Just for the record (if there's any environmentally conscious people wondering) here is what the FNM stated about the environment in there 2007 Manifesto:
http://www.freenationalmovement.org/download/manifesto07.pdf

From what I gathered from info online, Hubert Minnis - Minister of Health & Social Development, is the main person who deals with the environment and environmental issues (could be wrong, and I'm sure other minister's portfolios deal with environment as well):
http://www.bahamas.gov.bs/bahamasweb2/home.nsf/0/95D88BE18C419D5506256F0000705848

It's about 10 months into the FNM's term, how do you think the FNM is doing regarding their promises about the environment, their environmental policies, and their handling of environmental issues?

a joke right??

neither the former nor the present leaders have shown that actually thought through the little they have done to protect our environment - like the fisheries rule changes that contributed to the 10% decline in tourism in the out islands?
We need the rules but we need proper legislation that is in fact supported by the various agencies as opposed to high handed laws and little to no man power to support them

Here are the points on the environment typed out from the Manifesto (I did it a while ago, don't know why):

FNM Manifesto Section on Environment:

Page 27:
Environment And Sustainable Development:

To ensure the environmental sustainability of development in our country your FNM Government will:

-Adopt and implement policies to protect and enhance out environment

-Respect the environment as the real basis of our country’s wealth

-Launch an ongoing and extensive education and information programme to sensitize citizens to our natural environment

-Initiate programmes to strengthen vulnerable costal areas

-Enact legislation to further protect coral reefs, sea grass beds and mangroves

-Increase marine protected areas to better preserve our marine biodiversity

-Encourage mariculture projects to augment the increasing demand for seafood

-Increase government funding to The Bahamas National Trust

-Reconstitute The Bahamas Environment Science and Technology Commission (BEST) as an independent statutory authority

-Stop the present assault on the environmental integrity of the country resulting from indiscriminate dumping, unsightly abandoned buildings, derelict vehicles, excavation of hills and back-filling of wetlands

-Encourage the landscape of private properties

-Require that all new construction comply with the Town Planning and Building Control Regulations

-Ensure that proper drainage, waste disposal, electricity and potable water supplies are in place prior to the construction of homes in new subdivisions

-Retain the ownership of all Government-owned water-bearing lands as part of the Bahamian patrimony

-Enact legislation for the regulation and the provision of guidelines for Environmental Impact Assessments for all developers

-Carry out Social Impact Assessments of all major developments

-Encourage the incorporation of rain water tanks and water catchments in buildings over an established square footage

-Plant sea oats and other indigenous plants to protect sand dunes and other fragile coastal zones

I would say empty talks nothing more...anyone can do such statement and promises. The question is who is abloe to implement these plans? No doubt, environmental law are missing in the Bahamas!

The laws mean nothing if there is no enforcement, I know it sounds like rocket science but maybe some government of the Bahamas will get it!

The laws mean nothing if there is no enforcement, I know it sounds like rocket science but maybe some government of the Bahamas will get it!

Hopefully Hubert Minnis will get it.

if they even half heartedly tried to "respect the environment" our country would be a lot greener by far (greener more reefs, more wetlands = more animals remember the harp seals?)

if they even half heartedly tried to "respect the environment" our country would be a lot greener by far (greener more reefs, more wetlands = more animals remember the harp seals?)
Harp seals........ how old you figure people here is, ain't been no seals in dis country for a LOOONG time!

In any case, the Bahamian heritage - marine ecosystems, natural beauties - is seriously threatened by senseless developments based on financial benefits.

Harp seals........ how old you figure people here is, ain't been no seals in dis country for a LOOONG time!

That's my point - conch and nassau grouper are next

No government will seriously see the current environmental state in it's future.

Some people see the mangroves as a treasure, others see land that should be reclaimed. People see land that is not feeding anyone, making any money. And that is just the mangroves.

I mean looking at the current state of Urban New Providence alone, we should not be supprised at the lack of value we put to remaining natural resources on that island.

How do you think Freeport got built? Not all of that was flat land.

Harp seals........ how old you figure people here is, ain't been no seals in dis country for a LOOONG time!

Seals?! Where?