Baker's Bay Golf & Ocean Club

Overview

Baker's Bay Golf & Ocean Club is a controversial [ [http://www.bahamasb2b.com/news/wmview.php?ArtID=4989 The Guana Cay Controversy - Bahamas Commentary News Archive ] ] private resort community in the Northeastern Bahamas. The development is located near Baker's Bay in Great Guana Cay situated between the Sea of Abaco and the Atlantic Ocean. The convert|585|acre|km2|sing=on project is a resort development of 385 homes. Developed by Discovery Land Company (DLC), the project will include a Tom Fazio-designed 18 hole golf course, 180-slip marina, Marina Village resort area, and a private club that includes beach club and spa.

Development

Baker's Bay claims to currently employ approximately 200 Bahamians and claims that it will create many additional jobs for native Abaconians, but local Bahamians disagree. Upon completion, the boutiques and shops in the Marina Village with be Bahamian owned and operated. Besides the $500+ million being spent to develop infrastructure, amenities, and residential units in the development, DLC says it plans to spend $10 million in infrastructure improvements that benefit all Great Guana Cay residents including a sewage treatment facility where none exists on the cay today.

According to published sources, Baker's Bay is becoming a model for real estate development and environmental stewardship in the Bahamas. President of The Bahamas National Trust Glenn Bannister said the Trust has examined Baker’s Bay, and was satisfied that the company is doing everything that it can to mitigate against the environmental footprint the development will leave on that cay.

"We are confident that Baker’s Bay is doing all the right things that it needs to do to protect the environment," Mr. Bannister said. "The grant shows that Baker’s Bay cares about the environment."

Lawsuits

76 of the 91 Bahamian residents of Great Guana Cay and other shareholders have taken Baker's Bay Club to court [ [http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2006/02/13/MNG88H7E5U1.DTL&hw=guana+cay&sn=001&sc=1000 Reef defenders in Bahamas sue over mega-resort / S.F. developer sees Baker's Bay as model for sensitive construction on fragile islands ] ] , and have applied for Privy Council. The residents, supported by the coral reef conservation community, believe the development will destroy their coral reef. [ [http://www.saveguanacayreef.com Save Guana Cay Reef, a non-profit organization dedicated to the preservation of the reef and a legacy for Abaconians ] ]

Crown and Treasury Lands

Bahamians also oppose Baker's Bay Club over the subject of whether the central government of the Bahamas has the right to offer public land to foreign developers at the expense of Bahamian use and preservation of the land. [http://reearth.org/?p=331]

Continuation of Lawsuit

The initial lawsuit by Save Guana Cay Reef lost in the Supreme Court after the developer took an undertaking to halt development for several months. “Since our voluntary undertaking has been lifted the spirit of our staff has been inspiring to everyone. We are excited about what the future will hold. The 120 Bahamians we employ are back to work.” [ [http://news.bahamianyellowpages.com/2006/06/30/bakers-bay-wins-battle / ]

After a loss in the appeals court, Save Guana Cay Reef has applied for privy council. [http://www.jonesbahamas.com/?c=45&a=16235] In August 2008, Save Guana Cay Reef was granted conditional leave for the Privy Council. In a Freeport Tribune article, attorney Fred Smith was quoted, "We believe we have a very strong case, and have been denied due process. The issue of the ability of the Prime Minister to bind the country as to Heads of Agreement will be determined at the highest level...for the future development of the Bahamas, these are matters which are of fundamental importance." [ Freeport Tribune, August 2008

United Nations

In 2007, citizens from Great Guana Cay spoke at the United Nations to bring attention to the dangers of development near coral reefs. [ [http://abacoforum.com/forums/archive/index.php/t-888.html Press release for SGCR [Archive - Abaco Forum ] ] [ [http://www.notesfromtheroad.com/WestIndies/bbc/united_nations.html Outline of United Nations Speech ] ]

Sea Turtle Issue

In 2006, Jean-Michel Cousteau stated in a letter to the Prime Minister, "...the Bakers Bay Golf and Ocean Clubdevelopment on Great Guana Cay may undermine the environmental health of the region; specifically affecting the nesting seaturtles of Gumelemi Cay and to the north, and impacting the neighboring reefs adjacent to the proposed golf course. [http://www.notesfromtheroad.com/WestIndies/bbc/bakers_bay_cousteau.html]

At the time, Baker's Bay was planning to build 5 homes on the tiny convert|2|acre|m2|sing=on Gumelemi Cay, known as a nesting ground for loggerhead, hawksbill and green sea turtles. The developer now plans on 6 homes. [http://www.bakersbayclub.com]

Economic Benefits or Costs

Many in the Abaco Sound area believe Baker's Bay Golf & Ocean Club will negatively impact the local economy, but Baker's Bay claims that the development will help the local economy. [ [http://www.globalcoral.org/SAVE%20THE%20BAHAMAS%20MEETS%20WITH%20GREAT%20SUCCESS.htm For Immediate Release ] ] According to the Baker's Bay Club website [http://www.bakersbayclub.com] , the development injects one million Bahamian dollars into the Abaco economy per month.

The future of the country’s economy relies on its ability to provide facilities to attract those who want to visit and live amongst the country’s natural surroundings. And yet, this economic imperative must be accomplished without compromising or permanently damaging the environment that is the basis of this attraction. quote|The Government of The Bahamas is satisfied that the development on Baker’s Bay is in the “national interest” of The Bahamas and that Government officials should do whatever is necessary to ensure that they effectively support, facilitate and accommodate the development|Rt. Hon. Hubert A Ingraham [http://www.thebahamasweekly.com/publish/bis-newsupdates/Prime_Minister_says_Baker_s_Bay_Serves_National_Interest_of_The_Bahamas.shtml]

Environmental Stewardship

Implementation of a sea turtle nesting and habitat protection program that is linked to national efforts coordinated by the Government’s Department of Marine Resources is in the works, however all Caribbean sea turtle conservation groups oppose the development, including the Archie Carr Institute and the Caribbean Conservation Corps. [http://www.cccturtle.org/] [http://accstr.ufl.edu/] More information about Baker’s Bay’s interaction with the Bahamian government and the environmental activism as well as, subsequent court rulings can be found at [http://www.notesfromthesea.com/bnt.html]

Fig Tree Foundation

Discovery Land Company and Baker’s Bay Golf & Ocean Club has also launched the Fig Tree Foundation, Ltd, a charitable, non-profit entity run by the Government of The Bahamas. According to the developer, "The Foundation’s intent is to protect the Great Guana Cay community and enhance the quality of life for all people living on Great Guana Cay." [http://www.thenassauguardian.com/national_local/309529041431445.php]

Michael S. Meldman Distinguished Professorship in Conservation

In 2007, Discovery Land Company CEO Michael Meldman offered a donation to the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

Donation to Bahamas National Trust

In 2007, Baker's Bay Golf & Ocean Club offered a donation to the Bahamas National Trust. [http://freeport.nassauguardian.net/national_local/293286434621180.php]

Friends of the Environment

Baker's Bay Club donates to Abaco's largest environmental group, Friends of the Environment. [http://www.friendsoftheenvironment.org/businesssponsors.html]

External links

*http://www.bakersbayclub.com
*http://www.saveguanacayreef.com
*http://www.discoverylandco.com
*http://www.notesfromtheroad.com/guana.htm

References