ReEarth Director Speaks | February 13, 2008

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."

Link to Article

The Tragedy of the Turtle | February 7, 2008

I just received this well written letter written by an observer of Guana Cay issues. Enjoy:

Turtles can't read. But they sure know then they are not wanted! The crackle and glow of continual fires, month after month as coppice and mangroves burn; the rumble of bulldozers and cranes reshaping the islands contours; the penetrating growl of chain saws and back-hoes removing Casuarinas along the dunes; the cloudy, sand filled waters choked from a year of dredging…..these events speak to the turtles.

Proof that Guana's turtles have gotten the message is the dismal hatch for the 2007 nesting season. As recently as 2005 the NW end of Guana Cay boasted dozens of turtle nests with thousands of hatchlings. What happened?

Many factors are contributing to the plummeting populations of Bahamas turtles: illegal poaching of protected species, inability of Government to enforce the C.I.T.E.S. endangered species protection treaty, illegal construction of sea walls and bulkheads, encroachment of development, and habitat destruction or disturbance.

Where has Guana Cay gone wrong? The residents of Guana have lived in respectful harmony with the nesting turtles for centuries. In 2005, however, then Prime Minister Christie enticed a mega-developer to create a gated, golf and marina community on Guana Cay. This removed one third of the little islands area from local protection. The developers "experimental" approach put forth in, their own Environmental Impact Assessment, speaks for itself after three years. Their own report on the turtle hatch for the 2007 season confirms the locals' worst fears. (November 1, 2007 Abaconian, Turtle Hatch) Less than 5% of the projected number of baby turtles successfully entered the ocean. Considering only one per thousand reaches maturity, the failure on Guana Cay is attracting world-wide scientific attention.

Green turtles vanishing at Baker's Bay Site. Photo credit Dreamstime.

The developer, Discovery Land and Bakers Bay Golf and Ocean Club, must concede that their environmental "experiment" has been a failure where the turtles are concerned. The scientific community and native Bahamians alike, await the results of their experiment as far as reefs and mangroves are concerned. Meanwhile, the new Government, headed by Prime Minister Ingraham, appears helpless to enforce or even acknowledge independent scientists recommendations to curb some aspects of the development in order to ensure the survival of critical ecosystems.

Baker's Bay EIA Addendum | February 3, 2008

I want to share this addendum to the Baker's 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:

Baker's 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 "score
card" 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.

The developers have shown an unusual willingness to work with researchers and scientists to better understand the environment of Guana Cay. It is common for development and resort companies to say, "we adhere to the highest environmental standards", but what those standards are, and how appropriate standard industry practices are for small carbonate islands is yet to be documented. There is an opportunity with the Passerine at Abaco project to complete an initial ecological assessment of the property prior to development, and set measurable environmental goals. The goals can help both the development team and scientists understand the economic "break points" in small island development.

Are golf courses always the "high impact" component of the resort? How can the known impacts be
reduced? The EMP will address the critical need to have measurable environmental goals assessed in an objective and independent manner to report on the long-term implications of small island development.

The complete EMP will consist of ecological and environmental monitoring programs, mitigation plans, an outreach and education program, and reporting and research (Erik: 3 years later, this is a deceit. None is happening.) All monitoring programs will consist of three sections: a) pre-construction, b) during construction, and c) post construction. Impact matrices and "score cards' will be used to gauge and measure adherence to monitoring goals and objectives. The mitigation plan, outreach and education program, and reporting and research programs will be ongoing and adaptive to the stages of development. A website and a ftp site will be maintained. (Erik: never happened, although the EIA considers these components crucial to community monitoring of the project.)

National Geographic on Desert Golf | January 23, 2008

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 Baker's 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.

Donald Trump Golf Course Draws Fire | January 20, 2008

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 Baker's 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."

You Can Fool Some of the People... | January 20, 2008

After Prime Minister Hubert Ingraham held a private, secret meeting with the Baker's 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 divided and bent by Islamic bloodshed. 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 suggest 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 Baker's 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 n 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

News Clippings | January 8, 2008

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

Save Guana Cay Reef Carried Argument to United Nations, September 2007 PDF

Approval Given to Guana Cay Locals on Judicial Review Case, October 2007 PDF

No End in Sight, October 2007 PDF

Second Judicial Review Against Baker's Bay Club Launched, October 2007 PDF

Guana Cay Campaigners Launch New Legal Battle against Baker's Bay, October 2007 PDF

News on the Bimini Bay Resort & Casino | December 21, 2007

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"
http://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."
http://www7.nationalgeographic.com/ngm/0703/feature5/index.html

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"
http://www.pewoceanscience.org/press/press-article.php?ID=24

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? " http://members.authorsguild.net/lynnecherry/work1.htm

Earth Island Institute
The Bimini Bay Development, An Ongoing Environmental Disaster http://www.earthisland.org/takeaction/new_action.cfm?aaID=206

Mangrove Action Project
http://www.mangroveactionproject.org/

Miami Beach Rod & Reel Club
"Bimini Destroyed"
http://www.therodandreelclub.com/bimini%20bay/biminibayindexpage.htm

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"
http://www6.miami.edu/sharklab/news.html

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."
http://www6.miami.edu/sharklab/news_archive.html

Tourism Concern (UK)
"Save Bimini"
"Water supplies are being used for the tourism development resulting in water to local communities being frequently turned off"
http://www.tourismconcern.org.uk/campaigns/bimini.html

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"
http://www.globalresponse.org/gra.php?i=2/05

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"
http://www.nbc6.net/news/4465014/detail.html

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."
http://www.earthactionnetwork.org/letters/2005/10/letter10.php

Ecumenical Coalition on Tourism
"Gerardo Capo obviously feels little or nothing about the Biminis and its people and environment."
http://www.ecotonline.org/pages/downloads/Solidarity%20Alert.pdf

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"
http://www.wetpleasuresfla.com/BimNews3.html

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."
http://www6.miami.edu/sharklab/images/large/bimini-dive.jpg

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."
http://www6.miami.edu/sharklab/news_archive.html

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"
http://www.grandbahamainfo.com/articles/BiminitesFightBack-5-18-06.htm

Nassau Guardian
Few Benefits for Bimini
http://www.thenassauguardian.com/bixex/288840006265338.php
"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"
http://www.divester.com/2006/09/24/bimini-bay-resort-beautiful-luxurioous-and-destroying-the-en/

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, PLP enemy number one on Bimini"

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
http://www6.miami.edu/sharklab/news_archive.html

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 to 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."
http://www.bahamapundit.com/2007/03/tourism_anchor_.html

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"
link

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.
http://www.bahamasb2b.com/news/wmview.php?ArtID=5289

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."
http://www6.miami.edu/sharklab/news_FNmay25.html

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."
http://www6.miami.edu/sharklab/news_NGmay28.html

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."
http://www.thepetitionsite.com/takeaction/885814782
1065 Signatures