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New online battle to stop Disney cruise plan

Lighthouse Point.

Lighthouse Point.

By FARRAH JOHNSON

THE Waterkeeper Alliance has partnered with leading environmental groups in the country to launch a digital campaign in protest of Disney’s plans to construct a cruise ship port in South Eleuthera.

In a press statement yesterday, the organisation announced the launch of StopDisney.com, the focal point of the Last Chance for Lighthouse Point campaign, which seeks to persuade Disney to abandon its “controversial plans” to construct a “massive cruise ship port” in Eleuthera.

The Alliance joins local environmental groups including Bahamas Reef Environment Education Foundation, EARTHCARE, reEarth, as well as its partners Waterkeepers Bahamas and Save the Bays in protest.

Marc Yaggi, executive director of Waterkeeper Alliance, said activists are calling on Disney to find a “more suitable alternative,” so that Lighthouse Point could be preserved for “current and future generations.”

“We are pleased to join with our Bahamian partners to launch this campaign against Disney’s current plans for Lighthouse Point that would degrade a treasured natural site and proposed marine protected area,” he said. 

“Disney needs to do more than just rush through a minimal government process in the Bahamas. It needs to seriously consider the environmental, economic, and social costs of this proposed cruise port.”

“On March 7, 2019, the government of the Bahamas secretly signed a heads of agreement (HoA) with Disney Cruise Lines Island Development (DCL), but the full text of the HoA was not released until March 20. The Bahamian environmental groups described the HoA—that sets out the framework for further negotiations and approvals—‘a realisation of our worst environmental, economic, and societal fears,’ the statement read.

“The HoA revealed a project much more massive than anticipated with much less clear economic benefits. The HoA gives DCL rights to secure a 50-year-lease on the seabed to build a $250 million 0.6 mile long pier and onshore entertainment facilities to handle up to 20,000 passengers a week. The groups called upon Disney to prepare a world-class environmental impact assessment (EIA) that includes consideration of alternative sites, economic analyses, and full public consultation.”

Mr Yaggi’s statement said environment groups sent a letter on May 2 to Disney’s chief sustainability officer setting out a list of data, studies, and analyses that would be essential in such an EIA.

“To date, Disney has been dismissive of the groups’ concern and their offer of cooperation,” Mr Yaggi added.

A letter sent to The Tribune by Disney officials shows that Dr Mark Penning, Disney’s vice president of animals, science and environment wrote to local activist Sam Duncombe on June 12 in response to her concerns.

Joe Darville, executive director of Save the Bays, said he finds it “alarming” that Disney is proceeding with “qualifying contractors for construction work,” before the EIA is completed.

“A comprehensive review of the environmental and economic effects of this massive port project must be done before any final decision is made on the future of one of the most majestically beautiful spots left on Earth,” he said. 

“We urge Disney to choose a different site for its port and to work with citizen groups on alternatives that would provide sustainable economic benefits for South Eleuthera.”

Ms Duncombe, executive director of reEarth, also said she believes there are “better, more sustainable development options” for South Eleuthera.

“Bahamians are increasingly questioning the benefits of the cruise ship industry to the country after so many failed promises of jobs and economic opportunities,” Ms Duncombe said.

“Cruise ship passengers comprise 75 percent of the tourists visiting the Bahamas, yet they only contribute 10 percent of the annual tourism GDP.”

Phoebe Shaw, Last Chance for Lighthouse Point campaign director, added that this is the “last chance” the public has to save Lighthouse Point.

Describing it as a “special place” for people all over the globe, she insisted that the area as well as its surrounding seas “deserves to be protected for future generations.”

Meanwhile, a statement released from Disney Cruise Line yesterday insisted that the company will only proceed with the project if it can be done in an “environmentally responsible manner.”

“Our own internal team of animal and conservation experts is working closely with a highly qualified team of Bahamians and an experienced international firm to develop a comprehensive environmental impact assessment and environmental management plan that align with our company’s deep and longstanding commitment to the environment,” the statement read.

The company added that once the draft is submitted to the EIA, it will be reviewed by the government and then made available for “public consultation.”

“Disney Cruise Line remains committed to developing less than 20 percent of the property, employing sustainable building practices including an open-trestle pier that eliminates the need to dredge a ship channel, establishing environmental monitoring programmes during construction and operation and donating more than 190 acres of privately-owned land, including the southernmost point, to government for conservation and public use, among other commitments,” the statement added.

The company asserted that it is concentrated on “maximising Bahamian involvement” in the Lighthouse Point project to provide “the most significant economic impact possible,” and added that representatives have met with a “broad range of businesses and organisations,” who have the potential to provide support for the project.

“Through the Disney Conservation Fund, Disney has provided more than $13 million to marine conservation programmes around the globe, including several in the Bahamas, and since 2007 has been directly involved in leading a multi-year initiative to protect and rehabilitate coral reefs in the Bahamas. We will continue to work with leading conservation organisations and communities to protect special places in the Bahamas.”

Comments

truetruebahamian 5 years, 5 months ago

<stopdisney.com> should be at the top of everyone's list to visit and protest the Disney cruise ship infestation.

TheMadHatter 5 years, 5 months ago

Stop Disney cruise plan? You never hear from these people about all these young girls with they belly swell. BUT when government tries to get some jobs for the little out-of-wedlock spawn, then they want to make noise.

themessenger 5 years, 5 months ago

We never hear from yinna people who does make dey belly swell especially afta yinna done swell dem! The root of alla we evils..............belly swell, doggy glad! Now make some more noise.

DDK 5 years, 5 months ago

They should go further south, like to a nice beach on Haiti where the people are in need of the thousands of jobs on offer.

concerned799 5 years, 5 months ago

Disney wanted to develop Port Royal in Jamaica years ago, but on condition the government relocate/resettle the people already there (and in the way or deemed by them to be not compaitible with their plans). This is who we are dealing with.

I read years ago Disney World is exempt in Florida from pretty much all municipal regulation due to the way its setup.

Everyone needs to tell Disney to leave Lighthouse Beach alone.There is no way the reef system there would ever survive just enormous development impacts!

Where is the Bahamas National Trust on all this? The PLP?

Clamshell 5 years, 5 months ago

The PLP and the FNM on Eleuthera both support the Disney plan.

concerned799 5 years, 5 months ago

What does the Bahamas National Trust say?

If both parties are a disaster on this, what does the DNA say?

TigerB 5 years, 5 months ago

My take is simple, we have over 700 islands and cays... it wouldn't hurt non to do something sensible with a small bit of it. I'm sure we will not die. That project will help the community, except those opposing its plans to help the people, they haven't done nuttin yet.. It's just sitting there, heck use it!

concerned799 5 years, 5 months ago

It was said the Great Lakes were so big you could never pollute them. Didn't work out that way. Trading Light House beach to the cruise industry mortgages sells out the future Eleuthera could have in sustainable, low impact tourism and locks it into low margin mega cruise development, which BTW is not working out so well for Nassau. Bigger cruise ships have not led to a more prosperous, less in debt Bahamas. Think about it, did we have VAT before the cruise industry got so big? NO. More cruise ship visitors = less money for the tourism economy workers, less hotel stays, and a more powerful cruise industry.

licks2 5 years, 5 months ago

The white boys. . .not even Bahamian white them live all up in them bushes down there. . .I been there plenty times. . .the only people who is benefiting from the "look" and "out-of-the-wayness" are them rich second homers and white people who live there!! Drive through them settlements sections and you will see poverty like you never did!! Check the Cape. . .I was surprised to see them still maintaining their gulf course down there in the south!!

The poor black man who from that Island can't go in areas around there. . .including Point if they don't have a boat to get there. . .the white people have plenty boats to go to the "prettyful" places they talk about we need to keep for our children. . .before Disney came for that place. . .only them rich people knew where it was. . .and people who live in South Eleuthera. . .NO MORE OF US DID!! WE CAN'T AFFORD IT. . .

Clamshell 5 years, 5 months ago

Stop lying. The golf course down there fell to ruin many years ago. A new golf course is being built in the south, by a Bahamian developer from Nassau, Sir Franklyn Wilson. And, no, he’s not white.

I’m guessing you’ve not been anywhere near there in years, if ever, or you’d know all that.

There has never been anything stopping black people from visiting that area just like the white folks do. You don’t need a boat, you can drive there. And the folks running paid excursions by boat to that area are all black Bahamians who make a living that way. Liar.

licks2 5 years, 5 months ago

THEM VILLAS FELL INTO RUIN YEA. . .THE FAIRWAYS AND GREENS WERE STILL BEING CUT. . .AS FOR DRIVING TO THE POINT. . .CHECK YA PICTURE . . .WHICH ROAD GOES TO THE POINT??? And yes. . .just like I said. . .ya need a boat to get there. . .hence ya PAID boat excursions!! Cape gulf course was never allowed to go to ruin. . .FOR MANY YEARS, EVERY TIME I WENT DOWN THERE, CAPE WAS MAINTAINED!!

concerned799 5 years, 5 months ago

https://news.yahoo.com/i-was-so-livid-d…

Disney heiress horrified when she sees worker conditions at the parks in the US. Employees resorting to having to salvage food from garbage.

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