Sam Duncombe
06-04-08, - 09:09 AM
Bimini Bay developers call Cousteau ‘misinformed’
By ROGAN M. SMITH, Guardian Senior Reporter, rogan@nasguard.com
Developers of the Bimini Bay project declared this week that despite opposition to phase two of the development, they are moving full steam ahead.
The developers were put on the defensive following a published article by international environmentalist, Jean Cousteau, who slammed the development by calling it a “catastrophe that is scarring the land.”
But the Bimini Bay developers have moved to set the record straight.
In his article, Cousteau said nothing about the Bimini Bay project suggests environmental sustainability as the developers claim, or that they’re even respectful of the surroundings.
He has even called for a discontinuation of phase II of the project.
But, Bimini Bay Development President Rafael Reyes says his company would never put his family or the Bimini community in an environmentally compromising position.
Reyes said the developers have taken the necessary environmental steps to protect the area, including working with the BEST Commission and completing two Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) reports.
He says while he respects the entire Cousteau family, it is misinformed.
“We respect the Cousteau family, but encourage greater impartiality on their part,” Reyes said. “They have been misinformed in many respects and we are trying to get the facts out there. They are not conducting studies. They need real facts. A lot of the interviews that they put there were old and they are presenting them as if they are new.
“A balance has to be struck between development and protection. With all due respect, when was the last time Mr. Cousteau was in Bimini? He has no clue. They are acting on a premise with inaccurate information. The Cousteau family has too much integrity to jeopardize their ethical value.”
Reyes said his company has been hurt by the negative media attention.
“This is a huge injustice to us as developers. We stand to lose our opportunity to make more money.
But, it’s really hurting the community and the social economic aspect of The Bahamas because this project is generating hundreds of jobs to what once was a sleepy fishing village,” he said.
According to Reyes, “We are marketing millions of dollars worth of advertising to try to generate year-round tourism. Our marketing efforts aren’t even solely done for the community.”
Reyes admits that there is a huge culmination of mangroves throughout the Family Island and says his company is committed to protecting the productive areas adjacent to the work site as much as it possibly can.
“We’ve removed less than three percent of the mangroves, and those were largely stunted. Regarding waste, only wood and construction debris is being burned, which is consistent with disposal policies in all parts of the world,” he said.
“Garbage is not being burned. We have a contract with a local garbage collector, which barges it to South Bimini and disposes of it properly,” Reyes added. “That is a fact and we have the contracts to prove it. We have a state-of-the- art sewerage treatment plant there. They can take a picture of it. I don’t know why they continue to make that representation. The resort has addressed these claims several times.”
Reyes questioned whether or not Cousteau had actually done his own environmental report before writing the article.
“It doesn’t make any sense to me. I love the people of Bimini and I would never put them in an environmentally compromising position. So, that’s why I take offense to the accusations and opinions being stated,” he said.
“Biminites are very peaceful people and they don’t want to appear to be conflictive, but there is a huge silent majority on our behalf and I know that,” he stated.
Reyes said Bimini Bay has a real love for the island and is committed to not only building a business there, but also being a part of the community.
He said the company is employing many Bahamians and working very hard to improve their quality of life.
The project is currently pumping $4 million into the local economy.
“Prior to the resort, potable water had to be barged in. A reverse osmosis plant has been constructed at Bimini Bay Resort that now supplies potable water to the entire island. We are investing in education and public safety. We are also investing in cultural opportunities,” Reyes said.
“But our greatest contribution is the economic opportunities that come with the Bimini Bay Resort. This island saw record tourism numbers during the most recent American Memorial Day holiday weekend. We intend for that trend to continue and as we move forward, we will continue to do everything possible to ensure this project is sustainable both economically and environmentally,” the developer emphasized.
By ROGAN M. SMITH, Guardian Senior Reporter, rogan@nasguard.com
Developers of the Bimini Bay project declared this week that despite opposition to phase two of the development, they are moving full steam ahead.
The developers were put on the defensive following a published article by international environmentalist, Jean Cousteau, who slammed the development by calling it a “catastrophe that is scarring the land.”
But the Bimini Bay developers have moved to set the record straight.
In his article, Cousteau said nothing about the Bimini Bay project suggests environmental sustainability as the developers claim, or that they’re even respectful of the surroundings.
He has even called for a discontinuation of phase II of the project.
But, Bimini Bay Development President Rafael Reyes says his company would never put his family or the Bimini community in an environmentally compromising position.
Reyes said the developers have taken the necessary environmental steps to protect the area, including working with the BEST Commission and completing two Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) reports.
He says while he respects the entire Cousteau family, it is misinformed.
“We respect the Cousteau family, but encourage greater impartiality on their part,” Reyes said. “They have been misinformed in many respects and we are trying to get the facts out there. They are not conducting studies. They need real facts. A lot of the interviews that they put there were old and they are presenting them as if they are new.
“A balance has to be struck between development and protection. With all due respect, when was the last time Mr. Cousteau was in Bimini? He has no clue. They are acting on a premise with inaccurate information. The Cousteau family has too much integrity to jeopardize their ethical value.”
Reyes said his company has been hurt by the negative media attention.
“This is a huge injustice to us as developers. We stand to lose our opportunity to make more money.
But, it’s really hurting the community and the social economic aspect of The Bahamas because this project is generating hundreds of jobs to what once was a sleepy fishing village,” he said.
According to Reyes, “We are marketing millions of dollars worth of advertising to try to generate year-round tourism. Our marketing efforts aren’t even solely done for the community.”
Reyes admits that there is a huge culmination of mangroves throughout the Family Island and says his company is committed to protecting the productive areas adjacent to the work site as much as it possibly can.
“We’ve removed less than three percent of the mangroves, and those were largely stunted. Regarding waste, only wood and construction debris is being burned, which is consistent with disposal policies in all parts of the world,” he said.
“Garbage is not being burned. We have a contract with a local garbage collector, which barges it to South Bimini and disposes of it properly,” Reyes added. “That is a fact and we have the contracts to prove it. We have a state-of-the- art sewerage treatment plant there. They can take a picture of it. I don’t know why they continue to make that representation. The resort has addressed these claims several times.”
Reyes questioned whether or not Cousteau had actually done his own environmental report before writing the article.
“It doesn’t make any sense to me. I love the people of Bimini and I would never put them in an environmentally compromising position. So, that’s why I take offense to the accusations and opinions being stated,” he said.
“Biminites are very peaceful people and they don’t want to appear to be conflictive, but there is a huge silent majority on our behalf and I know that,” he stated.
Reyes said Bimini Bay has a real love for the island and is committed to not only building a business there, but also being a part of the community.
He said the company is employing many Bahamians and working very hard to improve their quality of life.
The project is currently pumping $4 million into the local economy.
“Prior to the resort, potable water had to be barged in. A reverse osmosis plant has been constructed at Bimini Bay Resort that now supplies potable water to the entire island. We are investing in education and public safety. We are also investing in cultural opportunities,” Reyes said.
“But our greatest contribution is the economic opportunities that come with the Bimini Bay Resort. This island saw record tourism numbers during the most recent American Memorial Day holiday weekend. We intend for that trend to continue and as we move forward, we will continue to do everything possible to ensure this project is sustainable both economically and environmentally,” the developer emphasized.