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Last Updated: Feb 13, 2017 - 1:45:37 AM |
Save The Bays releases 3-Minute Nygard Cay Video, Reveals Theft of Crown Land, Commends Government for Seeking Public Input
By Diane Phillips & Associates
Jul 2, 2014 - 10:05:51 PM
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COASTAL CREEP – The coastline of Nygard Cay has steadily expanded into the surrounding waters over the past three decades. A number of unauthorized methods have been used to claim large sections of seabed, to the detriment of the surrounding environment.
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Nassau, Bahamas - Days before a public consultation process is expected to close, the fast-growing environmental advocacy group Save The Bays today released a video exposing some two decades of illegal land acquisition by dredging and filling activities by a foreign private citizen operating without permits and now requesting the right to expand.
The 3-minute video, prepared by Conch Salad TV for Save The Bays, shows close-up waterfront sights for the first time behind the gates of Nygard Cay, the exclusive and exotic retreat at the tip of Lyford Cay with tentacles into Clifton Bay. Activities at the cay, owned by Canadian fashion mogul Peter Nygard, have long aroused concern by civic organisations and neighbours, including residents of Lyford Cay, in addition to dive tour operators, fishermen and locals who are watching its impact on nearby Jaws Beach.
The video follows the history of dredging and trapping sand and reveals that ongoing activities were carried out without necessary permits. The issue drew renewed attention when a court issued a stop order until permits were in place following legal action by Save The Bays.
One of several structures built directly on top of a section of coral reef that used to be part of the ecologically significant network of marine life found in Clifton Bay.
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“Documents from Town Planning show that government officials have been aware of Mr. Nygard’s unregulated, un-permitted activities for 15-20 years,” says Save The Bays in the video, the latest in its investigation series.
Now, Nygard is applying to have permits granted retroactively which would allow him to claim ownership of land he accreted from the seabed. Estimates have placed the value of that land at as high as $35 million.
“Peter Nygard has simply been stealing Crown Land…Would any regular Bahamian be allowed to get away with this? The marine environment in The Bahamas belongs to the public. Nygard is stealing this resource and using it for himself and then destroying it,” according to the video which is available for viewing or downloading at www.savethebays.bs.
The video shows clips of massive museum-worthy structures of lions built atop coral reefs and a clear outline of land initially acquired in 1984 when Nygard purchased what was then called Simms Point and the nearly doubling of size since that time by means of trapping sand.
“But now, the government has decided to do what is right. Before granting any permits, the public has been given the opportunity to voice their opinion,” says Save The Bays, commending government for “allowing the public to have a voice.”
“We really hope people will take advantage of this opportunity to express their opinion before the consultation period closes on July 8,” said Bays’ CEO Lindsey McCoy. “Since the letters have to go to the Department of Physical Planning and they do not seem to have e-mail set up for receiving letters, we urge you to drop them off in person, get a receipt or e-mail to us at info@savethebays.bs and we will be happy to deliver them to the Department and e-mail you the receipt. This is a chance for Bahamians to defend the natural resources which belong to all of us and must be preserved for future generations. No one whether foreign or local should be allowed to destroy resources, develop private or commercial property without permits or take land that belongs to all of us.”
© Copyright 2014 by thebahamasweekly.com
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