NASSAU, BAHAMAS – To the Government of The Bahamas, the Grand Bahama Port Authority, and everyone who calls Grand Bahama home:
Our communities deserve protection, and we are asking you to take action.
The Freeport Harbour Community Protection Alliance strongly opposes Bahama Rock’s proposed excavation and harbour expansion at the former Bahamas Cement Company property.
Before any land is permanently removed, authorities must address the unresolved concerns of neighboring communities and explore alternative development options that protect our homes, livelihoods, and heritage.
Protect Our Homes. Preserve Our Harbour. Safeguard Our Future: These words highlight what is at stake.
The proposal plans to excavate approximately 269 acres. The Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) acknowledges that this will lead to permanent land alteration and the destruction of intact pineland and coppice ecosystems. The geological assessment highlights potential impacts from saltwater, while the flood assessment warns that the planned expansion could increase flood risks. These concerns are noted in the project’s own documentation.
Behind these findings are local families.
In September, Gloria Munroe-Rolle, a resident of Harbour West for over 20 plus years, showed reporters the damage she attributes to blasting, including treasured framed photographs that have fallen and broken. In Hepburn Town, Harold Curry pointed out cracks he believes are related to the operations and mentioned that damage reappeared after repairs were made.I Carleza Bain has spoken with dozens of residents, families, and property owners from surrounding communities like Bethany Wildgoose, Navarro Saunders Travis and Lynn Williams. Mr and Mrs Benson , Natasha Ferguson and so many more who have already been impacted by previous mining activities, who are now raising concerns about the potential effects of further mining if it is approved. While these accounts do not, on their own, establish clear engineering causation, they warrant a thorough investigation.
A home represents years of hard work, sacrifice, and family history. A crack in its wall and damage to homes and businesses are personal concerns, as is the cost of repairing them.
These concerns are not new. Reports from 2006 highlighted residents’ worries about their homes shaking, leading to a government order to halt blasting while the effects were studied. Two decades later, communities are once again questioning whether their properties are being adequately protected.
We are convinced that simply offering another set of assurances is inadequate as a response. Instead, we believe it is essential to take more meaningful actions that address the underlying issues at hand. Providing reassurance without tangible steps does not instill confidence and may even further erode trust. A comprehensive approach, incorporating transparent communication and proactive measures, is necessary to effectively address concerns and demonstrate our commitment to resolving the situation.
Residents are entitled to independent property inspections, access to relevant monitoring records, and a fair process for establishing responsibility. If operations are found to have caused damage, those responsible should cover the repair costs. If a different cause is identified, homeowners deserve a clear explanation supported by evidence.
Water protection is an urgent issue that needs to be addressed. The Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) of groundwater predicts that there will be no changes in the size or shape of the identified freshwater lens. However, its flood assessment raises concerns about runoff and groundwater interactions. These findings require thorough evaluation through an independent review. Families should not have to uncover flaws in flood protection during the next major storm.
Additionally, dust complaints must be addressed with careful consideration. Particle pollution can worsen asthma and negatively affect respiratory and cardiovascular health. While this does not prove that a specific illness was caused by the operation, it highlights the necessity of monitoring the air quality and measuring what people actually breathe in their local environment.
Our harbour is part of a living coastal ecosystem. The EIA acknowledges that excavation can increase sedimentation and turbidity, adversely affecting marine resources. Fisheries, recreation, and coastal livelihoods must be given appropriate consideration in the decision-making process.
We therefore call on the Government and the Grand Bahama Port Authority (GBPA) to take the following actions, each within their respective responsibilities:
1. Reject the current expansion proposal and provide a clear explanation for this decision.
2. Commission an independent assessment of cumulative impacts, focusing on homes, groundwater, flooding, air quality, marine habitats, and affected businesses.
3. Publish all relevant permits, monitoring results, complaint outcomes, and enforcement records, in accordance with lawful disclosure requirements.
4. Establish an independently administered property damage claims process that includes accessible inspections, clear deadlines, and repairs or compensation where responsibility is established.
5. Implement enforceable safeguards for any ongoing authorized operations, including public reporting and prompt intervention if conditions are violated.
6. Commission a transparent comparison of alternatives and develop a funded plan to protect affected workers and maintain construction material supplies.
7. Hold community meetings within the impacted communities that go beyond the requirements of DEPP for the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA). These meetings should enable the voices of impacted communities to be heard by our leaders and representatives from both local and central government, as well as the Grand Bahama Port Authority.
Workers at Bahama Rock deserve job security, just as homeowners, fishers, and small businesses do. An economic assessment must take into account the costs that extend beyond the company’s gates.
Relying solely on finite extraction is not a sustainable development strategy. We need credible feasibility studies for restoration efforts, marine research, suitable maritime services, renewable energy, and locally owned enterprises. We must weigh all claims about long-term harbour benefits against environmental costs, community risks, and alternative designs.
We invite residents, business owners, workers, civic, and environmental organizations to support the mission of this Alliance. Please submit your concerns and support for the Alliance in writing, document any damage accurately, attend consultations, and seek written responses and measurable commitments from elected representatives and the Grand Bahama Port Authority (GBPA).
Our heritage exists in the communities surrounding this harbour, in the homes families have built, the waters they rely on, and the opportunities we want future generations to inherit.
The government and GBPA must act while meaningful choices remain.
Join us in protecting our homes, preserving our harbor, and safeguarding our future through your collective advocacy.
Carleza Bain, Spokesperson
Freeport Harbour Community Protection Alliance
Our Homes Matter
Our Lives Matter
Our Communities Matter
Our Safety Matter
The Hepburn Town Heritage Matter
