The government has “put a stop” to the Bimini Bay development.
According to the Ambassador of the Environment, Keod Smith, the developer also realises and understands that he should discontinue until such time that information and other documents, including a more detailed environmental impact assessment, that was requested sometime ago by the Bahamas Environment Science and Technology (BEST) Commission are provided.
“What we also want to know is where we are in terms of the environmental impact, or the kind of damage, invasion or intrusion to the environment that we may not have anticipated because he had gone away from part of what he had detailed to do,” said Mr. Smith, in an interview with the Guardian.
“Immediately thereafter, is for us to then have an assessment as to what he plans to do because he is now changing or proposes to change some of his development. In light of what he proposes to do, what the potential impact of those proposals are. That is moving along the line as trying to be as accommodating as we possibly can to the developer in allowing him now to make good on what he had proposed in the beginning, and for us to now mitigate, if not stop any further negative impact to the environment,” said Mr. Smith explained.
The $100-million-dollar, 700-acre property development proposed by Geraldo Capo, and sanctioned in July, 1997, under a five-year “Heads of Agreement,” called for a hotel of not less than 200 rooms, a residential sub-division, a marina capable of handling more than 150 boats, an 18-hole golf course, a commercial centre, gourmet restaurants, a boutique, a health spa, a marine shop, tennis courts, children’s play area, and a 10,000 square-foot casino. No building has yet been constructed.
After a series of “on-again off-again” starts at the site, island residents and environmentalist groups were petitioning the government to immediately decide the fate of the project.
They claimed the project has caused serious environmental and ecological damage to the island and some local fishermen believe dredging for the project is causing a serious decline in conch, lobster and crawfish.
A report released last year by American professor of marine science, Samuel Gruber, listed Bimini Bay as one of three developments responsible for the environmental and ecological damage to the island.
Mr. Smith, who is also Chairman of the BEST Commission said since coming to power, the Bimini Bay development was one of the major projects the Progressive Liberal Party government reviewed.
“What should have been done to keep from causing the damage that was done, obviously should have been done three years or more ago. Certainly within 18 months or so of the commencement of the project, the powers that be ought to have known that there was no way that he could complete it, and they should have intervened, asked him what is the situation and why had he not gone forward,” Mr. Smith said.
He added: “There is a lot of speculation but we can’t just speculate, we have to go on the basis of what is factual. But it is now in hand and hopefully our evaluations would determine that the damage has not be so severe or that it is not irreparable. So we might be able to fix it. Because if it is in fact that it can be fixed, then one of the suggestions which I will be making is that the developer pay to have it fixed.”
Asked to confirm whether in fact the development caused serious damage to the fishery resources, Mr. Smith said that is one of the things the Commission is trying to scientifically determine.
“The reports which we are getting from fishermen and from others who are involved in sports fishing and other things in Bimini is that there has been a negative impact,” he said.
Mr. Smith said reports also indicate a reduction in yachters visiting the island.
“Because of the siltation, and because of the movement of the seabed and the dredging, the accumulation of sand dunes in certain places, it prohibits, or it makes it difficult for boaters to navigate themselves into and out of the area. So most yachters are not going to run the risk of running aground,” �mbassador Smith said.
“Bimini, as is some of the areas around The Bahamas, is sufficiently treacherous as it is, and once you learn the ways to move in and out, if that is altered and changed, you are not going to try and do something else, because you will cause unnecessary and expensive damage to your vessel,” Mr. Smith said.
By Keva Lightbourne, The Nassau Guardian
