A dump truck deposits fill at the waters edge without a protective barrier in place.

Published On:Thursday, April 15, 2010

By MEGAN REYNOLDS

Tribune Staff Reporter

mreynolds@tribunemedia.net

CONCERNS over ecological destruction at the $75 million Bimini Bay Resort have reached a critical point as development presses on without a long-overdue Environmental Management Plan (EMP) and Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA).

An independent assessment of the North Bimini resort site submitted by Black and Veatch International (BVI) in August 2008 advised government to require the developers Rav Bahamas Ltd to submit a comprehensive written EMP and EIA to monitor construction at the 700-acre site.

But nearly two years later conservationists say mangroves are being ripped out and wetlands filled in as dredging goes on without best practice measures to mitigate environmental impact.

A concerned scientist on location in Bimini has reported the filling in of wetlands without sediment curtains, berm barriers or other siltation mitigation mechanisms on the west side of North Sound.

And as construction proceeds into phase two, the biologist has called for the "blatant disregard" shown for the surrounding environment to be mitigated.

"I urge immediate action to be taken by those with the power to enforce any degree of consideration for Bimini's environment by requiring the use of siltation mitigation strategies as phase 2(a) construction continues," the scientist said. "This is the very least that can be done."

BVI noted in its 2008 report how Rav Bahamas Ltd, a subsidiary of the Capo Group, had not produced any mitigation strategies at the time and should be required to produce an EIA and EMP for the Bahamas Environment Science and Technology (BEST) Commission to review and approve and then be used as a guide for environmental management practices before phase two of construction can commence.

But BEST director Philip Weech confirmed he has yet to receive an EIA or EMP from the developer.

President of Rav Bahamas Ltd Rafael Reyes told The Tribune he was not aware which reports had been submitted to the BEST Commission and said he would follow up on reports, but then did not return calls from The Tribune.

Meanwhile Environment Minister Earl Deveaux asked for more time to assess the situation.

However conservationists are concerned that too much time has been wasted already while sensitive ecosystems remain unprotected.

Executive director of international non-governmental organisation for the protection of mangroves, Mangrove Action Project (MAP) Alfredo Quarto has called on Dr Deveaux to investigate the situation and criticised his inaction.

In a letter to the Minister he said: "We at MAP are disappointed in this lack of interest on your part to take any corrective action in regards to the ongoing loss of Bimini's invaluable mangrove wetlands and consequent deterioration of the marine habitat there."

Further concerns relate to delays in establishing boundaries for a Marine Protected Area (MPA) proposed for North Bimini in 2000, and expected to be implemented last year.

Inquiries on the matter directed by The Tribune to Director of Marine Resources Michael Braynen have not yet been answered.

But conservationists say establishing the MPA now is vital.

"I am astonished you have not acted on behalf of your own government's stated intentions to establish and protect the Marine Protected Area that was promised for Bimini Island a year ago," Mr Quarto told Dr Deveaux.

"So much of Bimini's unique ecology is being bulldozed and uprooted now, and I have learned that the pace of this destruction has increased to a near fever pitch, while your government has sat idle and conspicuously silent.

"Please tell me what good it serves to declare a Marine Protected Area when your very actions, or lack thereof, will soon result in there being no area remaining to protect?"