Restoration of natural sand dunes, the restoration and management of wetlands in the area and contamination cleanup are among a 7-point plan that Discovery Land Company plans to implement on Baker’s Bay on the northern end of Guana Cay, a clear demonstration of the company’s commitment to the principle of sustainable development, says its Senior Vice-President of the Environment & Community Affairs, Dr Livingston Marshall.
οΎ Is his recent address to members of the Rotary Club of New Providence, Dr Marshall who is one of, if not the only, Bahamian to hold a Bachelor’s degree and Ph.D. in Marine Science, said that in the current climate of increasing concerns for the environment, outlining the Baker’s Bay approach to ensuring proper environmental management is absolutely necessary.
Discovery Land Company’s 7-point plan includes: the cleanup of contaminants on the 90-acre former Premier Cruise line site, formally known as Treasure Island, which is currently underway; restoration of natural sand dune systems and native vegetation in coastal buffer zones of the Treasure Island complex; removal and management of invasive plants, such as the Australian Pine and Hawaiian Inkberry along the coastal zone of the entire project site;
Restoration and management of wetlands adjacent to the marina area; management of wildlife habitats, including turtle nesting beaches, white crown pigeon foraging areas, and neo-tropical migratory bird habitats; dissemination of the project status and documentation of impacts through a project website and the creation of an independent foundation for the management of preserved areas, environmental outreach education and ongoing site monitoring.
The company said in a recent statement that Dr Marshall’s many years of professional research experience in marine and estuarine systems have focused on applied fisheries, habitat restoration, ecosystem monitoring, conservation and environmental policy.
Considering it an honour to speak to the topic, “A Case Study In Sustainable Development – The Baker’s Bay Golf and Ocean Club,” Dr Marshall said, “As a Bahamian, I am extremely pleased to be professionally associated with the Discovery Land Company and join the dozens of other Bahamians, recently and soon to be, employed on the project.”
Calling Baker’s Bay Golf & Ocean Club “a unique” development, Dr Marshall stated that it is a dynamic, industry leading, environmentally friendly and economically rewarding opportunity for The Bahamas that will inject millions of dollars into the Bahamian economy during the construction phase and long after the property becomes fully operational.
He told Rotarians that there is ample evidence that The Bahamas was in an “unprecedented economic cycle,” and that Baker’s Bay is not only a major pillar of these economic opportunities, but also, “it is clearly a catalyst for a new and superior standard in resort development for The Bahamas, and likely the region.”
When completed, the 585-acre Baker’s Bay Club will feature approximately 400 residential units, a mixture of oceanfront homes, golf villas and marina village homes; a championship-calibre tropical links style 18-hole golf course; a 180-slip deep water marina, up to 100-bed villa-style Inn for rent; a quaint and lively marina village open to the public and a highly-amenitized equity club with approximately 400 members.
Dr Marshall outlined the Baker’s Bay design philosophy that reportedly utilizes the best available technologies to construct residential resort communities with the highest environmental standards and management practices.
Discovery Land Company said its core philosophy is to provide good environmental stewardship that adds value to the community, as well as protect property from both natural and anthropogenic disturbances.
Dr Marshall addressed several questions posed by Rotarians and facilitated numerous one-on-one conversations.
From The Bahama Journal
