NASSAU, BAHAMAS- Save Exuma Alliance (SEA), the coalition of business and community leaders formed to protect the Central Exuma Cays from potential overdevelopment by the proposed Yntegra/Rosewood development, is urging residents, stakeholders, and concerned citizens to attend a Town Planning Committee meeting in George Town, Exuma on Friday, February 20, to review what has been billed as a revised site plan and share their views.
“This meeting is a critical opportunity for the public to raise concerns and questions. It’s important that the people of Exuma come out so the wider Bahamian public can see how they feel,” stated SEA.
Regardless SEA continues to assert that the consultation process is deeply flawed because insufficient time was given to concerned stakeholders to properly review and get expert advice on the enormous amount of information that Yntegra filed in this process, much of which seems to contradict itself and other Yntegra statements
This week’s meeting is the second of two Physical Planning Committee sessions on plans submitted by the developer, Miami-based investment group Yntegra, for a Rosewood-branded resort that would include more than 90 structures and two marinas, require massive dredging of coral reefs and sea grasses, removal of mangroves and pose safety issues with supply barges and heavy boating traffic in what is now a highly popular shallow swimming bay.
Crowds packed the first meeting in Black Point, Exuma, asking questions and raising strong concerns about the project that has been controversial since its announcement. Those concerns include long-term effects on the area’s sensitive marine environment and public safety, including increased boat traffic and the implications a of a massive seawall that will forever alter tidal flow. They also claimed the project as proposed poses risks to seagrass and coral systems that support fisheries, livelihoods, and the tourism experience and pointed to safety issues for visitors and locals with heavy boating traffic. Many who spoke said they were not opposed to development, but wanted it scaled down to suit the fragile marine environment and culture of the Central Exuma Cays.
Among the adjustments called for is the relocation of the controversial supply dock from the shallow North Bay to the south side of the island where there is already deepwater access, negating the need for destructive dredging or the installation of a large seawall in the pristine environment.
More than 7,100 persons have signed a petition calling for a halt and review of the project.
SEA emphasized that participation does not require confrontation – only respectful, clear communication.
SEA also encouraged residents to continue requesting easier access to materials submitted, arguing that the volume of documents has been hard to access and should be available online for careful review.
The meeting will be held at LN Coakley High School in George Town at 6 pm.
