Developers said yesterday during a press tour of the development that they have placed a special emphasis on the massive landscaping portion of the project, which has so far included the restoration of a mile-long sand dune, the removal of 90 acres of casuarina trees and the re-planting of more than 10,000 native trees and plants – 5,000 of which were rare orchids and bromeliads.
In the face of a legal agreement that has put a stop to all essential work on the $500 million Baker’s Bay Golf and Ocean Club in Guana Cay, Abaco, developers yesterday sought to respond to some of its critics who say the development is not environmentally sensitive and poses a serious risk to surrounding marine life.
Since major work on the project was stopped more than two weeks ago, the focus has now been placed on clean-up efforts, which has so far cost the San Francisco-based Discovery Land Company more than $2 million.
Developers said yesterday during a press tour of the development that they have placed a special emphasis on the massive landscaping portion of the project, which has so far included the restoration of a mile-long sand dune, the removal of 90 acres of casuarina trees and the re-planting of more than 10,000 native trees and plants – 5,000 of which were rare orchids and bromeliads.
Blaine Sweeting, who heads the nursery and grounds team at Baker’s Bay said that since June, a lot has been done to restore the area to its natural state.
“Since that time we’ve cleared out all the casuarinas and we’ve re-vegetated the front sea dune to incorporate all the native plants that we have here on the island. All the re-vegetation that was done was all done from salvaged material. Every single grass, bay lavender, bay cedar, sea grape, from south to north, was all salvaged by the casuarina eradication crew, and then replanted as soon as the casuarinas were removed, with the dune being restored back to full,” explained Mr. Sweeting.
Other environmental “best practices” pointed to by developers include its 180-slip marina “surpassing all published environmental standards in the world”; the establishment of a Great Guana Cay Foundation; and the presence of an eight-member management team which provides daily to year-round on-site monitoring of all aspects of development for compliance with EIA and Bahamian laws.
Regarding concerns about how the run-off from the golf course might affect the nearby reef system, developers are hoping to allay those fears with grasses that are more tolerant to brackish re-use water and need virtually no chemicals to survive; coastal buffers; an internal drainage system and created wetlands; and a lining of trees and greens to further protect the most sensitive coastal areas.
The developers have also pointed out that all of Joe’s Creek, the majority of the mangroves and the Guana Cay bonefish flats will all be preserved and not altered by the development.
Developers also stressed that more than six miles of the natural shoreline will be preserved; and in an effort to better protect the shoreline, individual home sites will not be allowed private docks and a natural planting buffer zone of more than 40 feet will be established between the beach and each residence.
The developers said that this is a part of the project, which shows they are not just paying lip service to the environmental concerns raised by the Save Guan Cay Association.
It was a point that Bruce McDonald, Baker’s Bay construction manager, wanted to get across to the press on Monday.
“Part of the concept with the development is environmental sensitivity basically throughout the project, and the dune was an important part of the restoration process, to make sure that it stays intact as homes are developed,” said Mr. McDonald.
But members of the Save Guana Cay Association are strongly against the development. Members received a boon last month when they won the right to have their application for an injunction heard in the Supreme Court.
The Court of Appeal ruled on November 22 that the landowners could become applicants personally in order for the application to proceed, overturning a previous ruling handed down by the Supreme Court earlier this year.
Pending the outcome of the association’s application, which must be heard before January 31, 2006, Baker’s Bay has agreed that it would not cut, tear down or remove any vegetation or trees; disturb or remove any mangrove or wetlands; excavate or dredge the land or seabed; erect any further buildings or structures on the land; and construct or pave any further roads.
One of the Save Guana Cay group’s major concerns is the development of the golf course. Members have said there are hard scientific facts that there will be damage to the reef if the project goes ahead, but claim that their concerns are not being addressed.
Apart from the environmental concerns, the Save Guana Cay Association is also pressing for answers on the amount of Crown Land granted for the Baker’s Bay project, and claim that neither the developers nor the government will respond to their concerns.
The total size of the project’s site is approximately 585 acres. Of this amount, 460 acres are privately owned, including Gumeleli Cay, and approximately 126 acres are either Crown or Treasury land, according to information released yesterday by Baker’s Bay.
“The Crown land consists of 106 acres, made up of 15 acres for the building of residential homes paid for through sales, 25 acres leased to the developer at market terms and dedicated to the marina, and the majority, 66 acres, is to be permanently protected as preserve area for the perpetual enjoyment of everyone,” said developers.
The Treasury Land portion of the development will be leased to the developer at market terms and includes four acres dedicated to employee housing, two acres for a desalination plant, sewage facility and electric substation, four acres for a solid waste transfer facility and two acres for dry dockage of boats and eight acres for general storage.
The Save Guana association has also accused the developers of completely overstepping local government, which must approve all permits and other required permission.
According to developers they have hosted visits and site inspections for a government sponsored town meeting for Guana Cay residents, the Hope Town and Central Abaco District Council, and numerous government agencies.
The expected development plan for the project will include 196 home sites, 42 Beach Club cottages, 22 Mangrove Bungalows, 34 Boathouse Villas, 28 Marina Inn units [equating to 75-100 hotel beds], 14 Marina town lots and 30 Hillside Village homes.
To date, $40 million has been invested, with total direct investment expected to be around $250 million in the first phase of the project, according to developers.
By: Erica Wells, The Bahama Journal
