Bimini coalition enlists scientists

Tue, Dec 10th 2013, 10:57 AM

On the heels of a ruling by the Supreme Court that it may move ahead with a judicial review of a Bimini development, the Bimini Blue Coalition has enlisted "serious scientific muscle" to strengthen its claims of environmental mismanagement on the tiny island and provide what it considers "a better plan for Bimini," the organization has stated in a release.
The non-profit group, a partner of the rapidly growing environmental movement Save the Bays, is bringing on board "top minds and respected academicians with intimate knowledge" of Bimini's fragile ecosystem.
According to the Coalition, each of the scientists is volunteering and together, they are willing to advise on sustainable alternatives and potential impacts from the current plans for the North Bimini Ferry Terminal project, led by foreign developer Genting Group.
Meantime, Genting is being "photographed, videotaped and monitored" by the Coalition as the Malaysian-based company continues to move ahead with a 1,000-foot pier and 4.5 acre island to accommodate cruise ships from nearby Florida.
A total of eight scientists - each one with a Ph.D. in marine or marine-related science - have joined forces with Bimini Blue Coalition, including Dr. Kristine Stump, Dr. Craig O'Connell, Dr. Demian Chapman, Dr. Eric Stroud, Dr. Bryan Franks, Dr. R. Dean Grubbs, and others.
Dr. Stump, a lead researcher at the University of Miami's Rosenstiel School of Marine and Atmospheric Science, has authored a book on large-scale development in Bimini and its impact on the environment when she submitted her thesis after the initial development that changed Bimini's eco-system, Bimini Bay Resort, was created. That development has since been taken over by Genting.
Dr. Stump's thesis dealt directly with the impact of Bimini Bay Resort on the island's inshore marine ecosystems.
"On the other side of the narrow spit of land that separates the lagoon from the ocean, Bimini's world famous coral reefs are threatened by the same resort's construction plans," she said today. "As the only such habitat on the western edge of the Great Bahama Bank, Bimini's coral reefs are not only home to several critically endangered species of coral, but they are also potentially important to the overall health of other reefs in the Bahamas."
Stump also echoed the concerns of a recent Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA), noting that these natural resources are essentially the "foundation" of the island's tourism industry.
"It is incredibly important to preserve these fragile natural resources, as they are what bring visitors to the island in the first place," she added.
Resorts World Bimini has insisted that it is sensitive to the environment and its development will bolster the tiny island's economy.
Controversy once again surfaced earlier this month when the attorneys representing the Bimini Blue Coalition won leave to apply for a judicial review of the ferry terminal project.
Lawyers have made a "discovery" request for all permits, approvals, leases and licenses associated with the development.

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