Biscayne Bay Waterkeeper joins Waterkeeper Alliance, Save The Bays, and other leading environmental organizations in calling on the Bahamian government to reject a construction application at Nygard Cay, which will cause massive environmental damage and destruction. Peter Nygard, the applicant, has already illegally expanded his property at Nygard Cay to nearly twice its original size.

“The Bahamian islands are home to so many unique and stunning places,” said Dr. Rachel Silverstein, Executive Director and Waterkeeper at Biscayne Bay Waterkeeper. “Because the Commonwealth of the Bahamas is our closest geographical neighbor, we recognize that our ecosystems and our people are deeply connected to theirs. Like the Bahamians, therefore, we here in Miami have a vested interest in seeing Nygard Cay protected from unmitigated environmental damage. Like us too, the Bahamian economy is closely tied to its natural resources, in particular, its water. And like our own government, the Bahamian government must act to protect its environment, both for its own sake and for the sake of its tourism industry, its economy, and its people.”

For years, wire structures of rocks, cinder blocks, and debris have been dumped into the area known as Simms Point/NygardCay. While this dumping creates an artificial beach that benefits Nygard’s land, a study by the University of Miami revealed that the dumping has caused significant harm to the local environment. According to the study, the dumping “has changed the marine habitats dramatically within about 100 meters of the shore, with the most notable damage being the loss of reef areas to the west.”

Despite its claims that the dumping is illegal and unpermitted, the Bahamian government is still considering granting Nygard “a declaration of ownership” for the land that has accreted to his property as a result of his artificial construction. If approved, the Bahamian government would set a precedent that other individuals and corporations can claim public lands and destroy natural habitats. More than five-thousand people have signed a petition calling on Prime Minister Christie and the Bahamian government to enforce the law and protect Crown Land and the sea beds at Nygard Cay.

“We are urging the Bahamian government to protect its precious natural resources and its public lands.” Dr. Silverstein said.

“We join the Waterkeeper Alliance, Save the Bays, other leading environmental organizations, and more than five-thousand Bahamians to ask that this permit be denied. We have already lost the vast majority of Caribbean reefs. It’s time we began to value and protect these precious and rapidly disappearing resources before they are gone forever.”

For more information and to sign Save The Bays’ petition, please visit: https://www.change.org/petitions/prime-minister-perry-christie-help-save-the-bays-before-paradise-is-lost

About Biscayne Bay Waterkeeper:

Biscayne Bay Waterkeeper (BBWK) is a 501(c)3 non-profit located in Miami, Florida. Launched in January 2011, our goal is to advocate for the Biscayne Bay watershed and its inhabitants, and to empower citizens to defend their right to swimmable, drinkable, fishable water. Our role is to ensure that Biscayne Bay remains clean and vibrant to serve the needs of both humans and wildlife for generations to come.

CONTACT: Rachel Silverstein, Executive Director & Waterkeeper; Rachel@bbwk.org; 844-867-6468