National Trust Slammed

Sam Duncombe, reEarth spokesperson, called the decision a "really bad" one, especially considering the "heartache and controversy" she said the developers of Baker’s Bay have caused the people of Guana Cay.

"When you look at the fact that the people in Guana Cay have come forward with considerable concerns about how that development is going to affect their reefs, their mangroves, their fisheries and their community, those voices were basically ignored by what is supposed to be the lead organization in the country for the protection of the environment," she said.

"That is a problem."

But President of the BNT Glenn Bannister disputed that characterization of the trust’s interaction with Baker’s Bay, and even went so far as to suggest that Baker’s Bay’s environmental impact management plan could be a model for other developers in the country.

"We had a team of people over a number of times who visited Baker’s Bay. We had discussed their plans with them, we saw their plans, we talked to their people there, we went and we examined it ourselves," Mr. Bannister said.

"We looked at Baker’s Bay thoroughly, and whereas there are a lot of ‘hypotheticals’ that people are using – you know ‘what if’ – we basically looked at the facts, and came to the conclusion that the people at Baker’s Bay are doing everything, we feel, to mitigate against any environmental damage on the cay there."

Two weeks ago Baker’s Bay made a $200,000 donation, which is supposed to be an annual contribution. After six years the amount would be $1.2 million.

The concern is of the appearance that the developer "basically patted [the trust] on the back and it seems that the concerns of the community have been ignored."

"I do not understand how they can possibly reconcile that position when these concerns are real. (For example) the development of a golf course, and 50 feet off the beach is a reef. Those chemicals going into the ground will affect that reef," she said.

"Removal of mangroves to create a marina – marinas concentrate pollution," she continued.

"It seems to me that while the organization may need money, what I think the organization needs to show the Bahamian people, is that they do care about the communities and the environments those communities live in," she said.

Mr. Duncombe said for a long time the Bahamian community has viewed the trust as an elitist organization. She insisted that the community wants to see action from the organization.

"They set a very dangerous precedent here," Ms. Duncombe said. "If they’re going to accept money from a developer that has already caused significant issues in that community, what does that say for them? What does that say for what they’re actually doing to protect The Bahamas’ environment? It’s not saying anything to me," she said.

"It is very disturbing."

National Trust president Bannister took issue with the suggestion that the trust was being ‘hypocritical’ by accepting the money from the developer.

"We are not hypocritical," he said. "We are a very serious organization, we’ve been around for a very, very long time, and we take this business seriously. As conservationists, we look for environmental control."

"Our job is to advise the government, and the government makes its decision – this is what our responsibility is. We did examine Baker’s Bay, and we feel that they are doing everything that they can to mitigate against the environmental footprint that that development will leave on that cay."

The government has allocated $1 million for the trust in its 2007/2008 budget.

"As a citizen of this country, I have a problem with my money going to fund an organization that also accepts donations from an entity that is causing a lot of problems for a community," Ms. Duncombe said.

"So when you say that the government has signed off, that the BEST may have signed off, maybe what we as a people need to do, as a country needs to do, is to raise the standards and the levels based on what we are allowing in this country."

Another point she made was that for too long the trust has stayed silent on far too many important issues.

Mr. Bannister countered by challenging her to bring facts to show that something else is wrong.

"We’d be glad to look at it," he said.

"We feel that as long as Baker’s Bay continues the programme that they have now as pertains to the environment, we feel that they are doing a pretty admirable job. They are setting the pace in how developers should go about mitigating environmental damage during their developmental programme."

The Save Guana Cay Reef Association responded by stating that it was extremely disgusted by what appeared to be the patent attempt to sway public opinion about the Baker’s Bay development. According to the statement that the organization released, accepting the donation was one thing, but the "gushing words of praise that followed in a press release from the BNT was nothing short of appalling."

The group said all of the scientists whose services have been secured have said that they are certain that the golf course with its associated fertilizers and chemicals so close to a living coral reef is a recipe for disaster.

"The Save Guana Cay Association reminds all Bahamians that we have the responsibility [of saving] something for our children," the organization said in a statement. "We ask BNT to accept the donation, but please rethink your endorsement of the project. Check the facts first."

Upon its completion, Baker’s Bay Golf and Ocean Club will comprise an exquisite residential community of 585 beachfront acres, 175 custom home sites and 138 single family developer residences, according to the developers.

The Baker’s Bay development will also include a villa style hotel, private golf club, an 18-hole private golf course and 33-acre marina village with a 158 slip Blue Flag marina.

Discovery Land Company is a Scottsdale Arizona based real estate development firm that specializes in the creation of world-class golf and residential communities.