consultants and contractors, 2. proper construction, and, 3. effective water management. To that end, they have assembled a highly qualified project management team to lead them to success at Baker's Bay.

The unnamed author is quick to remind its readers about the benefits of the project to employment, and the qualities of its employees. But such a report should focus on the greatest threat - the coral reef. Here we are already through the introductory comments of the report, and the reef is not even mentioned. Where are the micrmolar amounts of nitrogen and phosphorous from the so-called safe examples mentioned above? The author cites that similar Discovery Land Company developments have had no negative effects on water. If this were to be the case for Bakers Bay Club, Discovery Land Company could provide critics with the levels of nutrients that would leach out into the coral ecosystem during, throughout and after development. Of course, the developer cannot provide this information, even though it is easy to acquire and estimate: the result would spell doom for the reef.

RESPONSIBILITY: The Golf Course Superintendent will be responsible for the long-term operation and maintenance of the golf course, including irrigation and drainage systems, soil and water testing, and fertilizer and pesticide usage. The Superintendent will employ the use of professional turf-grass, soil consultants, and other industry professionals as necessary to assist in developing maintenance and management programs directed at minimizing potential negative impacts from the golf course operation, including the non-target application of applied fertilizers or pesticides. He will employ and train a qualified, capable staff that shares the developers' interest in protecting the environment, human and natural resources in and around the project site. The Golf Course Superintendent will also be responsible for complying with all regulatory agencies, relating to the proper storage, care and use of all fertilizers and pesticides. He will be responsible for monitoring and maintaining all drainage systems, ensuring that they are operating as designed and constructed, thereby protecting the site, and surrounding natural resources of Baker's Bay.

Interesting that responsibility for the fate of one of the Caribbean's last great coral reefs will come down to decisions made by a golf course superintendent. If you compare this with the fact that the University of Miami's grant to Discovery Land Company ends in December 2006 - will a loan golf superintendent make all decisions without coral scientists on-hand? It seems so. And the report refers not once to the coral reefs whatsoever, but does mention fertilizers or pesticides. It should be noted that the golf course at Winding Bay has recently had significant problems with seashore paspalum living up to its name - to thrive without pesticides and herbicides. A golf course superintendent will not have the knowledge or resources to keep the golf course green without increasing nutrient levels far above that required to keep the reef alive.

GOLF COURSE DESIGN: The golf course is designed by Fazio Designs Inc., one of the worlds most noted Golf Course Architectural firms. Within their designs, they strive to create a golf experience that nurtures the natural characteristics of the land, and creates an enjoyable golf experience. One of the notable features of Fazio designs is their tendency to shape the golf courses to contain the golf ball, creating contours that move towards the center of the golf hole. This shaping characteristic serves to contain most sheet flows of water during intense storm activity, into low areas within the golf course corridor, where they are contained, and piped to detention areas.

It's interesting that the author is so willing to admit that Fazio golf courses are created for people who aren't very good at golf. Since we know that Discovery Land Company has no intention of lining the golf courses, and since we know that the course will sit on limestone, we know that its impossible to keep the nutrients from leaking into the reef system, despite efforts to control the flow of these nutrients. The long-term maintainability of the golf course will be determined by the golf course design and construction. The Developer recognizes this fact, and has demonstrated in the past on other projects, that they are committed to constructing golf courses responsibly.

It now sounds like this is simply a public relations piece. This developer has been severely criticized for their plans on Great Guana Cay, by experts. They have not employed the appropriate experts, and words do not change those facts.

The Developer strives to use the best information and consultation available, including applicable University testing, industry proven methods and practices, as well as the latest technological innovations with a common goal within their projects of creating great golf courses that meld seamlessly into their natural surroundings and environment. The selection of proper turf grasses, soils, and irrigation systems are essential to the long-term maintenance of healthy turf grass. The developer agrees with the philosophy that a properly constructed golf course leads to managing healthy turf. Healthy turf, due to proper construction and management requires less pesticide use and much lower fertility requirements than an improperly constructed golf course. In order to achieve their goal, the Developer constructs their courses using the construction methods and Best Management Practices as suggested by such agencies as the United Golf Association, Golf Course Superintendents Association of America, Golf Course Builders Association of America, and the American Society of Golf Course Architects. None of the organizations above have created any guidelines on the protection of coral reefs from unsaafe levels of nutrients, and erosion leading to sedimentation. Any guidelines that this developer is referring to are therefore completely irrelevant! The turf types selected for the golf course will be those that rate very high by the National Turfgrass Evaluation Program trials for climate and conditions similar to the project site. Due to the climate, soil and water characteristics found at Baker's Bay, the turfgrass selected will be an improved variety of Seashore Paspalum. The turf areas will be maintained in such a way to promote healthy, deep-rooted plants that are resistant to stresses. Sound cultural practices, including traffic control to minimize turf wear, aeration to decrease soil compaction, mowing the turf at the proper cutting heights, and judicious irrigation will ensure that a healthy stand of turf is maintained, which decreases the need for fertilizer and pesticide applications.

Seashore Paspalum is a relatively new grass to the golf turf industry. Kukio, a Discovery Land Company project on the Big Island of Hawaii was one of the first golf courses to plant an improved variety of Seashore paspalum throughout the entire golf course, including the greens surfaces.

Kukio is a particularly poor example, as the soil composition in Hawaii is very different than Guana Cay. The soil there absorbs nitrates and phosphates efficiently, whereas in a dry limestone such as Guana, none of this happens.

It was selected for many reasons, however it's most impressive attribute is its ability to withstand high concentrations of salts, including sodium and chloride that are found in ocean and brackish waters. Due to Paspalum's high salt tolerance, many of the common turfgrass pests that plague other turfgrasses, are almost non-existent. At Kukio, no herbicides have been applied to the golf course in over three and 1/2 years. There are no other golf courses that can make that claim along the Kohala coast, as they are all established with strains of Bermudagrass. Additionally, it is being confirmed by university and private testing that many turfgrass insects do not inhabit Paspalum turfed golf courses. It is believed that the high salt concentrations of the irrigation water cause irritation to the endoskeletons and epidermis of the insects, causing them to seek other sources of food and shelter.

The developer's reliance on turfgrass to solve so many of the issues associated with this project is dangerous; again, Hawaii and the Abaco chain have incredibly different weather. Although many benefits of Paspalum are cited, the string of benefits the grass proposed does not make up for its inefficiencies; in particular its eventual need for pesticides and fertilizers.

August 25, 2006

More International Publications Discuss Bakers Bay

...and Miami Herald weigh in on the situation at Great Guana Cay and the Bakers Bay Club. This constant press is very bad for Discovery Land Company, but it does no favors for tourism to Abaco: more proof that Bakers Bay Club is already gnawing at the strength of Abaco tourism.

August 18, 2006

Bakers Bay Club Losing Millions

In a recent press releases, the Bakers Bay Club claims they are costing Discovery Land Company millions of dollars. In a press release given to the Bahama Journal, Dr. Marshall states,

"When you find that you are continuously spending but not taking in, well of course you head down the road where you might be looking at more red ink as opposed to black ink, so it's that type of thing for us...But this company did not come to The Bahamas on a wing and a prayer - they came here exceptionally well planned. I think that is also true of their financial picture, and so while it is costing us, we are prepared to stay in this for the long haul and to be able to weather any financial challenge we might experience." Bakers Bay Club blames their losses on the locals of Great Guana Cay. But people have a right to defend and determine their island's future. It is, ironically, the Bakers Bay Club partners themselves who are responsible for bungling this giant investment project. Period.

August 09, 2006

Tales of Creepy Developer Tactics

For the last two years, Bakers Bay Club has attempted to misrepresent to the public how many Bahamians on Great Guana Cay back opposition to their development. In one instance, Dr. Livingston Marshall, Vice President of Environmental and Community Affairs, questioned whether there were more than two members of Save Guana Cay Reef, the organization of locals formed to represent opposition to the development.

A petition helped convince the Privy Council to continue the injunction against the Bakers Bay Club.

But throughout all the public relations spin, there were 170 residents of Great Guana Cay who signed the original petition against the Bakers Bay Club, and Save Guana Cay Reef's membership consists of hundreds of Bahamians and homeowners on the island. The developer argued that Save Guana Cay Reef did not represent the community, and as evidence they submitted a petition signed by 73 individuals.

But the Privy Council was aware that the petition was floated around the island under the premise that if people signed the petition, Discovery Land Company would give money to the community that they promised under the public relations spin scam called the Fig Tree Foundation.

Many were surprised to find that there were children's signatures, and signatures of those who favored Save Guana Cay Reef on the petition. It turns out that the petition was circulated under a false premise, and many signed it just so that the petitioners would leave them alone! Others signed it under the premise that by signing it, they would be helping the sick and needy.

Dr. Livingston Marshall stated that he was sharing his most recent EIA and EMP with Michelle Bethel of Bethell Environmental Ltd, a Bahamian environmental planning group. This statement was produced after criticism that Marshall and the Bakers Bay Club were not sharing vital documents with the public. Now, Bethel has shared her findings.

In summary: Bakers Bay Club is clueless and has no idea what they are doing. For two years, the locals of Great Guana Cay and dozens of conservation organizations have been arguing that Bakers Bay Club's plan is dangerous for the coral reef. They have replied by attempting to condemn the people who oppose their project. But in this latest twist, the agency whom they offered to communicate with also lends their doubts.

It appears that Bakers Bay Club hired a Mr. WM. Kent Alkire, II, an agronomist and golf course environmental consultant with Golf Ventures International, to produce a report about fertilizer use and sustainability. The report has nothing to do with Bakers Bay Club or Guana Cay, or even the Bahamas. It is a general report that doesn't even mention anything about corals or mangroves. In fact, Marshall's use of such an erroneous report to justify their development is just another red herring.

In the developer's material, Bakers Bay Club writes, "At the Baker's Bay site, the sand bed will be placed over the existing sub-soil, comprised of a variety of soils, ranging from clay and silt to course sand. The intent during construction will be to create a "perched' water table below the capping sand. Water that percolates through the sand root zone will be slowed as it travels downward and encounters the native soil. This decrease in percolation rate and the slower draining sub-soils will aid in collecting suspended solids carried down from the overlaying sand. The turf-grass root system will be encouraged to root into the sub-soil, with the ultimate goal of the root systems utilizing the solids that may have leached through the overlaying sand."

According to locals on Great Guana Cay, a local family went to the northeastern end of Great Guana Cay to light a fire and play music, a custom for local families celebrating the Bahamian independence day. Employees of Bakers Bay Club reportedly rushed to the beach and told them they could not light a fire or have music on the beach. The BBC dispatched six security guards to stand over them at the high water mark and watch over them. When the family started to light a small fire to cook hotdogs and hamburgers, General Manager Carter Redd reportedly threatened to call the police. An article on the subject: Locals harassed at beach.

There are no laws preventing Bahamians from lighting fires or playing music below the high water mark, and the police were in agreement with the family. According to witnesses, Carter Redd was told to leave them alone so they could celebrate their holiday. This instance is not isolated. Locals enjoying their traditional rights have been harassed by Bakers Bay Employees on many occasions. Some instances have made it to the local press and have even been admitted by BBC officials in the press. It is truly ironic that on independence day, a foreign entity is reminding Bahamians that their rights and independence are truly being lost.

Discovery Land Company has announced that about 17% of its Bakers Bay Club workforce now consists of foreign workers, most likely from Mexico and Central America. Discovery Land Company had formerly been beating the Bahamian jobs drum as a way of routing the more encompassing issues of community rights and the environment. They can no longer do this. Like many hasty foreign developers, Bakers Bay Club is giving up on Bahamian labor. Many developers believe that Bahamians are inefficient and lazy, but this is far from the truth. Bahamians are hard workers with diverse skill-sets. By hiring laborers from thousands of miles away, Bakers Bay Club again sticks its middle finger at Abaco.

The Golf Cart rammed into Dolphin Beach Resort

On January 16, 2007 at around 10 PM, three Bakers Bay Club employees crashed into a wall at Dolphin Beach Resort after a night of alcohol, according to locals. The golf cart flipped over and the female in the cart was pinned underneath the cart. Bakers Bay Club has yet to apologize or offer to fix the damage.

This is the second hit-and-run incident allegedley involving Bakers Bay Club employees. In the United States, the driver would be arrested with DUI charges. But on an island without police, you can get away with anything!

In the weeks leading up to 10 AM, Friday, January 5, workers at the Bakers Bay Club organized and planned a formal protest against the golf club work site in the Northern Bahamas. According to Bakers Bay workers, Discovery Land Company had been attempting to cut the worker's hours and their pay. The economics of the Bakers Bay Club is set up so that if the project is completed in 5 years, the senior brass in the organization will get rich. At 10 years, the outfit will break even. Beyond 10 years, the outfit will lose money. Because of this, Bakers Bay employees are boosting the worker schedules to almost slave-like conditions, and often only giving extremely short notice of when workers are to report to work or not report to work. Workers have taken the ferry all the way from Marsh Harbour to Guana Cay only to find that they are told they are not needed that day. They are forced to wait three hours for the next ferry. Bonuses went unpaid, and workers were critical of differences in expected pay, according to a Nassau Guardian article. The company also allegedly declined to give the workers Christmas bonuses they had promised them.

Guana Cay embraces for the 2007 defense of its culture

But adding to the worker's claims that they were working in slave-like conditions, many claimed they were forced to dig holes with their bare hands because of a lack of tools. The goal, some believe, is to drive down the will of the Bahamian workers, and create an environment that allows Bakers Bay Club their much preferred use of foreign labor from Latin America.

After the 30-40 workers protested in front of the Bakers Bay Club office, pointing out the slave-like conditions they are subjected to, the Discovery Land Company backed down and offered them additional benefits and a promise to treat them more fairly.

Anybody interested in the subject of Bakers Bay Club will find numerous articles and oral explanations of the Bakers Bay Club mistreatment of Bahamians.

July 12, 2006

Beach Harassment Continues on Northern End of Guana Cay

According to locals on Great Guana Cay, a local family went to the northeastern end of Great Guana Cay to light a fire and play music, a custom for local families celebrating the Bahamian independence day. Employees of Bakers Bay Club reportedly rushed to the beach and told them they could not light a fire or have music on the beach. The BBC dispatched six security guards to stand over them at the high water mark and watch over them. When the family started to light a small fire to cook hotdogs and hamburgers, General Manager Carter Redd reportedly threatened to call the police. An article on the subject: Locals harassed at beach.

There are no laws preventing Bahamians from lighting fires or playing music below the high water mark, and the police were in agreement with the family. According to witnesses, Carter Redd was told to leave them alone so they could celebrate their holiday. This instance is not isolated. Locals enjoying their traditional rights have been harassed by Bakers Bay Employees on many occasions. Some instances have made it to the local press and have even been admitted by BBC officials in the press. It is truly ironic that on independence day, a foreign entity is reminding Bahamians that their rights and independence are truly being lost.

June 22, 2006

Bakers Bay Club Hires Foreign Workers

Discovery Land Company has announced that about 17% of its Bakers Bay Club workforce now consists of foreign workers, most likely from Mexico and Central America. Discovery Land Company had formerly been beating the Bahamian jobs drum as a way of routing the more encompassing issues of community rights and the environment. They can no longer do this. Like many hasty foreign developers, Bakers Bay Club is giving up on Bahamian labor. Many developers believe that Bahamians are inefficient and lazy, but this is far from the truth. Bahamians are hard workers with diverse skill-sets. By hiring laborers from thousands of miles away, Bakers Bay Club again sticks its middle finger at Abaco.

January 18, 2006

Bakers Bay Club Employees & Golf Cart Accident

The Golf Cart rammed into Dolphin Beach Resort

On January 16, 2007 at around 10 PM, three Bakers Bay Club employees crashed into a wall at Dolphin Beach Resort after a night of alcohol, according to locals. The golf cart flipped over and the female in the cart was pinned underneath the cart. Bakers Bay Club has yet to apologize or offer to fix the damage.

This is the second hit-and-run incident allegedley involving Bakers Bay Club employees. In the United States, the driver would be arrested with DUI charges. But on an island without police, you can get away with anything!

January 16, 2006

Bakers Bay Quells Protests with Money

In the weeks leading up to 10 AM, Friday, January 5, workers at the Bakers Bay Club organized and planned a formal protest against the golf club work site in the Northern Bahamas. According to Bakers Bay workers, Discovery Land Company had been attempting to cut the worker's hours and their pay. The economics of the Bakers Bay Club is set up so that if the project is completed in 5 years, the senior brass in the organization will get rich. At 10 years, the outfit will break even. Beyond 10 years, the outfit will lose money. Because of this, Bakers Bay employees are boosting the worker schedules to almost slave-like conditions, and often only giving extremely short notice of when workers are to report to work or not report to work. Workers have taken the ferry all the way from Marsh Harbour to Guana Cay only to find that they are told they are not needed that day. They are forced to wait three hours for the next ferry. Bonuses went unpaid, and workers were critical of differences in expected pay, according to a Nassau Guardian article. The company also allegedly declined to give the workers Christmas bonuses they had promised them.

Guana Cay embraces for the 2007 defense of its culture

But adding to the worker's claims that they were working in slave-like conditions, many claimed they were forced to dig holes with their bare hands because of a lack of tools. The goal, some believe, is to drive down the will of the Bahamian workers, and create an environment that allows Bakers Bay Club their much preferred use of foreign labor from Latin America.

After the 30-40 workers protested in front of the Bakers Bay Club office, pointing out the slave-like conditions they are subjected to, the Discovery Land Company backed down and offered them additional benefits and a promise to treat them more fairly.

Anybody interested in the subject of Bakers Bay Club will find numerous articles and oral explanations of the Bakers Bay Club mistreatment of Bahamians.

September 9, 2007

NOAA Case Study Attributes Nutrients

A NOAA Case Study attributes nutrients to the destruction of Looe Key. This is important, because if as the United States is officially recognizing the role of nutrients in coral reef destruction, the issue is making the rounds in the press around the world. Even as global warming remains an easy scapegoat for coral reef destruction, the word on development nutrients is gaining ground in the press and in broader scientific circles.

Jult 6, 2006

Jean-Michel Cousteau comes to the assistance of the Great Guana Cay Residents

Jean-Michel Cousteau, who recently helped convince President Bush to protect 1200 miles of Hawaii's coral reefs in one of the boldest environmental moves of history, has just come to the aid of the Great Guana Cay native residents. Cousteau urges the island nation of the Bahamas to reconsider the Bakers Bay Golf and Ocean Club.

He writes, "...the Discovery Land Company Bakers Bay Golf and Ocean Club development may undermine the environmental health of the region; specifically affecting the nesting sea turtles of Gumelemi Cay and to the north, and impacting the neighboring reefs adjacent to the proposed golf course. Knowing from experience that ecological consequences of very large developments that do not have strict environmental safe guards can have far reaching consequences, I urge you to review the environmental impact of this development and consider the consequences for future generations of your citizens."

Read more.

University of Miami

October 2, 2009

University of Miami Outrages Bahamians with new Press Release

The University of Miami Office of Media Relations issued a press release today claiming that Kathleen Sullivan-Sealey, the official 'researcher' working for Bakers Bay, is helping to "create the first sustainable tourist project in the Bahamas." The press release uses colorful language and lavish photos to clearly promote the relationship between Kathleen-Sullivan Sealey, the University of Miami, and Discovery Land Company.

The article also makes no bones about the University's position on Bakers Bay Golf & Ocean Club, claiming, that Sealey is helping to "guide the construction of a sustainable development called the Bakers Bay Golf and Ocean Club."

This official press release is an outrage on several levels, and Bahamians have a right to be angry. I will provide several ways for Bahamians to act and respond at the end of this entry.

Outrage 1: Sustainable Development Claim is False.

The official communication from the University of Miami states that the Bakers Bay Golf & Ocean Club is a sustainable development. This statement is a complete fraud.

The Sierra Club, Jean-Michele Cousteu's Ocean Futures Society, Greenpeace, Global Coral, and hundreds of coral scientists, including senior accomplished marine biology professors at the University of Miami, oppose the Bakers Bay Golf & Ocean Club on several environmental fronts.

It is widely considered one of the most unsustainable developments in the Caribbean.

Outrage 2: University of Miami Promised No Support for Bakers Bay

According to a letter from the University of Miami Office of Vice President and General Counsel to the attorneys who represent Save Guana Cay Reef, "The University has never given any project sponsored by Discovery at Bakers Bay or at any other location in the Bahamas its endorsement, support or blessing.

The University has never and does not now endorse, support or promote Bakers Bay and categorically and unequivocally states that any representation made otherwise is false and without the University's knowledge.

We have recently see evidence that the Company has continued to misrepresent the University's neutral role with respect to the legitimacy of the Bakers Bay project..."

Once again, the University of Miami's name is being used to further the agenda of one of the most unsustainable developments in the history of the Caribbean.

Outrage 3: Earthwatch Cited

The article claims, "Dr. Sullivan-Sealey heads the project on Coastal Ecology of the Bahamas, supported by the EarthWatch Institute. The 10-year project involves visiting the major islands in the archipelago to assess the state of the coastal environment." The article fails to mention that Earthwatch pulled out of the Bakers Bay Club project, following extensive criticism about their involvement in this project.

Outrage 4: The Press Release Claims that this is the FIRST sustainable development in the Bahamas.

While the claim that Bakers Bay is a sustainable development is clearly false, the claim that it is the 'first' sustainable development is an outrage, and an indication that whoever fed this information to the University of Miami clearly disrespects Bahamas' sustainable development heritage.

A sustainable development is a development that is built without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their needs. In other words, the development does not affect the environment and economy of the place it inhabits. Bakers Bay, which has torn apart the island's mangroves, cannot honestly claim this distinction.

There are great examples in the Bahamas of sustainable developments, here are some of them:

1. Nettie's Different of Abaco was a beautiful genuine ecodevelopment that operated in the Abacos as a simple bone-fishing resort. The owner, who closed the resort as she grew older, used the resort to teach people about ecology, sustainable practices. She was actively engaged in environmental issues in the Abacos.

2. Tiamo Resorts is considered the Bahamas best example of an ecodevelopment and is applauded by environmentalists, biologists and travel media for its genuine sustainable qualities.

3. Small Hope Bay Lodge - is a genuine sustainable lodge whose size is appropriate to the sensitive space it lives in.

The University Response So Far

I talked to the author of the press release. Her intentions were genuine and she was surprised to learn of the real situation at Bakers Bay. She clearly was not informed about the reality behind this development and expressed sincere sorrow for the misrepresentation.

What you Can Do

Ask the University of Miami to retract the press release claims that Bakers Bay is a sustainable development.

Contact the University of Miami Student Newspaper, The Miami Hurricane. They can be contacted by phone or email:

Phone: 305-284-2016

11.21.07

U of Miami Ship Damages Reefs, University Mum

For the past two years, I have been reporting on the ways the University of Miami has been involved with the Bakers Bay Club. The Bakers Bay Club has used the University of Miami to legitimize its development, even putting its logo on its marketing materials to make their development look as though it has been rubber-stamped by the institution.

But now a new twist - the Miami Herald is reporting "The University of Miami's marine research ship struck and stuck fast on a shallow reef in Biscayne National Park, then cruised on without reporting the incident."

Read the article.

Many conservationists are frustrated with the University of Miami's position with the Bakers Bay Club; this incident serves to further question their integrity in the Caribbean.

September 25, 2006

University of Miami Letter to Discovery Land Company to Cease and Desist use of its name

Discovery Land Company, which has been using the University of Miami name for commercial purposes despite being told by the University to cease and desist use of their name to lend credence to their world-wide despised golf development, now harms not only the Bahamas, but the credibility of a respected and renowned institution.

To quell escalating international anger over the involvement of University of Miami scientist(s) and graduate students in one of the Caribbean's most controversial projects of history, the University of Miami's Vice President offers the following open letter, addressed to the attorney for Save Guana Cay Reef.

September 7, 2006

Dear Mr. Smith:

The University of Miami entered into a sponsored research grant agreement ("Grant") in January 2005 with Discovery Land Company (hereinafter "Discovery" and sometimes the "Company"). The Grant, which is valid through December 2006, requires Dr. Kathleen Sealey, a faculty member at the University of Miami and the Principal Investigator, to conduct a marine science research study entitled "Biological Diversity Status and Change with Small Island Development in the Northern Bahamas."

Generally, the Grant requires Dr. Sealey and her staff to provide monitoring services with regards to the environment, barrier reefs, fish habitats and less intrusion and the general welfare of the people residing on the island, and to provide monthly reports on collection of field data. As you are well aware, Dr. Sealey has no authority or power under the Grant to compel the Company to adhere to her findings and observations.

One of the primary missions of a major research university is to broaden the academic wealth of knowledge in all disciplines. Dr. Sealey, like the rest of the University of Miami faculty, is encouraged to follow that mission. At any given point in time, the University has hundreds if not thousands of clinical and ecological sponsored research studies conducted by its faculty members around the world for hundreds of companies. At the request of its faculty, the University of Miami will enter into agreements with public and private entities to support their independent research, foster their academic freedom and reserve their right to publish the developed work product. The University encourages the independent work of its faculty.

This does not mean that the University agrees (or disagrees) with the intellectual research conclusions reached by its faculty members.

In October 2005, the University wrote Discovery demanding that it cease using its name in a way that implied or suggested that it endorsed or was commercially affiliated with the Baker Bay project or any other of its commercial ventures.

Additionally, the University emphatically requested that the Company cease and desist using all signs, twin logos and websites containing the name of the University in conjunction with the name or symbol of the development project or that of the Company, and cease and desist making any references to the University's involvement with the Great Guana Cay Foundation which requires separate University approval.

We pointed out to the Company that the University must be assured that any and all of its signs, websites, communications or advertisements to the public, whether for business, marketing or political purposes, will not utilize the University's name except as allowed under the Grant, which expressly forbids utilization of the University's name without "written permission" (emphasis added).

The University, however, believed then and continues to believe that the Company has the right under the Grant to use the report and name of Dr. Sealey in her position as a professor at the University of Miami.

In late October 2005, Discovery responded by stating that it was taking the first step to immediately cease all references to the University in distributed materials.

The University has never given any project sponsored by Discovery at Baker's Bay or at any other location in the Bahamas its endorsement, support or blessing.

The University has never and does not now endorse, support or promote Baker's Bay and categorically and unequivocally states that any representation made otherwise is false and without the University's knowledge.

We have recently seen evidence that the Company has continued to misrepresent the University's neutral role with respect to the legitimacy of the Baker Bay project, and the University will be considering such further action in this regard as may be appropriate.

The University of Miami's official position is summarized as follows:

Hopefully this will clear the record regarding the University's relationship or lack thereof, with the Baker's Bay Development Project. I will personally visit your country within the next thirty days for the ostensible purpose of learning more about the facts and circumstances surrounding utilization of the University's name. I look forward to meeting you upon my visitation.

With regards,

Robert L. Blake, Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary

January 01, 2010

Who does Dr. Sullivan-Sealey Represent?

According to locals, in a recent meeting held at the Guana Cay school house 26 Aug 2006, Mrs. Sullivan-Sealey said she was not working for the University of Miami and made it quite clear that she was working on a 'GRANT' through the College of the Bahamas.

She distributed business cards with: Kathleen Sullivan Sealey, PhD. Dean, Faculty of Pure and Applied Sciences and Acting Executive Director, Marine and Environmental Studies Institute. Who does she work for?

In July, she told Great Guana Cay locals that she does not receive any money for her work at the Bakers Bay Club project.

Her words do not match the statements of the Bakers Bay Club, which on numerous occasions expressly refers to Sullivan-Sealey and the Environmental Management Team as a University of Miami-backed operation and Sealey (who heads the team) as a scientist from the University of Miami.

Additionally, Sullivan-Sealey made a statement that she was surprised that Bakers Bay Club employees were driving on the beach, and she told locals to notify her so she can file an incident report. But how could she not be aware of these obvious breaches?

Locals have been reporting these breaches for months, and the evidence has appeared in several online journals and in dozens of photographs, especially during the height of sea turtle breeding season.

If Sealey has not heard of these cases, there appears to be a serious disconnect between Discovery Land Company and the Environmental Monitoring Team.

Is Discovery Land Company listening to anything Sullivan-Sealey is saying?

And why does the Discovery Land Company and Sullivan-Sealey claim such wildly different things about who represents the Environmental Monitoring Team?

Notes from the Road hopes that Kathleen Sullivan-Sealey joins the international community and the locals of Great Guana Cay and denounces the unsustainable megadevelopment proposed by Discovery Land Company.

Discovery Land Company refers to the Environmental Management Team as from the University of Miami.

In Spring 2006, Discovery Land Company referred to their Environmental Management Team as consisting of 8 University of Miami scientists. We believe these scientists to consist of Kathleen Sullivan-Sealey and 7 graduate students.

On June 6, 2006, Dr. Marshall wrote to Notes from the Road, reporting that Discovery Land Company has permission from the University of Miami to use their name, and he refers me to legal counsel of the University of Miami.

In the Affidavit of Joseph Arenson, dated August 9, 2006, Discovery Land Company again refers to Sullivan-Sealey as a University of Miami scientist, as well as a consultant to the developer.

This Larry Smith article on bahamaspundit.com refers to Sealey as a University of Miami biology professor.

Earthwatch, which either grants Sullivan-Sealey or used to grant Sullivan-Sealey on the Bakers Bay Club project, refers to her as from the University of Miami, and shows that she teaches classes on how to get grant money. If she teaches people that there can be no barriers to getting funding, why is the source of her funding and support in the Bakers Bay Club matter so unusual?

Press Coverage

October 2, 2009

Abaconian Writes Deceptive Article on Bakers Bay

If you read the latest article in the Abaconian about Bakers Bay Club, you may be a bit confused. The article states that while Bakers Bay Club was in court for years with Save Guana Cay Reef, that all of that is past them now and they are now working together with Save Guana Cay Reef, and that they've upheld all of their environmental promises.

Of course, the article is deceptive, and was probably spoon-fed to the Abaconian by the developer. No, it is false to refer to court issues with Save Guana Cay Reef in the past tense, because those court battles are now at their height. Also, Bakers Bay Club formed its own 'association' called Save Guana Cay Association, which is designed to sound like Save Guana Cay Reef Association.

So, with an innocent writer, you can easily control what they say, by saying, "Yeah, we used to be embroiled in legal battles with Save Guana Cay, but now we're working closely with Save Guana Cay." Of course, the statement is cleverly deceptive - Save Guana Cay Reef vehemently opposes Bakers Bay, but Save Guana Cay is Bakers Bay Club's internal public relations mechanism.

Sadly, this sort of aggressive puppeteering works all too often, and these developers are experts at the game of using local media to redefine the debate.

The loaded statement in the article about Bakers Bay keeping every promise is clearly false. There are years of evidence compiled that directly refute this claim in this blog and elsewhere.

The clip above strikes me as strange as well, because the tone of Bakers Bay is one of attempting to market a project by putting good spin on it. Check out the following bullet points and then reread the clip:

- Bakers Bay is behind on many of its construction goals. The marina was supposed to be complete a year ago.

- Locals have reported that only a very few lots have been sold in the past six months.

11.03.07

Sierra Club Responds to Southern Boating Magazine

This summer, Steve Dodge, a writer who often writes about Abaco, wrote the following about Bakers Bay Club in Southern Boating Magazine, a magazine about yachting in the Southern United States and the Caribbean.

What's new? Bakers Bay Club is again under construction after a lengthy legal and political battle. The principle opposition from a group called Save Guana Cay Reef argued that the golf course fertilizer would kill the reef lying northeast of the cay. They also protested that some crown land was leased to the developers, arguing crown land should only be leasted to Bahamians.

Angelfish photographed on Great Guana Cay reef. Erik Gauger.

A judge's decision cleared the path for the developers to resume. We all know that development forever alters natural places, but the developers of Bakers Bay have an environmentally sensitive culture and promise to preserve as much of the area's natural beauty as possible. Instead of killing local trees and plants with bulldozers to build roads, the plants and trees have been dug up and moved to a nursery to be replanted later. Thousands of orchids and bromileads were are also saved while invasive trees and plants have been removed.

The golf course will be planted with paspalum grass, which does not require large amounts of fertilizer and can actually be watered with brackish water if necessary. The entire course is designed to drain inward to a lined retention pond. The greens will be built with lined catch basins and water and fertilizer will be piped to the retention pond where both will be recycled. According to the plan, the entire community will be served with reverse osmosis water and the first sewage treatment system in Abaco. Homeowners will be permitted to clear only 30 percent of their land for the house footprint, and will not be allowed to bring in exotic plants.

One of the biggest departures is that waterfront property owners will not be permitted to build docks; they will use the marina for their boats. The beach will, for the most part, stay the way it is. The marina, which is expected to open in late 2008, will accept transfers for overnight dockage as well as lunch it will have the first pump out station in Abaco. Things are going to change at Bakers Bay - a temporary increase in barge traffic for one thing - but the end result should be the most environmentally sensitive development ever built in Abaco, and preserve a favorite cruising ground.

The article contained errors in logic, and so both Troy Albury and myself responded to it in letters to Southern Boating:

Letter from Troy Albury to Southern Boating

In your May 2007 issue you cover Abaco. Obviously you have obtained information about the development at Bakers Bay on Guana Cay from the developer. The environmental achievements that you claim for the developers are all under question. Hundreds of acres of mangroves have been clear cut and filled in for home sites. You also did not mention that they have strayed from their Environmental Impact Assessment in the areas of waster management.

Numerous organizations have spoken out against the project and they will continue to do so. Each and every issue of your magazine covers some location that is deemed beautiful enough to be considered a great place for “boating”. Ironically it seems that you have forgotten that the areas themselves need to be preserved. There are many people who disagree with the developer’s assessment that the resort would be the most environmentally sensitive project ever built in the Abacos. Please visit our website saveguanacayreef.com for the other side of the story.

Troy Albury, President

SGCR

Letter from Erik Gauger to Southern Boating

There are several factual errors in your article on the Baker’s Bay Golf & Ocean Club and it sounds as though the writer “took the bait” of the developer’s marketing propaganda. These falsehoods have been exposed by the press and in the court room. Contrary to the article in your magazine, legal action continues. Let’s be clear about one thing – Discovery Land Company’s Baker’s Bay megadevelopment is opposed by thousands of coral reef ecologists and scientists. The large imprint of this development, which is adjacent to a coral reef considered by scientists to be among the very best in the Bahamas, is wildly denounced by experts.

The author says that thousands of orchids and bromeliads “were also saved.” This is what visitors are shown. By destroying mangroves but keeping the orchids, Baker’s Bay will destroy the island’s only fish nursery. There are three endangered nesting sea turtles on the island. Eminent sea turtle conservationists and Jean-Michel Cousteau have denounced Baker’s Bay for the danger their plan poses to sea turtles. The author wrote about the golf course being planted with paspalum grass, but he misunderstands the facts and why it is not the magic solution the developers believe it to be.

I have spoken to many paspalum experts, and all of them would disagree with the author. Coral reefs are unique ecosystems in that they require a minimum amount of nutrients in order to survive. While I am in favor of development, no sane person can condone large developments adjacent to such pristine reefs. The boating community is aware of this issue and it is my understanding that the vast majority are against the Baker’s Bay Club because it is dangerous to this crucial environment and it is anathema to the qualities that make boating in the Bahamas a unique, rich experience.

Erik Gauger

Portland, OR

Notesfromtheroad.com/guana.htm

Steve Dodge responded to Albury and myself in the same issue. I will address the errors he made in his response after all letters to Southern Boating have been published.

Steve Dodge Response to Troy Albury and Erik Gauger

In response to the letters by Troy Albury and Erik Gauger, I wish to say that the views I expressed regarding the Baker’s Bay development on Great Guana Cay were formed after considering the Save Guana Reef position as the claims and plans of the developer. I continue to find the position of the developer more credible. Consider the following:

Baker’s Bay will be the only development in Abaco with a sewage treatment system and will have the only marina pump out station. Everything else in Abaco, as far as I know, utilizes septic systems, which leach into the water.

The density of the development is projected to be 358 unit for each 1.63 acres of land. It should be noted that build out will probably be 15-20 years, and that most of the residential units will be occupied not more than a few months each year.

Land owners may clear about 40 percent of their land for the residence. A coastal buffer setback of at least 50 feet from the beach or tup of the dune is in place and no docks are permitted along the beach. I continue to believe that this development is better that what might have been done – 1,000 half-acre lots with septic tanks and 40-100 docks lining beautiful Baker’s Bay beach. This is not just conjecture – the previous land owner’s master plan had two units/acre and a landing strip.

The highest court in the Bahamas decided in favor of the developer in October 2006. Some people think that an appeal to the Privy Council in London has a chance. As a practial matter, I don’t believe the case has great strength. The developer’s plans were reviewed and changed by the Bahamas Environmental Science and Technology Commission. The developer accepted these changes.

I find some claims in the letters opposing my position difficult to believe, ie. – “thousands of coral reef ecologists and scientists” and “hundreds of acres of mangroves have been clear cut.” I am aware that some reef ecologists oppose thr project; I do not think that thousands have done so. Some mangroves have been destroyed to build the marina, the marine village and some nearby homes – probably 70-80 acres, rather than “hundreds.” And 70 acres of natural mangroves have been put in a preserve monitored by scientists from the University of Miami.

Finally, I am also concerned about the possible adverse environmental impacts of all developments existing and new. I hope existing cesspits on the outer cays and on Great Abaco are upgraded, and I hope marina pumpout stations become standard. I agree with the letter from Jean-Michel Cousteau and the response of (now) Prime Minister Hubert Ingraham posted on Erik Gauger’s website, and fully support careful monitoring. I would be happy if Baker’s Bay were never developed, but I do not think that is a rational hope. I think the proposed development is better than many alternatives. I believe that Great Guana Cay reef will continue to be one of the most beautiful places in the Bahamas.

Steve Dodge

In the November 2007, the Sierra Club responded to Steve Dodge with the following letter. The letter was signed by the IVP of the Sierra Club, and the Sierra Club's Coral Working Group team.

Sierra Club Response to Steve Dodge

Dear Editor,

We are responding to the recent letters regarding the Baker’s Bay Club mega-development on Great Guana Cay in the Northern Bahamas.

The Sierra Club has been following the Baker’s Bay Club development since 2005. The developer asserts this development will set high environmental standards for developments in the Bahamas. This worthy goal, however, is contradicted by the sheer scale of the development planned for Guana Cay. The core issues are whether a mega development of this size is environmentally and culturally appropriate for this slender, lightly populated island; and whether the rights of the affected communities to participate in the land use review and approval processes related to this development were respected. We support the efforts of the Save Guana Cay Reef Association to assert its legal rights related to participation in the approval processes required for this development, and their preference for a smaller scale development which would not include a marina or golf course.

The developer has pledged to follow an Environmental Management Plan including numerous actions to prevent or mitigate the numerous environmental threats identified in the Environmental Impact Analysis, and a monitoring and reporting system to track and report on any adverse events. To our knowledge, however, no such reports have been made public. If the required monitoring is occurring, the reporting has not been shared with those most affected, the residents of Guana Cay.

Michele Perrault, International Vice President, Sierra Club

Dr. Judith Lang, Sierra Club Coral Working Group

Dave Raney, Sierra Club Coral Working Group

07.15.07

Links Magazine Regrets Error in Island Debate

In its July/August 2007 issue, Links Magazine printed my letter, and added that they regretted the error their writer made regarding the Bakers Bay Club. After discussing the issue with Links Magazine staff, it became apparent that the freelance writer who wrote the summary of the Bakers Bay Club 'took the bait' of the developer's marketing material.

Bakers Bay Club marketing material is hilarious - designed for french poodle-toting bobos - it is sappy, poorly written and obviously devised to sugarcoat. But Bakers Bay Club marketing material is also insidious; and it is written without regard to the truth, and particularly without regard to the issues and environmental concerns the development is raising in the local and scientific communities.

Golfers who are opposed to the Bakers Bay Club should scour their publications each month and stay alert for further mistakes being written about the development. Pay particular attention to the Robb Report, and to special advertising supplement material in wealthy lifestyle magazines.

Despite the embarrassing error, Discovery Land Company still advertises the error prominently on their Bakers Bay Club site (as of July 15, 2007) designed by Imaginary Forces.

06.10.07

"Too much big-scale development..."

New York's The Buffalo News writes a piece on the Abaco Out-Islands. The author captures the importance of small-scale tourism in the islands. She also observes the irony of Bakers Bay Club. I enjoyed the quote about big resorts being all the same. I cannot stress to traveler's enough the misery that large developments inflict - both on the traveler and the community where these development are built.

This piece in the Buffalo News is also an important landmark, because it reminds us that there are no positive reviews of the Bakers Bay Club. The travel press are not blind - anybody writing about Bakers Bay Club does so negatively. There is no good press about Bakers Bay Club, anywhere, unless it has been paid for by Discovery Land Company.

Below are some quotes from the piece:

“Each island has its own character, and it’s different every time you visit,” says Kathryn Posten of Orlando, Fla. In contrast, she says, “Big resorts have beautiful scenery, but beyond that, they’re much the same.”

Another appeal: A notable shortage of “too much” – too much glitter, too much noise, too much business, too much big-scale development. Leave that to Nassau, the Bahamas’ busy capital on the island of New Providence, and nearby Paradise Island. The Abacos are the kind of islands Jimmy Buffett sings about: tiki bar havens where you hoist a brew with friendly locals while you catch Stone McKuen’s band’s seductive ditty, “Do Me,” or listen to the Barefoot Man’s CD extolling the virtues of Great Guana Cay. Miles-long curves of floury sand are marked by a single set of sunbathers or a few frolicking children.

...As in most places in this world, change is afoot....The government seeks a balance between preservation and tourism, say tourism officials, but just what that balance should be is a matter of debate. Upscale development has its critics, and the 585-acre luxury housing development Bakers Bay on Great Guana Cay has caused outrage among locals, who are concerned that runoff from the golf course will harm Great Guana’s reef.

Despite some commercialism and a few larger hotels, Great Abaco retains wild spaces that seem almost endless, where you can kayak, snorkel, track the rare Abaco Parrot and see the wild Barb horses, thought to be descendants of animals brought by the Spanish.

06.27.07

Southern Boating Factual Errors

Yikes! Another publication has made all sorts of mistakes when writing about the Bakers Bay Club. It is impossible such a magazine could write this article without getting their information directly from the developer themselves. This is poor journalism, and Southern Boating has no excuse to make such grave factual errors. I urge the boating community to ask their magazine to decline such errors in the future. Here is my letter to the editor:

Dear Editor,

I was surprised to read your article on the Baker’s Bay Golf & Ocean Club in the Northern Bahamas. There are several factual errors, and it sounds as though the writer ‘took the bait’ of the developer’s marketing propaganda. Let’s be clear about one thing – Discovery Land Company’s Baker’s Bay Golf megadevelopment is opposed by thousands of coral reef ecologists and scientists. Baker’s Bay Club is opposed by the Sierra Club and some of the most revered marine scientists in the world. The large imprint of this development, which is adjacent to a coral reef considered by scientists to be among the very best in the Bahamas, is wildly denounced by even the most conservative experts. For Southern Boating to say that Baker’s Bay has an ‘environmentally sensitive culture’ is simply a falsehood. These falsehoods have been exposed by the press and in the court room. Contrary to the article in your magazine, legal action continues.

The author says that thousands of orchids and bromeliads ‘were also saved.’ This is what visitors at the development are shown. But think about it – removing orchids out of an important mangrove area whose link to the coral reef is vital and then bulldozing those mangroves does not mean Baker’s Bay is saving anything. There is no ecological value to creating an orchid nursery. It simply sounds good to an uneducated audience. There are no endangered orchids or bromeliads on Guana Cay. However, there are three endangered nesting sea turtles on the island, and eminent sea turtle conservationists and Jean-Michel Cousteau have denounced Baker’s Bay for the danger their plan poses to sea turtles. By destroying the mangroves, but keeping the orchids, Baker’s Bay will destroy the islands only fish nursery, and destroy bonefishing flats which boaters sustainably use in small numbers each year.

The author wrote about the golf course being planted with paspalum grass. But he misunderstands the facts surrounding paspalum grass, and why it is not the magic solution the developer’s believe it to be. I have spoken to many paspalum experts, and all of them would disagree with the authors words. Coral reefs are unique ecosystems in that they require a minimum amount of nutrients in order to survive. While I am in favor of development, no sane person can condone such large developments adjacent to such pristine reefs. The Caribbean’s coral reefs have been severely degraded over the past 50 years due largely to developments like this one. The boating community is aware of this issue and it is my understanding that the vast majority of them are against the Baker’s Bay Club because it is dangerous to this crucial environment and it is anathema to the cultural qualities that make boating in the Bahamas a unique, rich experience.

Erik Gauger

April 2, 2007

National Geographic Honors Megadevelopment Fight

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 facing an outsized American development. 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 Bakers Bay Club. Here, even the National Geographic refers to the callous disregard of the Christie Administration.

April 24, 2007

Editor of Links Magazine Apologizes to Notes from the Road

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 Bakers Bay Club. It is important to stay vigilant about all the golf magazines. Most of them are no longer writing anything on Bakers 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 Bakers 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

04.17.07

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

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.

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, 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."

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

"The planned golf course and resort site have been bulldozed for the development, Goreau said. The sediment and nutrient runoff from the construction will increase the amount of algae in the surrounding waters, which damages the coral."

"Algae could take over the whole reef," said John Hocevar, oceans specialist for Greenpeace. "It's pretty hard for reefs to come back from that."

Dr. Livingstone Marshall of Discovery Land Company, who Meldman defers all environmental questions concerning Bakers 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' know 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.

04.21.07

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

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.

4.23.2007

Is Links Magazine Run by Idiots?

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.

Guana Cay and the Bahamian Environment

November 15, 2011

Tribune: Residents on Elbow Cay and Guana Cay Urged Protest against Proposed Developments in the Abacos. Green Turtle Cay now seeing same Pattern.

On October 28, The Tribune wrote:

"Residents in Abaco yesterday urged the community to come out and protest against two proposed major developments."

Another quote:

With a 200-boat-slip marina at the Bakers Bay development just yards away sitting under-used, resident Stephen Jenkins said he does not see the sense in building another large-scale marina as it would create over 500 boat slips on the 9.25 mile island.

"Business is dead everywhere since the recession. The marinas are empty," Mr Jenkins said.

"And it is all the big developments that are failing."

A similar pattern in nearby Green Turtle Cay.

September 22, 2009

Guana Cay Inspires Two Major West Indies Environmental Wins: Power Plant and Golf Course Curbed in Abaco and BVI

Something incredible happened in the past week. Two environmental movements made major wins against unrestrained development in the Caribbean. And both issues were directly inspired by Great Guana Cay.

A Power Plant under construction without local consultation has been halted after Guana Cay lawyer Fred Smith found out the government was pulling another Bakers Bay.

In the British Virgin Islands, locals banded together after consulting members of Save Guana Cay Reef and their attorney, Fred Smith. The locals won on all counts, and have established the Hans Creek area, an important estuary for BVI, a protected fisheries area. These dual wins further support my conviction that the Bakers Bay Club fight would have a resounding impact around the Caribbean Basin.

Meanwhile, locals on Great Guana Cay await a ruling on their own case.

Judge Protects Hans Creek Area on Beef Island, British Virgin Islands (Bahamas B2B)

June 24, 2009

State of Bahamas Anchor Developments Today

Construction at Bakers Bay near the main Disney facility.

BIMINI BAY RESORT AND CASINO
Developer: RAV Bahamas, a subsidiary of Miami-based Capo Group
Acres: 700
Features: 2,100 Housing Units, a 250 Room hotel managed by Conrad Hilton, a 20,000 square foot casino, small convention center, and 18 hole golf course
Status: Locals successfully RESTRICTED expansion of development.

GINN SUR MER
Location: West End, Grand Bahama
Developer: The Ginn Co. of Celebration
Acres: 700
Projected Investment $4.9 billion
Features: 4,000 condominium and hotel units, 1,800 single family homes sites, two golf courses, marinas, a casino and airplane runway with customs and immigration
Status: Failed

ABACO CLUB AT WINDING BAY
Location: Cherokee, Abaco Islands
Developer: Peter de Savary
Acres: 528
Features: Cottages, Villas, golf course, spa, pools
Status: Not selling units, slashing prices. Lack of interest in isolated area.

Bakers Bay GOLF AND OCEAN CLUB
Location: Great Guana Cay, The Abacos
Developer: Discovery Land Co. of Scottsdale, Arizona
Acres: 600
Projected Investment: $500 million
Features: Tennis courts, a golf course designed by Tom Fazio, a 185-slip marina, beach cottages and mangrove bungalows
Status: Not selling units, being brought before highest court in commonwealth, letting workers go.

ATLANTIS
Location: Paradise Island
Developer: Kerzner International of Paradise Island
Acres: 171
Projected Investment: $1 billion
Features: 2,317 room resort, 7 acre lagoon within a 78 acre "waterscape", a large casino and 63 slip marina
Status: Just laid off 800 workers.

EMERALD BAY RESORT
Location: Great Exuma
Developer: EBR Holding Ltd. of Great Exuma
Acres: 470
Projected Investment: $150
Features: 183 room Four Seasons hotel, crescent-shaped beach, golf course designed by Greg Norman, and 150 slip marina able to handle boats up to 200 feet long
Status: In receivership - can't find a buyer - they just laid off 500 workers

RUM CAY RESORT MARINA
Location: Rum Cay
Developer: Montana Holdings of Nassau
Acres: 900
Projected Investment: $700 million
Features: New Airport Terminal, and hangar, 80 slip marina, hotel and marina village
Status: Failed

MAYAGUANA
Location: Mayaguana
Developer: Bahamian Government and "I Group" of Boston
Acres: 10,000
Projected Investment: $1.8 billion
Features: Plans include expansion of the former U.S. Air Force base at Abraham's Bay to include "the world's longest runway" and a trust fund put aside by the developer to finance infrastructure and public services in the Bahamian-occupied portions of the island
Status: Failed

ROYAL ISLAND
Features: Golf course development
Status: Failed

April 27, 2009

Great Guana Cay Golf Course Opposition inspires British Virgin Islands Fight

Save Guana Cay Reef Attorney Fred Smith talks to reporters.

I am posting this full article from Caribbean Net News.

A landmark environmental case in the British Virgin Islands, that was inspired in part by the Save the Guana Cay Reef action in the Bahamas, will be heard in the British Virgin Islands High Court from 27th - 29th April 2009.

The case, Virgin Islands Environmental Council v Attorney General and Another, sets a precedent in the BVI as the first environmental and public-interest challenge to a government decision. It involves judicial review of the former NDP Government's planning approval for a five-star hotel, marina and golf course that would destroy the scientifically documented biologically important Hans Creek Fisheries Protected Area in Beef Island, British Virgin Islands.

Legal issues in the case center around the irrationality of the decision in light of an over-arching "Development Agreement" which pre-approved many of the project components, and the illegality of project approval in blatant contravention of the Fisheries Law prohibiting development that would adversely impact a fisheries protected area.

The case is being fought by the Virgin Islands Environmental Council (VIEC), a coalition of local fishermen, concerned residents, scientists and environmental activists. The politically charged issue came to a head during an election year.

When local lawyers refused to assist, the group reached out to Fred Smith, Freeport attorney for Save Guana Cay Reef, who was the first attorney to give the group a legal opinion on the merits of their case. His timely encouragement and advice enabled VIEC to file their claim against the decision within the six-month time limit for bringing judicial review.

Updated April 23, 2009

Great Guana Cay Blog Roundup

Save Guana Cay Reef continues legal action against Bakers Bay Club and the government of the Bahamas. Despite losses in the Bahamian court system, the case is expected to move to Privy Council in early 2009.

Local Resolve on Great Guana Cay and Abaco Islands.

75 of the 91 Bahamians on Great Guana Cay continue to fiercely oppose the Bakers Bay Club. Opposition is also strong among visitors to the Abacos. Opposition is increasing as more see what the fast-pace of construction is yielding: cookie-cutter Arizona-style megadevelopments closely packed together.

The Big Picture

The islanders of Great Guana Cay live at the very northern periphery of the West Indies; south of them are literally hundreds of similar stories. The locals are one of the first groups to fight against unsustainable overdevelopment on their island in a sustained, all-out front. But other groups around the Bahamas and the Caribbean are learning from Great Guana Cay - and there is good news. Beef Island is also taking a golf and marina megadeveloper to court, and Sir Richard Branson has just signed on to support the legal costs to take the developer to task. At ecologically-critical Pear Tree Bottom in Jamaica, locals won to preserve the island's ecosystem against a golf development.

August 5, 2008

Bahamas Anchor Projects begin to Fail as Upscale Golf Developments across Western Hemisphere Flounder

Prime Minister courts Bakers Bay Club as other anchors go under

The previous Prime Minister of the Bahamas, Perry Christie, based his tenure on the idea of anchor developments - flood the small, quiet out-islands with big foreign money - casinos, golf courses, hideaways for the ultra-rich. Local communities balked and fought, but the administration fought on for what it believed to be the country's economic saviour. Last year, Hubert Ingraham, who had served as Prime Minister before Christie, beat him on a campaign that questioned the anchor development program.

But now, Ingraham is seeing the anchor developments faltering. The news is everywhere, and follows a trend that we are seeing throughout the west, as recession strikes. One example is Lake Las Vegas, a golf megadevelopment now in bankruptcy court. But here in the Bahamas, the anchor projects are crashing left and right. For example, the Nassau Guardian reports of the Rum Cay Project, "The development company behind a Rum Cay project the fate of which even the government has begun to question is conceding delays while maintaining its commitment to press on."

BahamasB2B reports of the Ginn Project: "In a move that could have serious consequences for Grand Bahama, developers behind the Ginn Sur Mer project have announced that they will have to make "difficult decisions relating to the "management and oversight" of their property in West End after again missing a deadline set by their money lenders...Development companies affiliated with Bobby Ginn had been given 30 days ... to work out a solution to their financial woes after defaulting on a loan repayment..."

Meanwhile, here in the Abaco Islands, the Joe Cay Development learns from Bakers Bay mistakes.

February 17, 2008

Three Years Later, Worst Case Scenario

Mangroves gutted. This photo shows almost the entire island. To the left (north) is the Atlantic. The dark splotches in the water there are corals. The dark splotches to the lower half of the photo are seagrass beds and small coral formations, mostly now dead. Center right is the marina under construction, attached to the failed cruise ship way from the Disney/Premiere destination, which even the current developer admits harmed the coral reef. Photo courtesy SGCR.

Three years ago, hundreds of Bahamian residents and second home-owners on Great Guana Cay banded together to form the Save Guana Cay Reef Association when a California golf developer was given authority to build a megadevelopment on their tiny island without their input or consent. The local community had many fears, and their fears were backed by science and precedent.

Meanwhile, the developer employed tactics to reassure the Bahamian community that the residents were quite wrong about their concerns. Looking at Great Guana Cay today, and the claims made by the locals of Great Guana Cay and the developer, a worst case scenario has been realized. The local's fears about the Bakers Bay Club are proving true. This month, we'll look at every issue in daily updates. Although the developer's promises, and the impact of their development are bad, there is certainly hope for Great Guana Cay, as court decisions loom and scientists begin to discuss ways to restore the habitats of the northern end of the island.

Aerial shows marina butting up to the coral reef shore of Great Guana Cay. Photo courtesy SGCR.

Developers should have a right to develop their land. But community input is essential whenever a development will profoundly affect that community, and this is especially so when the temporary land interests of developers clash with the long-term land interests of a community. Additionally, development in critical ecosystems must abide not just to a particular country's strictest environmental standards, but to the standards that preserve these critical environments - it is not the regulation that matters, but the final result. This is especially true in the Bahamas, whose environmental standards are still a work in progress, and do not yet adequately regulate development that affects reefs and mangroves.

The nearshore waters of Great Guana Cay are a critical ecosystem - the island's coral reef is one of the finest staghorn/elkhorn communities in the West Indies. It is of significance not only to the people who rely on it for their employment and tourism, but to the world as well. These Caribbean-Atlantic reef systems are under severe stress. We are losing them, and so protecting this spectacular reef is important for the world's biodiversity. Preserving the reef at Great Guana Cay preserves a habitat that exists nowhere else and which provides shelter to endangered species, such as three species of sea turtle.

Grouper, photographed by Erik Gauger, 1989.

The Bakers Bay Club proposal does not address the loss of the coral reef. From the beginning, the developer has refused to acknowledge this.

To save it, the locals must successfully sue the developer and the government, and hope to have the marina and golf course plans removed from the development. A win for Great Guana Cay will impact more than just the lives of the residents, who feel terrorized by the Bakers Bay Club's animosity towards their way of life, towards their resistance, towards their reef.

The following entries will look at each issue caused by the Bakers Bay Club and what is actually happening on the island today.

February 24, 2008

Protest Signs

New signs appearing on Great Guana Cay.

January 01, 2008

You Can Fool Some of the People...

After Prime Minister Hubert Ingraham held a private, secret meeting with the Bakers Bay Club late in 2007, he announced that 75% of the Bahamians on Great Guana Cay were terrorists. This is an incredible statement from a Prime Minister of a country of some 300,000 people, who was elected largely on a platform brought to national attention by the residents of Great Guana Cay.

The Prime Minister now calls Guana Cay residents 'terrorists.'

The Prime Minister of the Bahamas called his own citizens terrorists.

These citizens are fighting for their rights.

These citizens have never used violence. Their battle is a legal one and is taking place in the Bahamian courts.

These citizens have always stuck to high ground, deferring to facts.

The message of the people of Great Guana Cay is supported by an international following of concerned marine scientists, human rights activists and conservation organizations.

The term terrorism carries with it the absolute highest negative connotation. This is especially true today, in a world reshaped by the fear of terrorism. To call your own citizens, whose action would otherwise be considered both heroic and peaceful, is the ultimate insult. Because of Ingraham's history of levelheadedness, this statement suggests he may have been coerced.

The following is a letter written by Guana Cay Bahamian Aubrey Clarke, of Save Guana Cay Reef after the Prime Minister's shocking betrayal of his own people. The letter was printed in the Abaconian and was well received by Abaconians, who feel likewise betrayed by the Prime Minister's statements.

Please note that the Guana Cay locals continue a peaceful, objective, legal fight against the Bakers Bay Club. The next court appearance is this February.

Was it not Hubert Ingraham, himself who a couple of years ago told us how great Winding Bay at Cherokee was going to be for us? Remember all the great things that Mr. Peter De Savary was going to do? Water for all of Cherokee, jobs for Bahamians, money by the millions and all we had to do was to give up a little bit of our Crown land and Mr. De Savary would do the rest. The REST is history. De Savary is GONE, money is GONE, land is GONE, hundreds of acres of land GONE, and millions of gallons of water GONE, millions of dollars for our treasury GONE. He was even given two taxi plates. No jobs for Bahamians, what a deal!

Now in less than 3 years, Hubert Ingraham wants the people of Guana Cay to do the same deal for Mike Meldman of Bakers Bay Golf and Ocean Club! Only this time it won't be millions, it will be BILLIONS! Plus according to the WORLDS leading marine scientists, from Jean Michael Cousteau to Dr. Thomas Goreau, that the golf course, only a few feet away from the world's third largest barrier reef, will cause the reef die a slow death from fertilizers, pesticides, waste water and herbicides. These top scientists have sent you and the former Prime minister, reports and letters without any acknowledgement from either you or the former Prime Minister. NO CORAL REEF SCIENTISTS INDEPENDENT OF THE PROJECT AT BAKERS BAY ENDORSES THE GOLF COURSE!!

No Hubert! No, not the people of Guana Cay! We are going to fight you in the courts and we are going to let the world know that you are backing reef killers.

In closing, I want you to understand the meaning of the word "terrorist". You implied, in your press conference that Save Guana Cay Reef members are terrorists.

"Terrorists are those who force an unannounced event on a citizenry. An event planned in secret, intended to overwhelm. The element of surprise is essential. There is COLLUSION. There is CONSPIRACY. There is a goal in mind that involves paralyzing the population financially and emotionally.

A position of power, resulting in financial superiority and controlling interest. The citizens are the LAST to know. Usually terrorists rely on backing from rogue governments or pay per deed governments."

I believe Mr. Ingraham that the term terrorists fits someone else's shoe, not Save Guana Cay Reefs!

Save Guana Cay Reef Association
Aubrey Clarke

February 13, 2008

ReEarth Director Speaks

The Bahamian conservationist and ReEarth Director Sam Duncombe is interviewed by The National Guardian on transparency, golf courses and continued concerns about development in the Bahamas.

"The ReEarth Director said many environmentalists and concerned Bahamians are left in the dark about the details of some proposed projects. "We need to know about all of the developments, so that people who will be affected can have their say on what's going on, and that's what a democracy is all about," she said. "We can't have government in the sunshine if it's cloudy some days and we still have some issues that unfortunately continue no matter which government is in power. But people want to be involved in the forward movement of the country and can only bring issues to light if people speak about them."

May 2, 2007

Free National Movement Cleans House

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.

04.12.07

Ingraham Continues to make Guana Cay the Issue

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.

May 04, 2007

Guana Cay Citizens to Speak at United Nations Tuesday

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

04.23.07

Save Guana Cay Reef to Attend UN Event

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 Bakers 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. They 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 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."

February 20, 2007

Blunders and Bloopers Reveal Corruption

Today was historic in hinting at the layers of corruption in the current Bahamian government. Although the events of today are external to the story of Great Guana Cay's struggle against an unethical American golf course developer, they reveal a picture of the government that allowed this megadevelopment to be created in the first place. And, these events are helping to crumble the current regime. This is of incredible importance; because once this administration has been ousted, Discovery Land Company will likely be forced out as well.

The Guana Cay coral reef, in peril as Discovery Land Company mows across the island. PHOTO by James Cervino.

The current Bahamian administration banks its success on a single issue: the building of anchor 'megadevelopments' on the Out-Islands. Out Islands comprise most of the Bahamas; but they are mostly wilderness areas with slow and sustainable development. Economists and ecologists agree that this anchor development approach is wrong: that by destroying the Bahamas' wilderness environments through the building of large casinos, tourism curiosities, mega-marinas and golf courses and excluding locals from involvement in their own backyards, this megadevelopment anchor approach is threatening the very future of the country.

The Bahamas has a worldwide reputation for not always being above corruption. The Bloggy Boyz, a Bahamian political blog group, broke the story of a news piece from a North Carolina developer today. The developer, Infinity Partners, posted a long blog piece today about their involvement in an anchor project in the Bahamas. The blog piece included items that were NEVER meant to go public. But before the developer was able to take the link down, we managed to capture the full text of the entry.

Most notable, the developer admits that the Bahamian Government wanted to announce the news of the megadevelopment 30 days before the election this May. This is the type of corruption that Notes from the Road has been pointing out since we became involved in this story in 2005.

Here are some quotes from the piece and my comments:

"Margaritaville: Beka has discussed and Buffet is interested in developing a Margaritaville Hotel and Casino and an entire town of Margaritaville."

Jimmy Buffett will never get involved in this project. If he even touches the Bahamian Megadevelopment fiasco, he will turn back on his years of environmental efforts and isolate thousands of his fans. I recommend that my readers contact Jimmy Buffett and all of his fan sites and urge him to stay away from getting involved in these environmentally destructive megadevelopments.

"Golf Development: Beka Development has agreed in principal to have Mike Riley, previously lead designer for Nickolas, design a links course. Additionally, Beka has had significant negotiations with Greg Norman Golf to design a course to PGA specifications for future tour championships."

Golf developments are being approved like mad in the Caribbean right now.

"The existing Bahamian Government has elections on May 5, 2007 they would like to complete all the approvals and make a formal announcement at least 30 days in advance."

"Prohibition from others to access any canals or harbors within five miles of our site."

Keeping Bahamians far away from the rich patrons of these megadevelopments is a classic approach of the Christie Administration. He has become a lackey to foreign developers.

"Environment Approvals: Bahamas Golden Beach Ltd. has engaged the East Bay Group to complete the environmental impact analysis. East Bay Group has expressed no concerns regarding the project master plan and the effect to the environment and is preparing a report for the Government. East Bay Group is well received and respected by the Bahamian Government as they have been involved in a significant number of like environmental approvals."

Here is the address for East Bay Group. I encourage anyone interested in Bahamian community and environment issues to contact East Bay Group and inform them of coral and mangrove issues in the Bahamas:

East Bay Group, LLC
631 US Highway One
Suite 400
North Palm Beach
Florida
33408

Tel: (561) 296-4525
Fax: (561) 296-4547

"Casino License: The Government has committed a contingent master casino license for the remainder of the island. The contingency remaining is Bekas ability to complete its definitive agreement with Foxwoods Development Company, Foxwoods willingness to manage for Harcourt Development the existing shut down Royal Oasis Casino and Bekas willingness to purchase Government crown land at the Golden Beach site for a minimum of $5,000,000 ($2,800 per acre). Foxwoods is not obligated to invest into the Royal Oasis Casino."

That the current Administration is allowing this many casinos into the Out Islands is damning. The Out Islands are conservative, religious communities whose rural values are quite different than those of Nassau and Paradise Island.

"The Government has allowed Bahamas Golden Beach Ltd. to be the master developer of the entire east end of the island. This includes an area exceeding 100 sq miles."

This development is another example of a massive, massive sell off of land that was initially set aside as public land for Bahamians. This administration must be stopped before the island nation of the Bahamas is destroyed, its culture lost and its coral reefs in grave condition.

Also, today Immigration Minister Shane Gibson resigned after the Anna Nicole Smith scandal. International media from around the world are reporting on Gibson and reciting stories of corruption in the Bahamas. While the Anna Nicole Smith story is tragic, the fact that a senior member of the current administration fast-tracked her paperwork for personal reasons is just a glimpse into the way this administration operates. It takes an international event to bring one of these crooks down - but the vast majority of corruption by this administration is not being reported by the press.

February 13, 2007

Scandal hints at PLP Corruption, Incompetence

PLP Immigration Minister Shane Gibson is yet to answer several questions about his alleged affair with celebrity Anna Nicole Smith. I have posted some of those questions, taken directly from The Nassau Guardian below. For the purposes of the plight of Great Guana Cay, what is important here is not what Minister Gibson did, but how the current government, which backs the Bakers Bay Club on Guana Cay, is falling apart even as the opposition party steps up in favor of the Guana Cay locals.

Minister Gibson did you ever have any sexual relations, at any time, with Anna Nicole Smith?

Who do you believe is responsible for giving the pictures of you with Ms Smith to The Tribune?

Minister Gibson do you think it was appropriate to be with Anna Nicole Smith as she imbibed an alcoholic beverage in one of the photos, considering that you and your wife said you were mainly ministering and consoling Anna Nicole Smith in her time of bereavement?

At any time did you, Minister Gibson, see Ms Smith taking any sort of drugs, whether prescribed or otherwise, similar to when you witnessed her drinking alcoholic beverages in your presence?

How do you think the Bahamian public should feel about any Cabinet Minister being involved in any type of drug/sex scandal which has placed the nation under intense scrutiny from the international press?

October 2, 2006

Save the Bahamas Meeting Unites Diverse Out Islands

Great Guana Cay Mayor Glenn Laing at the Save the Bahamas Coalition Meeting.

Preliminary reports from the Save the Bahamas Meeting in Freeport indicate a smashing success. Leaders in coral conservation from around the Americas attended, and representatives from several Out Islands groups showed.

The Freeport News writes about the Freeport Save the Bahamas Meeting.

Here is the official Press Release from the Save the Bahamas Meeting:

Dr. James Cervino discusses the role of developments and algae growth on coral systems in the Caribbean. Photo SGCR.

The first meeting of Save The Bahamas was held this past weekend in Freeport with an all day seminar and meeting at the Westin Resort at Our Lucaya. Focus was on the issues relating to the effect of developments on the environment, local communities, economy, the local culture, and local industries. Also discussed was the need for a stronger local government position for all of the islands, public consultation concerning developments, and protecting Crown Land for future generations of Bahamians.

This meeting was the first time an organized event had been held to target these hot-button topics. Save Guana Cay Reef Association, fresh from the victories in Privy Council, that has stopped all work at Bakers Bay, Guana Cay by Discovery Land Company, hosted the event. "I am very excited that we have formed Save The Bahamas. It was amazing to talk to the other islands and realise that they all are experiencing the same problems as Guana. The same irresponsible development and lack of environmental protection is apparent in all areas of the country. Together we can make a difference in what we leave behind for our children. We need to get the message out to our government (both present and future) that our marine and terrestrial environments are the only natural resource we have and we need to get some serious legislation with teeth, in place, to protect them," said Troy Albury, President of Save Guana Cay Reef Association.

Dr. Tom Goreau arrived in Freeport fresh from Panama to deliver a speech on coral reef protection to the Save the Bahamas coalition. Tom Goreau is President of Global Coral, and an esteemed coral scientist. Photo SGCR.

In attendance were local business and community representatives from Freeport, Nassau, Abaco, Bimini, and San Salvador. Also, there were representatives from many well known environmental organizations; Sam Duncombe from ReEarth, Eleanor Phillips from The Nature Conservancy, Erik Carey from The Bahamas National Trust, Lori Kenyon from Friends of The Environment, and local business owners whose businesses depend on niche tourism like; diving, fishing, eco-tourism, small resort management/ownership and real estate. Dr. James Cervino from Pace University in New York, a leading coral pathologist and Dr. Thomas Goreau, President of the Global Coral Reef Alliance were also in attendance. Both gentlemen spoke about the ill effects of development damage to local reefs and beaches, and noted that Bahamians need to be pushing for environmentally friendly developments.

Dr. Goreau, formerly a Senior Scientific Affairs Officer at the United Nations Centre for Science and Technology for Development, also debuted his film "TOURISM, WATER QUALITY AND CORAL REEF HEALTH" at the conference. The film highlighted the impacts of captive dolphin and turtle pens and excessive waste on water quality that effects reef health and can be viewed at www.globalcoral.org

Jermaine represents San Salvador at the Save the Bahamas Coalition opening meeting. Photo SGCR.

Plans are in the making for additional meetings in the near future. In the process of planning this event Save Guana Cay Reef Association was contacted by numerous individuals from all of the Bahamian islands who support their desire to expand Save The Bahamas to include everyone affected or concerned with similar issues. A representative from Bimini who attended the meeting was delighted to have had the opportunity to network, in particular, with members of organizations operating within The Bahamas who have effectively dealt with problems similar to those Bimini is now facing. "In order for The Bahamas to survive as a tourist destination, it must protect and preserve it's incredibly rich marine environment by insisting that development be properly scaled, properly regulated and sustainable."

Summing up the event Sidney Weatherford, a seventh generation Bahamian from Great Guana Cay, Abaco noted "I would hope that Save The Bahama's will encourage more Bahamian's to voice their outrage at what is happening to our island's. We need to stand up and say no more "give away's" of our Crown Land, no more destruction of our mangroves and no more golf courses and marinas near our sensitive reefs. We need tough environmental laws in the Bahamas and the laws need to be enforced!"

January 28, 2006

World Premiere of Global Coral Film in Bahamas

A new short documentary film by the Global Coral Reef Alliance, Tourism, Water Quality, and Coral Reef Health, had its World Premiere showing today at the SAVE THE BAHAMAS Conference in Freeport, Grand Bahama.

This film, shot and edited by Dr. Thomas J. Goreau, President of the Global Coral Reef Alliance, shows the impacts of nutrients from captive dolphin pens in Mexico and a captive turtle pen in the Cayman islands on the surrounding reef, including bacteria and algae blooms that kill corals which are associated with high levels of coral disease. The film points out that coral reefs are the most sensitive ecosystem to nutrients, that the effects of human sewage, waste disposal, and fertilizers on golf courses and agriculture are responsible for the vast bulk of the problem, and that these can be quickly reversed, but only if all land-based sources of nutrients to the coastal zone are recycled on land instead of polluting the ocean.

The SAVE THE BAHAMAS Conference is the first time that grass-roots environmental organizations from all over the Bahamas have met to unite in common efforts to stop the uncontrolled mega development schemes that are causing their mangroves to be bulldozed and their reefs and fisheries severely damaged by nutrients from inadequately treated sewage and fertilizers from golf courses, which is degrading the quality of life of all Bahamian residents. Islanders realize that they face similar threats on most of the islands, but must unite to preserve their future options for sustainable development before the damage becomes so widespread to be irreversible.

This effort springs from the remarkable recent court victory of the residents of Guana Cay in obtaining an injunction to halt a development scheme which would have severely degraded the natural resources and fisheries, deprived the islanders of access to major fishing grounds, and destroyed their juvenile fish nursery habitat. It follows international protest over ongoing efforts to destroy large areas of mangrove in Bimini for a marina. The meeting also recorded strong local opposition to locating natural gas liquification plants in the Bahamas for shipment to Florida, because these have been rejected by Florida as too dangerous to have there!

October 1, 2006

Considerable Ruckus

Caribbean Travel & Life November issue reports in on Great Guana Cay and Bimini, referring to both development opposition groups as creating a 'considerable ruckus.' "Descendents of the Abaco Loyalists along with expat homeowners - are battling tooth, nail and barrister against a 585 acre project called Bakers Bay Golf and Ocean Club...at press time, construction had been halted by a Privy Council stop-work order while Bahamian courts pondered the issue."

More and more large international magazines and newspapers are catching on to the story of Great Guana Cay versus the California golf developers.

September 27, 2006

Coalition to Save Bahamas Becoming Powerful Force

A press release from today confirms the mounting size of the Save the Bahamas Coalition.

Coalition to convene Environmental and Local Rights Conference in Freeport

The Grand Bahama Human Rights Association and Save Guana Cay Reef Association this weekend will host a "Save the Bahamas" conference in Freeport.

Both Associations have organized a meeting of delegates from throughout the Bahamas who represent Family Island communities trying to promote and save their local rights, traditions, culture, land and marine environments.

The fate of the Bahamas may rest in this weekend's meeting. Photo Erik Gauger

Thus far, nearly 100 people have registered to participate. These include representatives from Andros, New Providence, The Abacos, Bimini, Eleuthera, Mayaguana and Grand Bahama.

In addition, a number of dive operations, NGO's and eco-tourist resorts have also confirmed attendance.

Also in attendance will be the Nature Conservancy, Sierra Club, world-renowned coral pathologists, wetlands restoration specialists, and marine biologists.

Mrs. Sarah Kirkby, Secretary of the Grand Bahama Human Rights Association, said that they were "very excited about this coalition".

She continued

"This is looking like a great opportunity for the Bahamas in many ways. We have environmental experts from around the world joining forces with us and the commitment from the Family Islands has been astonishing. We can't wait to meet the people who will attend. We all seem to be experiencing the same challenges! We have heard some horror stories about their struggles with development issues."

Mr. Troy Albury, President of the Save Guana Cay Reef Association, said,

"The reports we have been getting from the rest of the Bahamas are shocking. Its really scary how similar they are to Guana Cay. This coalition is going to be really powerful. The people of Guana Cay have led the way to save their local rights and environments. Together we can do this for all of the Bahamas!".

Reef fish are at danger from Guana's Proposed Megadevelopment. Photo Erik Gauger

Mr. Smith, President of the Human Rights Association said,

"Save the Bahamas will be a powerful NGO. With its local Bahamian network throughout the Family Islands, its huge international connections, the support it has received from the environmental community, it will be a strong and lasting national and international advocate to protect local rights and the environment.

Since the late 1980's, the Grand Bahama Human Rights Association has promoted local rights and was instrumental in getting the FNM Government to pass the Local Government Act helping to begin the transfer of power to the people and decentralizing the colonial dictatorship structure of Bahamian governance.

The work of the Save Guana Cay Reef Association has merged local rights and environmental issues. They are inextricably intertwined."

The object of the conference is to provide a forum for all of the diverse communities of interest to share their challenges. This will be a wake up call to politicians, in particular, Cabinet. This should be an exciting election issue for both the FNM and the PLP.

Fragile soft corals are at risk from the Bakers Bay Project. Photo Erik Gauger

The Association will push for both political parties to publicly commit to passing an Environmental Protection Act, the creation of an Environmental Protection Agency which will have teeth and effective regulatory oversight of developments by Bahamians and foreigners throughout the Bahamas.

The Association will also push for amendments to The Local Government Act to strengthen the ability of local communities to govern their own affairs.

Mr. Smith said,

"Family Island Home Rule is a must! It will come!

The Family Islands contribute hundreds of millions of tax dollars every year to the Public Treasury. They are treated like colonies and their human and physical resources are exploited and depleted by Central Government in Nassau. They are treated as second-class citizens."

The Save the Bahamas Association will become the Green Peace of the Bahamas environmental landscape.

A Tiny Island set the stage for a Nationwide backlash against unsustainable development and community mistreatment.

The conference will begin with a cocktail party for delegates to get to know each other on Friday.

On Saturday the conference will be chaired by Mr. Joseph Darville of the Grand Bahama Human Rights Association.

There will be a presentation by each group to educate each other on their challenges and needs.

Mr. Troy Albury will give an overview of the successful war waged against the Central Government and foreign development abuse at Guana Cay and Mr. Frederick Smith will give an overview of environmental law in the Bahamas.

On Sunday Kayak Nature Tours will graciously provide visits to the Gold Rock Creek National Park in Freeport, Grand Bahama and guests will have an opportunity to see the disgraceful destruction of the environment at the Disney and Gold Rock Creek Film Studio destroying the beach, wetlands and entrance to the National Park.

Mr. Albury said,

"This coalition is a water shed event for the future of the Bahamas. We are thrilled that so many passionate people have committed to become involved".

Mr. Smith concluded his comments,

"The days of wholesale development destruction and abuse of Family Islands rights is over. Both the PLP and FNM will now have to wake up and recognize our rights. It is time for a new Bahamian Development Paradigm".

September 23, 2006

Save Guana Cay Reef fever spreads throughout Bahamas as Nation-wide Coalition Meeting Looms

Earlier this month, Save Guana Cay Reef association announced that it would hold a country-wide meeting to build a coalition of similarly affected Out-Islands, whose environment and culture are all similarly being harmed by unethical relationships between the Bahamian Government and foreign developers.

Response to the meeting has been overwhelming. This upcoming weekend, hundreds of leaders from around the Bahamas will meet to discuss ways to save local Out-Island environments.

Add to that, some of the world's most distinguished coral and conservation leaders will join the Bahamians to help save their country. According to the Save the Bahamas website, "Local Rights Groups feel that there is strength in numbers, and if we could create an organization that could unify our efforts on a national scale we could all help each other."

The site continues:

The response for the "Save The Bahamas" meeting this coming weekend in Freeport has been tremendous! As a result we have outgrown our previous meeting space: The Ferry House restaurant. We will now be holding our meeting on Saturday at Our Lucaya Resort (directly across the street from the previous location). We have also expanded our meeting times to 8a.m. -5p.m., in an effort to accommodate the wide range of attendees and speakers. There will be an optional lunch available (at a very reasonable cost) or guests may choose to go elsewhere for lunch. We look forward to seeing you this weekend beginning at Yellow Tails bar and grill (at Pelican Bay resort) at 7:15 Friday evening for a casual meet and greet. Reservations are still available at Pelican Bay resort and at surrounding hotels. Thank You and See You There!

Rumors persist that Discovery Land Company intends to send its workers to demonstrate against the meeting. Let's certainly hope so.

July 21, 2006

Honorable Hubert Ingraham responds to Notes from the Road

Recently, former (note: now current) Prime Minister of the Bahamas and Abaco native Hubert Ingraham wrote to Notes from the Road to discuss our stance on Great Guana Cay.

Ingraham has often taken positions opposite of the Bahamian public, and history has treated him well for taking powerful stands on matters that would have been considered radical in its time.

In his letter to Notes from the Road, Ingraham denounced the current administration for its handling of the Great Guana Cay issue. He writes:

"...the people most impacted by the development, the residents of Great Guana Cay, were not properly kept in the picture as the Government moved to sell or long lease much if not all of the remaining public lands on the cay to the private developers of the Baker's Bay Resort. This was wrong and unacceptable.

As legitimate concerns were raised by residents concerning possible adverse impacts on their livelihoods as fishermen and tour dive operators should the proposed development damage the off-shore coral reef, the government became secretive; it withheld from the public information contained in the Environmental Impact Assessment conducted on the proposed development. This caused many people to expect the worst from the development.

The veil of secrecy continued as residents of Great Guana Cay sought to learn how their traditional access to beaches and to traditional crabbing areas falling within the proposed development zone would be preserved. Again mistrust was fostered."

The FNM must have a stronger public stance on Bakers Bay Club. The FNM has an honorable history on changing the way the Bahamas acts towards the environment. Backing the locals of Great Guana Cay will enforce this legacy.

The letter from the Honorable Ingraham included much more detail, although we will release that detail at a later date.

Coral Reefs, Marinas and Golf Courses

March 5, 2011

Coral Reef in Saipan Impacted by Golf Course

A recent survey by Dr. Peter Houk of Pacific Marine Resources Institute and the DEQ Marine Monitoring Team at Greg Norman's Laolao Bay Golf Course have revealed that 20 years after construction, dramatic negative effects on the coral reef's health have occurred.

From an article from the Saipan Tribune:

* Significant increase of seasonal brown macroalgae, as well as persistent red algae on the reef flats. This proliferation of macroalgae is considered undesirable, and has cascading impacts to other components of the coral reef ecosystem;

* Coral assemblages have shifted from larger, more structurally-complex colonies to numerous small encrusting colonies, providing less habitat for reef-dwelling organisms;

* Species richness of coral has declined throughout most of LaoLao, and is most pronounced in the eastern portion of the bay;

* Fish densities have shown significant declines, mainly a shift from large-bodied fish to smaller ones;

* The functional diversity of fish has also declined significantly, meaning reduced grazing efficiency on the reef associated habitats, and more space for macroalgae and undesirable substrate to grow. The full article on the Laolau Golf Course and Coral Reefs can be read here.

These negative effects are typical of the types of environmental consequences of golf courses built in ecosensitive areas, and precisely the type of effect that coral scientists warned prior to the approval of the Bakers Bay Golf & Ocean Club in the Northern Bahamas.

January 01, 2010

Floating Golf Course Inside Maldives Coral Reef will have Zero Impact on Environment, according to Developers

A developer in the Maldives has released a press release saying they will be building a floating golf course, inside the ring of a coral reef. They claim that the coral reef golf course will have zero environmental impact.

The fact that several news agencies and blogs reported this as fact is absurd. Although, I think we should focus on the story by Bridgette Meinhold, who writes in the green design website, Inhabitat, "Threatened with rising sea levels from climate change, the island nation may be doomed to a watery grave unless it transitions to floating developments. Developed by Dutch Docklands and designed through a collaboration between golf course developer Troon Golf and Waterstudio.NL, the zero-footprint solar-powered golf course will be one of the first floating developments..."

Meinhold, who appears to have taken the press release at face value, has fallen for a classic trick that golf developers employ to confuse the public. A floating golf course, by all means will have a devastating effect on the nearby coral reef. This story plays out again and again around the world.

The developer has, and probably does not require, an ounce of an environmental impact statement, but, through bloggers and journalists, is able to spin an audacious golf plan in the middle of a coral reef as a positive way to save an island nation! For all we know, the fertilizer and human waste will be dumped directly in the coral reef.

But Meinhold fell for the idea that the developer spun, that this golf course development is actually a good thing for the Maldives, because it will save the island nation from certain doom once sea levels rise.

This is the lowest level of greenwashing I have ever heard, and I suspect that Bridgette Meinhold will want to amend her article with notes on the impact that golf courses have on coral reefs. If Inhabitat hopes to live up to their credo that "design will save the world," they should live up to that credo by publishing real articles on sustainable development, not repurposing greenwashed press releases from new spins on megadevelopment environmental fails.

Note also that Meinhold calls the golf course "zero-footprint," an absurd statement, considering this golf course will likely cause permanent damage to yet another coral reef.

April 21, 2011

Golf Course Megadevelopment Threatens Baja Coral Reef

Robert F. Kennedy Jr cowrites article on Mexican golf development.

But now Hansa Baja Investments, a Mexican subsidiary of the Spain-based real estate development firm Hansa Urbana, plans to build a massive resort complex directly north of the National Marine Park. The developer has proposed what amounts to a sprawling new city on the scale of Cancún: 10,000 acres including 30,000 hotel rooms and residential housing units, at least two golf courses, 2 million square feet of office and retail space, a 490-boat marina and a private jet port.

Read the article here.

January 01, 2010

Mangroves and Coral Reefs

Construction site at Bakers Bay Club. Photo courtesy SGCR.

Throughout the Caribbean in the last 20 years, poorly managed coastal land has been threatening coral reefs. In particular, large developments and government projects have cleared acres of coastal mangroves, in order to bring hotels, airports and golf courses closer to the water.

The effect has been stunning.

Mangroves are rich in biodiversity. In the Abacos, which are the first stop for birds along the Atlantic flyway, rare birds nest in these mangroves. More importantly for the local habitat, mangroves are nurseries for lobsters as well as the fish who eventually inhabit the coral reef. Even more importantly, the mangroves filter the rainwater run-off.

This is the key for Great Guana Cay, because the mangrove forests of Great Guana Cay have now been removed by the Bakers Bay Club. Mangrove forests are essential at absorbing the nutrients produced by the land. Coral reefs require a nutrient-poor ecosystem in order to survive. By removing the mangroves from Great Guana Cay, Bakers Bay Club has engaged in a mistake seen again and again throughout the Caribbean.

Swimming up the mangrove river, "Joes Creek" located on the crown land of the Bakers Bay development. Photographed by Jane McClanahan.

Nutrient-rich water, created by removal of mangroves (or by altering the natural landscape of terrestrial flora in general near coral reefs) increases the nutrients entering the porous skin of the coral polyps. The coral polyps cannot contain an explosion of thick algae, which quickly suffocate the corals, and kill the reef. These algal blooms disrupt the balance of the reef, crashing not only the corals themselves, but the fishes and invertebrates upon which the ecosystem depends.

It was reported by locals who met with Discovery Land Company's CEO at an informal meeting at Nipper's bar, that he asked them why they were so interested in saving the mangroves. Even at this meeting held in 2006, a CEO of a company whose project is at risk for the threat it poses to mangroves and coral reefs, did not even understand why.

This attitude has been consistent throughout the Caribbean, resulting in further degradations of coral reefs throughout the region.

In her excellent critique of modern tourism trends in the Caribbean, Last Resorts, Polly Patullo offers several examples of the dangers posed by removing mangroves. I quote an extensive passage while firmly recommending this book to everyone interested in the region.

"McKinnon's Saltpond in Antigua was no exception, even if it had earlier been subjected to damage from oil spills from a now abandoned refinery. Yet, like thousands of other stretches of mangrove throughout the Caribbean, the attractions of unused land close to stretches of fine sandy beach, were too great a temptation for developers to ignore. In the mid 1980's, the St. John's Development Corporation, a statutory government body, and an Italian investment company, planned to build condominiums and a marina on land that included the salt pond.

Before this could happen, an environmental impact assessment was made, which recorded, among other things, that the condition of the reef at that point was, "fair" and that the salt pond prevented the outflow of polluted fresh water into the two bays. It recommended various remedies to limit the environmental damage that would be incurred by the Marina Bay Condominiums project.

Corals near the development site are already showing stress. This photo shows coral bleaching, a climate change related stress. Photographed by Jane McClanahan.

The report was shelved and the project went ahead. Part of the pond was reclaimed by dredge and fill methods and the condominiums were built. Within a few years, the impact of these changes had been felt: divers confirmed that there was dead coral on the reef, together with fewer fish, turbid water, and patches of dead sea grass around the channel.

The salt pond, which had become a swamp, also suffered. Its mangroves began to die, because untreated sewage from hotels, was periodically emptied into the swamp. For several consecutive summers following the draining of the pond, thousands of fish died from lack of oxygen, their bodies rising to the surface of the rotting swamp.

To solve this problem, the government pumped seawater into the swamp. The 'dilated' sewage spilled out of the swamp and ran down the beaches before escaping into the sea to join the frolicking tourists.

There were also reports of raw hotel sewage being pumped directly into the sea that laps at its frontage, and so, as one observer noted, 'dispersing offal among the tourists, who are so happy to be in the sun, they do not notice what else they are in.'"

The majority of Great Guana Cay's mangroves were removed by the Bakers Bay Club. This is a travesty. But there is hope. Locals and supporters of the opposition to the development have expressed interest in restoring this habitat after the developer leaves. Successful mangrove reintroduction projects have been successful in the past. And a motivated local population makes the hope for restoring the mangrove habitat that much closer to a reality.

09.25.07

Caribbean Coral Nears Extinction, Runoff Responsible

Time Magazine discusses the role of development runoff in the death of corals in the Caribbean in a recent article on the subject. The article states, "...Six species of reef-building coral could vanish from the Caribbean due to rising temperatures and toxic runoff from islands' development, according to a study released Thursday."

The importance of runoff and mangroves destruction in the health of coral reefs was almost never discussed in the media only a few years ago. But they are catching on.

February 23, 2007

New Photo Horrifies Locals, Scientists

Photo Courtesy SGCR

A new photo reveals the rate of development on the northern end of the Bakers Bay Club development. This photo, which only shows about half of the development, reveals the construction pattern for the golf course and many of the mansions.

The photograph reveals a rate of construction which is leaking harmful nutrients into the reef at a rate that has likely already caused damage to a reef which scientists call the 'finest example' in all of the Bahamas. The photo also reveals a light white streak in the bottom half of the image, in the Sea of Abaco. That is silt escaping from the silt curtain.

In the 1980's, Disney and Premiere Cruiselines dredged here, and the photo reveals their massive deepwater dredge operation in the very bottom of the image.

January 01, 2010

Global Coral Issues Report on Bakers Bay

Internationally recognized coral scientist Tom Goreau has issued a statement regarding the Bakers Bay development on behalf of the Global Coral Reef Alliance. Below is the complete text of the statement:

Thomas J. Goreau, PhD
President, Global Coral Reef Alliance

The massive destruction of mangrove forests in northwestern Guana Cay, Abacos, by the Bakers Bay Development Scheme ("Passerine at Abaco Resort Community Development") to create a huge marina and golf course in mangroves and low lying forest areas, and to nearly quadruple the number of houses on the island, should be stopped immediately before it destroys what is left of the coral reefs and fisheries of the region.

Mangroves, essential to Guana Cay's fisheries, have been torn apart only feet from the vital estuary that feeds the relationship between the island's reef, seagrass beds and saltwater flats. The Bahamas needs sound economic development that protects its environmental resources, but this is a classic case of the sort of developments that have been allowed to cause untold damage in the past and which should no longer be permitted, now that the cumulative damage is clearly visible, and will be made far worse by climate change in the near future.

Much stronger environmental laws and oversight are urgently needed because the Bahamas has permitted developments whose environmental costs have neither been recognized nor compensated for, and the accelerating pressures of global climate change make continuation of such policies a fool's paradise of profiting today and ignoring all the consequences that will strike tomorrow.

Large areas of critical mangrove habitat on the site have already been bulldozed and burned in order to create space for a golf course, marina, and more than 400 houses plus hotel accommodations, in an area that was flooded by the last hurricane. These developments already have, or soon will, destroy critical nursery areas for many species of reef fish, conch, and lobster.

Of critical importance are the coral reefs, lying just offshore from the areas being destroyed for this development, which rank among some of the best left in the Bahamas, and which are critical for the livelihood of Guana Cay residents. These reefs are extremely vulnerable to any nutrients that will inevitably wash onto them from the adjacent fertilizers of the golf course and the inadequately treated sewage of the more than 400 houses and other residential units that will be constructed on this currently uninhabited site. Coral reefs are the most nutrient-sensitive ecosystem on earth. They are adapted

Corals can survive only a light footprint. Image of construction crews in the early days of the Bakers Bay development.

to clear, clean waters, and are overgrown and killed by weedy algae at lower nutrient levels than any other habitat. We now know that it takes only 0.014 parts per million of nitrogen and only 0.003 parts per million of phosphorus to turn healthy coral reefs into masses of algae devoid of all marine life except a couple of algae eating fish. My ecological assessment of the site indicates that the entire area is already close to this threshold even before the massive new fertilizer and sewage releases from this project begin.

My assessment of this site is based on personal observations of the algae and over 50 years of experience of studying the role of algae on coral reefs, and the impacts of nutrients on them.

I watched the coral reefs of Jamaica and many other places around the world destroyed by algae overgrowth caused by nutrient buildup in coastal waters from fertilizers and inadequately treated sewage, studied the impacts of nutrients on algae growth.

I wrote the review on the impacts of land-based sources of nutrients on coral reefs and fisheries, and how to control them, for the United Nations Expert Meeting on Waste Management in Small Island Developing Countries.

In addition I also wrote the National Coral Reef Assessment and Management and Restoration Strategy for the Turks and Caicos Islands, the Bahamas' closest neighbour and the most similar country ecologically. Turks and Caicos is the only country in the world that forces all developers to recycle all their waste waters on their own property.

Tarpon swim along the Great Guana Cay barrier reef. Photo by Erik Gauger

I dived at several coral reef sites near the Bakers Bay development on February 9 2007. It should be noted that this is the coldest and driest time of the year and therefore the corals are the least affected by bleaching, diseases, and algae overgrowth, in contrast to the earlier independent assessments made at warmer times of the year by Dr. Michael Risk and Dr. James Cervino.

Nevertheless, my observations completely back their conclusions, and refute the claims of the environmental impact assessment made by the development's hired consultants, which irresponsibly downplay or ignore the impacts to the reefs and fisheries that the development would inevitably cause.

Although widely regarded as some of the best reefs remaining in the Bahamas, these reefs have clearly suffered from the cumulative impacts of accelerating stress from increasing nutrients over the last decade.

Older photographs of these reefs taken by Erik Gauger show little or no algae, but at present there is about 2-3 times more bottom coverage by algae than live corals, even though these observations were made at the season of minimum algae abundance. The buildup of algae and bacterial slime will rapidly smother most of what is left once new nutrients are added.

At present there are still large numbers of sand producing algae that build the beach, but as nutrients increase these will be overgrown and killed by weedy algae that produce no sand, so that the new supply of sand will vanish while the corals that protect the beach from waves die from algae and disease, as sea level rises, and while hurricanes greatly increase in strength.

Especially worrisome is the high abundance of weedy algae species indicating high nutrient levels, especially Cyanobacteria (blue-green algae, but which here are predominantly slimy and reddish in color) overgrowing dead and dying corals, sea fans, and gorgonians. This problem will get far worse when the water warms and more nutrients are added.

That this algae abundance is due to excessive buildup of nutrients from existing developments in the Abacos and not due to over-fishing is clear because the fishes are dominated by algae-eating surgeonfish and parrotfish, but they are unable to control the algae buildup from smothering and killing corals.

Local fishermen who have known these reefs for decades say that the algae buildup has happened over the last 5-10 years. In addition the water on the leeward side of the island, where the Marina entrances will be located, is already chronically green, indicating high nutrients. It is clear that a long term plan to identify and map all the nutrient sources to the coastal zone, and the use of modern methods to recycle all of the nutrients on land and prevent coastal pollution need to be used in the Bahamas.

Most of the corals are already gone, and it is only a matter of time for the rest if the current path of development continues in which all the waste nutrients go into the ground and then into the sea. Instead new methods need to be used to recycle the nutrients on land and feed them to plants and forests that are clearly starved of nutrients.

Several new and highly efficient methods to do just this will be presented on May 7 2007 at the Partnership of New Technologies for Small Island States at the United Nations Commission on Sustainable Development, which I am organizing and invite the Bahamas delegation to participate in.

It is therefore clear that nutrients are already excessive and must be reduced through improved sewage management and nutrient recycling, not only in Guana Cay, but also in the Marsh Harbour region, if these reefs are to survive in the long run.

It is equally clear that any conversion of the site from natural mangrove and forest to marinas, golf courses, and houses will inevitably add huge new nutrient sources from fertilizers and sewage that will swamp the existing nutrient sources, and very rapidly kill the remaining reefs and fisheries within a few years.

Not only should the Baker's Bay project be stopped, the developers should restore and mitigate the damage they have caused, and in my view they should be required to pay compensation to the people of Guana Cay for the destruction they are causing to local reefs and fisheries.

Photographs taken before Disney and Discovery Land Company reveal the story of a reef before unchecked development. Photo by Erik Gauger

In addition to damage from algae there has clearly been a large amount of mortality several decades ago of the magnificent elkhorn and staghorn coral forests that my grandfather photographed in the Bahamas in the 1940s. Large dead elkhorn corals dominate the shallow water, and the amount of living ones are small, young, and less than one percent of what they were.

Not a single live staghorn coral was found, although their dead broken skeletons are common on the bottom. These two species are the most important in protecting the shoreline from erosion. There has clearly been a large amount of partial mortality of the large head and brain corals from coral bleaching caused by global warming, and much of this took place in 2005.

However, one unusual feature of these reefs is the unusually high abundance of young corals of the uncommon species Manicina areolata or "rose coral".

I have compiled long term satellite temperature records for the Bahamas, and the trends are clearly upwards, so severe bleaching events, like hurricanes, are bound to become more frequent and intense in the future.

Given the fact that the Bahamas is the most vulnerable country in the Atlantic to global warming and global sea level rise, it is crucial that the Bahamas develop a strong leadership voice in international efforts to stop human-caused climate change.

Given that it would be the first Atlantic country to be drowned, its silence at international climate change conferences has been astonishing, as if people would rather hide their head in the sand than face the facts confronting them and stand up for their own long term interests.

The Guana Cay reef is a unique and beautiful treasure; more than a tourist draw for Guana Cay, it is of international importance.

The Bahamas is now racing down the same unsustainable track which has destroyed the reefs of Florida, and where 50 mile long blooms of slime have smothered the reefs next to sewage outfalls, and where hiding the sewage underground by deep well injection of wastes has been claimed to be the "dilution solution to pollution".

It is not: the sewage has been held back for a few years underground but is now pouring out of the deeper rock layers into the sea, causing blooms of algae and bacterial slime that are now killing reefs from the offshore side. Tragically, the Florida developers and sewage injectors are now bringing their methods to the Bahamas, which is even more vulnerable.

South Floridians have a whole continent they can move to when the rising seas drown South Florida, but Bahamians do not have this option and must protect what they have.

One could hardly imagine a worse site for such a development if we desire to preserve our coral reefs, mangroves, and fisheries. This project would only temporarily enrich a handful of speculators and their hired help at the price of severe long-term costs to the Bahamian environment and people, like the developments underway in Bimini and so many other places.

It should be stopped immediately before it causes further harm. If allowed to continue this development will devastate the resources from which the people of Guana Cay live, for the benefit of foreign speculators who are unlikely to ever see the consequences of their irresponsible actions.

It is typical of an outdated model of development that enriches large foreign investors with no real long-term concerns about the future of the Bahamas, and will provide mainly low paid jobs for Haitian immigrants.

In sharp contrast, Guana Cay is a model for small-scale locally owned tourism, which creates a completely different ambience that more tourists prefer, causes far less environmental damage, and in the long run is more economically beneficial to the Bahamian economy.

A team organized by Global Coral Reef Alliance examines a 200 year old coral structure just feet off the shore from Bakers Bay Club.

This reef structure, stressed and 'bleached' by rising sea temperatures in this 2006 photograph by James Cervino, faces insurmountable obstacles posed by the Bakers Bay Golf course. I urge the Government of the Bahamas to promptly enact and enforce environmental laws to protect the Nation's natural resources before they are further destroyed or degraded, and in particular to immediately stop this damaging "development" scheme.

It is astonishing that the Bahamas is one of the few countries in the world with no real laws to protect the environment, especially the coral reefs and mangroves that are so crucial to it. For years long-term divers in the Bahamas have been telling me how fast the reefs are disappearing.

In fact the damage is now so extensive that even saving and strictly protecting ALL remaining habitat in good condition will not be enough. Large-scale restoration of damaged coral reefs and mangroves will be needed if the country is to maintain its shore protection from rising sea level, its fisheries, and its ecotourism value.

A long term sustainable environmental policy that is enforced is the badly needed first step. I have voluntarily looked at this site, with no payment for my time, because of the urgency of the issues involved in this particular project, which has achieved worldwide notoriety for its destructiveness, the incompetence of its environmental impact assessment with regard to marine impacts, the give-away of Bahamian Crown Lands to foreign developers, and the near unanimous opposition of local residents.

I have dived longer and in more reefs all around the Caribbean, Pacific, Indian Ocean, and Southeast Asia than any other marine scientist in the world, and advise international agencies, governments, non-profit community groups and environmental conservation groups, hotels, and dive shops on protecting and restoring coral reefs all around the globe.

My only personal consideration is the preservation and restoration of the coral reefs for future generations.

Mangrove Conservation

April 22, 2009

From Mangroves to "Disney Main Street"

Abaconians and other residents of the Northern Bahamas are beginning to question the Bakers Bay Club from a cultural perspective, as members of Save Guana Cay Reef have since the beginning.

This image from November 2008 shows the marina village, which is built on a terraformed landscape which was formerly the island's last remaining mangrove habitat.

Locals and visitors, seeing the construction for themselves, are beginning to say, "That doesn't look Bahamian" and "It looks like Disney's Main Street." And "I had no idea it was going to be so tightly packed together."

The Marina site in 2007. The marina is dangerously close to the coral reef. Since the island is made of porous limestone, the nutrient overloads and pollutants seep directly into the reef - the classic combination of toxic death for coral reefs.

In 2008, I photographed massive silting from the construction site. In addition to the nutrient overload caused by this development, this silting kills corals.

August 5, 2008

Mangrove Loss and Climate Change—A Global Perspective - Article from World Rainforest Report mentions Great Guana Cay

Guana Cay mangroves under threat

Mangroves are the rainforests by the sea. Large stretches of the sub-tropical and tropical coastlines of Asia, Africa, Oceania, the Americas and the Caribbean are fringed by mangroves, once estimated to cover an area of over 32 million hectares.

Now, less than 15 million hectares remain—less than half the original area. The importance of the protective mangrove buffer zone cannot be overstated.

In regions where these coastal fringe forests have been cleared, tremendous problems of erosion and siltation have arisen, and terrible losses to human life and property have occurred due to destructive hurricanes, storm surges and tsunamis. Today there is a growing urgency to recognize the importance of conserving and restoring protective mangrove greenbelts to lessen the dangers from future catastrophes, because as sea levels rise so will the frequency and intensity of hurricanes and storm surges.

Mangroves can buffer against the fury of such destructive storms, protecting those settlements located behind a healthy mangrove fringe. Mangrove Action Project (MAP) is working with other organizations in the global South towards restoring degraded and cleared mangrove areas as a high priority. MAP is especially interested in restoring some of the 250,000 ha of abandoned shrimp farms located in former coastal wetland areas, especially in Asia and Latin America.

But, even more importantly, MAP is working to help conserve and protect existing mangrove wetlands around the world. Conserving existing mangroves and restoring the vast areas of degraded and cleared mangrove wetlands will serve as a partial solution to global warming. Our planet perhaps faces one of the greatest threats to life as we know it.

This crisis is being fueled by human induced climate change. Because nearly half of humankind today lives in cities and settlements located along the now vulnerable coasts, global warming and consequent sea level rise cannot be ignored. Already evacuations of low-lying islands have begun in South Asia and the South Pacific Islands.

It is expected mass evacuations of millions of coastal residents will occur within the next 50 years as sea level continues to rise as a result of the greenhouse effect caused by excessive carbon gas emissions. Nevertheless, mangrove wetlands are often the first line of defense, helping to secure the coasts against erosion and storms.

Mangroves are also one of nature's best ways for combating global warming because of their high capacity for sequestering carbon. This is a characteristic of mangrove wetlands that now demands our most immediate and undivided attention.

One of the greatest contributions that mangroves may have to offer is their great propensity to sequester carbon from the atmosphere and store this in their wetland substrate. According to the Feb. 2007 issue of National Geographic, "Mangroves are carbon factories… Measurements suggest that mangroves may have the highest net productivity of carbon of any natural ecosystem (about a hundred pounds per acre per day)…"

Mangroves have been seriously undervalued by those government agencies responsible for their protection and management, as is so clearly evidenced in the Caribbean, especially in the Bahamas where such travesties in shortsighted developments are now occurring at Guana Cay and Bimini Islands. This combined lack of conservation ethic, shortsighted greed and weak law enforcement have allowed massive losses of these coastal wetlands, with one huge, hidden cost arising from the oxidation and release of stored mangrove carbon.

From a study performed by Dr. Ong of Universiti Sams in Malaysia, it was found that the layers of soil and peat composing the mangrove substrate have a high carbon content of 10% or more. Each hectare of mangrove sediment might contain nearly 700 metric tons of carbon per meter depth.

In building large numbers of shrimp farms or tourist complexes, the resultant clearing of mangroves and subsequent excavation of the mangrove substrate could result in the potential oxidation of 1,400 tons of carbon per hectare per year.

Again, according to Dr. Ong, "Assuming that only half of this will become oxidized over a period of 10 years, we are looking at the return of 70 tons of carbon per hectare per year for ten years to the atmosphere. This is some 50 times the sequestration rate.

This means that by converting a mere 2 percent of mangroves, all of the advantages of mangroves as a sink of atmospheric carbon will be lost…" According to the latest study by the UN's Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), the current rate of mangrove loss is around 1% per annum—or around 150,000 ha of new mangrove area loss per year.

This translates to around 225,000 tons of carbon sequestration potential lost each year, with an additional release of approximately 11 million tons of carbon from disturbed mangrove soils each year. Obviously, this is an immense problem requiring our concerted action.

Not only are we losing the important potential for carbon sequestration offered by the mangroves, but we are also seeing the release of major quantities of polluting gases from the disturbed mangrove substrate itself.

This continued clearing of mangroves for whatever reasons must now be perceived in an entirely new light…a light that illuminates far beyond the dark crevices of development for convenience and profit to a future for life and a sustainable living on this now endangered planet…this home we call our Earth.

By Alfredo Quarto, Executive Director, Mangrove Action Project

July 24, 2008

Nature Magazine on Mangroves

The mangroves of Great Guana Cay have been removed to build a marina.

Nature Magazine discusses the value of coastal mangroves to fishing. Those who have been decrying the destruction of mangroves at Bakers Bay have been saying the same thing for four years now - that the Bakers Bay Club's destruction of Great Guana Cay's mangrove fisheries will lead to a decline in fish populations, upsetting both reef tourism on the reef and fishing near Bakers Bay.

The authors write, "This economic value reinforces the need for governments to preserve mangroves, the researchers say. "Without a coastal mangrove ecosystem, the cost of food can only increase," says Aburto-Oropeza."

Nature Magazine Article on Mangroves

07.06.07

Updates in Photographs

The silt curtains are ineffective. This image shows silt on either side of the curtain. Constant silt in pristine marine areas can destroy the marine environment. Silt is particularly harmful to corals.

Save Guana Cay Reef advertises their struggle on signs which are displayed on private property.

Bakers Bay Club doesn't like the signs. Often, potential buyers will ask what the signs are about. When Bakers Bay Club employees try to change the subject, often the potential clients will try to find out themselves. Some of these clients become advocates for saving the island from the Bakers Bay Club.

This is an image from the height of sea turtle nesting season. Bakers Bay employees rake the oceanside beaches near the northeastern tip of the island on a regular basis, even at the very height of sea turtle season.

07.04.07

Crabbing Grounds Are Now Gone Forever

The location of the crabbing grounds is now completely destroyed. According to locals on the island of Great Guana Cay, the island's crabbing grounds have been lost to the Bakers Bay Club. For over 200 years, the people of Great Guana Cay relied on this area for subsistence.

It is ironic that in Kathleen Sullivan-Sealey's research for the Bakers Bay Club and the University of Miami, her team writes, "Conservation techniques employed to control cat populations on islands have been successful in preventing extinctions and restoring ecosystems in the past decade...In order to prevent further negative impacts on bird, reptile, and land crab populations on Great Guana Cay, control and eventual eradication of feral or stray cats is suggested."

Sealey's recommendations on feral cats is laughable, especially since the crabbing grounds have been lost, not to cats but to the bulldozer that paid for her research. Eliminating feral cats from sensitive areas is of course a good practice in environmentally sensitive areas; but if the crabs the programs are trying to save are lost, what is the point?

Interestingly, the U of Miami report explains that feral cats didn't really exist on the Bakers Bay property until development began. From a common sense perspective, I would agree with this. The terrain on that end of the island was hardly suitable for travel by cats. Here is a quote from Sealey's plans for Great Guana Cay cats:

"Plan for Controlling Cat Populations on Great Guana Cay: Our goal is to eradicate feral cats on the island, and continue trapping to monitor the introduction of new cats. The use of 15 cage traps has been approved by Mr. Pinder, Director of The Bahamas Ministry of Agriculture. These traps will be loaned by Mr. David Knowles, and will be placed at various locations around the Baker's Bay Club property. The traps will be baited with fish and catnip, and checked daily. Hand-capturing will also be attempted. Dr. Derek Bailey, a veterinarian based in Marsh Harbour, will be assisting with cat disease testing, sterilization, and euthanasia."

06.27.07

Discovery Land Company Falsely Advertises their Unsustainable Marina is a Blue Flag Marina

"Baker's Bay Golf and Ocean Club, located on the northern end of Great Guana Cay in the Abacos will comprise an exquisite residential community of 585 stunning beachfront and ocean view acres, 175 custom home sites and 183 high-end single-family developer residences.

The development will also include a villa-style hotel, private golf club, 18-hole Tom Fazio-designed private golf course and a 33-acre marina village with a 158-slip "Blue Flag" marina." - From Bakers Bay Club Press Release

The Bakers Bay Club released a press release stating that its marina had been awarded the Blue Flag designation. This is one of several false statements in which Bakers Bay Club has attached itself to the authority of the Blue Flag group. But Bakers Bay Club has indeed not been awarded Blue Flag designation. You can read more about Blue Flag here.

The Blue Flag group does consider wider environmental implications in its assessment.

July 22, 2006

The Orchid Hothouse of Death

Discovery Land Company, the developer of the Bakers Bay Club has been advertising its greenhouse.

The greenhouse is being used to 'save' orchids and other plants from when the developer bulldozes one of the most important ecological zones in the Bahamas. The Bahamian press, which is uneducated on environmental matters, equated the saving of orchids to a green developer.

Bakers Bay Club is bulldozing acres of a unique terrestrial ecosystem, one that the EIA for the development admits is a vanishing ecosystem.

Orchids beware. Bahamian press are wooed by the Bakers Bay Club greenhouse, which is a red herring for genuine ecological issues regarding the development.

Photo courtesy SGCR. The botanical collections at Bakers Bay Club clearly sidesteps the primary environmental issues, and appears to be used as a red herring to divert genuine concerns about the coral reef and mangroves of the island. Bakers Bay Club has collected some orchids and preserved them in a greenhouse, wooing many in the media into thinking they are careful land stewards. That a few orchids were spared the bulldozer scarcely compensates for the inevitable alteration of Great Guana Cay's ecosystem during the massive terraforming and dredging that would accompany the construction of their golf course, marina, residential units and service facilities. The orchids, incidentally, are not endemic to Great Guana Cay, although the public relations campaigns at Bakers Bay Club make it appear they are. According to Keith Bradley, a former botanist at the Bakers Bay Club, the orchids Bakers Bay Club are 'saving' are actually quite common in the Bahamas.

Bradley writes, "There are a number of common species and these are the ones on Guana. These are Encyclia boothiana, Encyclia rufa, Cattleyopsis lindenii, and Oncidium floridanum. There is also a common species that may or may not be native, Oeceoclades maculata. There is one species which I have indicated as rare and needing special protection, Tolumnia (Oncidium) sasseri. It is known otherwise only from Abaco and Andros.

In truth though, taxonomists who have studied this genus carefully don't think it is a good species, instead being the more common Tolumnia (Oncidium) bahamensis. I would tend to agree."

October 27, 2005

Of Marinas and Mangroves

"Contrary to prevalent rumors, Joe's Creek, the mangroves and the Guana Cay bonefish flats will all be preserved and not altered by development." - Advertisement from Discovery Land Company's Bakers Bay Golf and Ocean Club. Written on October 27, 2005.

Below the star-speckled surface, greenish orbs by the thousands pulse in sync. Grand cathedrals of roots rise from this metropolis of the weird. Its woody columns are inlaid in horned shells that move slow, like a golf cart in search of a lost ball. Fishes of many forms pass beneath these spires. As your keen eye wanders upward these spires, you will perhaps find an ivory butterfly form - an encyclia orchid - dangling like an angel, and even higher a green bird with a painted face - a green heron, whose wading demeanor is almost regal.

But all of these things, you will find only in a very subtle context. For this place, draped in layers of green, is so subtle a place that for most of history it was considered the dredges of the world.

This place, this lovely place is an Abaco mangrove.

Mangroves constitute most of the Bahamian Abaco Islands. Fly over in a plane, most of the island is mostly submerged at high tide.

The mangroves so dominate Abaco's "land" that the island has produced a fair trade out of a type of rugged tourism called bonefishing - saltwater flyfishing concentrating on the slim and transparent fish who meander these flats.

A mangrove is a community of salt-tolerant plants and trees that live in the muddy tidal flats of our world's tropical regions. These are a complex ecological buffer zone that serve to stabilize the land as well as feed the sea the bounties of the land. Equally, the mangroves act as the nursery of the sea. Sharks bear their young here. Coral reef fishes begin their awkward lives between the roots of giant mangrove trees. Molluscs grow.

The mangrove is part of a complex triangular relationship with the seagrass community and the coral reef.

Perhaps most important, the mangroves absorb excess nutrients before they make it to the nearshore environment. For many of these environments, foremost among them the coral reef, this absorption helps buffer them against their killer - excess nutrients.

The small islet of Great Guana Cay features its own mangrove systems. The southern mangrove system has recently been ripped out by a developer on the southern end of the island, which leaves only the larger mangrove system on the northern end of the island.

Enter the Discovery Land Company and their Bakers Bay Golf and Ocean Club. Here on the northern end of the island, the Discovery Land Company is going to rip out a gigantic swath of the last mangrove system on the island, and dredge out a gigantic marina - 180 slips. According to the Discovery Land Company's own website, some slips will be for sea-cruisers up to 200 feet long.

The consequences of this marina are far-reaching for the conch-fishing grounds, the bonefishers, the coral reef, the island's bird foraging habitat and the terrestrial ecosystem itself. Once the mangrove goes, so will the island's ecology. So how is it possible that the developer has said, "Contrary to prevalent rumors...the mangroves...will all be preserved and not altered by development."

Photo courtesy Lory Kenyon. A view of Joe's Creek, the bonefish flats and the mangroves

Perhaps what they mean is that they will save trees of one of the mangrove species. A little tricky language can take you a long way.

But a mangrove is a community, and the developer's plans entail ripping out the mangrove system seen in the photograph above. At the center of this strange debate stands a battered marine ecologist who leads the paid consultant team of the Bakers Bay Golf and Ocean Club, and has created an EIA that more or less 'forgets' some of the most important aspects of impact. This 'sugar-coating on a poison pill' has been lambasted as an illogical document. Instead of examining the important components of marina flush-rates and gray water, the EIA largely concentrates on second-level environmental issues like litter (which the developer will clean up!) and orchid-thieves (which the development will stop!)

But governments rarely read EIA's anyways. And Prime Minister Christie sees international outrage over his support of such projects as the Bakers Bay Marina and the Bimini Golf Course as simply a tiresome obstacle to overcome. He has no inclination that perhaps the science community of the world is...correct. The marina will require ripping out the island's last mangroves and poisoning the island's flyfishing and bonefishing flats, as well as contributing to threatening the very ecosystem the islanders depend on for their livings. The marina will help to poison a fragile coral reef, one of the last intact in the world.

Dr. Michael Risk writes, "Throughout the EIA, mention is made of legislative guidelines and policies in place in the State of Florida. This seems in keeping with the attitude taken by many foreigners coming to Bahamas, that it is not a sovereign nation but an extension of Florida. In this, and in all developments, it is necessary to compare what is proposed with what is actually done.

If Florida has such effective laws and guidelines, then the environmental situation in that State should act as a model for all similar jurisdictions. It is instructive indeed to compare the proposed situation in Florida with what really happens.

If similar developments in Florida have had deleterious effects, despite those laws, then it might be expected that the same thing would happen on Guana, no matter what paper guidelines were in place. The best comparison would be with the Florida Keys, because of their geomorphic similarity to Bahamas."

Photo Courtesy Lory Kenyon

In a telephone interview, Dr. Risk explains that the Guana Cay marina, as a percentage of total area on the island compared to marinas in Florida or the Florida Keys, is compounded to such a high level, that one can only rationally assume the worst.

In his response to the developer's EIA, he writes, "Marinas in the Keys, despite EPA regulations on flushing rates, are generally biological dead zones, with fuel spills, toxic chemicals, and anoxic sediments. In addition, virtually all of the virulent human viral and bacterial pathogens may be found in the waters of marinas in the Keys: Hepatitis A&B, cholera, tetanus, the lot..."

Kathleen Sullivan Sealey, paid consultant to the developer, told me in an email interview that, "Bakers Bay Club will be the first Blue Flag Marina in the Bahamas...look up the criteria for this programme out of the European Union Global Environmental Programme website."

Actually, a Guana Cay homeowner did contact the program. A representative of the blue flag program writes her, "In the International Blue Flag Coordination we are not aware of a planned marina in Guana Cay wishing to apply for Blue Flag status. I will therefore ask the Caribbean and Bahamian Blue Flag co-ordinators to investigate the issue and return to me with a reply. I will keep you informed."

Then Discovery Land Company's consultant says, "then you should ask the Bahamian owners of Boat Harbour or marinas in Marsh Harbour why they are not striving for the same standards?"

Photo of Great Guana Cay's settlement courtesy Norvell Slezycki

There are four answers to her comment about the marina in Marsh Harbour. One, it has existed for hundreds of years and is the main port of the Abacos. Two, it is not adjacent to one of the last healthy coral reefs in the world, and three, all marinas should strive towards higher environmental standards.

However, the main commercial harbour for the Abaco Islands cannot be compared to an unbuilt harbour on a tiny island adjacent to a coral reef. Lastly, Marsh Harbour was always a natural harbour, which means that the flush rate works very well. In Guana Cay, the harbour will have to be dug out of the island.

In the last nine months, tsunamis and hurricanes have wrecked horrific economic, environmental and financial damage around the world. Whether in India or Louisiana or Central America, scientists are explaining that much of the damage could have been avoided if these coastal regions had protected their coastal buffer zones.

In nearby Bimini, locals unsuccessfully fought a developer whose golf course cleared out the mangroves of over half their island. At high tide, this part of the island now sits underwater.

A single hurricane. A single direct hit. And much of Bimini's land-integrity could vanish, much the same way that Louisiana's coastline degradation has led to the state's southern half actually sinking. The devastation at Bimini has been so severe, that even Discovery Land Company admits it.

Which of these two mangrove systems is more important is difficult to measure. In fact, the two mangrove systems are important in different ways.

Joe's Creek underwater, courtesy Jane McClanahan.

Mangroves, like coastal salt marshes, are the intermediary zone between the land and sea. These plant communities literally thrive on the precipice. For Bimini, the mangroves literally hold up the structure of the island itself. For Guana Cay, the mangrove absorbs the nutrients from the shore.

Because of that, they have developed the ability to survive the harshest, including from the weather. In order to continue to exploit the thin nutrient-rich band between the land and sea, mangrove ecosystems need to be able to keep the land...from sinking.

In an article for Bahamascommunity.com, the author writes, "Dr. Sealey explained that the marina will be situated outside of the wetlands but anywhere that it does touch will be a buffered zone. The wetlands will be protected as far as possible with boardwalks around them in places." But the statement seems to contradict other statements that the developer made, suggesting that no wetlands will be affected.

In reality, the marina plans take out almost the entire wetland system, mangrove or not.

Sealey is quoted in the article, "The wetlands are perhaps my biggest concern in The Bahamas. Everyone wants to fill in these 'ephemeral ponds' and dredge them for marinas...Wetlands are among the most productive ecosystems in the world. They are nurseries for species inherent to The Bahamas, and they are where the ocean's food chain originates."

In this illustration based on the developer's own EIA, the areas outlined in green are inland mangroves and the areas outlined in yellow are coastal mangroves. It should be noted that a mangrove river, "Joes Creek" flows through this area and ends up in the sand bonefishing flats to the lower right. In this illustration, we depict the proposed marina per the developer's own plans.

How is it possible that the developer is able to state in paid advertisements to the local media that: "Contrary to prevalent rumors, Joe's Creek, the mangroves and the Guana Cay bonefish flats will all be preserved and not altered by development." Later, the developer changed the wording of this on their saveguanacay.com website, to state, "The mangrove wetland known as Joe's Creek, and the Great Guana Cay bonefish flats, will not be altered by the Bakers Bay Club development."

A inland estuaries expert, who resides part time on the island, is surprised by the developer's plans to build such a large marina. Jim Alderman writes, "Gray water in most cases is water that has gone through some stage of wastewater treatment; that which comes from water not treated and with minimal human contact. Laundry water is also called gray water."

"It is my understanding that Discovery is going to put their effluent (sink, wash, bath and sewage) through a primary and secondary sewage treatment and then use that effluent for irrigation. Basically, the primary treatment is removal and separation of solids and secondary treatment involves some sort of biologic process (there are many) and aeration. In total, the treatment plant there is a tertiary treatment that involves disinfectants.

Land application of wastewater, no matter what treatment phase, still contains nitrogen and phosphorous, the N and the P that is on fertilizer bags; the K is potassium, hence the 10-10-10 or N-P-K use by everyone to fertilize lawns, etcetera."

It is not impossible to remove the N and P but it is extremely expensive.

Some of the N and P will be taken up by the plants but not nearly enough. That which is not used will get into the ground water and travel laterally and seep into the ocean and the sea.

I calculated the number of homes, condos, and hotel room, that showed how much N and P are produced per person per day times 365 allowing for total occupancy...I got the initial per person figures from our state DNR. The bottom line is that gray water contains nitrogen and phosphors and some gets used and some gets into the water column and can cause algal growth on reefs."

So the marina will be as dangerous to the coral reef as the dredging. But what the EIA fails to mention is that the marina, which cuts a hole into the island and ends up nearly abutting the beach on the Atlantic side of the island, will cut the island in half, ridding it of the mangrove ecosystem that protects the island against hurricanes. One direct hit of a hurricane, and flooding will occur in the area adjacent to the marina.

I have been dead center in an Abaco hurricane and seen the Atlantic waters rise by up to seven feet. The narrow spit of land between the Bakers Bay development and the rest of the island can literally be flooded by hurricane-driven water. The hurricane could easily cut the island in half if the marina is built. The net effect on the island would be continued yearly degradation.

The coral reef, now open to the marina's foul water and the flooding receding back into the reef, will again be destroyed. It is interesting to note that the developer is not attempting to fight the scientific contention that it will destroy the reef and mangroves. Perhaps to them, none of that matters.

Bahamian cronyism will take care of that. December 19, 2005. Aerial photographs depicting the progress on Bakers Bay Golf and Ocean Club indicate that large portions of the mangroves have already been torn out. It is unlikely that Guana Cay's mangroves will ever entirely recover after the developer has been removed from the Bahamas.

The Science of Coral Conservation

September 9, 2007

NOAA Case Study Attributes Nutrients

A NOAA Case Study attributes nutrients to the destruction of Looe Key. This is important, because if as the United States is officially recognizing the role of nutrients in coral reef destruction, the issue is making the rounds in the press around the world. Even as global warming remains an easy scapegoat for coral reef destruction, the word on development nutrients is gaining ground in the press and in broader scientific circles.

08.05.07

The Abaco Parrots and Endangered Species

Abaco parrots are a subspecies of the rose-throated parrot (Amazona leucocephala). The species exists only in Cuba, the Cayman Islands, in Abaco's southern pine forests, and on Great Inagua. The species is threatened, and the Abaco population is very small. It is a population that needs to be protected.

In Abaco, more and more attention is being paid to the parrot's protection, particularly through groups like Friends of the Environment, who encourage education about the parrot.

Abaco Parrots (subspecies of Cuban Parrot)

During the hurricane in Spring 2005, the parrot population left the pine forests of the southern mainland and headed out to the cays of the Abaco Sound. About 20 were reported on Man-O-War Cay, presumably because hurricanes devastate the foragable fruits of the forest to such a degree, the parrots must take flight in pursuit of temporary nourishment. The cays have flora that doesn't exist on mainland Abaco, and it is possible the birds visit these islands because the fruits and their host plants are literally tougher and hardier than inland fruiting species. It is possible that the parrots have developed this survival trait over time. It is also likely that a large number of these parrots inhabit the Bakers Bay land - the largest previously undeveloped outer cay terrestrial space in the Abaco Sound. Overdeveloping Bakers Bay is not wise, and not just for the threatened Abaco Parrot. Several threatened and endangered species are at risk because of the Bakers Bay Club.

None of the following is exaggeration. Not every megadevelopment happens to threaten endangered species. But if you terraform land that is a critical area ripe with endangered species, you will threaten them. Such events are extremely rare - Discovery Land Company's audacious plan would never happen in almost any circumstance anywhere in the world.

The primary endangered species threatened by the Bakers Bay Club are the elkhorn and staghorn corals which form the barrier between Guana Cay's coral reef and the land slated for a golf course megadevelopment. Staghorns and Elkhorns are gravely endangered in the Caribbean. Elkhorn coral is considered one of the most important reef-builders in the region, but in the 1980's and 1990's, almost 95% of all elkhorn corals were lost throughout the Caribbean and the Florida Keys. White-band disease and human development and activity were dually to blame. Now, any healthy elkhorn reef should be viewed as critical habitat. But Bakers Bay Club is ignoring the requests of hundreds of scientists, who are predicting the collapse of Guana's Elkhorn and Staghorn structures, due to the size and scope of the development. The primary cause of coral destruction is likely nutrient and pollutant changes in the water.

Critical Elkhorn Coral habitat is threatened by the Bakers Bay Golf & Ocean Club. Stock Photo.

Perhaps most terrifying is the Bakers Bay Golf & Ocean Club's attitude towards the nesting and breeding sea turtles which use the Atlantic side beaches year round, and particularly in the summer months.

Although Bakers Bay Club claims to have a monitoring program for the sea turtles, there is little evidence of any real conservation. The huge increase in population, the degradation of the coral reef, the six lots being sold at Gumelemi Cay - a critical nesting location - will all severely reduce the populations of the endangered species.

There are so many intertwined issues with the Bakers Bay Club - human rights issues, environmental issues, legal issues, economic issues - that it is easy to forget that the Bakers Bay dilemma is also one about saving species from uncontrolled development.

05.21.07

The Birds of Great Guana Cay in Danger

The beautiful Glossy Ibis forages in Guana Cay's mangrove systems. But those mangroves are almost gutted by Discovery Land Company.

We have discussed some of the obvious threats that Discovery Land Company poses to specific species. The 3 species of sea turtle that nests on the beaches of Bakers Bay are an obvious example. But we have avoided discussion of the birds. This has not been intentional; because Great Guana Cay is also an important bird-nesting site.

Remember that Great Guana Cay sits on the northern edge of the Bahamas and Atlantic; many of the other barrier islands in the area are already developed, or never had the same forested area as Bakers Bay.

The short tailed hawk is one of many species under threat from the Discovery Land Company.

Several key species nest in the Bakers Bay area; when construction is complete, this habitat will be gone forever. The Bakers Bay Club EIA mentions some of the threats to these birds, but there are no solutions. The birds are conveniently forgotten.

White-tailed tropicbirds and Audubon's Shearwater both nest on Great Guana Cay. The following list is an amalgamation of two birder families' lists. It is an impressive list for such a small area.

The threats to the birds of Great Guana Cay are immense. Discovery Land Company simply plans to terraform almost all of the native habitat on the forested northern 2/5ths of the island. This insane project is destroying very unique and crucial bird habitat. If you have ever viewed a North American birding book, and examined a good West Indian birding book, you'll know that the migratory patterns of many species specifically involve the Bahamas, or even more specifically, the out-islands of Abaco.

Thank you to the families who provided the lists for this Guana Cay Bird List:

American Oystercatcher
White-Cheeked Pintail (Bahama Duck or Bahama Pintail) * Discovery Land Company actually advertises that they will provide hunting grounds to hunt this species. It is illegal to hunt this species in the Bahamas.
Bahama Woodstar
Bananaquit (Bahamas subspecies)
Barn Swallow
Belted Kingfisher
Black and White Warbler
Black-bellied Plover
Black-faced Grassquit
Black-throated White Warbler
Bobolink
Brown Pelican
Cape May Warbler
Common Yellow-throated Warbler
Cuban Emerald Hummingbird
Double Crested Cormorant
Eastern Kingbird
Glossy Ibis
Great Blue Heron
Great White Egret
Great White Heron
Green Heron
Ground Dove
House Sparrow
Key West Quail Dove
Killdeer
Laughing Gull
Little Blue Heron
Magnificent Frigatebird
Mallard
Mangrove Cuckoo
Bahama Mockingbird
Northern Mockingbird
Northern Parula Warbler
Ovenbird
Palm Warbler
Pine Warbler
Prairie Warbler
Prothonotary Warbler
Red-legged thrasher
Red-winged Blackbird
Ring-billed Gull
American Robin
Ruby-throated Hummingbird
Ruddy Turnstone
Sanderling
Short-tailed Hawk
Smooth-billed Ani
Snowy Egret
Starling
Turkey Vulture
West Indian Red-bellied Woodpecker
White-crowned Pigeon (formerly nesting on Bakers Bay property)
White-tailed Tropicbird* (formerly nesting on Bakers Bay property)
Willet
Wilson's Plover
Yellow-crowned Night Heron

July 6, 2006

Jean-Michel Cousteau comes to the assistance of the Great Guana Cay Residents

Jean-Michel Cousteau, who recently helped convince President Bush to protect 1200 miles of Hawaii's coral reefs in one of the boldest environmental moves of history, has just come to the aid of the Great Guana Cay native residents. Cousteau urges the island nation of the Bahamas to reconsider the Bakers Bay Golf and Ocean Club.

He writes, "...the Discovery Land Company Bakers Bay Golf and Ocean Club development may undermine the environmental health of the region; specifically affecting the nesting sea turtles of Gumelemi Cay and to the north, and impacting the neighboring reefs adjacent to the proposed golf course. Knowing from experience that ecological consequences of very large developments that do not have strict environmental safe guards can have far reaching consequences, I urge you to review the environmental impact of this development and consider the consequences for future generations of your citizens." Read more.

Island Development Conflicts

September 15, 2012

Bimini's Mangrove Trouble Continues

The following photographs from the Bimini Marine Protected Area Facebook page show the North Sound area before development:

And after land had been cleared for development.

Locals fought to protect this area from the Bimini Bay Resort's large footprint, and won. However, new plans have the Bimini Bay Resort guaranteeing the completion of a golf course. This is unfathomable. Conservationists and Bimini stakeholders must once again come together to halt the Bimini Bay Resort.

A sales associate confirmed that the development plans a golf course.

November 11, 2010

Bimini Bay Resort is in Trouble

A lot is going on in the world of unsustainable golf developments. The biggest news, of course, is that big golf development are failing. For example, here is some news from Bimini. Bimini Bay Resort, the golf and marina resort that would have swallowed up much of North Island's mangroves, was, at least for now, successfully restricted from doing so.

Now that the resort is up and running, it appears not to be doing very well. An article in today's Tribune supports this view with this article. The article begins, "The luxury resort Bimini Bay has laid off 31 people from its 119-member staff because of low occupancy, Minister of Labour Dion Foulkes confirmed yesterday."

The article also says, "tourists are favouring smaller properties like Big Game that give them a Family Island experience." The Tribune has it spot on here: mega-mansion resorts are a thing of the past. While its always sad when real people lose their jobs, the bigger story is that developments like these destroy island economies, and that in the long run, the good folks who lost their jobs at Bimini Bay Resort will be better off in a healthier economy free of big megaresorts like this.

Here are two excellent videos explaining the Bimini Bay Resort's impact on the environment:

June 18, 2012

Mexico Cancels Golf Course and Marina Megadevelopment over Coral Reef Fears

"...This type of tourist development, based on mass scale and golf courses, is no longer acceptable in Mexico..."

A stunning victory for the North American Pacific's third largest coral reef was handed down by the Mexican President this weekend, sending shockwaves and making page one headlines around the world.

Mexican President Felipe Calderon cancelled the Cabo Cortes Megadevelopment project, stating that the project failed to prove that it would not damage the environment.

The Cabo Cortés Megadevelopment project, which has striking similarities to the Bakers Bay project in the Northern Bahamas, was a proposed large golf and marina megadevelopment project with densely-packed housing. Construction would have been adjacent to a rare west-coast coral reef, which has been championed worldwide for its response to conservation projects after over-fishing has severely depleted life at the reef.

Articles:

"...However, several years ago, the Spanish real estate developer Hansa Urbana laid out plans for the Cabo Cortés real estate and tourism complex. The company planned to construct 13,000 housing units, 3,655 hotel rooms (together this is equivalent to about 30,000 rooms), some 2 million square feet of office and commercial space as well as a 490-slip marina, a "private" jet port, schools, and at least two golf courses....

In response to Cabo Cortés threat, local groups organized and took action. Regional and national groups joined the fight, and created a vibrant coalition called Cabo Pulmo Vivo. When Hansa Urbana stepped up its pressure on the government to approve the project, this coalition did not back down.

Instead, they reached out to international groups, such as NRDC, to help protect Cabo Pulmo. Together, we made the legal, scientific, environmental, social and financial cases against the project:" - NRDC Article

"The Cabo Cortes project was not only unsustainable, it was also illegal," said Greenpeace Mexico Executive Director Patricia Arendar. "Mexico needs accountability, transparency in the authorization of projects of this kind, and guarantees that environmental rights will be respected."

BusinessWeek Article: "This sets an important precedent and sends an important message to Mexican and international investors, that this type of tourist development, based on mass scale and golf courses, is no longer acceptable in Mexico," Vidal said.

"...Instead, Calderon says, the government will help the nearby former fishing village of Cabo Pulmo improve its services in a small-scale, sustainable way. The village now has a couple of fish joints and three dive shops, some sandy roads and a few rustic inns, most without AC. The town runs on solar power, just enough to keep the beer cold." - BBC Article

Miami Herald Article: Speaking from his official residence, President Calderon said that "because of its size we have to be absolutely certain that it wouldn't cause irreversible damage, and that absolute certainty simply hasn't been proved".

"...The environmental and natural resources secretariat under Calderon had drawn withering criticism from foreign scientists for giving an initial green light to the project. And Greenpeace Mexico has basically suggested that payoffs may have led the secretariat to let the project continue until today, approving it at two levels..."

April 4, 2012

Bontang, Indonesia Reefs Damaged

An article from the Jakarta Globe explains the role of coastal factors on the decline of coral reefs off Bontang:

Laode said that in the 1990s, the condition of Bontang's coral reefs were excellent. This all changed, he said, when big businesses began to enter Bontang, famous for its rich gas reserve and coal deposits.

Bontang is also home to Indonesia's biggest state-owned fertilizer company, Pupuk Kaltim.

March 20, 2012

Thailand Coral Reefs destroyed by Coastal Development

An article about coral reef destruction near Phuket, Thailand:

Boonchop Sutthamanaswong, director general of the Marine and Coastal Resources Department, said he had had many complaints about land development and building of resorts in coastal areas like Laem Singh beach in Phuket.

The construction had released sediment, including sand and cement, into the sea and affected coral reefs and seagrass.

"Many resorts and hotels are now being built in the mountains near coastal areas reserved for the tourist industry. These land development projects are affecting the marine ecosystem. We could not see the impact in the short term but in the long term, these marine resources will be totally destroyed," he said.

To prevent further damage to marine resources, Boonchop said his agency would talk with the Office of Natural Resources and Environmental Policy and Planning about stricter controls under the environmental impact assessment (EIA) for land development near coastal areas.

Read the full article

March 19, 2012

Mexicans Fight Controversial Baja Mega-Development to Save Coral Reef

Environmental organizations, coral reef organizations and concerned Mexican citizens are increasing the heat to cancel a large megadevelopment adjacent to one of only three coral reefs found on the west coast of North America.

Here is a good overview of the issue:

Here is some recent press:

Baja Tourist Project Continues to Catch Heat

Cousteau: Mexican Pacific Mega-Project Would be "Another Cancun"

May 23, 2011

National Geographic on Cabo Pulmo Golf Course

However, Cabo Pulmo is now under serious threat.

In March, Mexico's Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources approved a proposal to develop a mega-resort called "Cabo Cortés." This development would include 15 large hotels with over 30,000 hotel rooms, three to five golf courses, a 490-slip marina, desalination and water treatment plants, a private jet strip, and other infrastructure, adjacent to and directly north of Cabo Pulmo.

Scientists and conservationists believe that the influx of mass tourism and population growth will put unsustainable pressure on the protected reefs – through changes in water quality, turbidity, pollution, fertilizers and chemicals used on the golf courses, and illegal fishing.

According to experts in the region, the environmental impact assessment provided by the developers does not fulfill rigorous scientific requirements.

Read the full post.

March 11, 2011

Greenpeace Joins Fight against Gulf of California Golf Megadevelopment

From the Latin American Herald Tribune: Greenpeace criticized the Mexican government's decision to allow a Spanish real-estate developer build a giant tourist complex near the only coral reef in the Gulf of California. The environmental watchdog, which last August joined with several non-governmental organizations in opposing the Cabo Cortes project, said Thursday that Mexico's Environment Secretariat "is not fulfilling its commitment to protect the environment" by paving the way for the destruction of the Cabo Pulmo reef.

September 10, 2010

A Not So Jolly Harbour in Antigua

The Great Guana Cay blog seeks to collect examples of the conflicts between natives versus real estate developers in the Caribbean Basin. Almost all of these stories relate to each other, with hauntingly similar endings. A marine scientist working in the Caribbean sent me some information on the case of Jolly Harbour. I will paraphrase from some background material:

In 1988 on the island of Antigua, of the Caribbean Nation Antigua & Barbuda, a foreign developer asked the Antigua government for permission to build a massive megaresort on the west coast of the island. The project was massive, promising 1,500-2,000 rooms.

The government approved the sale of 53 acres of land for a much-lower-than-market-value. The land was mostly salt ponds and mangrove swamps.

In 1989, construction began, and shoreline vegetation and mangroves were removed, and a channel was cut through the area called Mosquito Cove. The salt pond, nearby beaches and mangroves area were rich biologically, but as the area was leveled, that diversity was lost and the land virtually destroyed.

Over 400 citizens in the area signed a petition to protest the sale of the land by the government. The government balked at the petition, stating that the land was useless.

Citizens began questioning why they were not consulted on the project, and why they had no say in the outcome of their community.

Today, the project has failed but the environment has been ravaged. Here is a quote about the outcome of the project from a Wetlands Preservation pamphlet:

How did this affect the environment?

What happened to the villagers?

March 31, 2010

New Details on Wilson City Power Plant

Neil Hartnell of The Tribune adds a fascinating detail to the Wilson City Power Plant issue. Hartnell writes, "It had long been speculated that the BEC project was moved to Wilson City because the Snake Cay site was selected for a tourism development, and these documents, which were filed as part of the Government's defence to the Judicial Review action brought against the power plant by Responsible Development for Abaco (RDA), provide the first tangible evidence of this."

January 15, 2010

Rise Up for Haiti

Dear Readers,

When Save Guana Cay Reef was invited to attend a United Nations conference to speak about their plight, many of them returned to the Bahamas humbled by the event. They were fighting a megadevelopment in an effort to save their reef, but they were speaking alongside groups who were fighting to feed their community or rebuild their towns.

I have always said that Great Guana Cay's issues are not secondary to the issues that seem larger and more immediate. Haiti's layered problems, which led to today's catastrophe are not isolated from the issues we talk about with Great Guana Cay. I have been working to rework this blog to look at Guana's issues in the context of other issues in the Caribbean. I did not expect that one of the biggest events in our hemisphere would change this very conversation.

One of the greatest tragedies has just happened in our backyard. For those of us passionate about protecting the Bahamas, we know that Haitians have enriched our islands with their culture. For those of us passionate about conservation, we know that Haiti's grim history is tied to grave environmental lessons about the Caribbean. For those of us who believe in the Caribbean, this is our moment. There are a million ways to help Haiti now and tomorrow.

We are donating to Doctors Without Borders. We expect to find new ways to help Haiti. A friend of mine, who contributed to the effort to save Guana Cay wrote this today. "It is ironic, but perhaps hopeful, that humans seem to respond to the needs of other humans impacted by dramatic natural disasters in ways that transcend political boundaries and ideologies. So, let us hope that efforts to rebuild Haiti will do more than simply replace the physical structures that were destroyed."

November 19, 2009

Locals in Virgin Gorda Begin Fight against Nail Bay Project

Two articles from Virgin Islands Platinum remind us of how far Save Guana Cay Reef's influence has reached. This latest BVI issue involves the building of a giant $200 million dock. Locals worry about its effect on the nearshore coral reefs, and the island's culture. The locals followed in the footsteps of the Hans Creek objectors, whose successful case against a golf course developer was inspired by Great Guana Cay. Residents Angered at Proposed Nail Bay Development

Public to Have Say on Proposed Development

September 24, 2009

More on Beef Island, BVI Win

BVINews writes,

The Virgin Islands Environmental Council emerged victorious on Monday 21st September 2009 when Justice Indra Hariprashad-Charles handed down a judgment finding the approval of the Beef Island Project illegal.

The two-year legal battle began in July 2007 when VIEC, a group of concerned fisherfolk and residents, filed an application in the High Court seeking judicial review of the Jan 2007 decision by former Chief Minister, Hon D Orlando Smith granting planning approval to Quorum Island BVI Limited to construct a 5 star hotel, marina and golf course on Beef Island. The golf course and marina were located next to and partially within the Hans Creek Fisheries Protected area.

Contrary to arguments advanced by the Government and the Developer, Justice Charles ruled that Hans Creek is a Fisheries Protected area within the meaning of the Fisheries Act.

The Fisheries Regulations provides that no development activity can take place which may or is likely to adversely affect a fisheries protected area. Any contravention of the Regulations is an offence under the law.

Since certain aspects of the proposed development activity are certain to adversely affect the protected area, the planning approval is thereby rendered illegal.

September 16, 2009

Judicial Review threat to $105m power plant

By NEIL HARTNELL, Tribune Business Editor. An attorney will this week write to all government agencies involved in the permitting process for BEC's $105 million Wilson City power plant to demand that his Abaco-based clients be involved in "meaningful consultation" on the project, with moves for a Supreme Court injunction to follow if construction recommences.

Fred Smith, a Freeport-based partner in the Callenders & Co law firm, also warned that he would launch a Judicial Review challenge in the courts - similar to the one he instigated against Discovery Land Company's Bakers Bay Golf & Ocean Club project on Great Guana Cay, which has reached the Privy Council - if BEC attempted to have the necessary construction permits "rubber stamped and retroactively applied" so the power plant could proceed.

Accusing successive governments of failing to heed the warning given by the Guana Cay situation, when it came to following statutory and due process and consulting with all affected parties, Mr Smith said both the Christie and Ingraham administrations had "put the cart before the horse" when it came to the BEC power plant.

Arguing that the Government had delivered "a slap in the face" to democratic institutions and their processes through their handling of the Wilson City project, the Callenders & Co partner said the administration itself had been responsible for generating opposition by its decision to "proceed clandestinely, secretly and without permits". Informing Tribune Business that he represented a number of Bahamian and foreign homeowners on Abaco, Mr Smith said of his clients: "They are up in arms about the lack of consultation through the local government process, or through the permitting processes of central government agencies.

This is probably the single largest capital expenditure by government in Abaco." The Wilson City power plant project was instigated under the former Christie administration, which initially looked at a site at Snake Cay.

That was ultimately rejected, due to its proximity to a planned National Park and environmentally/ecologically sensitive area, Wilson City being chosen as the alternative. Criticising both governments for their failure to involve Abaconians in the consultative process before construction started, Mr Smith said this had created negative instead of positive energy in the community's attitude towards the Wilson Cay plant. "Instead, they proceeded clandestinely, secretly, without permits, not giving information....

They put the cart before the horse," Mr Smith told Tribune Business. "This all goes back to issues of central government feeling it can do what it wants in the Out Island colonies. It is Nassau treating the Family Islands as if they have no say.

It is a central government dictatorship once again." Generally, government departments go ahead with their development plans before they get permits. This is something that should not happen. It's a slap in the face to democratic institutions.

It demonstrates that statutory mechanisms for local government permitting, health and safety, the environment, are meaningless.

This is a repeat of the Guana Cay fiasco, and I beg the FNM to proceed differently in the future." Dr Earl Deveaux, minister of the environment, acknowledged in this newspaper yesterday that government departments and utilities often went ahead with their development/construction plans without first obtaining the necessary permits and approvals, unlike private developers, who were required to go through the proper processes and channels. When asked why the Government appeared not to have learnt anything from the Guana Cay case and public reactions to other controversial developments, Mr Smith replied: "I don't think they're slow learners.

They haven't learnt at all." What is surprising is that the Government would again risk incurring the wrath of Abaconians, a generally well-educated population well aware of their rights and statutory processes, given what had happened with the Guana Cay development. Pointing out the hypocrisy of requiring private developers to abide by the laws and statutory processes, when government departments were not, Mr Smith said: "The Government is not a law unto itself.

Each department, statutory authority, BEC and BTC, are statutory corporate institutions that are subject to the law like any private developer." The Government appears to have anticipated Mr Smith's possible legal challenge to the Wilson City power plant's continued construction, having placed all building on hold until the necessary permits and approvals are obtained. The Callender's & Co partner said he had been instructed by his clients to write to all the relevant government departments and agencies objecting to the lack of consultation, and request that they now be involved in a meaningful process.

Failing that, Mr Smith said he would seek a Supreme Court injunction to prevent construction on the Wilson City power plant from proceeding until all the required permits were in place and his clients "had an opportunity to participate in a meaningful consultative process". "It's a question of the process by which the permits were applied for, considered and approved," Mr Smith said, adding that the issue went beyond the permits themselves. "If they simply rush to get the permits rubber-stamped and retroactively applied, such permits will be challenged under a Judicial Review," he said.

"In the 21st century Bahamas, it is high time that government institutions respected the relevant laws and processes." Mr Smith said he and his clients would soon have to assess whether work on the Wilson City power plant had stopped, as the Government had said.

He told Tribune Business that the last time he went to the site, he was barred from entering, and a row with security guards broke out after he subsequently started taking photos outside the fenced-off site. To prevent such situations from occurring again, Mr Smith said it was incumbent on all private and public sector developers to "be accountable and transparent, provide the information and interact with a meaningful consultation process". He added that while BEC's general manager, Kevin Basden, had asserted at last week's Town Meeting that three Environmental Impact Assessments (EIAs) had been conducted on Wilson City, this was relatively meaningless if local residents were not given an opportunity to comment, and their concerns made a part of the process. His clients' main concerns, Mr Smith said, were the location of the power plant; whether Bunker C fuel was the correct one and the implications arising from its use; whether government had properly explored wind, solar and other alternative energies; and environmental and health and safety issues.

September 9, 2009

The Good and the Bad

It's been a month and a half since I last posted news on Great Guana Cay's battle against a California golf development. I will be covering Guana Cay in detail in the coming months. Here are some updates.

Privy Council

Arguments ended in the morning of July 9, 2009. The Lords have reserved judgment. There is no timeline on when this judgment will be known.

Bahamas Finally Protecting Sea Turtles

After years of fighting for sea turtle laws, Bahamian environmental groups have now secured an amazing victory - protection for all marine turtles. All seven species of sea turtles are endangered or threatened around the world. Five exist in the Bahamas, but hunting them for their meat and shells is common, including in the Abacos where Bakers Bay Club now threatens one of the areas breeding grounds for nesting loggerhead and green turtles.

Fabien Cousteau Bimini Video

Although Bimini has made a major win against the Bimini Bay Resort & Marina by convincing the Bahamian government to restrain the development's size, the project is still unsustainable and causing problems for the Bimini environment. Here is a 2008 video created by Fabien Cousteau. Cousteau covers corruption issues which closely tie into events at Great Guana Cay. It's a very well made video:

Bimini Bay Resort Youtube Video

Beef Island Update

Guana Cay's fight against Bakers Bay Club has inspired other groups to protect their critical habitats. Here is the latest on the Beef Island story:

Link to Beef Island

May 21, 2009

Another Massive Golf Anchor Development, Four Seasons at Emerald Bay Fails...500 Bahamians lose their job as a result.

The Exumas are being hit heavily as the Four Seasons at Emerald Bay shuts down within two weeks.

Employees were given little notice of the impending collapse of this massive anchor project with a Greg Norman golf course. Notes from the Road has made the case for years that the anchor development projects of the Christie Administration made no sense for the Bahamas, that golf developments are not sustainable, and that megadevelopments are quickly falling out of favor with tourists, and should not be built.

Now, in 2009, we watch as nearly all the big anchor projects are either failing, in dire straits, or closing shop for good. In the case of Bimini Bay, the locals have successfully limited its scope; a historic move in the Bahamas that should set a precedent for local environmental fights in the future.

The question remains, is Bakers Bay next? Sales are extremely slow at Bakers Bay. Only 57 lots are reported as being sold (the developer claims they have sold 67.) But the developers had said as early as 2005 that they expected the project to sell out quickly.

Construction has slowed down considerably, and only a paltry 60 workers are at the site now - a sign that Bakers Bay may be operating on a shoestring budget in preparation for more bad news. It is a tragedy for the Bahamas how many families have been affected by the rise and fall of these megadevelopments, which in almost every case, exact huge tolls on local environments. Notes from the Road has argued a different path for Bahamas tourism: promote Bahamian-ownership of smaller developments.

Promote the Bahamian wilderness, eco-developments, small-scale tourism, second-home ownership.

January 26, 2009

Historic Win for Bimini Bay Mangrove Fight

Notes from the Road has been reporting on the Great Guana Cay development battle for years as well as its sister issue: the island of Bimini has been fighting the expansion of a Hilton golf project that would threaten the island's biodiversity. After years of fighting to protect their island, Bimini has achieved a dramatic and historic win.

The news was reported by the Washington Post on January 23. Here is a quote:

The reserve, which will be protected from most fishing and other "extractive activities," is home to endangered species such as the Nassau grouper and the Bimini boa, as well as a vibrant nursery for lemon sharks.

The decision -- approved by the Bahamas cabinet Dec. 29 but announced last week -- is a setback for the Bimini Bay Resort and Marina, which has been clearing some of the island's mangroves to build a hotel, a golf course, a casino and two marinas, some of which have already been constructed.

I will be updating news on this historic win for Bahamian conservation with photos, illustrations and links to articles.

January 6, 2008

Steel Wall of Secrecy Undermines Bahamas Resorts

A Bahamian brings crustacean traps ashore. Locals are kept in the dark while developments are constructed in their backyard.

Bahamas B2B.com posted an excellent article on the awkward process that Bahamian government goes through in approving developments.

Save Guana Cay Reef attorney Fred Smith is quoted: "It pits communities against developers, and creates unnecessary friction through lack of participation and transparency. That is everything that the Save Guana Cay Reef Association has been complaining about. It is so important to begin the process in a community-friendly way, so that there can be a union between the locals and the developers."

The article also argues the importance of real environmental laws in the Bahamas.

Read the article here.

Updated December 27, 2008

Bahamas National Trust on Bimini Bay Resort

The Bahamas National Trust has issued a document on the Bimini Bay Golf Resort.

Here is a quote:

The Trust is deeply concerned that further development at Bimini Bay will lead inevitably to the loss of vital ecological functions that would be irrecoverable. It is our considered view that no second phase development should be approved without a further EIA undertaken by independent consultants.

Based on our review of the first phase EIA, we agree with the finding by Black and Veatch that it impossible to accurately assess the potential impact of any part of phase 2. The Trust has also identified a direct conflict between the golf course planned for Phase 2, and the government's proposed marine protected area for Bimini.

The proposed boundaries of the MPA overlap and encompass most of the second phase area authorized under the heads of agreement.

It is our considered opinion that construction of a golf course would be at the expense of large areas of mangroves, and at the expense of the ecological integrity of the marine protected area. We strongly recommend that the golf course NOT be approved, and that the government move quickly to declare the promised MPA.

November 27, 2008

Sir Richard Branson joins efforts against Virgin Islands Golf Course

Read this article in The Independent

In a case related to the Great Guana Cay Privy Council case, Virgin CEO Sir Richard Branson backs the locals in a fight against an audacious golf megadevelopment nearly as dangerous to the environment as the Bakers Bay Golf & Ocean Club. This development dispute is on Beef Island in the Virgin Islands.

From the article:

The case, which is to be heard in full next year, is expected to have far-reaching consequences for the protection of the fragile Caribbean environment. Sir Richard, head of the Virgin group of companies, has paid for a team of barristers, led by the former chairman of the Bar Stephen Hockman QC, to fly to the group of islands and seek to stop plans to build a marina, five-star hotel and golf course in the British overseas territory.

Sir Richard Branson's involvement in the Beef Island case resembles, and exceeds, celebrity involvement in the Caribbean environment cases.

The article continues:

A council spokesman said: "This is a landmark case that addresses a number of important issues which will impact on the future of environmental law and practice throughout the Caribbean. The outcome of this case will definitely impact the way other large projects currently under planning review are dealt with, leading to a more sustainable future for the BVI."

November 15, 2008

Beef Island Locals Wins Another Appeal Against Golf Development in Court

Beef Island is a beautiful island in the British Virgin Islands. A golf and megayacht development was slated to consume environmentally integral portions of the island. According to an email from the locals opposing the development:

"The judges ruled in favor of VIEC stopping developers from turning Beef Island's Hans Creek, salt pond, and mangrove shore into a mega-yacht marina with cement shore, golf course lacking coastal setbacks and cabana-ed artificial beach."

According to the newsletter, the endangered Beef Island area was the island's "last pristine salt pond, creek and mangrove shore with coral reefs frequented by roseate flamingoes, endangered white-cheeked pigeons, turtles and fish."

Beef Island's development problems are far from over, but the news of another appeal is welcome news for the local's attempting to save their island's ecosystems.

September 19, 2008

Rum Cay Development Fails

The Bahama Journal announced today that the Rum Cay project has failed. Quoting Bahama Journal, "Work on the much-touted $700 million Rum Cay Resort Marina supposedly being developed by Montana Holdings on remote Rum Cay in the southern Bahamas has stalled completely, leaving a gaping hole in the island's economy, and leading to migration away from home once again for many who had returned in anticipation of work."

Rum Cay was a Bakers Bay style megadevelopment criticized by environmentalists for being dangerous to the local nearshore environment. Rum Cay's failure is another in a long string of collapses of the failed 'anchor megadevelopment policy' of the Christie Administration.

June 2, 2008

Fabien Cousteau Video on Bimini Bay

Great video from Ocean Future's Society on Bimini Bay covers many of the issues from Great Guana Cay.

Fabien Cousteau Video

June 2, 2008

Jean-Michel Cousteau Slams Bimini Bay

World renowned marine conservationists Jean-Michel Cousteau slams Bimini Bay for all the reasons the opposition to Bimini Bay and Bakers Bay have been making for the past several years:

"...Allowing Bimini Bay to continue with phase II would certainly strip this inland paradise of its precious natural riches. Over time, visitors and residents alike will suffer the decline of economic, social and environmental prosperity..." Read the article:

Nassau Guardian Article

May 11, 2008

SharkTrust on Bahamas Mangroves Destruction

Message to Prime Minister, "When can we expect your government to demonstrate that it is primarily interested in its first responsibility: the Bahamian people, their natural heritage and their future?"

SharkTrust, the Bimini-based shark and mangroves research institute, issued a press release warning to the Bahamas government about further destruction to the mangroves. Mangroves Action Network followed the press release with a letter to Prime Minister Ingraham, which is posted here:

Dear Prime Minister Ingraham,

I would like to also draw your attention to a press release we at Mangrove Action Project have just sent out. The old adage that warns us "If the lessons of history are not learned, then history is bound to repeat itself," needs to be heeded in the Bahamas today! Developments that destroy your nation's mangroves, such as seen at Bimini and Guana Cay, prove beyond a doubt that your government is not learning those lessons.

Towards A Future With Mangroves,

Alfredo Quarto, Mangrove Action Project

Here is the Press Release from SharkTrust:

Dear Prime Minister Ingraham, I am sure you are aware of the disaster that has recently struck Myanmar (Burma).

What you may previously have been unaware of is the considerable contribution to the scale of the devastation and loss of life there due to the clearing of the mangrove forests that previously provided a protective buffer against the worst storms.

In the case of Burma the poverty and circumstances of the people contributed to the clearing.

In the case of Bimini in your own country, the intended - and well-underway - destruction of the mangrove forests of the North Sound is being allowed, without legal foundation, so that a foreign developer can make his fortune.

And ignorance of the potential calamity should a hurricane strike Bimini is not an excuse as you are now informed of the threat: LOE, Wall Street Journal, Scientific American, ABC Mangroves. Furthermore, should a storm surge enter the North Sound once the northern lagoon is built up as part of this monstrously inappropriate resort, the resultant flooding of Alice and Bailey Towns to the south-west are another considerable and dreadful possibility. Let me ask you this Prime Minister: if a hurricane indeed hits Bimini after its vital mangroves have been cleared by the Capo Group and the flow characteristics of the North Sound have been altered and the resulting devastation (and loss of life?) is as expected, who will be held responsible for the fiasco?

Every genuine mangrove scientist will confirm the risks being quietly allowed on North Bimini for the development of the Bimini Bay Resort with its gigantic golf course, oversized Marina, Hilton Hotel and Casino.

I certainly hope the Press of the Commonwealth of the Bahamas takes up this scandal once again and makes abundantly clear to the Bahamian people what is going on on the tiny and once charming island of North Bimini.

Your predecessor, Mr Christie, demonstrated that his interests lay not with the islanders of Bimini and their island but with the Capo Group and its ambitions.

Conservationists, scientists and ethical tourism NGOs greeted your recent election victory with enthusiasm because we presumed that you would act rapidly and decisively on your re-election promises to right such blatant wrongs.

When can we expect your government to demonstrate that it is primarily interested in its first responsibility: the Bahamian people, their natural heritage and their future?

Yours sincerely

Jeremy Stafford-Deitsch

May 07, 2008

Anti Ara Macao Group Wins Suit

From Channel 5 Belize:

Ara Macao: that was the development project that proposed to build a two hundred and sixty room hotel, four hundred and sixty condos, a hundred thousand square foot casino and an eighteen-hole golf course on the northern end of the Placencia peninsula.

And while years of public controversy, regulatory red tape and uncertain financing have mired the initiative in the sand, today's case in the Supreme Court had nothing to do with environmental compliance or economic impact. This morning in the Supreme Court chairman of the Ara Macao Development Company, Paul Goguen, sued the group Placencia Citizens for Sustainable Development for damages, asserting that separate articles that appeared on its website in June 2006 libeled him personally and embarrassed his company.

During the proceedings, Goguen's attorney, Elson Kaseke, argued that the stories, entitled "A reality check for Ara Macao" and "Setting the Record Straight from the Peninsula's Perspective" contained defamatory statements.

But when he rose to address the court, the lawyer representing the citizens group, Oscar Sabido contended that the statements were fair comment and protected as free speech.

When he made his ruling, Chief Justice Abdulai Conteh maintained that he had read both articles in their entirety and while they were (quote) "not friendly" or "welcoming", only (quote) "a heightened sensitivity would have read between the lines to find they are truly defamatory".

In short, case dismissed. As Goguen and Kaseke left the courtroom, they expressed surprise at the Judges decision.

Learn more at these links:

Ara Macao Notes

Also, Mary Toy was quoted by Channel 5.

"I didn't look at this as so much a vindication of our work against Ara Macao or about Ara Macao but the right of Belizeans to express their beliefs and their opinions. If what Mr. Kaseke had been proposing, that only comments could have been given to NEAC and nothing could have gone on television or newspapers, what would that have done to our society because if that had been accepted, it would not have been confined to environmental problems, it would have gone to social issues, things like AIDS and abuse of women.

Its just a vindication of the Belizeans right to say what they want to say in a legitimate way."

March 24, 2008

Bimini, An Island Ignored

People from Bimini, and around the world, have been calling for the preservation of this beautiful island for years. Back in 2000, we were told that our precious home was designated as the highest-priority site in the Bahamas for a Marine Protected Area, yet here we are in 2008 with no MPA. Bimini's MPA is widely supported, locally and internationally, and its implementation is a key factor to the economic and ecological future of the island, long-hailed as the Big Game Fishing Capital of the World. Just a few days ago, a news report suggested that the government is holding off on designating Bimini's MPA because of a perceived apathy from Bimini, rather than recognizing that for us here, this issue should have already been settled years ago. I am never one to take a defeatist's attitude but I can see why there appears to be a sense of apathy amongst the people of Bimini. There have been inquiries, investigations, committees, surveys, studies and promises for years in regards to the current development on North Bimini and their wanton destruction and impact on the environment and ecology.

We have talked to administrators, MP's, lawyers, church leaders, heads of state, scientists, and environmental groups. We have had meetings, forums, educational fairs, flyers, and petitions voicing our desire to have the project stopped and preservation of the wetlands implemented.

And through all of this do you know what the general belief of Biminites is...? We feel that it doesn't matter what we do because the government leaders do not have our best interest at heart, only profit - personal or otherwise.

Our desire to preserve the natural heritage of Bimini for the future of Bimini, the very thing that brings people like the Bimini Bay developers to our islands, is for sale to the highest bidder.

In the end our fate is not in our own hands but in the hands of a small few who know nothing of daily life in Bimini and the tragic effects that this development, even in just its beginning stage, has had on the economy and ecology of the island. Most people feel this way and have adopted the attitude toward our leadership of "they're going to do what they want to do no matter what we say, so why waste your breath".

I know it's unfortunate but it's a product of being let down by the same people for so long. So when the government says that the people of Bimini have not shown that they want a Marine Reserve or National Park, it's not true, we do.

The people of Bimini have been ignored for too long, and for many their hopes for a better tomorrow have waned. I say shame on the leaders of our nation if they plan to use the plight of a weary community as their excuse to do the wrong thing.

Establishing Bimini's MPA and preserving what's left of Bimini will ensure that Biminites, tourists, and even foreign developers can enjoy this island jewel for future generations.

Marty Weech, Biminite, Born and Raised

February 26, 2008

Fabien Cousteau backs Efforts at Bimini Bay

Very good news for Bimini. It looks like the efforts to restrict the scope of the Hilton project are becoming very real. The new attention being brought to Bimini by Fabien Cousteau, Jean-Michel Cousteau's son, seem to be helping the efforts greatly.

Following is a piece from the Bahama Pundit. In it, Neil Sealey is quoted as saying, "The people of Bimini are now trapped behind a wall while most of their island has been taken over by a developer who wants to knock golf balls around. The North Sound and the entire mangrove area to the east are clearly deserving of some sort of protected status - it's an oasis in a vast expanse of water."

Very nice of Mr. Sealey to say. However, Sealey is the husband of the environmental monitoring team leader of the Bakers Bay Club, Kathleen Sullivan-Sealey. He was an early supporter of the environmental qualities of Bakers Bay. Ironic, how cronyism can lead us to say one thing in one place, and the opposite somewhere else. Here is a Neil Sealey letter defending Bakers Bay Club, with comments by me.

Fabien Cousteau was attracted to Bimini by Cindy Slater, a Floridian who has been visiting the island since childhood. She is devastated by what is happening there, and set up the Save Bimini Association to fight back: "You can tell the people who live at Bimini Bay," she says, "as opposed to those who come to enjoy the real Bimini - they wear high heels instead of flip flops. The resort should stop where it is now - there is no need for a golf course to fill in the mangroves."

Cousteau and Slater were in Nassau last week to meet with a variety of politicos, environmentalists and media folks. Slater said no one they spoke to could understand why the Bimini Bay development is allowed to continue in its present format: "Even Capo could turn this around and have a resort that draws on a marine park. Bimini's resources for ecotourism are huge."

According to Bahamas National Trust deputy president Pericles Maillis, Bimini Bay is one of a handful of development "anomalies" in the Bahamas, and the government has had the grace to admit it was a mistake. He noted that the project was on the upcoming BNT council meeting's agenda, and there are expectations that some sort of "green line" will be drawn to stop further development.

"I can tell you that there is a joint initiative right now between the BNT and the government to look at the agreements and the extent of compliance and to see how we can ameliorate the situation. But," he warned, "in a democracy, things that are done are not often undone."

Some say the future of Bimini is in the hands of those who live there. Environmentalists can point out what's wrong, but it's the local folk who must force the politicos to act. As one Biminite said in Cousteau's video, Paradise in Peril, "Bimini is the fishing capital of the Bahamas. If you gonna come to Bimini to play golf, then you going away from what Bimini is all about."

January 20, 2008

Donald Trump Golf Course Draws Fire

Link to National Geographic Video

Conservationists in Scotland are now fighting alongside local residents against a proposed golf course by Donald Trump. His plan will destroy a 4,000 year old dune system, habitat for seven rare bird species.

Watch the interview of George Sorial, Trump's managing director for international development. This guy looks like a real winner, and reminds me of the suits hired by Discovery Land Company to spin their golf course green.

In other interviews, Sorial's patronizing attitude towards anybody concerned about the adverse effects of Trump's development shows. In the Guardian, he writes, "There's a view we are arrogant. We are not arrogant. We set certain standards. It may be incomprehensible to smaller minds, but we have always set high standards. We presented them with a plan and hoped they could open their minds, but it was too much for them."

But the Trump issue is becoming more complicated, and more and more, it is resembling the crisis at Great Guana Cay, where locals are feeling that Trump mercenaries are harassing them and attempting to meddle with Scottish environmental law. This January 6th article from the Seattle Times helps illustrate that. Redshanks are one of 7 species threatened by the Trump development.

In an eerie similarity to the Bakers Bay project, high level Scottish officials had met with Trump officials before decisions were made:

The Seattle Times writes, "...The battle has led to the firing of the local infrastructure committee chairman who rejected the project and recriminations against all seven committee members who voted no. It also has sunk the Scottish government in a "sleaze" quagmire. After newly elected Scottish National Party ministers rescued the project by declaring it a matter of national significance, newspapers revealed that party officials had held meetings with senior Trump Organization officials on the eve of the decision. "The pressure that was put on the council was absolutely unprecedented," said Martin Ford, the committee chairman who was ousted after casting a tiebreaking vote against Trump."

December 21, 2007

News on the Bimini Bay Resort & Casino

I received this amazing list of media and organization supporting the fight against the Bimini Bay Resort & Casino. The list of opponents of this development is astounding; the scientific evidence against this development is compelling, and the movement to restrict the size of the development in Bimini is growing by the day. Godspeed to them.

Cinemaquatics "Saving the Sawfish" https://www.youtube.com/cinemaquatics or http://www.cinemaquatics.com/saving-the-sawfish.html

National Geographic Magazine, March 2007, "An Eden For Sharks" "As recently as 2002, plans were in motion to set aside five 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."

National Geographic Traveler Magazine, "Out Islands Are In" - "The Government got screwed, Mr Capo lied to them." http://www.savebimini.org/ngarticle.htm

The Washington Post, August 24, 2005, "Wave of Marine Species Extinctions Feared" - "BIMINI, Bahamas -- The bulldozers moved slowly at first. Picking up speed, they pressed forward into a patch of dense mangrove trees that buckled and splintered like twigs. As the machines moved on, the pieces drifted out to sea."

The Save Bimini Association www.savebimini.org

Save the Bahamas Coalition www.restrictbiminibayresort.org

PEW Institute for Ocean Science, "Bimini Beseiged" - "If allowed to proceed unchecked, the complex will consume the mangroves of the North Sound and east Bimini, together with all of the animals and plants that live there"

Bimini Biological Field Station, "Protect Bimini" http://www6.miami.edu/sharklab/news_protectbimini.html

Award Winning Author Lynne Cherry: "Why was Mr. Capo given a permit when the whole area of mangroves was designated the #1 priority area and was supposed to be protected as a Marine Protected Area?"

Earth Island Institute, "The Bimini Bay Development, An Ongoing Environmental Disaster"

Mangrove Action Project http://www.mangroveactionproject.org/

Miami Beach Rod & Reel Club, "Bimini Destroyed"

Photographer Brian Skerry, "Photographer Brian Skerry's Concern For Bimini" - "I saw something in Bimini that disturbed me as well. Large areas of mangroves were being bulldozed"

MythBuster Jamie Hyneman: "We should not allow huge developments to come in and wipe out these areas - this is what is happening in Bimini right now."

Tourism Concern (UK), "Save Bimini" - "Water supplies are being used for the tourism development resulting in water to local communities being frequently turned off"

Global Response, "Protect Mangroves & Shark Habitat" - "The Bimini Bay Resort & Casino complex has already destroyed large areas of Bimini's pristine habitats on land and sea"

The Shark Trust http://www.sharktrust.org/content.asp?did=26543

The Bahamas Journal of Science, Bimini Special Issue, Volume 9, No. 2, May, 2002

NBC 6 - South Florida, May 9, 2005, "If the resort is fully built as it's planned, not only will the sharks disappear from this island, but the very fish and conch and lobster that populate the reefs out here will be gone"

Earth Action Network, "Bimini Bay Resort, Marina and Casino will be devastating to the Biminites and, with the natural wonders of Bimini destroyed, the very reasons for visiting these charming islands will be lost."

Ecumenical Coalition on Tourism, "Gerardo Capo obviously feels little or nothing about the Biminis and its people and environment."

Wet Pleasures Dive Outfitters, "Of critical concern is the ongoing construction of a mega-development on North Bimini. Known as the Bimini Bay Resort and Casino"

Bahamas Government Minister Tommy Turnquest, "We Should Not Have Approved Bimini Bay," July 17, 2007

Bahamian Ecologist Romauld Ferreira, "For example, look at what happened in Bimini - the total clear-cutting of that portion of Bimini (being used for Floridian Gerardo Capo's development). Disaster. Well what's the penalty for that? What penalty should be applied for someone who does that? I'm sure BEST Commission did not give them permission to do that."

Ruba Marshood, Duke University, Honorable Mention, 2005 Citizen Science Writing Competition, "The North Sound Lagoon vs. The Bimini Bay Resort & Casino"

Dive Magazine (UK), "Lemon Sharks Under Threat" - "Although the Bahamian Government announced its intention to declare the site a marine reserve in 2000, it is now under serious threat from these proposals."

Florida Sportsman Magazine, "The Changing Face of Bimini" - "If you love sport fishing, diving and the natural world, then don't buy into Bimini Bay."

Shark Diver Magazine, "Bimini Beseiged", March 2, 2005

Nassau Guardian, Feb. 13, 2003, "Bimini Resident Over Undelivered Promises" - "the only thing they came in here to do is to destroy Bimini."

Nassau Guardian, July 22, 2002, "Bimini Under Attack" - "if there is going to be long-lasting environmental damage to the Bimini Islands, then this sort of development should not continue."

Nassau Tribune, Feb. 12, 2004, "Legislation Hopes After Bimini Bay" - "has run into several financing problems and criticism from locals concerned with the destruction of their environment."

Bahamas Tribune, April 8, 2002, "DREDGING KILLING FISH CONCERN AS BIMINI WORK RESUMES" - "unprecedented ecological disaster in the North sound lagoon of Bimini via the Bimini Bay development"

Nassau Tribune, December 23, 2003, "Anger as Minister's Name Appears on Developer's Gift Card" - "Bimini Bay Resort development has caused rage and resentment on the island"

Grand Bahamas Newsletter, "Biminites Fight Back" - "a tourist development that will destroy one of the country's most productive marine ecosystems: the mangrove forests of the Bimini islands"

Nassau Guardian, "Few Benefits for Bimini" - "Bimini Bay is not good for Bimini."

Divester.com, "Bimini Bay Resort: Beautiful, Luxurious…and Destroying the Environment" - "the development is busy filling in the only mangrove ecosystem in the Northwestern Bahama Bank"

Nassau Guardian, March 26, 2006, "Environment will be Threatened By Resort" - "Bimini Bay Resort has already removed a large area of mangroves, including an area with the largest species diversity of marine life in the North Sound."

Nassau Guardian, July 14, 2005, "Capo defends his hiring of Mexicans" - "His argument was that the Mexicans could have the project completed in half the time it would take for Bahamian construction workers to do it."

Nassau Guardian, August 25, 2004, "Wetlands Policy May be too Late for Bimini" - "despite the importance of Bimini's wetlands, that community has not been slated for consultation meetings."

Nassau Guardian, December 8, 2004, "Bimini Bay Project Under Fire Again" - "further degraded and destroyed by this extremely short-sighted and unsustainable development plan."

Nassau Guardian, June 23, 2005, "Concerned For Bimini's Wetlands" - "this development is a disaster waiting to happen."

Nassau Guardian, February 3, 2003, "Government to meet with Bimini Bay developer" - "it seems inappropriate to impact the most important resource of the Biminis to obtain cheap fill."

Nassau Guardian, June 10, 2005, "Bimini Residents Demonstrate" - "residents still have great environmental concerns about the project. She alleged that despite the project's developer's denial, "they are filling in the wetlands.""

Nassau Guardian, March 12, 2004, "Bimini Project Gets the OK" - "Mr. Capo admitted that he was at first reluctant to work with the BEST Commission."

Nassau Guardian, June 21, 2006, "The FNM on 'This and That'" - "the Minister responsible for Financial Services and Investment, Vincent Peet, sought to shed any and all responsibility for developments at Bimini Bay"

Nassau Guardian, June 10, 2005, "Protest Planned in Bimini" - "They might be creating jobs for the future for the Biminites, but very soon there will be no fish on this island."

Nassau Guardian, July 23, 2003, "Bimini Project off the Ground" - "Although it is unclear as to whether environmental concerns over the Bimini Bay project have been resolved, the first phase is well underway."

Nassau Guardian, February 17, 2005, "Bimini to Re-establish itself as the 'Gateway to the Bahamas'" - "an island-wide controversy with residents and environmental groups calling for the project to be shelved."

Nassau Guardian, June 10, 2005, "Bimini Demonstration" - "residents of the island staged a massive protest to publicly voice their concerns about the project."

Nassau Guardian, September 18, 2006, "Government and Partners" - "The developers of Bimini Bay Resort have repeatedly come under fire with regard to the alleged environmental disorder that is being created with the elimination of the mangrove swamps and the creation of a golf course."

Nassau Guardian, June 16, 2005, "Letter to the Prime Minister to save Bimini Islands from disaster" - "over 400 signatures…These people expressed their concerns about the environment of Bimini."

Nassau Guardian, October 24, 2005, "Bimini Residents Feel Betrayed" - "the protest would be only one of several times the Council and residents of Bimini have taken government to task over the development's unfavourable terms."

Nassau Guardian, February 14, 2003, "Bimini Resident Upset Over Undelivered Promises" - "blames the Bimini Bay project for the destruction of a large piece of land, which resulted in the clearing of cedar trees, "destroying nature.""

Nassau Guardian, June 11, 2004, "Bastian says development ruining islands' environs" - "were concerned about the Bimini Bay Project, and the damage done to Bimini."

Nassau Guardian, June 10, 2004, "Let's Remember the Environment" - "The destruction of the wetlands due to urban encroachment or resort developing will do more harm than good."

Nassau Guardian, September 9, 2005, "Road Safety" - "the developers of Bimini Bay Resort and Casino… say that they are demolishing "non-sensitive" mangroves."

Nassau Guardian, June 10, 2005, "The Pitfalls of Political Lies and Legends" - "Surely the abuse and excess of a few developers, most notable Bimini Bay and Hall's Pond"

Nassau Guardian, April 14, 2003, "Scaled Down Bimini Project 'unstopped'" - "Asked to comment on concerns expressed by environmental groups, including Bimini residents, Mr. Grimes said: "We are unaware of any negative impact that the project has caused to the environment.""

Nassau Guardian, June 16, 2005, "The PLP Doesn't Seem to Understand Conflict of Interest" - "The Residents of Bimini always had problems with the Bimini Bay project."

Nassau Guardian, February 8, 2005, "Stealing from the Future?" - "A giant resort like the Bimini Bay resort will keep Bahamians employed at low wages, without improving the living conditions of local Bimini residents."

Nassau Guardian, July 28, 2003, "Bimini Water 'Dry'" - "There were rumours that the water shortage was due to the large amount being used in the Bimini Bay project."

Nassau Guardian, September 9, 2005, "Business Plan Goes Awry" - "That development will destroy the only fish nursery on the eastern Gulf Stream"

Nassau Guardian, September 9, 2005, "Sharks May Be In Danger" - "Reyes said, adding that he is demolishing mangroves in a place that is "basically not a sensitive area"."

Nassau Guardian, July 7, 2006, "Behind the Property Boom in the Bahamas" - "claims the Bimini Bay Resort & Casino will destroy mangroves that help protect marine life."

Nassau Guardian, January 12, 2004, "Elevating Bahamians Through Sustainable Development" - "Another example of this kind of visionless strategy is the Bimini Bay development of Geraldo Capo"

Nassau Guardian, April 29, 2004, "Consumers & Earth Day Reflections" - "We may have to take a second look at Bimini Bay"

Nassau Guardian, April 26, 2004, "We're Not Silly Prime Minister" - "In Bimini, the Bimini Bay project, to which the PLP, in opposition, objected so strenuously, suddenly has the approval of its hitherto most vocal objectors…Are we the people silly to be incredulous and to wonder to what could we attribute this startling spontaneous reversal, which was accompanied by no explanation or justification whatsoever by him or his senior colleagues?"

Nassau Guardian, December 7, 2004, "Bimini Bay Project Still Causing Worries" - "tearing apart a viable and important eco system that produces huge amounts of benefits for the local people and the local coastal environment"

Nassau Tribune, December 24, 2003, "Anger as developer's name appears on minister's gift card" - "There have been a lot of complaints about this, but he [Bimini Bay developer Gerardo Capo] just goes ahead without being stopped"

The Bahamas Tribune, April 8, 2002, "Dredging Killing Fish Concern As Bimini Work Resumes" - "Bimini Bay development continues to wreak havoc on the ecosystem there, compromising Bimini's culture and environment."

"Biminites Take a Stand For their Land", May 23, 2005

Nicki Kelly, The Punch, Bahamas: "aberrant projects that should never have seen the light of day. One of these is Bimini Bay."

Nassau Guardian, August 16, 2007, "Claims of Slave-Like Conditions in Bimini" - "There have been a number of complaints from Bahamian employees."

El Universal, August 11, 2007, "Drug Trafficking Ring Explodes to Mexican in Bahamas" - "they were going to command us to a jail"

El Universal, August 11, 2007, "They Denounce Network That Traffic Mexican in Bahamas" - "dozen of workers managed to flee from the place in where they were retained: the Bimini island Bay, in Bahamas."

Bahamas Pundit, "Tourism & Anchor Projects in the Bahamas" - "It is perhaps the most tragic example of mistaken development in our history."

ReEarth, "Environmental Issues in the Islands of the Bahamas", "Restrict Bimini Bay Resort", www.reearth.org

Neil Hammerschlag, http://www.neil4sharks.org/pdf/Bimini_ActionAlert.pdf

Environmental Law Alliance Worldwide, "Bulldozing mangroves on Bimini Island, Bahamas, to make way for the Hilton Group's Bimini Bay Resort and Casino"

Freeport News, January 28, 2003, "Decries Ecological Damage to Bimini" - "Control of the potable water supply, an especially important, sovereign right in The Bahamas in general and Bimini in particular has been allowed to be taken over by foreign interests."

Bahamas B2B, March 24, 2005, "Furor Over Bimini Bay" - "Mr. Reyes said screening occurs at the gate because there is a concern about nighttime access. "Also in recent times, there have been many police-related incidents involving alleged theft of construction materials and the alleged trafficking of people and narcotics," he added."

Freeport News, May 25, 2005, "Residents Upset by Capo's Theft Claims" - "Mr. Capo insisting that he wants to prohibit Biminites from accessing his project because they have stolen material from the site."

Nassau Guardian, May 28, 2005, "No Gate" - "Mr. Capo denied that residents were turned away from the area. "We never closed the gate to any Bahamian," he stressed."

Global Coral Reef Alliance, http://www.globalcoral.org/

Global Anti-Golf Course Movement: "It is inconceivable as to how such indiscriminate destructive activities can continue to take place." On behalf of the Global Anti-Golf Course Movement's (GAG'M) coordinating groups: Consumers Association of Penang (CAP), Malaysia; Friends of the Earth (FoE), Malaysia; Global Network for Anti-Golf Course Action (GNAGA), Japan; Tourism Investigation & Monitoring Team (tim-team), Thailand; Third World Network (TWN). Additional signatory: Forest Peoples Programme (FPP), United Kingdom

Black Belt News, Bahamas, February 2005: "The project has destroyed the mangroves, the seabed, the fishing experience for tourists and the ability for the government and Biminites to expand their need for housing developments."

MP Kenneth Russel, "MP Reports Minister to Police", The Tribune: "I have to conclude that the only reason they came to Bimini was because Capo instructed them to and he probably told them what to say when they got there."

The Tribune, Bahamas: "Visitors' concern at Bimini building" - "Long-time visitors to the Bahamas have raised concerns that the controversial Bimini Bay Resort will keep environmentally-minded tourists from coming to the island."

The Tribune, Bahamas, September 2007: "Capo Moves to 'Muzzle' Bimini Bay Resort Critics" - "This is not the kind of investment that is good for the future of the Bahamas."

David Jennings, "Effects of Large-Scale Anthropogenic Development of Juvenile Lemon Shark Populations of Bimini, Bahamas": "Our results suggest that the development thus far has had a negative effect on both first-year survival rates of neonate lemon sharks and the habitat structure of the North Sound."

The Bahamas Journal, September 24, 2007: "development in Bimini Bay has for many years now been a bone of contention, not only because of its size and potential for social dislocation, but also because of environmental concerns associated with the dredge for the marina, the backfilling of wetlands and the development of a major golf course," Minister Symonette said.

Global Insular Conservation Society: "The destruction of the native mangrove forests and sea grass in the name of development has catastrophic potential for the future of many species of animals, sharks, shell fish, birds, reptiles etc... that rely on these forests (both above and below the water) for their survival and very existence."

The Tribune, November 2, 2007, "New Laws to be Introduced on Building in Low-Lying Areas": Prime Minister Ingraham, "The filling in of wetlands is a thing that has to come to an end, it has to stop."

The Tribune, October 2007, "Environmental Signs In Bimini": "there are still mangroves which can avoid future "death" and be saved from this unfair destruction, if phase II and III of Bimini Bay Project is stopped and the Marine Protected Area is established."

The Petition Site, Sponsor Holly Cooper, "Save the Mangroves at Bimini": "This is an ecological disaster in the making."

11.22.07

Fisherman Fights Donald Trump on Golf Development

From ABC News: "...Trump wants to develop a $1 billion luxury golf course and hotel resort in Menie Links, stretching along the North Sea from the Scottish Heritage sand dunes in the north, to the town of Barmedie to the south..."

Link to Article

Time Online article on subject:

"To say that Mr Forbes, 55, is a thorn in Mr Trump's side is an understatement. His 23 acres of land sit directly between the tycoon's two proposed 18-hole golf courses and a planned 450-bedroom five-star hotel. A golf academy and driving range would be next door. Just a few hundred feet away would be the majestic sweep of Trump Boulevard, the main access road to the £1 billion resort.

"I'm right in the middle, you see," Mr Forbes said yesterday. "I wasn't against the golf course from the start, but then they just went mental because I wouldn't sell. They said they'd make my life a misery and they are..."

The threats and underheaded business practices in this story are being waged by golf course developers across the world - from the Bakers Bay Club on Great Guana Cay to the Bimini Bay Golf Course to the Tehama Resort in California. Those of us who oppose these golf courses commend fisherman Michael Forbes for his bravery against another golf developer creep.

This article in CNN shows some of the comments Trump has made about the fisherman, reminiscent of comments made by Bakers Bay Club directors and employees about the local residents of Guana Cay.

This article from the Daily Mail quotes Forbes: "...To me, you can't put a price on it. I won't sell and he knows that...All my family come from here. My grandfather fished here, my uncles fished here and I've been fishing here 40 years — I'm the last in line and will see it out."

11.21.07

Bahamas Four Season Golf Course Floods

New photos show the Four Seasons Resort golf course flooding. Hurricanes and tropical storms are a fact of life in the Bahamas, but golf courses in the Bahamas are often built with little regard for the local conditions.

The impact of fertilizers and herbicides soaking into the bay can be devastating to the marine environment. The Nassau Guardian covers the issue here.

09.22.07

Saving the Sawtooth

Like Great Guana Cay, Bimini is facing its own development issues. This youtube video is an outstanding look at the issues facing Bimini. The video is a fast seven minutes. Its production is superb and it concisely explains the big picture at Bimini.

Link to Video

Like Guana Cay's Bakers Bay, Bimini Bay Resort has many critics. This month, the developer has allegedly attempted to muzzle those critics' voices through SLAPP tactics. Several letters went out to critics of the development threatening legal action if their criticism continued. Apparently, the tactic has backfired on the developer, as the Bahamian press has not responded kindly to Capo's tactics.

09.10.07

Two Scientists Central to Guana Cay Fight Create Florida Victory

Dr. Mike Risk, the coral ecologist who wrote the original response to the Bakers Bay golf course and marina plan, and Dr. Tom Goreau, who has argued against the Bakers Bay Golf and Ocean Club independently of Dr. Risk, have joined forces in Florida for an amazing victory for the state, and coral reefs.

The City of Lake Worth had planned to pass a permit that would allow the city to build a desalinization plant and dump the residue into the ocean through an old underground pipe. The plan was designed to address a concern in the city that freshwater was being contaminated by saltwater.

But Tom Goreau and Mike Risk made a very public and very critical assessment of the plan, which they argued would increase the nutrient levels of horseshoe reef, a mile from the desalinization plant's output.

The issue is the same as that on Great Guana Cay; the large input of nutrients created by the Bakers Bay Club is killing Guana Cay's reef.

Here is a quote from the Sun-Sentinel:

However, the environmental coalition presented two nationally recognized experts in ocean sciences to refute the state's assessment.

Thomas Goreau, the Harvard-educated president of the nonprofit Global Coral Reef Alliance, and Mike Risk, professor of environmental sciences at McMasters University in Canada, vehemently argued that there is no such thing as "a safe level" of ocean contaminants. "Every time you get more nutrients into the coral, it expands and kills more coral," Goreau said.

"Nutrients act like a fertilizer." After hearing their arguments, city commissioners unanimously denied a request to hire a lobbyist to negotiate with a state agency for a permit that would allow the city to dump 4 million gallons of reverse osmosis concentrate near the pristine coral reef.

The Lake Worth mayor credits the efforts of Goreau, Risk and other scientists, divers and environmentalists with saving the Horseshoe Reef.

The expert testimony of Risk and Goreau was crucial to the Florida victory. Reefs in Florida are severely degraded.

09.09.07

Costa Rican Corals dying from Hotel Fertilizers

A recent Reuters article attributes hotel golf course fertilizers and bad sewage systems to the destruction of a crucial Costa Rica coastal reef. The article backs the claims of scientists who criticize Bakers Bay Club's plan. Here are some quotes from the article:

"A tropical algae thriving on fertilizers from hotel golf courses and badly treated sewage is killing one of Costa Rica's most important coastal reefs, scientists say."

"The green, feather-like algae is spreading along the reefs of Culebra Bay in Costa Rica's northwestern Gulf of Papagayo, a popular scuba diving spot and home to a rare species of coral. The algae blocks the sunlight and suffocates the reefs."

"A tourism and construction boom along the palm tree-lined beaches is creating nitrogen- and phosphate-rich waste that feeds the algae, known as Caulerpa sertularioides, and Costa Rica is only just becoming aware of the problem."

"Scientists say about 80 percent of the reef area, which stretches for about a mile and a half (2.4 km) along the coast line, is covered in the algae."

The article pays tribute to the multiplying effect coral issues can have on nearshore environments:

If left unchecked, the algae could also severely damage the ecosystem of the bay, allowing non-native species of fish to come in and displace the native species.

Costa Rica is facing the same dilemma as the Bahamas:

"The algae is the latest challenge facing Costa Rican authorities as the Central American country struggles with conserving its unique tropical biodiversity while attracting tourists and marketing itself as an ecotourism paradise."

08.31.07

New Development to Remove Coral Reefs

A new development will remove coral reefs and place them elsewhere. More insane plans in the Bahamas, according to an article from The Bahama Journal.

08.28.07

The New Golf Wars

This article appeared in the recent issue of the Northern California Golf Association magazine, along with an opposing piece. The article was written by Alfredo Quarto, a mangroves expert who has seen too many mangroves areas destroyed by golf courses. By Alfredo Quarto, Executive Director, Mangrove Action Project

This may be an epitaph for Bimini Island - that 'Island in the Stream' made famous by Ernest Hemingway in his book by that title. Or perhaps an epitaph for Guana Cay, another Bahamian island pearl which is also losing its mangroves and its unique tropical island beauty, succumbing to mega-development, crooked politics, and the game of golf. Throughout the world this same scenario is being repeated.

Too often, tourism is a booming and busting industry, bringing immense investment dollars and relentless development pressures. In the last three decades the tourist industry has written its recipe for mega-development in mortar and stone and trim, green fairways.

Throughout the tropical and sub-tropical regions of the world, tourists can vacation in luxury resorts, and play golf on neatly manicured, multi-million dollar courses laid out with beach front and ocean view enough to take one's breath away. But what else is being taken away in the process?

What is clear is that the once seemingly innocuous game of golf has not taken to its new fairways in a fair way, and its greens are not really so green after all. Many of those places where all-out "golf wars" are being waged are now wracked with environmental ruin and social disruption.

What exactly is it about this game of golf that seems so off course?

A Hole-in-One's History

Golf's origins in Scotland around the 10th Century seem humble enough. Over the passing millennia, golf spread slowly to new regions around the globe. In the last 50 years, this growth became exponential, with thousands of new golf courses constructed. Golf's newest growth spurts were especially felt in the last two decades when it became a near US$25 billion industry. In 2005, Golf Digest estimated 32,000 golf courses existed (half of these in the US catering to over 26 million golfers).

Golf has become popular in the Asia-Pacific region, taking hold first in Japan and expanding rapidly throughout Asia. Its rampant spread fomented opposition by both environmentalists and affected local communities against the multi-billion dollar land-grab tied to the apron strings of the greater tourism industry.

Too Many Tee'd-off to Ignore

In 1993 the Global Anti-Golf Movement (GAG'M) formed in Penang, Malaysia. Its mission was to halt destructive golf course development worldwide, while appealing "to golfers to be fully informed and aware of adverse environmental, health and social impacts of golf tourism." GAG'M commemorates a "World No Golf Day" on 29 April every year.

Mounting global opposition to golf is directed not so much against golf as a sport itself, but against the rapid expansion of the game as an industry.

This is an important distinction, which if properly addressed could offer an opportunity for golf lovers and those opposing golf course expansion to work together towards conflict resolution.

One step towards peaceful accord involves halting further expansion of the industry, as there are already ample golf courses around the world to satisfy demand.

A second step is to remove improperly sited golf courses from economically and environmentally important areas, such as once-productive farmlands, forests, and wetlands, including mangroves and salt flats. Restoring these areas to their prior productive capacities would be of great service.

Illicit development of golf courses on agricultural lands and ecologically sensitive areas has led to massive losses of valuable food production and complex wetland services. Conversion of mangroves to golf courses causes loss of vital functions such as nursery grounds for commercial and recreational fisheries and buffer zones against hurricanes and storm surges.

Falling into the Toxic Trap with no Easy Way Out

The maintenance of golf courses involves wide-scale application of a chemical cocktail to preserve the greens, poisoning both land and waterways in the paths of the effluent, affecting both targeted and non-targeted species.

In addition to toxic runoff, there is massive water use and wastage. On average, 18 million gallons of water per year maintain one golf course, conferring its own negative impact on surrounding countryside, wildlife, and neighboring communities. This can cause problems for affected nearby residents dependent upon the same water resources.

Worldwide, there are approximately 2,500,000 acres of lands converted to golf courses. Multi-purpose, mixed-value resource zones of high biodiversity are lost to low-value, non-native, monoculture production of restricted use - impeding ecological corridors for migratory birds and other wildlife.

Our offspring may well ask us, and we must answer them truthfully, "A golf course, or a living future…please tell us, who chose the golf course?"

08.18.07

Claims of slave-like conditions in Bimini. Men fed Rice and kept in a Shed with Dozens

Things keep looking worse in Bimini, where the Bimini Bay Resort and Marina is literally ruining the tiny island. Here are a couple recent articles on Bimini Bay. First, a recap of the project:

The Conrad Bimini Bay Resort and Casino is part of an overall new seaside village, the Bimini Bay Resort. The hotel, which will be built in the second phase of the development, will offer 250 luxurious guest-rooms, several fine restaurants, an elegant marina, a spa and a casino.

An additional wing of 160 residences will be constructed adjoining the hotel. In a first phase, The Bimini Bay Resort will comprise 320 residential units, 150 marina berths, assorted retail and several restaurants.

The subsequent phases will also include an 18-hole Robert Trent Jones golf course and residential villas. Overall, the resort will have 1,590 residential units spread over 700 acres, 500 marina berths, and five miles of white sand beaches.

Read the full story at The Nassau Guardian

"Bimini's Labour Department is investigating claims of labor abuses after several expatriate former construction workers of the Bimini Bay Resort and Marina, who claim they had been working in "slave-like" conditions, publicly criticized the company following their return to Mexico.

An article published in Saturday's edition of El Universal, a Spanish-language newspaper, brought attention to the plight of the seven men who managed to "escape" Bimini after three months of allegedly working in relative servitude.

According to the former employees, an additional 100 workers from Queretaro, Noble, Chiapas, and Federal District remain on the island. The men were reportedly lured to Bimini with false promises only to find less-than-savory conditions when they got there.

Mauricio Holy and David Alejandro claimed that they were paid less than minimum wage, worked 11 hours a day, received paltry medical attention, and were without any form of communication during their three-month employment span.

The men further alleged that their documents were taken from them when they arrived in The Bahamas and they were given work permits so that they could move freely about the island; however, according to one employee who spoke to The Guardian on the condition of anonymity, the Mexican workers are not even allowed to leave the compound on weekdays.

The employees claim they make about $3 a hour, which is $2 less than what most Bahamian employees make at the company. And sometimes, one worker indicated, they are not even paid on time....The men claim they were overworked and mistreated. Their work began at 7 a.m. each day and ended around 5:30 p.m. They were fed only rice with beans and were forced to sleep in a shed with up to 70 people."

Read the full story at The Nassau Guardian

08.18.07

Bimini Bay Draws Concerns

Here are some more quotes from another recent Bimini Bay article from the Nassau Guardian:

Bimini business owners say they'll be "catching hell" as an all-inclusive project prepares to open for business. Most locals agree the Bimini Bay development has helped increase employment, a positive impact on the seven mile island. Biminite business owners, however, feel the project poses a threat to the future income of locals.

"It's gonna dominate Southern Bimini," said Webster Duncombe. "It's of no help to Bimini in the long run."

The multi-million dollar project, which sits on the northern tip of the tiny island, is designed to be all-inclusive, leaving visitors with little or no reason to venture off the grounds. Bimini establishments are clustered toward the southern end of the island. While many locals fish for a living, there many depending on profits from privately-owned businesses.

Sarah Lee Pinder, employed at a local beauty salon, said tourists don't visit in town as much as they did before. "The project isn't benefitting Bimini at all," she said. "But it is benefitting Bimini Bay. You can't fight government hill. But the whole development affects each and every person."

08.16.07

Cayman Islands Coral Reefs are Dying

Shurna Robbins wrote an article for Reuters in May 2007 that eloquently explains how quickly coral is being destroyed in Caribbean countries. While the article focuses on climate change, it also discusses the anchor projects associated with cruise ships.

As my readers know, the Bakers Bay Club rests on a former Disney/Premiere cruise ship anchor development.

The development, which was owned by the Treasure Cay developer at the time, destroyed much of the coral cover on the Sea of Abaco side of the island, and degraded the quality of the Atlantic side reefs, because of dredging operation.

To coral reef-driven tourism industries like those of the Cayman Islands, there could be a greater cost in ignoring climate change than fighting it.

Ranked among the top 10 scuba diving destinations in the world, the reef system of the western Caribbean territory has lost 50 percent of its hard corals in the last 10 years in spite of strong environmental laws, scientists say.

"We are at a very critical time in the history of coral reefs," said Carrie Manfrino, president of the Central Caribbean Marine Institute on Little Cayman island.

"It is like working with a sick patient. How well we treat that patient will determine if that patient survives. We could potentially see the end of hard coral reefs in our lifetime."

The Caymans tourism industry, which represents about 50 percent of the colony's gross domestic product, was kick-started in 1957 when dive industry pioneer Bob Soto opened the first scuba diving operation in the Caribbean.

Fifty years later, about 2 million visitors arrive every year, with most either diving or snorkeling on famous sites like the North Wall or Stingray City.

The sport helped transform a sleepy territory of 8,500 people subsisting on fishing and seafaring into a luxury tourism destination and sophisticated offshore banking center whose 52,000 people have the highest per capita income in the region.

A UN panel -- the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change -- has warned that the world must make sweeping cuts in greenhouse gas emissions to avoid a rise in temperatures that could inundate islands and coastlines under rising seas, and kill off the world's temperature-sensitive coral reefs.

In a report issued on Friday, the IPCC said keeping the increase in temperatures within 2 degrees Celsius (3.6 Fahrenheit) would only cost 0.12 percent of the world's annual gross domestic product.

To Cayman residents who depend on tourism, that would be a small investment if it were enough to save the coral reefs.

Global warming is heating sea water, which leads to coral bleaching, an ailment that causes normally colorful corals to turn white, and white plague, a disease sweeping and killing coral around the world.

PROTECTING THE REEFS

Another threat in the Caymans comes from cruise ships, which have damaged large areas of living coral with their anchors and chains, said Gina Ebanks-Petrie, director of the Cayman Islands Department of the Environment.

Yet cruise ships are an important and growing part of the Caymans' tourism industry. Thirty-six percent of tourist revenue comes from 1.7 million cruise ship passengers who visit each year, and more ships are making the islands a port of call.

Even with a 50 percent decline in hard corals, Caymans' reefs are still considered among the healthiest in the Atlantic. Scientists say the islands are geographically isolated by surrounding water 6,000 feet (1,830 metres) deep, which minimizes the impact of pollution from other countries.

The Marine Conservation Law passed in 1986 established the marine park system and has played a key role in protecting Caymans' reefs. But Ebanks-Petrie said it has struggled to adapt to rapidly changing environmental conditions.

The dive industry worries that without a coral reef, the Cayman Islands will not have anything different to offer tourists than the rest of the Caribbean.

"If the coral reef dies, the algae will go, and the tropical fish will go. Then there will be nothing left to see," says Nancy Easterbrook, operator of Divetech.

Manfrino said hope is not lost.

"We can't give up," she said. "Science is always coming up with major discoveries, so we may find a way to save our reefs."

08.05.07

Government Regrets Bimini Bay

The Government of the Bahamas has apologized for approving the Bimini Bay development in Bimini. The opposition to this development is the sister-opposition of Guana Cay. The two developments are equally unacceptable.

After seeing Bimini - two tiny islands - destroyed, the Ingraham Government, which approved the development before the Christie Administration came to power in 1999, now looks back at the giant mess they have created. The apology is a step in the right direction.

But here is a great article by Nicki Kelly, who opposed the Bimini development from the start, and was ridiculed by the same administration for her words:

06.18.07

Creepy California Golf Course uses Bakers Bay Tactics, but Project Gets Halted

The website looks like a DLC website

Some interesting news from the home state of Discovery Land Company. A planned megaresort golf development on the Monterey Peninsula, which used Clint Eastwood as its spokesman, was halted this week by the California Coastal Commission.

The development, and the strange tactics it used to paint itself green, remind us that golf developments around the world use deceitful practices to persuade the public or to woo public officials to approve yet another golf course in a place a golf course should never have been built.

This is not to say Discovery Land Company isn't particularly bad - their environmental practices are probably the lowest in golf history. But they are not alone. About a year ago, I remember speaking with some officials at the PGA's green division. One of them, angered with my many questions, said, "People just hate golf!"

What he meant was, the public was irrationally against golf for no good darn reason. Looking back at that comment, I cannot disagree more. People don't hate golf, people hate the golf industry when it acts deceitfully. Before I continue, let me quote from the Antigolf Manifesto, an Italian movement to reconsider golf development around the world. This website and manifesto is a reminder that there are existing arguments out there to begin to immediately question all golf course proposals:

1. An immediate moratorium on all golf course development.

2. An open and public environmental and social review/audit of existing golf courses.

3. Existing golf courses should be converted to public parks, and where they lie in forest areas, wetlands and islands, there should be rehabilitation and regeneration of the land to its natural state.

4. Investigations into illegalities in the golf industry, including illegal occupation of public lands and encroachment into protected forests, diversion of water, violation and evasion of corporate regulations and corruption. We call on governments to prosecute the violators.

5. Laws should be passed to prohibit the advertising and promotion of golf courses and golf tourism.

6. Overseas development assistance, from countries including Japan Australia and European public funds should not be used for the promotion of golf courses and golf tourism or the construction of infrastructure related to such development.

The story of Tehama By the Sea is an amazing tale that parallels Bakers Bay Golf & Ocean Club in so many regards. Here are some important links on the subject:

Salon: Poisoned Fairways. My apologies to Jake Tapper for quoting liberally from his wonderful piece for Salon. I much prefer you read his full story in the link provided.

But there is reason to doubt the authenticity of the Pebble Beach Company's version of any "story." In November 2000, Monterey County voters had the chance to vote on Measure A, a ballot initiative pushed by Pebble Beach Co., that amended, for the second time, their 1992 request to build the Forest Course.

Since the company was asking for permission to build fewer homes, and chop down fewer trees, than its previous two requests, the company figured it could sell Measure A as a pro-environment move. Voters were besieged with glossy fliers. One sent by a company-funded group called the "Committee to Preserve Del Monte Forest" featured lovely nature shots and language urging locals to "vote for the environment ... preserve the Del Monte Forest."

One word that never appears in the flier? "Golf."

Nothing about the minimum 9,000 Monterey pines that will be chopped, or the mountain lions, black bear, great horned owls, coyotes, deer or gray foxes that will be turned out of their homes. Even many pro-golf types roll their eyes when discussing the insatiability of Pebble Beach Company execs. When it comes to its lust for more courses, so as to accommodate more players and more fees, there's only one green guiding the executives' path.

The Pebble Beach Company sank an estimated $1 million into its campaign for Measure A.

The environmentalists launched a $30,000 counter-effort, but their opponents' campaign included a very public role for Eastwood -- who in 1999 bought the company for $820 million with three other major (and myriad other minor) investors: 61-time U.S. PGA Tour winner Arnold Palmer, former baseball commissioner Peter Ueberroth, and ex-American Airlines honcho Richard Ferris.

Omnipresent TV ads featured the 72-year-old actor/director and his 37-year-old wife, Diana Ruiz, a popular former anchor at the Salinas NBC station, standing in the middle of a pine forest selling Measure A as a green move. The measure passed overwhelmingly, by a 2-to-1 ratio.

And read on...

"But disingenuousness is par for the course (sorry). Golf course owners all over the country trot out the claim that their links have been certified by "Audubon International," for example -- but they do so assuredly knowing that few people know the difference between Audubon International (funded by the U.S. Golf Association as well as developers like Arnold Palmer Golf Management, Marriott Golf, PGA Tour Golf Course Properties, and the Walt Disney Company) and the National Audubon Society, which unsuccessfully sued Audubon International in 1991 for using its name."

The Independent writes, "In my 20 years of attending the coastal commission's meetings, this is the most egregious example of development trying to circumvent the Coastal Act," Sara Wan, one of the commissioners, told the Los Angeles Times. "It amounts to wholesale destruction of the environment, [and] destroys the essence of the Monterey pine forest."

San Jose Mercury News - well written synopsis.

April 27, 2007

Lawsuit seeks to block Ara Macao resort approval

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 Bakers 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 environmental regulations.

The Peninsula Citizens also maintains that DOE unreasonably and irrationally approved 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 environment (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 corporation 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 Development, 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

Feb 21, 2007

BVI Course Passes Despite Objections

After years of fighting from locals and marine biologists, a high-end golf course is going to be built in an area where it should never have been built.

Link from ENN.com: "The British Virgin Islands has approved construction of a high-end resort and golf course that would take up most of a largely uninhabited island, the territory's government announced. Developers of the Beef Island Golf & Country Club Resort, a roughly 650-acre project, received government approval mid-February after months of sustained debate in the British Caribbean territory of some 22,000 people."

February 12, 2007

Harbour Island Awakens

Recent posts at The Briland Modem suggest the islanders of Harbour Island are following Great Guana Cay's lead, finally, and taking a harder line against megadevelopment on their own shores.

One poster writes, "WE realize that there is a need for jobs for Bahamians and that some people think that we are against ALL DEVELOPMENT we want you to know that we are NOT AGAINST ALL DEVELOPMENT. We are just against the kind of development that is currently taking place on the island right now. THIS KIND OF DEVELOPMENT that allows for politicians hand to be greased instead of injections of cash into the local infrastructure."

November 3, 2006

Dying coral reefs threaten tourist industries

Photo by Erik Gauger. An angelic trumpetfish gracefully swims among delicate soft coral structures in Guana Cay. Guana Cay's reefs are under threat by a California golf developer whose plan was recently backed by the Bahamian Supreme Court.

An Associated Press article today reiterated the concerns of Guana Cay locals, who have been fighting for two years against a golf megadevelopment on their tiny island. An excerpt from the article: Nearly 500 million people depend on coral reefs for tourism income and coastal protection, and about 30 million of those rely on coral reefs for their food, according to a 2004 report on the status of coral reefs worldwide commissioned by the Australian government.

"The people who wash the bed linens in the hotels are starting to realize their life depends on the health of the coral reefs," said Andrew Skeat, executive director of the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority.

Tourism is the fastest growing major industry in the world, and ecotourism accounts for 20 percent of the worldwide market, according to the Australian report.

In the Florida Keys, millions of tourists spend $1.2 billion annually to see or catch fish and other undersea life, Causey said at the meeting in St. Thomas, where nearly 200 researchers from the Caribbean, Florida and U.S. Pacific islands gathered.

"Some of our reefs receive more dives than anywhere in the world," he said. "In South Florida, the environment and the economy are inextricably linked. You cannot separate the two."

September 25, 2006

Edward O. Wilson, in New Bestseller 'Creation' cites Caribbean as Vital Hotspot for Conservation

Wilson warns of further destruction.

In his latest book, 'Creation: An Appeal to Save Life on Earth", Edward O. Wilson calls the Caribbean the second most important hotspot to save in terms of biological diversity. In this appeal to religious America, Wilson describes the reefs as 'retreating worldwide.' He writes, "Those around Jamaica and some other Caribbean islands have largely disappeared."

Corals in Jamaica have declined to about 5% their original cover - it is estimated that in many locations, recovery is impossible. Since so little is known about reefs, the exact causes are unknown. But the rise of megadevelopments and dense hotel construction in the 1970's, 1980's and 1990's.

In parts of Jamaica where development has remained minimal, coral reefs are healthiest. Wilson has been cited as Darwin's natural heir. He is a distinguished researcher, environmental writer and Harvard entomologist.

From "Rise Up Sweet Island" (unpublished, 2005–2006)

Erik never finished this piece for publication — most of it was raw, unedited material unsuitable for the record. But a few passages hold up as real reporting and are preserved here.

An Abaco Mangrove

Written October 27, 2005.

"Contrary to prevalent rumors, Joe's Creek, the mangroves and the Guana Cay bonefish flats will all be preserved and not altered by development." — Advertisement from Discovery Land Company's Bakers Bay Golf and Ocean Club

Below the star-speckled surface, greenish orbs by the thousands pulse in sync. Grand cathedrals of roots rise from this metropolis of the weird. Its woody columns are inlaid in horned shells that move slow, like a golf cart in search of a lost ball. Fishes of many forms pass beneath these spires. As your keen eye wanders upward these spires, you will perhaps find an ivory butterfly form — an encyclia orchid — dangling like an angel, and even higher a green bird with a painted face — a green heron, whose wading demeanor is almost regal.

But all of these things, you will find only in a very subtle context. For this place, draped in layers of green, is so subtle a place that for most of history it was considered the dredges of the world.

This place, this lovely place, is an Abaco mangrove.

Mangroves constitute most of the Bahamian Abaco Islands. Fly over in a plane, most of the island is mostly submerged at high tide. The mangroves so dominate Abaco's "land" that the island has produced a fair trade out of a type of rugged tourism called bonefishing — saltwater flyfishing concentrating on the slim and transparent fish who meander these flats.

A mangrove is a community of salt-tolerant plants and trees that live in the muddy tidal flats of our world's tropical regions. These are a complex ecological buffer zone that serve to stabilize the land as well as feed the sea the bounties of the land. Equally, the mangroves act as the nursery of the sea. Sharks bear their young here. Coral reef fishes begin their awkward lives between the roots of giant mangrove trees. Molluscs grow.

The mangrove is part of a complex triangular relationship with the seagrass community and the coral reef. Perhaps most important, the mangroves absorb excess nutrients before they make it to the nearshore environment. For many of these environments, foremost among them the coral reef, this absorption helps buffer them against their killer — excess nutrients.

Dr. Michael Risk on the Marina Design and Monitoring Gaps

An exchange between Dr. Michael Risk — a coral reef ecologist with nearly 50 years' experience who advises the State of Florida's Technical Advisory Committee on land-based pollution — and a Discovery Land Company representative, over the Bakers Bay marina design and the EIA's monitoring program:

"I have chosen to enter this discussion because I feared it was starting to generate more heat than light.

Allow me to introduce myself. I am a coral reef ecologist with almost 50 years' experience in the field. I have worked in all the world's major reef provinces, and advise several countries (including yours, through CPACC) on reef monitoring and impact issues. I have worked with many NGOs, including Earthwatch. I wrote an earlier report on Guana Cay to which you have referred.

[…] I was concerned about the marina design. Model flushing rates had to be ruthlessly tweaked to achieve even minimal values. Mike 21 is a workhorse model, one of the Delft Hydraulics Lab family. In order to get the results you need, however, it should be run in 3D mode. There are only a few firms with the expertise to do this. Until this is done, the marina design will be questionable.

Reef monitoring is one of my areas of expertise. (Most current reef monitoring projects are based, wholly or partially, on my 1972 paper.) I can state without fear of contradiction that adequate baseline studies have never been done. This is surely a prerequisite to any development.

[…] My understanding of the present situation is that: artificial reefs have been constructed, without sufficient analysis of existing fish populations — I would like to see the justification for even building these in the first place; and reef monitoring data are being taken using volunteers. The present situation is untenable. It would be easy for any person experienced in this field to do you serious damage, if they were ever put on the stand.

Here is the way it should have gone: full-blown baseline studies (corals, fish, nutrients), contracted out via open RFP; a monitoring program set up after consultation with experts — e.g., FMRI, NOAA (I advise both groups); and full data exchange via the web, with arm's-length oversight.

I urge you to reconsider your present position, because you are very vulnerable. The nutrient question is especially vexing. Studies show that nutrients applied to the surface, in soil regimes such as those on Guana, will be on the reef in hours. Your client will be more interested in green grass than green turtles." — Dr. Michael Risk

Dr. Risk also wrote, of the developer's EIA: "Throughout the EIA, mention is made of legislative guidelines and policies in place in the State of Florida. This seems in keeping with the attitude taken by many foreigners coming to Bahamas, that it is not a sovereign nation but an extension of Florida."

Dr. James Cervino and the Nutrient-Threshold Debate

Dr. James Cervino, a coral disease researcher who has published extensively with Dr. Thomas Goreau's Global Coral Reef Alliance, argued by email with a Discovery Land Company representative over the specific nutrient thresholds the golf course's fertilizer program needed to stay under:

"I carefully read through the report you sent to me and there seems to be no approach to controlling the levels of nitrogen and phosphorus that will result from Discovery Land Co. building this golf course. Since you are the chief scientific advisor, are you addressing the concerns of eutrophication as a result of the building of the fertilizer-rich golf course that will result in the growth of smothering algae that will kill this reef? Drs. LaPointe, Risk and Goreau and myself all agree that any building of a golf course will result in this reef's demise."

Cervino cited specific published thresholds: "Biologically available nitrogen (nitrate plus ammonia) needs to be below 1.0 micromole per liter (less than 0.014 parts per million of nitrogen), and biologically available phosphorus (orthophosphate plus dissolved organic phosphorus) needs to be below 0.1 micromole per liter (less than 0.003 parts per million of phosphorus). In addition concentrations of chlorophyll need to be below 0.5 parts per billion. Can you guarantee that this golf course and dredging will not breach these thresholds?"

The developer's representative maintained that the course's seashore Paspalum turfgrass required little to no fertilizer and would be managed with "scientific and monitoring protocols" to control runoff. Cervino was unconvinced: "This will not stop the direct flow of N and P to leach through the limestone substrate. Are you showing these levels in your report?"

General golf & environment commentary, 2008–2011

January 23, 2008

National Geographic on Desert Golf

The February issue of National Geographic has an amazing article on water management in the Western United States. The article includes a photograph of a golf course peculiarly placed in the Mojave Desert. The caption reads, "Golf courses in nearby Southern Nevada still use 8 percent of the region's water." Discovery Land Company, which owns Bakers Bay Golf and Ocean Club in Great Guana Cay, created five desert golf resorts. All encapsulate that cookie-cutter Taco Bell mega-mansion look popular in Arizona.

February 21, 2008

Americans Giving Up Golf

This is from the New York Times today:

"The total number of people who play has declined or remained flat each year since 2000, dropping to about 26 million from 30 million, according to the National Golf Foundation and the Sporting Goods Manufacturers Association.

More troubling to golf boosters, the number of people who play 25 times a year or more fell to 4.6 million in 2005 from 6.9 million in 2000, a loss of about a third.

The industry now counts its core players as those who golf eight or more times a year. That number, too, has fallen, but more slowly: to 15 million in 2006 from 17.7 million in 2000, according to the National Golf Foundation."

I wonder how this affects golf resort developments that rely on a good U.S. economy and an expanding interest in golf?

March 15, 2009

Travel & Leisure Golf Folds

Travel + Leisure Golf just announced it will be folding. This news comes amid a series of critically bad news for golf destination developments around the world.

July 7, 2009

Day 1 Privy Council: Notes on Golf Courses and Marinas

Today is the first day of court in the Privy Council for the residents of Great Guana Cay versus Discovery Land Company and the Bahamian government. I thought this would be a good time to review some of the primary concerns about the golf course and the marina. First, however, I just received this photograph which shows the construction of lots on the Sea of Abaco side of the island.

Note that palms are being used between the tiny lots. The sheer amount of denuded land is incredible: silting and sedimentation are ground one for reef destruction, and the photos coming in are revealing an entire island side that has been stripped of vegetation.

Bakers Bay Club Golf Course

Bakers Bay Club Marina: Sedimentation from Construction Phase and Post-Construction Maintenance Dredging

Dredging would take place during the construction of the marina, posing hazards to the coral reefs and bonefish flats due to siltation. If the marina is constructed, the "second channel" will also require periodic dredging, with attendant risks to the reefs.

Impacts from Occupants of Marina and Associated Marina Operations

Whether or not the Bakers Bay Club marina would ever be occupied at the ambitious levels of the current plan, there will be numerous threats to the marine environment from any yachts berthed in the marina, from the occupants of the vessels, and from the operations of the marina. Pollutants from the vessels include toxic chemicals used as anti-fouling paint, as well as the more obvious sources of pollutants from fuels, lubricants, materials washed from the decks, and various items of trash.

Here are some observations regarding the Environmental Management Plan as described in the EIA.

Regarding the REA for the marine environment, including the coral reefs, Dr. Risk commented:

No research-grade baseline assessment or monitoring of the reef resources has been performed under the auspices of the EMP as of now.

The International Year of the Reef website summarizes marinas and reefs this way: "Sensitive habitats can be destroyed or disturbed by dredging activities to make deep-water channels or marinas, and through the dumping of waste materials."

January 1, 2010

Golf Courses in Decline, according to Jacksonville Newspaper

An interesting article on declining golf courses from the Florida Times-Union.

"Orender said he remembers a time in the late 1970s and early '80s that it seemed like every new course was successful. There was enough of an untapped market that each new course increased the number of rounds being played in a community.

By the late 1990s, that ended. The number of rounds played across the country flattened, then dropped.

Yet new courses kept coming, particularly as centerpieces of housing developments. And the number of rounds kept dropping."

January 1, 2010

Larry Olmstead, Lions, Bears, Tigers and a Poorly Thought Out Ode to Golf

From the Facebook Page, Golf is Not a Sport.

A month ago, Jane was reading a copy of Outside Magazine, and burst into laughter. When I asked her what was so funny, she told me she had just read this great letter to the editor, which, she explained, was a rebuke of an article some guy had written defending golf as a sport. I scratched my head and thought to myself — wait, why would anyone be defending golf as a sport?

When I read the letter, I laughed too. It was very funny. And, the editors of Outside included a note that the letter was the longest anti-golf-is-a-sport letter they had ever read, and so they had to edit it down to its best parts.

Now, naturally, I was curious to read the full unabridged letter, and so I contacted David Tierney to plead for the full letter. He gave me permission to publish it in full. I included it at the end of these notes.

Secondly, I wanted to know who this Larry guy was who wrote this article in Outside Magazine. As all of you know, I am a fan of golf — particularly mini-golf and the historical pre-cursor to golf, which was played without a course over fields and mountains and which required great stamina.

So, while The Guana Cay blog is a blog about golf courses and megadevelopments that threaten sensitive ecosystems, I believe that good people play golf and that it is a nice hobby. So, all in good fun and humor, I thought I'd share this strange debate with you, mostly because this reiterates the position of the Guana Cay Blog that golf journalists are lazy.

Thirdly, I want to add a few of my own notes on Larry Olmstead's article.

Larry Wants to Fight

Larry Olmstead, who wrote "An Ode to Golf" for Outside Magazine, responded to David Tierney's letter to the editor in his blog: "Of course there was one a**hole who missed my point entirely and made me out to be a hater of all things, including the environment, poor people and common sense, but you will have to read it yourself and decide."

Larry Olmstead's blog features this in the header of each page of his blog.

I was taken aback by this unsportsmanlike response to a letter to the editor that had some very valid points. Letters to the editor are a vital part of magazine journalism; they allow the reader a final say; a traditional check and balance on a magazine. Some readers judge magazines for their willingness to publish unflattering letters to the editor, many consider them a vital part of the discussion created by the magazine's content.

For an author to use such foul language towards a writer of a published letter to the editor responding to his own article in a professional magazine is absurdly unprofessional. For Olmstead to proudly announce that his blog is part of a network of "…Actual Journalists" but then lash out at a single critical review of his article actually validates a point that Tierney made in his letter — "(Olmstead's article) accurately represented the sport he defended and the clueless arrogance of many of its participants…"

While writing the Guana Cay blog, I have found repeatedly, over and over that golf journalists live by a lower standard than the rest of journalists — tied so tightly to an industry, they are taught to play caddy to developers and golfers and gadget-makers, but rarely willing to check facts or proofread, and Larry Olmstead, as you can see by the frequent misspellings and grammar errors in his blog, represents this low-quality facet of golf-writing to the tee.

Now, even if golf were a sport, it would not be the kind of sport that Outside Magazine would ever cover seriously. Outside Magazine chose Larry's article precisely because of the irony. It is like the science teacher who holds up a candle and says, is this object alive? And then provides sufficient evidence to prove it is.

Outside Magazine doesn't cover chess, or basketball, or poker or football or croquet or tae kwon do, although that doesn't make any of those sports and pastimes any less. It's just a different magazine. They cover a particular brand of outdoor sports, lifestyles and news, and their audience, which is fairly sophisticated, actually get the irony.

There is no debate — Outside Magazine readers would never accept golf articles in their magazine.

So what is a sport? To find out the answer, first imagine that you are in the African Savanna, and you are watching lion cubs playfully, but skillfully fighting each other — using stamina, technique, endurance and guts in games that will later help them hunt, hide and survive.

You can watch monkeys or dogs or bears do the same. And I can watch my little boy play these same games at school. It is something all of us mammals do. We are pre-wired to like play that will prepare us for the reality of the natural world.

Sport is the human approximation of this wild act. It is us taking one of our most beloved traits and civilizing it, with rules and goals, teams and champions. Chess-players sometimes like to assert that their game is sport. Chess is one of the most beautiful games ever invented, but it is not a sport, and it shouldn't have to be.

For this blog, as a traveler, a travel photographer, an amateur naturalist and birdwatcher, I have, from time to time, fallen into situations that looked much more like sport than any day on the golf course — I had to think quickly, hike a grueling hike, sweat, throw up, draw blood, even feel like I was about to die.

The reality, however, is that most of the time what I am doing is safe and mundane, and rarely is it ever technical or competitive. I would never, ever embellish landscape photography or birdwatching into a sport, because they are not sports, they are, like golf, pastimes, and pleasurable at that. There is nothing wrong with that.

But an important component of sport, too, is sportsmanship, and this is one of the most vital aspects of any sport. It is the civility of sport; the part of sport that makes it more than just play — it is what separates man's sport from the savanna and the playground. It is the morality of a game, the respect for competitor and teammate and rules.

One of the reasons people reject golf as a sport is that so much of its publicized half — the exclusionary golf clubs that through membership practices cast judgment on race and sex, the gated community mentalities, the mean-spiritedness, the unethical golf developers — are still the public face of the game.

A sport requires the public face of sportsmanship, and at this, in a year where one of the biggest international stories is the sad story of Tiger Woods' adultery, golf has a long way to go.

From the Facebook Page, Golf is Not a Sport.

Olmsted's article is a series of fallacious arguments. For example, he says that golf may be the 'most technically demanding game in the world', but golf in no way compares to the technical requirements of gymnastics, mixed martial arts or technical rock climbing. Golf is a single swing, but imagine the complexity of a football play or an ice climber's quiver.

Larry writes, "Golf is surprisingly athletic, too. A round of 18 on most courses requires a five-mile hike." A hike and a walk in the park are two very different things. But even hiking is not a sport, it is an outdoor activity, that, if in rugged terrain, is great exercise.

Larry then talks about golf's impact on the environment. He says, "But, to be fair, many ski resorts have an even bigger impact on an ecosystem—it's just that ski marketers understand the importance of messaging and the palliative effects of a wind turbine or two." This is a disingenuous statement.

While ski resorts have their share of environment impacts and issues, golf courses are literally a player in some of the most irresponsible losses of biological diversity in some of the most vital biological ecoregions in the world. Golf courses have contributed to the decline of the ecosystems of entire countries, particularly small island nations.

In terms of worldwide scope, scale and damage, Olmsted's comparison is simply irresponsible. Olmsted should act responsibly as a journalist and educate himself about golf's real worldwide impact. That would set him apart from other golf journalists.

Olmsted says, "People play for the fun, for the challenge, and—most of all—because it gets them outside. What's so wrong with that?" Absolutely nothing, Larry. But that doesn't make it a sport, and the arrogance in the way you write, both at Outside Magazine and on your blog, callously calling those you disagree with 'stupid' and even 'assholes,' further shows that golf needs the public face of sportsmanship more than it needs to be called a sport.

Enjoy David Tierney's full article.

David Tierney's Letter to the Editor

To the editors of Outside Magazine,

Larry Olmsted's article "Chip Shots" was offensive and, simultaneously, accurately represented the sport he defended and the clueless arrogance of many of its participants. I truly hope that either a) there are so many letters/emails saying the same thing that you don't have time to read mine, or b) I misread and completely missed Mr. Olmsted's facetiousness.

"Golf is not a Real Sport"

That professional basketball or hockey players don't succeed in golf does not make golf a de facto technically or otherwise demanding — or even a legitimate — sport. Wayne Gretzky might not be successful if he were to attempt professional soccer, and we know what happened when Jordan tried baseball. Failing at something that is not within your primary area of expertise is hardly a failure, nor does it elevate the difficulty of that activity in which you failed. And as far as technicality goes, I don't think that's truly at issue. Knitting is technical, but even the most ardent practitioners aren't pushing the IOC for a future spot. And speaking of the Olympics…so, they added golf. Big whoop. The Olympics also has table tennis, rhythmic gymnastics, and it used to have tug-of-war. And they recently dumped baseball. The Olympics is hardly the most consistent measure of a sport's qualifications as a sport. But who cares: I hate golf and even I think it's a real sport. This is not the point.

"Right, the environment"

I don't know what the environmental effect of a ski resort is on an ecosystem, but I don't see how comparing ski resorts to golf courses defends the environmental practices of golf. You could say that golf is more environmentally friendly than, say, fishing with dynamite, but I don't think anyone would be deluded into believing that ergo golf is good for coral reefs. Similarly, "But, it's not a mall!!" is not a sufficient defense. I, too, am not a mall, but am completely capable of shitting on the planet. It's what you do, not what the other guy does; it's not a competition to see who is marginally less destructive. This, however, is also not the point.

Before I move on, however, I must mention the Town Car/$10,000 bicycle comment the author made. A $10,000 bicycle is most certainly an ostentation (and one that I would neither compliment nor defend, unless the rider's sponsor paid for it), however it does have a primary purpose other than ostentation, unlike a luxury car. And ostentation is most certainly why a Town Car should be mocked. The "comfort and luxury" provided by that car (or, alternately, the "performance" provided by a beemer) is — at best — thinly (very thinly) veiled bragging. A $10,000 bike is bragging, too, but it is not a gas-guzzling behemoth which, in overall cost, cubic space occupied, and waste produced, proclaims to the world that the owner has money and doesn't give a fuck about anybody else.

Which brings us to the real point.

"Golf's biggest public-relations challenge: golfers."

One single round of 18 holes at San Diego's "public" golf course in Balboa Park costs $32. The least expensive used golf clubs on San Diego's Craigslist today sell for over fifty bucks. Golf is — even assuming that you avoid purchasing either spiky shoes or goofy pants — an expensive sport. To set up and maintain those vast expanses of alien-species, water-wasting, fertilizer-needing prime real estate, it takes money. Fortunately golf is not played by the down-trodden. Despite the author's claim that golf requires "only a ball, a club, and a few small holes in the ground," you do not usually find inner-city kids enjoying a round after school at the community park. Nor would a Saturday morning on the links be very common in Soweto, Gaza, or any number of economically depressed areas in the world. Golf is a game of money, the old saw about business getting done on the golf course aside. The average American golfer's income is more than 60% higher than the average American's income. Over 40% of golfers are managers, professionals, or executives. Arrogant, paunchy, cigar-smoking snobs? Perhaps. But that is hardly necessary for the sport to be obviously income-dependent.

Sport is great. Fun is great. Being outside is great. Walking is great. But don't defend golf on those terms. There are tons of ways you can accomplish these things away from a bulwark of chainlink fence proclaiming to the world that the worth of those within is greater than those without. That is what's wrong with that.

February 18, 2011

Five U.S. Golf Resorts File for Chapter 11

Grand Wailea Resort Hotel & Spa in Maui, Doral Golf Resort & Spa in Miami, Claremont Resort & Spa in California, La Quinta Resort & Club also in California and the Arizona Biltmore Resort & Spa in Phoenix have all filed for chapter 11.

March 5, 2011

Article on Negative Environmental Impact of Golf Courses

I found this PDF on the impacts of golf courses. It is a good read.

Quote: "It is now known that golf course construction often consists of some or all of the following practices that can be extremely deleterious to the surrounding environment: clearing of natural vegetation, deforestation, destruction of natural landscapes and habitats and changes in local topography and hydrology.

The clearing of trees and vegetation leads to gullying and erosion, which in turn increases sediment loads in runoff to nearby bodies of water. It has been said that erosion during course construction can damage the flora and fauna of lakes and streams as much as other building projects. Deforestation also renders land more prone to the effects of erosion.

Additionally, it results in an increased flux of dissolved ions and nutrients, which can lead to downstream nutrient enrichment and unwanted algal blooms. Alterations to local topography and hydrology will change the quantity and chemistry of runoff to streams, rivers and lakes."