TIME TO DRAW A LINE IN THE SAND IN THE TCI
Following please find an open letter on an issue of great urgency that I believe has implications for every TCI resident:
Fellow TCI residents, please listen to my story about the desecration of the Leeward-Going-Through area and draw your own conclusions as to whether your best interests are being served. It is a story that transcends nationality, political affiliation, regional identity or even hardened opinions on TCI development. This is an issue of National importance that will set precedents for all future development.
It is clear how our tourism and government officials market the country when it comes to attracting the "high end" tourist and investor. We are "Beautiful by Nature", our mantra when competing with other island destinations. But increasingly we have been catering to recently-arrived developers who consider our natural environment as a blank canvas to be improved upon. As in the following case, these grandiose development schemes generally are approved with scanty, preconceived environmental impact data and with little regard to the future or overall welfare of the local population. It could be time to "draw a line in the sand" with the excesses of two such a developments, the Leeward Marina & "Star Island" schemes.
According to the TCI National Parks Ordinance '98;
"An area which is designated as national park shall be open to members of the public for recreational use, including camping, fishing and sailing, and the Governor may make a grant of development permission for the erection in the area of buildings, marinas, etc for enjoyment by the public of the natural setting.....the PARAMOUNT consideration shall be to limit such development to the minimum consistent with the reasonable access to and enjoyment of the area by members of the public"
"Star Island', as designed, will establish high-end home sites over 95 acres of pristine conch and turtle habitat that is currently National Park. Are the Park boundaries to be redrawn, with "Star Island" to be taken out of the Park system? This hasn't happened yet, and it seems as though experts would be consulted and public opinion gauged before taking such an extreme decision. As we all appreciate, there are no private beaches in the TCI. Is the TCIG attempting to privatize parts of one of our most popular National Parks?
The developer of "Star Island" has also been granted a 99 year license by the TCIG (with option to purchase) that governs the Leeward Channel seabed. This newly-arrived developer, Mr. Rodney Propps, is quite happy to swing his elbows in displacing folks whose families have used the Leeward Harbour for generations. As he is eager to express, "the TCIG is 100% behind me". So let's peel away a few more layers off the onion...
A few years ago, Mr. Rodney Propps hit our shores on a "fishing expedition". He stumbled upon the Leeward Marina and in short order assumed control of a project that had been idled for many years. Michael Ashcroft had shelved the project in '98, partly because of the local opposition he had met when trying to take control of the Leeward-Going-Through sea bed. Almost a decade later, Allan Forrest, Johnston and Ashcroft had found a willing partner in Mr. Propps.
On Oct 10th '07, the Cabinet approved a License for Propps and Co. to mine sand from the LGT sea bed. It was essentially the same license that had been approved for Michael Ashcroft ten years earlier.
Mr. Propps and his agents have made it clear that their interpretation of the License gives them rights over the entire Leeward Harbour and sea-bed. They clearly have rights to dredge sand from Heaving Down Rock all the way to Leeward Cut, and that is happening now. What is not clear is if, as they claim, Propps and Co can displace local folks who have been using the Leeward Harbour for generations.
The Leeward Harbour was cut by the natural flow of water from the Banks to the Ocean. Ebb, flow, ebb, flow, four times a day since the formation of these Islands thousands of years ago. The Lucayan Indians used the Leeward Harbour as a safe haven, as have successive generations of Turks and Caicos Islanders. The Stubbs family can claim four generations of mariners to have used the Leeward Harbour as an anchorage, and we can safely say that the waterway was used by the earliest settlers in the late 1700's.
I think we all recognize that Propps and Co would be foolhardy in trying to restrict right of passage in the Leeward Channel. The real issue is the restriction on vessels using the traditional Harbour as a Harbour. It would not make Propps and Co happy to have a conch boat anchored in front of their Nikki Beach or "Star Island" developments.
I read with amusement Mr. Propps assertion that only a small fraction of sand extracted from the Leeward sea-bed would be sold. A call to his agents listed on the illegally posted signs at the IGA and Blue Hills round-abouts generated an offer of "as much sand as needed' at $15/cu yd. The same offer has been tendered to most of the large raw material firms on Provo. Per his agreement with the TCIG and the Crown, Propps and Co. must pay the TCIG $1 for every cubic yard of sand extracted. Devcon, the dredging contractor, charges approx $4/cu yd to pile the product on Leeward Point. Market rate for construction grade sand is $50/cubic yard. So why did the TCIG/the Crown sell it for $1? If Mr. Propps were to fully apply his rights per the License, he could extract millions of cubic yards of sand.
I was also amused by Propps taking credit for "a 400% increase in Leeward property values". In the three years that Propps has been working on his TCI schemes, as a matter of record, Leeward property values have ticked up marginally.
I am all for "sustainable development". I realize that our resource-poor country must systematically build to cater to the current baby boom. One only had to spend time at the recently completed Primary Schools National Track competition to understand that there will be a huge wave of kids looking for jobs in ten short years. But by giving away our most valuable Harbour to an unscrupulous developer and allowing a Dubai-style reclaimed island in our most popular National Park, all while flying the environmental flag, appears duplicitous and sets a poor example for those same kids.
So as the Premier stated in is recent address to the nation, "let there be debate" on this matter. If "Star Island" and the Leeward Channel deals can stand up to scrutiny and be supported by the general public, then so be it. Let the debate begin.
Sincerely,
"A Concerned Citizen"
Following please find an open letter on an issue of great urgency that I believe has implications for every TCI resident:
Fellow TCI residents, please listen to my story about the desecration of the Leeward-Going-Through area and draw your own conclusions as to whether your best interests are being served. It is a story that transcends nationality, political affiliation, regional identity or even hardened opinions on TCI development. This is an issue of National importance that will set precedents for all future development.
It is clear how our tourism and government officials market the country when it comes to attracting the "high end" tourist and investor. We are "Beautiful by Nature", our mantra when competing with other island destinations. But increasingly we have been catering to recently-arrived developers who consider our natural environment as a blank canvas to be improved upon. As in the following case, these grandiose development schemes generally are approved with scanty, preconceived environmental impact data and with little regard to the future or overall welfare of the local population. It could be time to "draw a line in the sand" with the excesses of two such a developments, the Leeward Marina & "Star Island" schemes.
According to the TCI National Parks Ordinance '98;
"An area which is designated as national park shall be open to members of the public for recreational use, including camping, fishing and sailing, and the Governor may make a grant of development permission for the erection in the area of buildings, marinas, etc for enjoyment by the public of the natural setting.....the PARAMOUNT consideration shall be to limit such development to the minimum consistent with the reasonable access to and enjoyment of the area by members of the public"
"Star Island', as designed, will establish high-end home sites over 95 acres of pristine conch and turtle habitat that is currently National Park. Are the Park boundaries to be redrawn, with "Star Island" to be taken out of the Park system? This hasn't happened yet, and it seems as though experts would be consulted and public opinion gauged before taking such an extreme decision. As we all appreciate, there are no private beaches in the TCI. Is the TCIG attempting to privatize parts of one of our most popular National Parks?
The developer of "Star Island" has also been granted a 99 year license by the TCIG (with option to purchase) that governs the Leeward Channel seabed. This newly-arrived developer, Mr. Rodney Propps, is quite happy to swing his elbows in displacing folks whose families have used the Leeward Harbour for generations. As he is eager to express, "the TCIG is 100% behind me". So let's peel away a few more layers off the onion...
A few years ago, Mr. Rodney Propps hit our shores on a "fishing expedition". He stumbled upon the Leeward Marina and in short order assumed control of a project that had been idled for many years. Michael Ashcroft had shelved the project in '98, partly because of the local opposition he had met when trying to take control of the Leeward-Going-Through sea bed. Almost a decade later, Allan Forrest, Johnston and Ashcroft had found a willing partner in Mr. Propps.
On Oct 10th '07, the Cabinet approved a License for Propps and Co. to mine sand from the LGT sea bed. It was essentially the same license that had been approved for Michael Ashcroft ten years earlier.
Mr. Propps and his agents have made it clear that their interpretation of the License gives them rights over the entire Leeward Harbour and sea-bed. They clearly have rights to dredge sand from Heaving Down Rock all the way to Leeward Cut, and that is happening now. What is not clear is if, as they claim, Propps and Co can displace local folks who have been using the Leeward Harbour for generations.
The Leeward Harbour was cut by the natural flow of water from the Banks to the Ocean. Ebb, flow, ebb, flow, four times a day since the formation of these Islands thousands of years ago. The Lucayan Indians used the Leeward Harbour as a safe haven, as have successive generations of Turks and Caicos Islanders. The Stubbs family can claim four generations of mariners to have used the Leeward Harbour as an anchorage, and we can safely say that the waterway was used by the earliest settlers in the late 1700's.
I think we all recognize that Propps and Co would be foolhardy in trying to restrict right of passage in the Leeward Channel. The real issue is the restriction on vessels using the traditional Harbour as a Harbour. It would not make Propps and Co happy to have a conch boat anchored in front of their Nikki Beach or "Star Island" developments.
I read with amusement Mr. Propps assertion that only a small fraction of sand extracted from the Leeward sea-bed would be sold. A call to his agents listed on the illegally posted signs at the IGA and Blue Hills round-abouts generated an offer of "as much sand as needed' at $15/cu yd. The same offer has been tendered to most of the large raw material firms on Provo. Per his agreement with the TCIG and the Crown, Propps and Co. must pay the TCIG $1 for every cubic yard of sand extracted. Devcon, the dredging contractor, charges approx $4/cu yd to pile the product on Leeward Point. Market rate for construction grade sand is $50/cubic yard. So why did the TCIG/the Crown sell it for $1? If Mr. Propps were to fully apply his rights per the License, he could extract millions of cubic yards of sand.
I was also amused by Propps taking credit for "a 400% increase in Leeward property values". In the three years that Propps has been working on his TCI schemes, as a matter of record, Leeward property values have ticked up marginally.
I am all for "sustainable development". I realize that our resource-poor country must systematically build to cater to the current baby boom. One only had to spend time at the recently completed Primary Schools National Track competition to understand that there will be a huge wave of kids looking for jobs in ten short years. But by giving away our most valuable Harbour to an unscrupulous developer and allowing a Dubai-style reclaimed island in our most popular National Park, all while flying the environmental flag, appears duplicitous and sets a poor example for those same kids.
So as the Premier stated in is recent address to the nation, "let there be debate" on this matter. If "Star Island" and the Leeward Channel deals can stand up to scrutiny and be supported by the general public, then so be it. Let the debate begin.
Sincerely,
"A Concerned Citizen"
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These comments are from the National Geographic article on islands and sustainable tourism....how sad to see this. "Prides itself as 'Beautiful by Nature'—yet must import practically everything—including Haitian labor—in order to maintain a 'sun, sea, and sand' tourism industry." "Once a raw, romantic coastline, now a strip of mega-hotels on an increasingly crowded beach. Thankfully, surrounding islands are seeing Providenciales as a cautionary tale." "Rampant development at a grand scale. Little attention to ecosystems. Nature is seen as a white sand beach, not a healthy ecosystem."
Enough is enough.... please stop the destruction of "Our Turks and Caicos islands............. This has got to stop..
Enough is enough.this government of GREED is destroying this country and it`s people.it`s time for this rape of the country to stop.
We own property on Salt Cay -- purchased to ensure our quiet life in tune with nature on one of the most beautiful places on Earth. Not a GOLF COURSE.
This is a BAD idea. C'mon!
Please protect this natural environment for future generations to enjoy. There is way too much development already that is destroying our beautiful landscapes. The animals that live in these areas need a place to thrive. Please protect this island and its national park. Be like Mr. Rockefeller and perform a wonderful deed and help protect this place like he did in the U.S Virgin Islands.
This new development would eradicate populations of iguanas from near by islands. Haven't these animals suffered enough? The iguanas should be protected and conserved along with the beautiful habitat they depend on to survive.
Do not allow this area to be desecrated. The natural beauty and lifeblood of the planet are in peril enough that every nudge in the wrong direction is bad for the world and espcially for a small island county.
Years ago tourist come here to see and enjoy the beauty of the Caribbean without have'nt to asked where to go what to do here...reason why they had more access to beautiful beaches in every corner to relax and vacation with their friends and family.....now when they come back they # ? is what happen to the Island she lost her beauty...there are so many big building and it's going crazy.....we do not need the fast lane we are THE CARIBBEAN an that's the way it should remain.....stop destroying natures beauty, leave something for our children and grandchildren to enjoy as Islander...fast lane kills.....stop been selfish and greedy think of the youth of the Turks and Caicos.....stop the process!!!!!!!
Development of this kind MUST BE STOPPED!!!.Don't let corrupt government officials ruin a beautiful island paradise for their own self serving purpose. TCI islanders wake up, the reason visitors come to TCI is being destroyed---STOP this craziness now!!!
The only real asset the Turks and Caicos Islands have is the sea, so why ruin it? We know why, it is because of greedy developers, who are probably in bed with the present corrupt Government who take a slice for themselves. TCI islanders start seeing clearly what is happening to your island paradise in the sun
COALITION TO PROTECT AND PRESERVE TCI NATURAL AND HISTORICAL TREASURES MISSION STATEMENT Our coalition hereby affirms that we: 1. Strongly oppose commercial development and other activity which is destructive of valuable natural resources and important historical sites in areas of the Turks and Caicos protected under the National Parks Ordinance, or leased to the Turks and Caicos National Trust, or that otherwise are of significant environmental or historic importance. 2. Specifically condemn the practice of enacting legislation revoking the status of any area protected under the National Parks Ordinance to permit its transfer and/or commercial development; 3. Strongly support the role of the Turks and Caicos National Trust as guardian and manager of areas protected under the National Parks Ordinance and other areas of significant environmental or historic importance, and 4. Call upon the governments of the Turks and Caicos and United Kingdom to ensure that restrictions be immediately filed in the Land Registry precluding transfer, commercial development or other dealings respecting areas designated as National Parks, Nature Reserves, Sanctuaries and Areas of Historical Interest and other areas of significant environmental or historic interest for at least 99 years. Dated: May 20, 2008
This is a travisty! What is happening in the Turks and Caicos all in the name of sustainable tourism must be STOPPED. Green is also the color of money and this is just ONE example of what is happening in the Turks and Caicos Islands!
Are you serious? Build an artificial island amonst some of the most beautiful islands in the Caribbean? What sort of nonsense is this? This type of degradation of God's natural beauty has got to stop. What's next...a mega-resort on Salt Cay, with a marina and channel cut through the main thoroughfare that will disrupt transportation on the island? What's next...mega-homes and hotels on Salt Cay that will displace Belongers? What's next...an 18-hole golf course on Salt Cay to serve the rich and famous? Yes...that is what's next! Please stop this insanity!
Coral reef is not a legacy from our parents, is a legacy for our children
As a part time resident and soon-to-be full time resident who has invested heavily in property and home on Provo, I believe development on Provo is in a run-away mode. This development serves only the monetary objectives of individuals interested in return 'now'. Normally, we have governments to 'govern' this type of enviromental ruin - not profit from it.
The Pirates of the Caribbean are alive. Lets not have another West Caicos eco-disaster for the sake of the glorification and enrichment of the corrupt leadership.
The natural channel runs next to Mangrove Cay. It has not been dredged at all. Dredging has been self serving for access to the resort and for boat slips. The dredging license is for 99 years and is an OBLIGATION to keep Leeward Channel navigable for that time. No performance bond has been placed should a hurricane hit and the licensee fail to perform. The license also prohibits the return of sand to the channel so how is Star Island possible? The license is a ruse to allow the resort to happen under the falsehood of keeping the channel navigable. The Governor is responsible for granting this lease of the Queens Bottom and has to live with this terrible legacy knowing a few will benefit at the expense of very many. A national disgrace both for the islands and for Great Britain. The license has provisions to terminate it so that either or both the Governor and the ministers still have time to do just that given the terrible environmental impact and the sickening international condemnation.
Stop the development! The coral reef, turtle and conch habitat must be protected for future generations. It takes thousands of years to build these ecosystems and TCI has so many that are healthy while so many other areas are already impacted by pollution and global changes. Lets do the right thing and save the area from distruction
I absolutely love, love, love TCI and on our visit last year was saddened by all the construction going on in Provo. Soon there will be no more "unspoiled" parts on this island oasis. It's a treasure that's being picked apart by PIRATE DEVELOPERS!
Please do not allow this "island" to be built. TCI is my all-time favorite dive destination, and a place I have been considering for a vacation property. This project will have a definite negative impact on the fragile ecosystem - which in turn will have a negative impact on tourism and especially the people of TCI.
The waters are the most beautiful in the Caribbean. I don't think there's any way to build an island without some damage. Please don't do this!
Don't allow it. Let them build something in NYC.
Plese stop the dredging since it will most probally kill the Grace Bay reefs & then the tourisim.
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9:13 am PDT, Jun 11,
Sophie Szeferowicz, France
I strongly support this petition. |
Please Stop all the "Bad Developing"...and keep the Heritage and Culture STRONG in TCI....This is truly killing me...I own a house in Salt Cay and they are doing the same things.....We are putting up a group also...so please come sign soon! "IT TAKES A VILLAGE"
I sincerely hope that the government will not allow such development to occur in the protected land and sea parks of TCI. This land belongs to the people of TCI and should be conserved for enjoyment by present and future generations. The damage and losses of biodiversity and to the people of TCI from such developments will be irreparable. I have worked as an ecologist and conservation biologist in the Caribbean for 25 years. It is sad to see this trend all over the Caribbean—the natural resources and beautiful landscapes being sold off to foreign developers to benefit a few wealthy foreigners. The outcomes are always the same: the local people are promised jobs and benefits, but in reality they gain very little (menial jobs in high end resorts and hotels) and instead bear the brunt of the loss of numerous resources, pride, autonomy, sense of place, and quality of life as well as serious environmental damage. I commend your efforts to take a stand against this and other unwise developments. I hope that for the sake of future generations and to preserve the natural beauty, ecosystems and biodiversity of TCI that the government and people of TCI will NOT allow the developers to build in your protected areas. Look for sustainable development options that will benefit the local people and that will diversify your economy and provide visitors with experiences and products that feature the unique culture and natural beauty of TCI.
Please consider the wildlife and habitats that you will be impacting and can never be replaced. There is too much at risk to support this development.
Sorry to hear of the planned development - not the way to promote the environment of the Turks & Caicos. Another scheme for short term economic gain for a few and the long term loss for most. Just another example of poor development planning which ignores environmental issues and characterizes so much of current development in the Caribbean - Bahamas, Jamaica, Puerto Rico, Dominican Republic.
I am a professional biologist specializing in Caribbean countries. I have worked on iguanas in TCI. This project would be a terrible setback for all the successful efforts to preserve and restore iguanas there.
How much land is to be destroyed on this planet before we "get it?" This area needs to be left alone and preserved as is.
As a longtime researcher in the Caribbean (mainly Trinidad & Tobago), I oppose the Star Island and Leeward Channel schemes in the Princess Alexandra Nature Reserve. This is a protected area that will be adversely affected by such schemes. I strongly recommend that these islands not be constructed.
As a scientist and biologist I cannot support and seriously oppose the harm Star Island Resort Development would do to the environment and to the quality of life of future generations.
I am totally against this in this area - it's beyond sad. Paradise Island is now totally destroyed by Atlantis - the whole island stinks from their sewage treatment plant on the other end - check it out - you can't even walk down Cabbage Beach without getting nauseous. Don't let this happen again - no one will want to go near TC if you destroy the natural beauty and this is your major resource - it's just too fragile for this.