SAVE GUANA CAY REEF

Home
Who We Are
The Issues
News & Press
What You Can Do
Message Board
Links/Research
Petition & Photos
SGCR Comments

News & Press Releases
bullet11/26/07 SGCR launches 3rd Judicial Review: click here for the Message Board
 
bullet10/11/07 Originating Notice of Motion for Judicial Review: to view the complete legal document click here
 
bullet10/04/07 SGCR issues new case against Developer and Governments Click here for Grand Bahama Info article
 
bullet7/05/07 This site asks Bahamas National Trust the tough questions: Will they respond? Click here
 
bullet7/05/07 Bahamas National Trust Slammed: For accepting Discovery Land Company's "donation" click here for The Bahama Journal article
 
bullet5/29/07 SGCR files Motion for DLC Counsel to be held in contempt of Court: DLC fails to provide any documentation as instructed during Appeal. See the Message Board for all Legal proceedings.
 
bullet5/18/07 Appeal in progress: Check the Message Board for the latest update.
 
bullet5/10/07 SGCR Completes successful trip to United Nations Session
 
bullet5/07/07 SGCR on the ground in NYC for their United Nations talks: Check the message board for frequent updates through the SGCR UN Diary
 
bullet5/02/07 General Election: The Progressive Liberal Party is out, and the Free National Movement is in!
 
bullet

4/24/07: Save Guana Cay Reef Association to Attend United Nations 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. For more info please visit the Message Board.
 

bullet

2/25/07: Latest Photos show extent of the work completed so far: Please go to the Message Board to review and comment.
 

bullet

2/15/07: Dr. Thomas Goreau weighs in on BBC: "BAKERS BAY DEVELOPMENT SHOULD BE STOPPED IMMEDIATELY BEFORE IT KILLS GUANA CAY REEFS AND FISHERIES" see Dr. Goreau's Report above
 

bullet

9/30/06: Worldwide Premiere Of GCRA Film “TOURISM, WATER QUALITY, AND CORAL REEF HEALTH” At Save The Bahamas Conference in Freeport - Produced by Global Coral Reef Alliance and Dr. Thomas Goreau click here to view the Press Release.
 

bullet

9/25/06: University of Miami Letter to Discovery Land Company to Cease and Desist use of its name - See Message Board.

bullet

9/24/06: Seven Months and Counting... - Since Justice Norris Carroll heard the submissions in this case, all parties anxiously await a judgment.

bullet

7/27/06: DLC Ordered by Privy Council to Stop Work and abide by original self-imposed Injunction - See Message Board for details and latest news.

bullet

7/10/06: Jean-Michele Cousteau open letter to Prime Minister Christie - warns about the threats of DLC's Baker's Bay Club click here to read letter

bullet

6/5/06: Website captures the essence of the problem, thanks! - click here to review a musical slideshow created by a friend of SGCR

bullet

5/31/06: New Challenge to Guana Cay Project - SGCR takes its fight to the highest court in the land - Click here to read The Bahama Journal article

bullet

2/24/06: Principals Await Decision in Save Guana Cay Case - This Freeport News article is a good update on the situation - click here to read

bullet

2/07/06: Government Back Pedals on Heads of Agreement - Please see the Message Board for SGCR Press Release

bullet

1/27/06: Save Guana Cay Hearing Begins - click here to read Freeport News article Page A-2

bullet

1/26/06: Trial begins: Developers concede to be added as defendants; undertaking to stop works at development continues - Please see the Message Board for SGCR Press Release

bullet

1/09/06: Save Guana Cay issue expected before court prior to month's end - click here to read Freeport News article

bullet

11/29/05: Commentary, by Anthony Livingston Hall - Caribbean Net News

bullet

11/23/05 Big Breaking News: DLC Self Imposes stop work order pending judicial review! (Details on the Message Board) Or check these articles:
Bahamas Journal
Nassau Guardian
Nassau Guardian Editorial
The Freeport News

bullet

10/31/05: SGCR Appeal Scheduled for November 22-23 - Check the Message Board for updates.

bullet

10/18/05: SGCR now accepting online donations - With the support of the Sierra Club and Greenpeace the fight is stronger than ever. Funds are needed to establish a Monitoring Program and capture important baseline date before it is too late. SGCR Association now accepts donations by credit card through PayPal. Click on the "Donate" button above to make a secure donation. Thank you!

bullet

10/01/05: Sierra Club voices support for SGCR - An organization of over 800,000 weighs in on the Baker's Bay Club. Please review letter of support

bullet

07/31/05: Council "bypassed" on Guana Cay Development - Faxed approval of permit from Nassau bypasses District Council. Former Chief Councillor, Walter Sweeting quoted: "...most residents of Guana Cay were "vehemently against" the Baker's Bay project..." Click here to read Tribune article by Neil Hartnell

bullet

06/01/05: SGCR Appeals Supreme Court Decision - Click here to review Press Release

bullet

05/31/05: “Public Consultation” Empty PLP political rhetoric - Click here to view Press Release

bullet

05/26/05: Supreme Court refuses injunction application and dismisses judicial review action - Click to view ruling

bullet

05/23/05: Guana Cay Controversy Still Rages - The Bahama Journal

bullet

05/23/05: Photos from "Preparatory Work" at Baker's Bay site (No permits have been granted at this date) - See Photo Section

bullet

04/27/05: Guana Cay Judicial Review Put Off - The Bahama Journal

bullet

04/21/05: Press Release: Hope Town District Council defers Discovery permit applications - Click here to view Press Release

bullet

04/20/05: Press Release: Discovery Land Company Pollutes Guana Cay - Click to view Press Release

bullet

04/21/05: The Pros & Cons of the Guana Cay Development II - The Bahama Journal

bullet

04/14/05: The Pros & Cons of the Guana Cay Development - The Bahama Journal

bullet

04/12/05: Residents Still "Mistrust" Developers - The Bahama Journal

bullet

04/11/05: Guana Cay Compromise - The Bahama Journal - SGCR has significant concerns with the developers statements and claims, stay tuned for an official, and factual, response.

bullet

04/11/05: Remarkable Success For Abaco Tourism - The Bahama Journal

bullet

04/08/05: Gov’t To Establish New Environmental Agency - SGCR Applauds this move by the Gov't, and is delighted that it's work may have helped bring to light the need for this initiative - The Bahama Journal

bullet

04/07/05: Guana Cay adversaries talk while not talking in Hope Town - The Freeport News

bullet

04/06/05: Letter to South Abaco MP, Robert Sweeting - The Nassau Guardian

bullet

04/06/05: Court Agrees To Hear Case Against Guana Cay Project - Great Media Coverage. To discuss, please visit the SGCR Message Board.
The Bahama Journal
The Nassau Guardian
The Tribune

bullet

04/06/05: Guana Cay Developers Strike Back - The Bahama Journal

bullet

04/05/05: For Immediate Release: Bahamas Supreme Court Orders Judicial Review! Click here to view Press Release and click here to view ruling

bullet

04/05/05: Guana Cay Stalemate Persists - The Bahama Journal

bullet

04/01/05: Bahamas Poll - survey on BahamasB2B.com - Click Here

bullet

03/31/05: Guana Cay Residents Finalize Law Suit - The Bahama Journal

bullet

03/31/05: Guana Cay Controversy - Great article by Larry Smith in The Tribune

bullet

03/30/05: Lawyer out to repel Guana Cay "invaders" - Nassau Guardian

bullet

03/17/05: Bigger vs. Better - The Bahama Journal

bullet

03/16/05: Protest in Nassau a Resounding Success - PM Christie made some interesting comments yesterday, but what does this really mean? Christie also stated again that he consulted with local representative, MP Robert Sweeting, regarding the development. Last Saturday, Sweeting publicly stated that he had not discussed this topic with the PM.  Here is a list of links to some of the media. To discuss, please visit the SGCR Message Board.
The Bahama Journal
The Tribune
The Nassau Guardian

bullet

03/16/05: SGCR Lobby Demonstration Press Release - Click here to view Press Release

bullet

03/15/05: Delegation of Guana Residents Departs for Nassau - An impressive group departed for Nassau this morning to stage a peaceful and a sanctioned protest on the steps of the Bahamas Legislature. Click here to view Press Release. It is expected the this group will be enhanced by supporters from Elbow Cay, Great Abaco, Bimini and New Providence. Click here to view photos

bullet

03/11/05: Guana Cay Residents Say NO Again - Saturday, a residents meeting was called by Commonwealth Government MP, Robert Sweeting. The meeting was to be at the schoolhouse on the island, only two-hours official notice of the meeting was given. In an outstanding display of solidarity, the residents boycotted the meeting and also took the time to let Mr. Sweeting know how they felt about the proposed development. Mr. Sweeting brought the press, and the residents gathered under the Fig Tree displaying posters and T-shirts, refusing to meet with Mr. Sweeting without their lawyer, Fred Smith, who was unable to attend due to the extremely short notice that was given. Click here to view photos

bullet

03/09/05: Media Alert: Guana Cay Opponents Plan - It is simply amazing how much media the SGCR Lobby has received in the last two weeks. Click here to read The Tribune article

bullet

03/04/05: Media Alert: Abaco Residents Outraged - Lawyer Mr. Smith said the residents of Guana Cay have public and private law rights and are entitled to be consulted on such matters. Click here to read the full Bahamas Journal article

bullet

03/03/05: Media Alert: Fight Looms Guana Cay Residents Want Project Stopped - The PM entered into a Heads of Agreement with Passerine/Bakers Bay Development Company, but the residents of the Cay, through their attorney Frederick Smith, said they are prepared to fight to the "bitter-end" to stop the project. Click here to read entire Freeport News article

bullet

02/28/05: Fig Tree Fundraisers - Saturday & Sunday March 5 & 6 - "Barefoot Weekend" on Guana! SGCR T-Shirts, Conch Fritters and "SGCR Juice," plus lots of photos, information and discussion.

bullet

02/25/05: SGCR T-Shirts Now For Sale! Available at Dive Guana.

bullet

02/14/05: Renown coral reef authority, Michael Risk, reviews proposed development. Produces report voicing concern over developer's plans and their Environmental Impact Assessment. Click here for online version of report!

bullet

02/08/05: SGCR Residents Meeting with Fred Smith. Residents meet at the Blue Water Grill to discuss the status of the project and what can be done going forward. Key Message: Abaconians do not want this project, and this is far from a done deal. To view photos please click here

bullet

01/18/05: SGCR Kicks Off Fundraising Drive! Funds required to engage prominent reef authority and retain legal counsel. For details please click here

bullet

01/18/05: Media Alert! The Freeport News, Open Letter to PM Christie 01/10/05
More click here

bullet

01/16/05: New Links to: a Student Expedition Briefing by Discovery Land Company's consultant, Kathleen Sealey, citing "potential sources of water quality degradation" which include, golf courses and marinas; and an article from the Scottsdale Tribune on ownership and environmental issues with Discovery Land Company's Mirabel project. See the Links/Research section

bullet

01/14/05: SGCR Message Board Goes Live! You must register to post. Please follow registration process carefully and also respond to verification email.
Click here to go to SGCR Message Board

bullet

01/07/05: Punch Columnist questions Christie administration practices. Urges Bahamians to pressure government to lay down firm environmental rules and stick to them!

bullet

01/07/05: SGCR Team Formally Responds to Neil Sealey Tribune Letter! Scroll down to see original letter and response.

bullet

12/20/04: Media Alert! SGCR Platform and Issues are profiled in the Nassau Tribune. click here to read this story

bullet

12/13/04: Media Alert! SGCR Platform and Issues are profiled in the Nassau Guardian, click here to read this story

bullet

12/11/04: Mangrove Action Project (MAP) supports SGCR. Sends 2,000 emails to their network outlining the issues.

bullet

12/08/04: Bimini Bay Project Under Fire. A good example of the people speaking out. Read this great story in the Nassau Guardian.

SGCR Team Formally Responds to Neil Sealey Tribune Letter
Scroll down to see Original Letter dated: December 26, 2004.

Dear Editor,
This letter is in direct response to the letter submitted by Neil Sealey, published December 26, 2004, concerning the Passerine development project on the north end of Guana Cay. I would like to point out some information that your readers may find very interesting. 

First, Mr. Sealey claims to have no direct connection to the development. Mr. Sealey, are you the husband of Kathleen Sealey? Kathleen is the biologist hired by the development company. If you are the husband, brother, or father of Mrs. Sealey, then I would say that that is a very direct connection. If so, then you have a vested monetary interest in this project’s passage and completion. (Web Editor's note: Neil Sealey is, in fact, the husband of Kathleen Sullivan-Sealey)

Secondly, you mention public meetings that were held previously concerning the project. Many, if not all, locals agree that the meetings were not adequately advertised and sentiments expressed by the locals about this project were negative, and not in support of, as you claim. A follow-up meeting was promised but mysteriously never happened. We challenge you to come to Guana Cay and find anyone in favor of this project. As to your mention of the “Disney” effect on the island, do you realize that the locals also opposed that project? 

You mention the sediment runoff from Shell Island. Are you implying that this environmental impact was the fault of the locals? Trust in the fact that the locals have learned a hard lesson from their experience with Disney. Now armed with this knowledge the locals see the potential for a much larger environmental disaster. Disney was only a preview to the feature presentation produced by the Passerine project. The locals refuse to close their eyes to what they now know is a proven fact. Sediment runoff is a death sentence for marine life. The runoff from Shell island dredge spoils contains what used to be under the water. The project you are advocating will contain massive sediment runoff from the construction of the golf course. After the course is complete, the runoff will include all of the chemicals used to maintain the course. You say that runoff is not good, yet you refuse to address the sediment produced by construction, and the chemical goodies that will go along with it. Is it your argument that the residents should close their eyes to further destruction? This new project is a land-based project with a much larger impact than Disney. If you can plainly see the results of Disney’s project, then why can you not see that the results will be even worse with a project of this size? Do these developers have special powers that allow them to carve the land with no runoff and apply liberal amounts of chemicals with no environmental effect, or are the homeowners there signing an agreement that they will never use their bathrooms? 

Maybe you even believe that creating a 240-slip marina, that will sink approximately 1,440 creosote soaked or arsenic filled pilings, will have no effect on a beautiful and pristine fish nursery known as Joe’s Creek.  Your ignorance is staggering. You claim outright that this project will have absolutely no effect on the reef. This is perhaps your most preposterous statement. You mention the Florida Keys as an example in your article. For your information, there is NO central waste treatment system in existence in the Keys. There are a few small areas that have systems, (one encompassing 15 streets and another serving Key West) but no central system. As of right now, the Florida Keys have a very sick reef in critical condition according to all major environmental groups and government agencies alike. The estimated cost of installing a central waste system in the Keys is $500 million; a price the residents and taxpayers there must pay to even begin to salvage what little is left of that reef. This cost is in addition to the millions it will take to clean up the waters as they are now. These are hard facts and proven figures. Should you dispute these facts and figures then you are welcome to read the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Agency’s report on the Marine Sanctuary in the Florida Keys. A copy of this report is on Guana and you are welcome to read it. By the way, the sanctuary was created in the Keys by the United States government as a direct response to the critical condition of the water and reef there. Why is the water and reef in such a critical state? The answer is unchecked development, a lack of a central waste treatment system, and pollution from golf course runoff and holding tanks being dumped with little or no compliance or enforcement of pump-out laws .This is a proven fact. Have you ever been to the Florida Keys? Have you done any research? Perhaps you should check your facts before you present them. Check your facts, or at least visit an area, before you claim knowledge of such. To use your words Mr. Sealey, “your ignorance is particularly apparent.” 

Let us be very clear now. We are not against development of this area…we are only opposed to irresponsible development. Everyone is aware that the majority of this land is privately owned and could be sold to someone else to develop. Maybe that is a good thing since the new owners would come in with the knowledge that Guana has a concerned, aware, population that cares about the future of their home. If the new developers started with this in mind, perhaps their development would BEGIN with the goal of sustainable tourism and not end with quick bucks for the developer and lip service for the residents. Is the government of the Bahamas prepared to pay the enormous price that the Florida Keys are now forced to pay? 

Right now, Guana Cay is experiencing a period of growth like never before. Fortunately, this growth is steady and digestible. A project of Passerine’s size is enough to choke a herd of elephants and in no way compares to the pace now.  To date, no one has constructed 450 homes, a resort golf course, and 240-slip marina in one fell swoop. Perhaps the developers think that no one will notice??? Let us also point out that this development company has absolutely no experience building on a small barrier island in close proximity to a reef. We do not want to be the test case. 

Finally, we invite you to ask anyone whether they would prefer a Tom Fazio designed golf course, or a reef designed by the most experienced creators ever, Mother Nature and God. 

Thank You,  

Aubrey St. John Clarke
Guana Cay, Abaco

 

COPY OF LETTER TO TRIBUNE FROM NEIL SEALEY, EDITOR, BAHAMAS JOURNAL OF SCIENCE
Tribune, December 26, 2004

Dear Editor

Passerine Development on Guana Cay

Your recent letter from Mr Bonds (Saturday 18 December) and front-page report (Monday 20 December) refers to a residential development on the northern end of Guana Cay. Although I have no direct connection with this development I have been privileged to see the plans, and visit the Cay twice this year, and I would like to reassure your readers, and also anyone else exposed to some similar remarks about Passerine in other newspapers, that this development has followed all the correct procedures for safeguarding the environment, has held public meetings, and has presented an EIA to the BEST Commission. I should add that government restricts the developers from promoting their own projects and therefore they cannot reply directly to these published criticisms.

This northern section of Guana Cay is unoccupied at present, but was previously used by Disney as a cruise ship destination which they subsequently abandoned for Gorda Cay. The remnants of this operation, which include a decaying jetty, a large number of service buildings and amenities onshore, and a dredged channel and island formed from the spoil heap, are all eyesores and existing blights on the environment. The 3.5 mile dredged channel was considered one of the biggest environmental disasters to reefs by reef biologist Dr. Judy Lang, who opposed its construction in 1988. Major disturbance to the Baker’s Bay shoreline included the bulldozing of sand dunes which has resulted in massive casuarina invasion which is causing beach erosion, and unless checked will continue to destroy native plants and cause shoreline retreat. The Passerine development intends to restore all these contaminated and disturbed areas and replant native vegetation. The channel and spoil island are not part of the development and this problem should be the focus of any “save the reef” effort. The spoil island continues to erode and destroy valuable fish habitats in the Sea of Abaco as well as increase sediment on the adjacent reefs.

As far as the reefs are concerned there is absolutely nothing in the development that will impact them on either shore, and they have been surveyed for the first time and will continue to be monitored by a professional.

The Joe’s Creek area of wetland is by no means as pristine as is suggested in the reports as Disney had impacted it, as well as visiting yachtsmen who proliferate in the area. Unlike the many parts of Guana Cay that have already been haphazardly developed, and which continue to damage the shoreline, this area has been the subject of close scrutiny, as part of it will be used for the proposed marina. The purpose of the marina is to provide boat slips for the residents who will not be permitted to build any shoreline structures including docks. As these are mainly small slips there are a relatively large number of them, but the marina itself will only cover about 33 acres. However, Passerine has negotiated an agreement with the government to the effect that a larger acreage (89 acres) will actually be preserved and managed by an independent trust, funded buy a levy on the residents, so that it will remain an area preserved and protected for research and recreation by all Bahamians and visitors. In addition to this some 16 acres of mangrove mediation will be undertaken, and the setback for residences will preserve a further 53 acres of dunes. In total there are 158 acres designated “Eco” area, some 25% of the total 600-acre development.

The ignorance of those complaining about this development is particularly apparent when they complain that Passerine will increase the stress on utilities and waste management. The fact is that the other developments have not addressed the solid waste and sewage issues and Passerine has undertaken to build and operate a solid waste transfer station for the whole island. This will involve modern technology to sort the solid waste so that some 30% can be recycled as compost, glass, metal and paper can be separated, and the balance compacted for shipment off the island. Sewage will be treated in a central sewage plant similar to those in use in the Florida Cays.

Similarly the remarks about doubling the island’s population being doubled are way off. Passerine if fully settled would have some 450 homes, while the Guana Cay settlement has 250, Orchid Bay 300 planned, and Kent Smith’s development 550 planned.

I have had the opportunity to visit many developments in the Bahamas over the last 25 years and can frankly find nothing better than this development, which has a low housing density and has employed the most conservative measures to enhance and protect what is left of the natural environment. Most of this land is privately owned and can be sold for development to someone else if not to the Passerine developer.

I have also visited the other private developments that are at present building houses on Guana Cay and cover a much larger area that Passerine. Critics would do well to examine some of these properties now under construction, which from direct observation are clearing natural vegetation unnecessarily, replacing it with exotics including the invasive Scaveola, and undertaking alteration of the shoreline, no doubt without the knowledge or permission of the authorities.

The well-attended meeting in August, patronized mainly by native Abaconians, raised hardly any of these issues, and the matter of Joe’s Creek when explained was accepted with approval. Perhaps the mostly anonymous critics of this development would help their cause if they were to identify themselves and their specific interests and investment in Guana Cay, and approach the developer with constructive suggestions about their areas of concern. The people financing the “Save the Guana Cay” campaign include other expatriate developers on Guana Cay, not exactly working in the interest of the Bahamian people. Bahamians, and especially Abaconians, should not allow themselves to be misinformed by persons with unspecified agendas who use emotive rhetoric to stir up mistrust in a sound development that will enhance a beautiful island.

Neil Sealey, Editor, Bahamas Journal of Science
21 December 2004