Nassau, Bahamas - The BNT Council in April of 2013 approved a resolution to support efforts of the One Eleuthera Foundation and the Eleuthera Land Conservancy to protect Lighthouse Point from “unsustainable development”.
The Bahamas National Trust wishes to go on record to confirm that we remain opposed to unsustainable development at Lighthouse Point. It is our opinion that a Cruise Development would not be sustainable and the environmental impact would be significant. BNT has met with and written to the Prime Minister to state our position supporting the protection of Lighthouse Point.
BNT is working with key conservation and community partners to secure Lighthouse Point as a national park, and as a model for sustainable development. BNT has provided the Prime Minister with a proposal for acquisition of the site, along with a plan to create more full time jobs, and generate more sustained economic impact for South Eleuthera. The option proposed by the conservation coalition, will also ensure permanent and unfettered public access to the incredible and incomparable Lighthouse Beach.
Lighthouse Point is one of the most beautiful and unspoiled natural places in our country. The area contains diverse and important terrestrial and marine ecologies including over 200 bird species and 4 endemic plant species. The interior wetland known as Big Pond is a rare hyper – saline water habitat of high scientific value.
The BNT feels strongly that Lighthouse Point should not be lost to a Cruise Port development. These types of cruise port, private island and other developments have proven to deliver few jobs, and have modest economic impact for the country, while at the same time placing very significant pressures on the environment. Perhaps most importantly, it is typical for some or all of such sites to be restricted to public access.
BNT’s position is clear, Lighthouse Point should not receive approvals for large scale development, but should be preserved as a model for sustainable development in The Bahamas.
