back to Environment - Bimini, Bahamas

Sam:  But this is absurd.  The EIA was done by the same people who did the original, paid for by Capo and self-serving as hell!  The EIA never addressed the critical factors and did not attempt to predict what happens when all the mangroves are removed and replaced by a golf course with its nutrient runoff.  EIA didn't address the solid waste of 6000 people in the 2000 dwellings.  EIA also suggested that there was no damage from the completed dredging and essentially ignored all our findings including publications and presentations that I did. 

Of course I was not consulted.  If I were I would have brought out the facts that the so-called EIA is just nonsense.  I saw the EIA and for example it fully ignored the deleterious effects of dredging.  We are doing a specific project on this question as I write and will provide incontrovertible evidence of the negative effects that dredging produced.

Finally there is an insidious campaign suggesting that I am unobjective and in a battle with Capo.  I care nothing for Capo--only for the unbridled damage he is doing.  I know where these rumors and innuendo are emanating from!

 -------------------------------- 

Bimini Sellout??

By Karin Herig Tribune Staff Reporter

March 12, 2004

It is hoped the controversial Bimini Bay resort will prompt legislation to control standards for future development projects, a top government official said yesterday. Ambassador for the environment Keod Smith, who is also chairman of the
Bahamas Environment Science and Technology (BEST) Commission, hoped that experience gained in dealings with the resort would help bring the government one step closer to implementing laws to regulate environmental standards for all future developments.

Mr Smith, together with members of the media, yesterday visited the construction site of the future Bimini Bay Resort, which will include 350 residential units, single family homes and condominiums as well as a marina, shopping centre, casino, customs and immigration offices among other amenities.

Problems
The property, initially bought in 1995 by developer Geraldo Capo, an entrepreneur who among many projects constructed the Treasure Cove community in New Providence, has run into several financing problems and criticism from locals concerned with the destruction of their environment.

"It has not been an easy task - people called me crazy," said Mr Capo of
his project. After going through "hell and high water", Mr Capo finally feels that his
dream is becoming a reality. He is proud to have chosen Bimini for the site of his project and to have invested large sums of money in it, as he "believes in the Bahamas, believes in the form of government of the Bahamas and in Bahamians."

Mr Capo conceded that there had been environmental concerns and difficulties with the BEST commission in the past, but feels his company is now on the proper path based on the guidance and requests of the commission.

"We have spent a lot of additional money on environmental studies which were prepared by an independent environmental company and have established a system of co-operation with the BEST commission," Mr Capo remarked. The BEST chairman concurred with this assessment.

"It is a pleasure to be working in this kind of environment, the fact that we exist in this level of co-operation," said Mr Smith. He was also pleased to acknowledge that Mr Capo's company has "pursued the corrective measures we required, including putting in place an independent environmental company and covering the cost for it completely." Mr Smith feels this project can serve as an example for future developments in the Family Islands and hopes it will push forward legislation to firmly establish environmental standards and "set parameters so we can see what those standards ought to be."

"The kind of environmental legislation which is going to eliminate the need to address these issues on a case-by-case basis," Mr Smith said. Among Mr Capo's many ambitions is to provide the locals of Bimini withpermanent employment.

The entrepreneur sees his project and a future 400 or 600-room hotel as a source for this employment. Tasha Rolle, chief councilor for Bimini and Cat Cay, is very pleased with the BEST commission's monitoring of the situation and is positive the project "will boost the Bimini economy considerably."

----- Original Message -----

From: Fotini Duncombe

To: Samuel H. Gruber

Sent: Friday, March 12, 2004 10:37 AM

Subject: bimini sell out

Doc I don't need to tell you how sick this makes me will slam them hard in
my next piece - were you consulted about this at all please let me know.

By Karin HerigTribune Staff Reporter

IT is hoped the controversial Bimini Bay resort will prompt legislation to
control standards for future development projects, a top government
official said yesterday.
Ambassador for the environment Keod Smith, who is also chairman of the
Bahamas Environment Science and Technology (BEST) Commission, hoped that
experience gained in dealings with the resort would help bring the
government one step closer to implementing laws to regulate environmental
standards for all future developments.
Mr Smith, together with members of the media, yesterday visited the
construction site of the future Bimini Bay Resort, which will include 350
residential units, single family homes and condominiums as well as a
marina, shopping centre, casino, customs and immigration offices among
other amenities.
Problems
The property, initially bought in 1995 by developer Geraldo Capo, an
entrepreneur who among many projects constructed the Treasure Cove
community in New Providence, has run into several financing problems and
criticism from locals concerned with the destruction of their environment.
"It has not been an easy task - people called me crazy," said Mr Capo of
his project.
After going through "hell and high water", Mr Capo finally feels that his
dream is becoming a reality.
He is proud to have chosen Bimini for the site of his project and to have
invested large sums of money in it, as he "believes in the Bahamas,
believes in the form of government of the Bahamas and in Bahamians."
Mr Capo conceded that there had been environmental concerns and
difficulties with the BEST commission in the past, but feels his company
is now on the proper path based on the guidance and requests of the
commission.
"We have spent a lot of additional money on environmental studies which
were prepared by an independent environmental company and have established
a system of co-operation with the BEST commission," Mr Capo remarked.
The BEST chairman concurred with this assessment.
"It is a pleasure to be working in this kind of environment, the fact that
we exist in this level of co-operation," said Mr Smith.
He was also pleased to acknowledge that Mr Capo's company has "pursued the
corrective measures we required, including putting in place an independent
environmental company and covering the cost for it completely."
Mr Smith feels this project can serve as an example for future
developments in the Family Islands and hopes it will push forward
legislation to firmly establish environmental standards and "set
parameters so we can see what those standards ought to be."
"The kind of environmental legislation which is going to eliminate the
need to address these issues on a case-by-case basis," Mr Smith said.
Among Mr Capo's many ambitions is to provide the locals of Bimini with
permanent employment.
The entrepreneur sees his project and a future 400 or 600-room hotel as a
source for this employment.
Tasha Rolle, chief councillor for Bimini and Cat Cay, is very pleased with
the BEST commission's monitoring of the situation and is positive the
project "will boost the Bimini economy considerably."
> Chris:  Beautiful letter!  Later today I will make a few edits (typos) and
> fact changes as appropriate then email the test back to you.  Fee free to
> disregard my edits--this is your letter!  Photographs might help and I
> will
> send some if needed.
>
> Thank you for caring
>
> doc
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: Chris Sarro
> To: sgruber@rsmas.miami.edu
> Sent: Thursday, March 11, 2004 10:57 PM
> Subject: Bimini Bay
>
>
> Doc,
>
> Since I've been here Grant and the others have told me about the Bimini
> Bay
> project.  The last day off I took a walk up there and when I was there, I
> realized just how much of a diaster this project is going to be if it goes
> through.  Anyway I wrote this attatched document in the hopes that maybe I
> can get it published in the NY Times or Boston Globe as a letter to the
> editor or something and try to get the word out about what is going on
> doen
> here.  Please read it and give me your opinion on it, also if you know of
> any way to get this it the public please let me know.  Thank you very
> much.
>
> Chris Sarro