The longest of the Abaco Cays, it stretches seven miles from end to end, and is considered a natural wonderland with treasures ranging from idyllic beaches to the oceanic bounties of the nearby Great Abaco Barrier Reef.
In addition to beach-combing and excellent fishing, and snorkeling to be had, its sparse population and relatively untouched beauty is another huge attraction.
But, Save Guana Cay Reef – an Abaco based non-profit environmental and preservation lobby – said a recently approved touristy development, slated for the north end of Guana Cay, will eventually lead to this island’s demise, robbing future generations of Abaconians of their heritage.
The group said the 585-acre luxury golf course, 240-slip marina, and upscale rental units and hundreds of housing sites, which will constitute the Passerine development, will ruin the ambiance of Guana Cay, while harmful chemicals, from the course, slowly kill the barrier reef – the world’s third largest.
Save Gauna Cay Reef is concerned that run-off from the golf course, reportedly a Tom Fazio design, will seep into the ocean, eventually exposing the barrier reef to destructive chemicals.
According to the group, the dredging of a marina in Joe’s Creek, the lone fish and sea creature estuary in the area, is bound to destroy it.
Not only has “Save Gauna Cay Reef” accused Government of bad decision making by approving the development, but it also said government has worsened matters by offering Government land for part of the development.
The group states at its website -www.savegaunacayreef.com, which it launched late last week: “They (government) gave away 43-acres on Guana and [nearby] Gumaelemi Cay (6 acres), for a total of 49 acres. This was crown land that should have been set aside as a legacy for Abaconians and their children.”
“Bahamians we must stop this now,” it states in a release recently forwarded to The Guardian. “It’s a May Day call for we are running out of time and land! We are a small nation and we cannot afford to give our land to foreign developers.”
Of three promised consultation meetings between government and residents, Save Gauna Cay Reef said all were held with less than a day’s notice, adding that one meeting was cancelled with no notice or a stated reason. Stating at its website, “Save Gauna Cay Reef is not against development; we just expect it to be environmentally sustainable, at a slower pace, and for Bahamian people to benefit,” the lobby group said the Christie-led government has failed in an election campaign promise to give crown land to Bahamians.
Speaking in interview with The Guardian Sunday Minister of Financial Services and Investment Allyson Maynard Gibson confirmed government’s approval of the development, revealing that a Heads of Agreement contract was presently in the negotiation phase.
Mrs Maynard Gibson could not say definitively how large a parcel of land had been given developers for the project, but noted that land obtained from government did constitute a small part of the project.
The Minister said government had carried out due diligence as regards the environmental impact of the project, including having an Environmental Impact Assessment by The Bahamas Environment and Science Commission (BEST).
After wide government consultation she said, a majority of residents supported the development. Mrs Maynard Gibson said her Ministry was satisfied the project not only constituted positive economic measures for Abaco, but the entire Bahamas as well.
Pledging to offer details of the project in the coming days, Mrs Maynard Gibson said Abaconians need not be concerned, as the rights and well-being of all Bahamians are paramount at all stages of development.
She said construction on the project would likely commence within the first quarter of 2005.
Raymond Kongwa, The Nassau Guardian
