The environmental groups fighting to stop Disney Cruise Line’s development of Lighthouse Point have announced the first of three “extended” public consultations that will dissect Disney’s environmental impact assessment (EIA), the groups stated in a joint press release.

The first consultation, scheduled for Thursday, will include the expert opinions of Dr. Greg Miller, executive director of the Center for Responsible Travel and Dinah Bear, former chief counsel of the US President’s Council on Environmental Quality.

“In response to the Department of Environmental Planning and Protection’s April 8th public consultation on Disney’s environmental impact assessment for their controversial $400 million cruise ship port, proposed for Lighthouse Point on Eleuthera, the groups announced plans last Sunday to organize their own extended public consultations,” the statement noted.

“The groups have stated that the April 8th meeting, which attracted more than 350 participants, provided too little time and no opportunity for discussion of the adequacy of Disney’s assessment.

“The purpose of additional public consultations is to supplement the rushed EIA review process and provide opportunities for meaningful input in this major decision from the public in The Bahamas and worldwide.”

According to the statement, Thursday’s meeting will focus on whether or not Disney’s economic, sustainability and alternatives models are adequate enough.

“This will be the first of three extended public consultations before the end of the official comment period on May 7th,” the statement added.

“The meeting will include leading independent experts and scientists. The groups have invited Disney and government to participate.”

The environmentalists urged the government in another statement not to rush its review of Disney’s EIA.

Disney submitted its EIA to the government in December 2019 and it was made public on March 10. Members of the public have until May 6 to submit questions and feedback about the proposed development.

The environmental groups placed the Zoom link ID 851 6168 9824 in the press statement, in the hopes of having as many people as possible join them at six o’clock on Thursday.

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