FACT SHEET – Exuma Cays Land and Sea Park Development.
The Bahamas National Trust welcomes any discussion of environmental issues. In fact, one of our chief goals is to raise environmental awareness among Bahamians. Accordingly, in view of the many misconceptions that have been repeatedly aired in the media and on the internet about development in the Exuma Cays Land and Sea Park, the BNT has prepared this fact sheet to inform the debate.
What has happened?
The owner of 349-acre Bell Island in the Exuma Cays applied to the government in August 2010 for permission to expand an existing service/utility area for his vacation home, excavate an inland yacht basin, and dredge a portion of the seabed to provide navigable access for his 150-foot private yacht.
Why is this an issue?
The island is located in the Exuma Cays Land and Sea Park. One hundred and seventy six square miles of the Exuma chain of cays was set aside in 1958 and leased by the government to The Bahamas National Trust. But about a third of the land within the park was already privately owned at that time and therefore could not be included in the lease that created the park. Those private islands include Cistern Cay, Pirate's Cay, Little Pigeon Cay, South Halls Pond Cay, Soldier Cay, Dinna Cay, White Bay Cay, Osprey Cay, Bell Island and Little Bell Island. It should be made clear that the sale of private land anywhere in The Bahamas is not a matter that is within the BNTs purview. To our knowledge, no legal restrictions have ever been placed by any government on the transfer of private land within the Exuma Park.
Is this a proposal for commercial development?
No. The BNT is strongly opposed to any commercial development anywhere within the park, and no such development either exists or is proposed. Over the years, there has been limited development (including land clearing for home and infrastructure construction, and dredging of inland yacht basins and entrance channels) on and around some private islands for the owners' personal use. Examples include Soldier Cay, Cistern Cay, Halls Pond Cay, and Bell Island.
What procedure did the landowner follow?
In the current instance, the owner of Bell Island applied to the Ministry of the Environment in the normal way for relevant permissions to undertake the planned improvements. The application was referred to the BEST Commission and the BNT for review and comment. An environmental impact assessment was undertaken at the owner's expense, and strict environmental conditions and protocols were stipulated by both BEST and the BNT. The EIA is available from the BEST Commission.
What is the current status of the project?
An important condition of the government's approval is the development of a comprehensive environmental management plan at the owner's expense. The BEST Commission and the BNT are waiting to review and approve this plan, which will govern the proposed development activities under the supervision of an independent environmental manager. Some site preparation on land has already begun, following approval by Town Planning. The total development footprint on the 349-acre island is less than five acres, and mitigation includes removal of invasive casuarina trees, restoration of natural vegetation, and development of a native plant nursery.
What will happen to the dredge spoil?
The owner's original plan for Bell Island would have involved the dredging of more than 43,000 cubic yards of spoil. As a result of BNT’s efforts, the project's impact has now been further reduced so that less than 13,000 cubic yards will now be dredged. This spoil will be taken at the owner's expense to either an identified need/infrastructure project in one of the nearby Exuma settlements (such as Black Point), or to New Providence. A determination on how the spoil will be used will be made by the BEST Commission. It should be noted that there is no great demand for fill at present because of the huge mountain of spoil recently dredged from Nassau harbour and stored at Arawak Cay. It should also be noted that the cost of transporting the fill is considerable. The suggestion that surreptitious rock mining is being conducted at Bell Island is patently absurd.
Is dredging ever a good idea?
While the preferred option would be to have no dredging in the park, dredging is sometimes necessary to provide navigable access to property within the park. If properly executed, using best management practices, dredging imposes a tolerable and temporary impact on the marine environment. In order to travel from island to island, boaters need safe harbours and navigable channels. As a nation, we must learn how to dredge without it becoming an incendiary issue every time the word is mentioned. The way to do this is to carefully assess the impact of each project, then set and enforce strict rules and policies to safeguard the environment while allowing development to proceed.
Why didn't the BNT oppose the development on principle?
Reasonable access to, and use of, private property is a right that is guaranteed by the Bahamian constitution, and that right extends to property in the Exuma park. The BNT will not allow any development on park-owned lands that is not in full and clear alignment with our resource protection and conservation management goals. But there is a fundamental difference between the unrestricted exploitation of public resources within a national park and the acceptance of reasonable access for existing property owners. While we have prevented commercial development in the park, we have to acknowledge the illegality of banning all private development, particularly on land that is highly taxed. The BNT has no interest in engaging in a militant campaign to destabilize private property rights over the issue of minimal localized development proposals that will be conducted under strict environmental protocols using best management practices.
What is the BNTs view of the Bell Island development?
Most of the planned work at Bell Island is on land. There will be limited and short-term disturbance of the seabed for the provision of navigable access to the owner's inland yacht basin and service dock. The BNT is not arbitrarily opposed to environmentally compatible, non-intrusive and limited development on private islands within the park. The plans and the EIA were carefully reviewed by the BNT and considered reasonable, subject to strict environmental controls. On other occasions, the BNT has advised against certain developments proposed by property owners in the park. However, we do not have the authority to unilaterally disallow private development in the park. It is also worth noting that the area that will be affected by the Bell Island project is a tiny fraction (less than .0035%) of the park's 112,000-plus acres.
Why does the BNT accept private donations?
The BNT was created by parliament in 1959 as a private membership organisation funded by dues, grants, investment income and contributions, both public and private. Notwithstanding the fact that the BNT manages extensive public areas for the Bahamian people and performs other essential services for the country, less than a third of our annual budget of $3 million is provided by government, and that level of subsidy has only been the case recently. The BNT has always accepted private donations, as do all similar non-governmental organisations. But we will not accept any gift that requires us to compromise our values. Also, when we do accept contributions, and the donor wishes to remain anonymous, we are obliged to respect those wishes.
What is the BNT obligated to do in return for its public subsidy?
The BNT protects and manages over 700,000 acres of land and sea territory throughout The Bahamas, in addition to advising the government on national heritage issues. The BNT also conducts wide-ranging school and public education programmes on environmental subjects. We are governed by a Council elected from the general membership, together with representatives appointed by government agencies and international scientific organisations. Each year the BNT provides a detailed report to the government on the use of public funds. We also produce audited financial statements that are published annually.
Who will undertake the planned development at Bell Island?
We understand that Bahamas Marine Construction Company has been contracted by the owner to carry out the works. The BNT is not involved other than to ensure that a qualified environmental officer is in place to supervise the approved environmental management plan.
What environmental restrictions apply within the park?
The original intention of the scientists and conservationists who first surveyed the area was to protect the biodiversity of all the land and sea resources in the proposed park. However, the park was not designated a no-take zone until 1986, in response to dramatic increases in fishing pressure and other undesirable uses. This designation means that the exploitation of public resources by anyone within the park is prohibited by law. The park protects only a small portion of the Exuma Cays, and we do not believe this has caused any hardship to anyone. In fact, all the evidence shows that the protection of marine resources within the park has led to healthier fisheries elsewhere.
What restrictions or guidelines would the BNT like to implement in the park?
The BNT will be working with the government and local communities and stakeholders – within the context of the recently passed Planning and Subdivisions Act – to develop a carefully crafted land use plan for the entire Exuma Cays, both inside and outside the park. The BNT has long promoted the value of such legislation to support orderly national development within a framework that respects the high value of our natural environment. The proposed land use plan for the park will include strict regulations on what development can and cannot take place within park boundaries.
What is the purpose of a national park?
The goal of a national park is to protect significant natural assets and biodiversity in support of a healthy environment and for the enjoyment, education and inspiration of future generations. Proper management of a network of protected areas requires adequate financial resources. An outright ban on development is not a sine qua non of national park management. In many countries, public-private partnerships generate income from shops, lodges, restaurants and other services within national parks.
Download a copy of the BNT FACT SHEET – EXUMA PARK DEVELOPMENT (pdf) here…
