The Tribune

By RASHAD ROLLE

Tribune Staff Reporter

rrolle@tribunemedia.net

THE Free National Movement accused the government yesterday of not adequately protecting Bimini’s natural resources and expressed worry about the “mounting local and international concern” that the Bimini dredging is having on the country’s reputation.

The FNM’s response follows a plea from attorney and environmental activist Fred Smith, who on Tuesday urged the opposition to break its silence on the controversial dredging in Bimini.

Despite mounting concerns about the issue, Environment Minister Kenred Dorsett refused to answer questions from reporters yesterday. He later released a statement saying that the Bimini project adheres to environmental standards and that all relevant documents have been posted on the Bahamas Environment Science and Technology Commission (BEST) website.

In his statement, the FNM’s Shadow Minister of Environment Kwasi Thompson called on the government to be “transparent, fair and balanced” in its review of the concerns.

Mr Thompson said the government must be held accountable for any environmental degradation that results from the project.

He said: “The Free National Movement is very disturbed by the government’s apparent lack of concern for the permanent and irreparable environmental damage, which will be suffered in Bimini by the continued dredging to make provision for (the) pier by Resorts World.”

“While the Free National Movement encourages economic activity, which may create business and employment opportunities for Bahamians, it should not be at the expense of our natural resources. These resources, when damaged, threaten the very foundation of Bimini’s present economic activities, which have sustained the island for decades.

“The government has failed to adequately protect Bimini’s precious resources, which has attracted the attention of local environmental experts and well-respected international environmental experts who have all called for a stop and review of the dredging project.

“Furthermore, the government must insist that all the requirements for such a project are met inclusive of submission of applications for permits and consultations with relevant stakeholders.”

The Bahamas National Trust (BNT) has also weighed in on the controversy. Executive Director Eric Carey has urged the government to review the project and to provide the public with an amended Environment Impact Assessment (EIA) and Environment Management Plan (EMP) in view of this week’s revelation that the government has given Resorts World Bimini permission to dredge three times the amount of material than previously disclosed.

Mr Carey said that after seeing aerial photos of the project, which reportedly show silt spreading across the water, he has concerns about the project’s environmental standards.

“Their EMP described siltation curtains and ways of managing the spoil,” he said. “It appears they need to amend the procedures and it warrants action because it has (allegedly) failed to adhere to the parameters agreed by the management plan. If they are not dredging in the agreed parameters of the EMP, they are outside their permits and the government should stop the activity until they’ve put in the protective and preventative measures which everyone is expressing concern about.”

Mr Carey said he wants an amended EMP and expressed confidence that Mr Dorsett will comply with his request.

In a statement released late yesterday Mr Dorsett said that to ensure compliance with best environmental standards, the government insisted that the developers engage an environmental compliance manager to oversee the project.

“D & E Partners, a company owned by the former Minister of the Environment, Earl Deveaux, has been retained to act the Environmental Compliance Manager for the project,” he said.

He added that the government also required that an independent environmental consultant be engaged to oversee the project.

“In that regard, the company of Ardaman & Associates was retained as an independent environmental consultant on this project,” he said. “This company is based in Orlando, Florida and has worked on projects in the Bahamas before, including the Paradise Island Bridge and the dredging of the Nassau Harbour. The BEST Commission as it is mandated is also monitoring this project to ensure compliance with the laws of the Bahamas and best environmental practices.”

He said: “I maintain that the EIA and the EMP documents for this and other projects, past and present, are available for perusal by the general public at the BEST Commission or on their website. We are a developing nation and as such the government works to ensure that the environment is kept in high regard while providing our citizens with opportunities for investment, entrepreneurship and gainful employment.”

When contacted yesterday, Mr Deveaux declined to comment.

Dredging began in North Bimini last Thursday as part of Resorts World Bimini’s controversial construction of a cruise ship terminal, 1,000 ft pier and man-made island.

The government believes that when completed, the project will bring significant economic benefits to the country. However environmentalists, concerned residents and some foreign experts say the project may inflict catastrophic damage on Bimini’s marine ecosystem and said it has been shrouded in secrecy.

The Tribune understands that Agriculture and Marine Resources Minister Alfred Gray is expected to hold a town meeting in Bimini tonight.