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

From: Samuel H. Gruber

To: Cindy Melnick

Cc: Livingston Marshall

Sent: Wednesday, November 12, 2003 11:43 AM

Subject: Re: BEST Commission Study

Good morning Cindy:  as you probably read, I will be pleased to discuss the questions you posed on the telephone, but for any meaningful exchange of information, we would have to meet in person.  Do you ever find yourself in Miami?  If so we could have lunch or meet some other time.  I hope to have more information and insight next week after further discussions with Dr. Marshall.

Thank you for your interest in Bimini's environmental integrity.

Dr. Samuel H. Gruber   

Division of Marine Biology and Fisheries

Rosenstiel School of Marine and Atmospheric Sciences

University of Miami 33149-1098

               and

Bimini Biological Field Station

9300 SW 99 St

Miami FL 33176-2050

305 274 0628 fax or phone

sgruber@rsmas.miami.edu

http://www.miami.edu/sharklab

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

From: mail.rsmas.miami.edu

To: Cindy Melnick

Sent: Thursday, November 06, 2003 2:47 PM

Subject: Re: BEST Commission Study

Hello Cindy:  Thank you for your letter.  I will be pleased to discuss your EIA and studies but feel that an in-person meeting might be more productive.

I am very familiar with ATM and its work with and for the RAV Bahamas Limited corporation.  I read in detail the first EIA and discussed it in with your representative, Greg Braun in 1997 and 1998.  My discussion of the document was published in the May 2002  Bahamas Journal of Science, vol 9 no 2 when I analyzed parts of the EIS. I have attached the relevant portions of that publication for your perusal.  As you will note, I  found the document seriously wanting and if I might add a comment, frankly self serving. 

Most of the predictions we made about the unregulated and uncontrolled dredging have unfortunately come to pass.  Of course this is not entirely the fault of ATM because although you recommended use of anti-silting equipment, no such equipment was ever used and in fact the silting could be seen from space as I pointed out to the Bahamas National Trust (I am a council member) in my presentation last week.

I understand that RAV is going ahead with the completion of Phase One which includes further dredging and in addition plans to continue on to complete the project which will include massive dredging in the North Sound.  But all this is speculation.

If you wish to discuss this project with me, I will be at your service as long as I can review the actual documents and analyze the methods and conclusions of your study and recommendations.  If you wish to call, I will return from California on Tuesday November 11, 2003 but well leave almost immediately for Bimini and Nassau on Friday November 14.  Then I will be back in Miami on the following Monday.  Please let me know your feelings.

S. H. Gruber 305 274 0628

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

From: Cindy Melnick

To: sgruber@rsmas.miami.edu

Cc: LIVINGSTONMARSHALL@BAHAMAS.GOV.BS

Sent: Thursday, November 06, 2003 12:50 PM

Subject: Re: BEST Commission Study

The study was commissioned by the BEST Commission in conjunction with RAV Bahamas Ltd.
A meeting was held in March 2003 after excavation & fill activities had ceased to determine the best way forward.  From this meeting came a list of six questions that needed to be answered and presented to Government before a new Excavation & Fill permit could be issued.  Applied Technology & Management (my company) has been working with Government for 10 or more years and we are nearly finished preparing the report (after having delivered two preliminary reports).  Chapter 3 has to do with impacts of dredging (previously uncontrolled) on local fisheries resources.  I'd like your opinion.  We've heard from some of your students in the field but I'd like to hear from you directly. 

May I call you, or if you'd like to call me I'm in all day today and a half day tomorrow at 561-659-0041 ext. 18, or after 1:00 tomorrow at 561-596-8841.

Thank you,


Cindy Melnick
Applied Technology & Management, Inc.
561-659-0041

>>> "Samuel H. Gruber" <sgruber@rsmas.miami.edu> 11/02/03 12:30AM >>>
Please give me a bit of background on the study, who commissioned it and
what the scope is.  Then I can better advise you.  Who is Koji Wright?
----- Original Message -----
From: Cindy Melnick
To: sgruber@rsmas.miami.edu
Sent: Thursday, October 30, 2003 11:46 AM
Subject: BEST Commission Study


Dear Dr. Gruber,

I am a marine biologist doing a study for the BEST Commission and Bahamian
Government to assess the damage caused by the construction at Bimini Bay.
Koji Wright at Fisheries asked me to get your opinion on the effects of the
uncontrolled dredge siltation/sedimentation in the North Sound.  Can you
please give me a call or send me a number where I can reach you?  I'd like
to finalize the report soon.

Thanks for your time.



Cindy Melnick
Applied Technology & Management, Inc.
561-659-0041