The contentious Heads of Agreement between the Government and the developers of the $500 million Passerine at Abaco development was finally tabled in the House of Assembly on Monday evening.
Following a protest of more than 100 Great Guana Cay residents at Rawson Square on Tuesday, Minister of Financial Services and Investments, Allyson Gibson, touted the benefits of the development in an attempt to quell the environmental fears of residents who raised concerns about building the 75 room luxury villa style hotel, golf course and marina on the Cay.
The residents, represented by Attorney Fred Smith, criticized the government for allowing the Passerine Company to go ahead with its development. They claimed that if the marina is constructed, it would kill the reef that is just 50 feet offshore, and the dredging for the proposed marina would destroy 70 plus acres of mangrove, fish estuary and create further damage to the land. If completed, the marina is expected to be the largest in the country.
Mr Smith stated during the protest on Tuesday that despite numerous letters sent to the Office of the Prime Minister, Minister of Financial Services and Investments Allyson Maynard-Gibson, Ambassador for the Environment Keod Smith and others, the government still went ahead and approved the deal without first speaking with residents to hear their concerns.
On the other hand, Mrs Gibson outlined in a communication, before tabling the 56 page Heads of Agreement that two town meetings were held on Great Guana Cay during the review of the proposal and local residents were given the opportunity to discuss the proposal and present their opinions and recommendations. She further noted that during a town meeting on Feb. 24, 2004, the development group presented the proposal to local Guanians and it was made clear to all present that the government had not taken a decision on the development, as it was important to hear the views of the local community to aid in that process. She added that community members were invited to openly question the developers about the project and its potential impact on Great Guana Cay.
“During this meeting the developers also offered to leave copies of the development plan for review by community members and invited further views of community members following their review,” Mrs Gibson stated.
With respect to concerns raised about the potential impact of the golf course and marina on local reef systems and marine life surrounding Great Guana Cay, Mrs Gibson said Dr Kathleen Sullivan, an Environmental Consultant of one of the developer’s, indicated that coastal buffers and 45 inch setbacks from the crest of dune systems would be established to mitigate any impact.
Mrs Gibson said the Government has also initiated discussions with the developer with a view to consider the building of a “links style” golf course, which apparently minimizes an adverse impact on the environment when properly constructed. She said it has also been proposed that the golf course would be built in stages to minimize the impact of clearing and the type of grass used would require less irrigation, as organic fertilizers would be used.
The Investments Minister stressed that from the early stages of the Government’s evaluation of the project, the BEST Commission has been involved and an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) is currently being reviewed. She informed that the Developers have committed to an extensive clean up of the Cay and the Heads of Agreement provides that the developer will be liable for mitigation of any and all environmental damage.
“It should be added that no damage is expected, as there will be an Environmental Management Plan (EMP) in place,” Mrs Gibson stated. She further revealed that the government is in discussions with Coastal Systems International Inc., a well-known U.S. company of coastal engineers and environmental planners, to act as a consultant to the BEST Commission. She also warned that the Heads of Agreement states that any development started that is not in accordance with the EIA/EMP will be stopped.
“The Heads of Agreement sets out the responsibility of each of the parties to the agreement for mitigation and remediation of any damage,” she said.
Mrs Gibson said it should also be noted that the developer is aware of and has agreed to Town Planning stipulations, which state that the entire property must be linked to a sewerage disposal system rather than septic tanks, and that it is the government’s policy that all new Marina will have “pump out” and treatment facilities.
The Passerine Developers are also expected to: preserve sensitive wetlands and marine life habitats, protect fishing and hunting grounds, including Joe’s Creek; construct a community center, maintain beach access, construct a five to eight acre beach park and a paved road between the settlement of Great Guana and the Passerine Development to allow access to the beach park, community center, solid waste facility and employee housing.
The developer has also committed to utilise Bahamian produce, art and local handicrafts and establish training programmes in conjunction with The Bahamas Technical and Vocational Institute, in addition to training of security personnel for the development in conjunction with the Ministry of National Security.
As a part of the government’s “due diligence” efforts, Mrs Gibson said the government is satisfied with the development experience, capability and attention given to the environment exemplified by the Passerine partners in other projects in the United States, Hawaii and Mexico. She touted that the firm has a positive reputation for carrying out developments without environmental infringements.
In terms of employment and economic impact, Mrs Gibson said the Developers would employ approximately 200 Bahamians to construct the initial stages of the project, with ongoing construction as the project is completed. Another 200 Bahamians will be employed to operate the development, with a commitment by the Developers to have Bahamians undertake training at other projects overseas.
Mrs Gibson gave an assurance that residents would be able to expand if necessary, without any infringement on their traditional access to coastal resources. Some 23 acres of land have been retained for future purposes, she said.
The Heads of Agreement, dated March 1, 2005, is between the Government of The Bahamas, Passerine at Abaco Holdings Ltd, Passerine at Abaco Limited, Baker’s Bay Club Limited, Bakers Bay heads of Agreement Limited, Baker’s Bay Foundation Limited and Bakers Bay Marina Limited.
By: TAMARA McKENZIE, The Nassau Guardian
