Comments
at the Fifth Forum on Clifyon Pier
Nassau, Bahamas
February 17,2000
James R. Barborak
Protected Area
Specialist
Mesoamerican and Caribbean Program
The wildlife Conservation Society
4424 NW 13th Street
Gainesville, Fl 32605 USA
E-mail wcsfl@afn.org
Phone 352-371-1713
Fax 352-373-6443
I would first like to thank the Clifton Park Committee for their
invitation to visit the Bahamas and to speak at this event, to our hosts of the
College of the Bahamas and to all of you for coming.
For over twenty years, I have worked with governments and citizens around
the Wider Caribbean to national parks and reserves.
I have visited Clifton pier on land and by sea, and I have read available
documents on its marine and terrestrial resources, both natural and cultural.
I can say without a doubt that there are few sites in the Wider Caribbean
with such a diversity of reef types, archaeological and historical sites , and
recreation, tourism, and educational potential in such a small area.
On top of that, Clifton is very near a major, growing urban center
starved for outdoor recreation opportunities, and which is also an important international
tourist destination, full of visitors looking for interesting new attractions.
Clifton really packs a punch. I
know many people throughout the region who would love to have such a site on
their island! You should be
extremely proud to have such an interesting and unique microcosm of all that is
special about the Bahamas so close to your capital and largest city.
Its proximity to Nassau offers exciting possibilities to enrich the
understanding of Bahamian history and natural environment by your own citizens
and foreign visitors alike.
Like my colleagues on this panel, I have reviewed the development plans
for Clifton and having studied the independent review of the environmental
impact assessment put forth by the developers.
I also reviewed the detailed environmental impact study done some years
ago for the container port originally planned for the same site, which also
would have involved major dredge and fill operations.
It is my opinion that current proposals to develop the property would
lead to severe and long-term damage to unique and irreplaceable natural
resources and to outstanding examples of the cultural heritage of the Bahamas.
In particular, an analysis of expert opinion on the environmental impacts
of the proposed dredging, canals and marina leads me to conclude that the
Clifton Cay project would casue serious damage to a world-class reef system--one
that generates nearly $20 million for the Bahamas economy each year.
The marine and canals may further damage fragile aquifers on a
water-starved island. An important
film industry asset would also be impacted.
A potentially lucrative new destination for cruise ship passengers will
be lost. Acess to a unique
archeological and historical site and an important traditional recreational
destination will be restricted. And
as Dr. Leatherman pointed out in his statement, the small remaining beach
developers have offered to leave open for public use might very well end up
without sand as a result of the proposed engineering works.
Development of an exclusive gated community at Clifton with associated
golf courses, marinas, canals, and gredging is in my opinion clearly not the “
highest and best use” of the site.
The debate over the future of Clifton is not a case of being for or
against deveolpment. Conservation
is not anti-development, but rather means to use resource in a manner that does
the does the greatest good for the greatest number of citizens for the greatest length
of time. The proposed national park
at Clifton would accommodate many types of recreational, scientific, and
educational uses for Bahamians and foreign guests alike.
Such a park represents a truly sustainable development option, which
would provide a wide range of direct and indirect benefits to generation of
Bahamians to come. It would
contribute to economic growth for the Bahamas in a way maximizes social equity
and justice.
To sum things up, this appears to be a clear case of “developers” who
perhaps know very well the price and speculative potential of real estate at
Clifton, but yet who don’t have a clue or choose to ignore the real value of
the property. The good news I bring
is that I have personally witnessed in numerous countries of the region similar
conflicts where groups of visionary citizens have overcome seemingly great odds
to convince their elected officials to do the right thing.
A wonderful example is Manuel Antonio National Park in Costa Rica.
That small park, not much larger than Clifton, was created after local
residents were denied beach access by a foreign landowner.
With support from local political religious and environmental leaders,
outraged local people organized a march over a hundred miles to the nation’s
capital and congress. The
government finally heeded public pressure and responded by enacting a law
creating the park, which now receives over 200,000 national and foreign visitors
a year, a flow worth many millions each year to the national economy.
Generations of your ancestors, shackled, were forced to climb the
“Pirate stairs” at Clifton Pier. I
applaud your efforts to preserves the memory of their sacrifices, and to ensure
a better future for their, and your, descendants by turning Clifton Pier and
surrounding reefs and waters into a model national park.
It would truly be a shame if indifference, complacency, or intimidation
lead to the imposition of a new set of shackles in a Bahamas where priceless
national treasures-your national crown jewels, so to speak - are defiled in the
name of a quick buck. You and your leaders must ask yourselves: do we want to live
in a society where citizens- many of whom are descendants of those early slaves
who came ashore at Clifton - cannot freely visit, contemplate, and enjoy one of
the last remaining reminders of their cultural and natural heritage?
Can we not save even 200 precious, unique acres on our small island from
the voracity of bulldozers and speculators?
Than you again for inviting me to visit and contemplate the beauty of your country, the island of New Providence, and the unique national treasures at Clifton and surrounding waters. I wish you the best in your efforts.