This letter is in direct response to the letter submitted by Neil Sealey, published December 26, 2004, concerning the Passerine development project on the north end of Guana Cay. I would like to point out some information that your readers may find very interesting.
First, Mr. Sealey claims to have no direct connection to the development. Mr. Sealey, are you the husband of Kathleen Sealey? Kathleen is the biologist hired by the development company. If you are the husband, brother, or father of Mrs. Sealey, then I would say that that is a very direct connection. If so, then you have a vested monetary interest in this projectﾴs passage and completion.
(Web Editor’s note: Neil Sealey is, in fact, the husband of Kathleen Sullivan-Sealey)
Secondly, you mention public meetings that were held previously concerning the project. Many, if not all, locals agree that the meetings were not adequately advertised and sentiments expressed by the locals about this project were negative, and not in support of, as you claim. A follow-up meeting was promised but mysteriously never happened. We challenge you to come to Guana Cay and find anyone in favor of this project. As to your mention of the ﾓDisneyﾒ effect on the island, do you realize that the locals also opposed that project?
You mention the sediment runoff from Shell Island. Are you implying that this environmental impact was the fault of the locals? Trust in the fact that the locals have learned a hard lesson from their experience with Disney. Now armed with this knowledge the locals see the potential for a much larger environmental disaster. Disney was only a preview to the feature presentation produced by the Passerine project. The locals refuse to close their eyes to what they now know is a proven fact. Sediment runoff is a death sentence for marine life. The runoff from Shell island dredge spoils contains what used to be under the water. The project you are advocating will contain massive sediment runoff from the construction of the golf course. After the course is complete, the runoff will include all of the chemicals used to maintain the course. You say that runoff is not good, yet you refuse to address the sediment produced by construction, and the chemical goodies that will go along with it. Is it your argument that the residents should close their eyes to further destruction? This new project is a land-based project with a much larger impact than Disney. If you can plainly see the results of Disneyﾴs project, then why can you not see that the results will be even worse with a project of this size? Do these developers have special powers that allow them to carve the land with no runoff and apply liberal amounts of chemicals with no environmental effect, or are the homeowners there signing an agreement that they will never use their bathrooms?
Maybe you even believe that creating a 240-slip marina, that will sink approximately 1,440 creosote soaked or arsenic filled pilings, will have no effect on a beautiful and pristine fish nursery known as Joeﾴs Creek. ﾠYour ignorance is staggering. You claim outright that this project will have absolutely no effect on the reef. This is perhaps your most preposterous statement. You mention the Florida Keys as an example in your article. For your information, there is NO central waste treatment system in existence in the Keys. There are a few small areas that have systems, (one encompassing 15 streets and another serving Key West) but no central system. As of right now, the Florida Keys have a very sick reef in critical condition according to all major environmental groups and government agencies alike. The estimated cost of installing a central waste system in the Keys is $500 million; a price the residents and taxpayers there must pay to even begin to salvage what little is left of that reef. This cost is in addition to the millions it will take to clean up the waters as they are now. These are hard facts and proven figures. Should you dispute these facts and figures then you are welcome to read the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Agencyﾴs report on the Marine Sanctuary in the Florida Keys. A copy of this report is on Guana and you are welcome to read it. By the way, the sanctuary was created in the Keys by the United States government as a direct response to the critical condition of the water and reef there. Why is the water and reef in such a critical state? The answer is unchecked development, a lack of a central waste treatment system, and pollution from golf course runoff and holding tanks being dumped with little or no compliance or enforcement of pump-out laws .This is a proven fact. Have you ever been to the Florida Keys? Have you done any research? Perhaps you should check your facts before you present them. Check your facts, or at least visit an area, before you claim knowledge of such. To use your words Mr. Sealey, ﾓyour ignorance is particularly apparent.ﾒ
Let us be very clear now. We are not against development of this areaﾅwe are only opposed to irresponsible development. Everyone is aware that the majority of this land is privately owned and could be sold to someone else to develop. Maybe that is a good thing since the new owners would come in with the knowledge that Guana has a concerned, aware, population that cares about the future of their home. If the new developers started with this in mind, perhaps their development would BEGIN with the goal of sustainable tourism and not end with quick bucks for the developer and lip service for the residents. Is the government of the Bahamas prepared to pay the enormous price that the Florida Keys are now forced to pay?
Right now, Guana Cay is experiencing a period of growth like never before. Fortunately, this growth is steady and digestible. A project of Passerineﾴs size is enough to choke a herd of elephants and in no way compares to the pace now. ﾠTo date, no one has constructed 450 homes, a resort golf course, and 240-slip marina in one fell swoop. Perhaps the developers think that no one will notice??? Let us also point out that this development company has absolutely no experience building on a small barrier island in close proximity to a reef. We do not want to be the test case.
Finally, we invite you to ask anyone whether they would prefer a Tom Fazio designed golf course, or a reef designed by the most experienced creators ever, Mother Nature and God.
Thank You, ﾠ
Aubrey St. John Clarke
Guana Cay, Abaco
Please direct comments to info@saveguanacayreef.com
Read Neil Sealey’s letter to which this response has been directed:
Passerine Development on Guana Cay
