The Tribune

By DENISE MAYCOCK

Tribune Freeport Reporter

dmaycock@tribunemedia.net

ENVIRONMENTAL activist Captain Daniel Murray is raising concerns over renewed bulldozing and land clearing at a site off Queen’s Highway, where mangroves are being threatened.

Mr Murray, who initially sounded the alarm about mangrove destruction last July, questions whether authorisation has been granted for the work to resume.

Land development on Queen’s Highway was halted last July after the Department of Environmental Planning and Protection (DEPP) issued a cease-and-desist order in response to concerns over the destruction of acres of mature 20-foot red mangroves. The area had been covered with tons of dirt and aggregate.

In early February, Capt Murray observed that work had allegedly resumed. He captured video footage showing heavy equipment operators at the site.

“I am devastated and heartbroken because the EIA said there are going to be protected areas, and none of that has been explained to anybody,” he said. “I know there is some ongoing work going on there where they are putting in a new container port and cruise port for cruise ships.”

The East Harbour Expansion Project is underway at Hawksbill Creek/Billy’s Cay off West Queen’s Highway, where the Freeport Harbour Company is developing the area for significant expansion.

Capt Murray, who has reviewed a copy of the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA), said it includes provisions for buffer zones to protect the mangroves.

“I don’t think they should be allowed to start work again. The EIA should have been scrutinised a lot more because there are a lot of things they promised they were going to do but did not do,” he claimed.

He noted that environmentalists were pleased when DEPP initially halted the work.

“Everybody planting mangroves and fighting for the environment was pleased, and we wondered what the outcome would be from that, but we never heard back. But now, all of a sudden, there was movement of dirt and bulldozers moving again.

“We want to know if they are doing work without authorisation from the government. We also want to know what was the outcome of the government’s review that led them to stop the work in the first place.”

In 2019, Hurricane Dorian destroyed nearly 70 percent of Grand Bahama’s mangroves. The site off Queen’s Highway is one of the few remaining areas with healthy mangroves, where environmental groups collect seedlings for restoration projects across the island.

The area was also previously preserved as a nature park and trail for residents, visitors, and avid bird watchers.

Capt Murray stressed that the government, the public, and the Grand Bahama Port Authority all have a role to play in protecting the environment.

“We all have to work at the end of the day and direct our efforts towards preserving our environment, which is irreplaceable,” he said.