Concerned Exuma resident Howland Bottomley, is advising the government to rethink the recommencement of dredging operations at Stocking Island, Exuma.
Mr. Bottomley was responding to a recently announced decision to restart dredging for the completion of works at the St. Francis Bay Resort and Marina, Stocking Island, Exuma.
A press release from the Bahamas Information Services announcing the reactivated scooping out, advised that officers from the Department of Fisheries, BEST Commission and the resident (Exuma) Environmental Health Officer would closely monitor the activity, at the expense of the developer, George Godfrey.
The initial dredging began in July of this year, but came to an abrupt halt a few days after Stocking Island and other Exuma residents protested.
The dissidents also questioned if Mr. Godfrey was in possession of proper documents giving him authority to dredge the site.
Mr. Bottomley said while he does not object to proper development it would be ill-advised for someone to create a commercial site on such a fragile ecosystem.
He claimed that Mr. Godfrey has installed a totally ineffective siltation barrier, which is intended to minimize the amount of silt due to the dredging.
Mr. Bottomley said the dredging could possibly interrupt the flow of tides and destroy the turtle grass, which is the foundation of all marine life.
He said the development seeks to place 17 pre-fabricated homes on two acres of land, which would require sewerage disposal and the construction of a deep well, which would destroy the extensive cave system.
Mr. Bottomley said he has plans to educate residents by launching a three-pronged attack to combat the dredging.
