The Tribune

An Abaco-based activist group says the Treasure Sands developer has agreed to stop clearing land on property that may be the remains of Carleton, the first Loyalist settlement in Abaco.

The Abaco Defenders said that after they forced the bulldozer to shut down, the resort’s general manager, Tim Blakely, said no further clearing would take place until further archeological surveying could be done.

Dr Keith Tinker and Dr Michael Pateman, senior archaeologist, at the Antiquities, Monuments and Museums Corporations (AMMC), visited the site of the proposed Treasure Sands Club and Spa expansion on May 4. They were joined by a representative from the Abaco Office of the Prime Minister, Mr Flowers, and the Save The Bays,

The Abaco Defenders feel the expansion site might also be part of Abaco’s first loyalist settlement. Mr Blakeley explained to them that he was “underbrushing” the land to make way for AMMC to conduct its surveys, but the group pointed out that his bulldozer was doing more harm than good.

During the AMMC visit, Mr Blakeley had told those present that he is researching the history of the Carleton expedition of 1783, and plans to name his new pub after a pub in New York where the expedition may have been launched from.

The Abaco Defenders backed the plan, and want artifacts that are on the property catalogued and preserved, with some being on display in the future pub and in museums. They want a proper archaeological surveyto locate, map and document artifacts before any more bulldozing and land destruction occurs.

The potential Treasure Sands expansion has been a source of controversy, with the Abaco Defenders objecting to dredging that took place in Sand Banks creek as a part of the development.

At a recent meeting attended by Abaco Defenders members and their attorney, the North Abaco Town Planning Board members admitted they had no idea of the full extent of the development while considering the permit applications for several small structures on the Treasure Sands property.

Permits were granted before the visit of the AMMC, and without further knowledge as to how they will fit into the bigger picture of the proposed development.

“Without a Freedom of Information Act it is difficult for anyone to get any information without the relevant Minister’s permission, including the Town Planning Board. It doesn’t make any sense that they are supposed to make decisions without all of the information,” said Ossie Hall, vice-president of Abaco Defenders.

“While we are generally in favour of development, there are proper requirements that should be followed. Short cutting the procedure is not the way our elected officials should be allowed to operate on this project or any other project in the pipeline or under way.”

“We haven’t been able to determine if we are for or against this development, as we still don’t know what the development is, but we want to make sure that the residents have the chance to be consulted and that the people who live here will know how they will be impacted,” said Fiona Bootle, president of the Abaco Defenders.

“We are trying to make sure that everyone is playing by the same rules, and that our history and our natural resources can be preserved. We depend on the nearby creek to protect the only road in and out of Treasure Cay from flooding and storm damage, and as a place for the fish we like to eat to grow up. They are too important to just give away without any say from those affected.”