The Tribune

By RASHAD ROLLE

Tribune News Editor

rrolle@tribunemedia.net

HUNGRY for jobs and community development, Exuma residents at a town hall meeting Tuesday night brushed aside a wealthy developer’s environmental complaints concerning a nearby project but questioned why the Davis administration wasn’t getting more involved in resolving the dispute.

“What can we do?” said Black Point resident David Brown. “Our hands are tied.”

The town hall was held as Turtlegrass Resort & Island Club, backed by environmentalists, intensified its opposition to plans for a neighbouring $200m ultra-luxury Rosewood Exuma resort spearheaded by the little-known Yntegra Group.

Bob Coughlin, the principal of Turtlegrass, highlighted the environmental risks of the nearby project. He also stressed that the Davis administration approved his $75m development first but is now ignoring his complaint that some elements of Yntegra’s plans would ruin his business. He has threatened to pull the plug on his project.

He argued that Yntegra’s planned docks and marinas would force large barges to pass directly in front of his resort, obstructing views for guests and disrupting operations.

“We can’t be successful with barges moving right in front of us,” he said.

He claimed that he had met with Prime Minister Philip “Brave” Davis and Deputy Prime Minister Chester Cooper twice, as well as with Mr Cooper and Yntegra’s principal, Felipe MacLean, but said the conversations failed to produce meaningful action.

Bewildered town hall attendees expressed sympathy for his challenge but emphasised that they want both developments to coexist.

“It seems like they more in favour of Felippe tingum than you,” one man said, referring to the government.

“I understand your plight because you feel the government grant you the permit to do what you doing and now since the other thing came on stream, they ignoring you.”

“You saying you invest $2.5m in Exuma. That’s the deputy prime minister’s area so I don’t know what’s the problem. We would like for the two of y’all to get together and resolve this. We don’t want y’all fighting.”

Some attendees dismissed concerns about dredging, arguing that the marine environment is resilient.

More than anything else, they stressed that their economic needs take priority.

“Right now,” said Mr Brown, “you’re thinking with $70 or $100m in your pocket. I’m thinking with $0 in my pocket. So when investors come in to The Bahamas, we want investors. You guys is all we got. We only got sun, sand, and sea. We got nothing else to offer.”

Mr Coughlin and his team have been pushing back against Yntegra’s development for months.

A formal petition was submitted to the government demanding that environmental approvals be denied until a more comprehensive study of the project’s impact is conducted.

The petition argues that the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA), released in July 2024, lacks a proper analysis of the seabed dredging required for the project. It states that Yntegra has failed to provide sufficient detail on how dredging — estimated at 240,000 cubic yards — will affect marine ecosystems despite the EIA acknowledging that the activity will have a severe negative impact on the marine environment.

Environmentalists say the dredging will destroy seagrass beds, wetlands, and marine habitats, potentially altering the underwater landscape of East Sampson Cay.

Yntegra’s Environmental Impact Assessment confirms the risks, stating that constructing the marinas, fuel depot, and service dock will disrupt critical marine habitats. The study notes that the dredging and marina construction will destroy an estimated 15 acres of seagrass, a vital nursery for juvenile fish, conch, lobster, and endangered species like the hawksbill turtle and Nassau grouper.

It also warns that increased sediment from construction could smother corals and reduce water clarity, affecting reef ecosystems. The removal of some mangrove areas could weaken coastal protection, while increased boat traffic, fuel storage, and wastewater discharge could degrade water quality and disrupt marine species.

More vessel activity could also lead to accidental sea turtle and manatee collisions, along with underwater noise pollution that affects fish and marine mammals.

Yntegra has promised mitigation efforts, such as replanting mangroves, installing sediment barriers, and creating artificial reefs.

Its $200m resort, set to open in 2028, will include 33 beachfront suites, a luxury spa, six dining venues, and two marinas designed to attract high-net-worth visitors and yachting enthusiasts.

The project is currently under review by The Bahamas’ Department of Environmental Planning and Protection (DEPP).

Phase I of the Turtlegrass Resort project— a $25m investment — is underway, featuring six beach cottages, water processing and waste management systems, solar power infrastructure, and maintenance facilities. It was expected to be completed by September 2025.

However, Phase II, originally scheduled for September 2024 to December 2025, was put on indefinite hold in April 2024 due to concerns over Yntegra’s impact. That phase was set to add a primary clubhouse, dining facilities, swimming pools, and additional accommodations.

Turtlegrass says the delay has disrupted its development timeline and jeopardised millions in investment and hiring plans.