NASSAU, BAHAMAS- Save Exuma Alliance, a group of concerned Exuma businesses, small island operators, and residents, has welcomed a court decision allowing a legal review of the proposed Miami-based Yntegra/Rosewood project, calling it “a golden opportunity to review and reconsider the controversial project” they say would forever change the nature of the Central Exuma cays.
The Save Exuma Alliance (SEA) issued the call for a “thorough review” of the proposed Sampson Cay project following media reports that the Supreme Court granted the judicial review on Tuesday, December 2. Justice Leif Farquharson granted Turtlegrass Resort permission to proceed with the challenge, which argued that the process by which the Certificate of Environmental Clearance (CEC) was granted was “fundamentally flawed.” A request for judicial review has also been filed by the neighboring Over Yonder Cay.
“We welcome the Supreme Court allowing a review of the process used to give Yntegra environmental approval for the Rosewood project,” SEA said in a statement. “This gives us a chance to understand how the Department of Environmental Planning and Protection (DEPP) conducted its environmental analysis and considered the local community in making its decision. We hope the result of the judicial review will allow local residents to provide more input about what they want, and what they think about this project.”
SEA is a coalition of businesspeople, leaders, and residents from communities neighboring the proposed development. The project includes plans for dredging that would affect a 15-acre seagrass meadow and the construction of a 390-foot seawall that would impact tidal flows in the area.
“We have heard from people all across Exuma who are concerned about the damage this project could cause – and more than 7,000 people have signed a petition calling for the approvals to be halted. We believe this is a chance for the developers to reconsider how this project could be done without the damage that has raised so much concern among locals. We are entirely in favour of development that can boost the Exumas. If Yntegra will listen to our concerns in widespread consultation, it is a chance to find a way to go forward without harming the environment,” said SEA.
SEA added: “There are very good reasons for taking a moment and rethinking. As well as more than 7,000 people signing the petition, there has also been a survey by ORG which shows 96 percent of local Exumians want the environment protected. The survey also shows that 75 percent are worried about that seawall. We hope this encourages the developer to take a moment, talk to the locals who will be affected by this and do the project the right way.”
SEA said the judicial review will also be a test of the nation’s environmental credentials, adding: “This is not just important to Exuma, it is important to the whole of The Bahamas. This can be a test case for how seriously the country takes environmental protection. Exuma can set a precedent, to show how we can make sure there is real protection for the environment.”
