The Eleutheran - Eleuthera News, Sport and much more from Eleuthera

Lighthouse Point will be Hugely and Irreversibly Damaged says letter

Sun, 31 Jan 2010 21:32:00 -0100

Dear Editor,Most Bahamians are unaware that the entire southern end of Eleuthera, a whole 925 acres of exceptional and stunning, unspoilt beauty, is scheduled for

Lynn Larson

Mon, 01 Feb 2010 12:36:09 -0100

Please do not allow this development to occur. I would be happy to assist fundraising to buy back this pristine, ecologically important piece of Eleuthera.
It appears that the sale was quietly done, and kept secret until all documents were signed. Eleuthera does not have a national park. This is the perfect place for one.
We don't need yet another gated community for only the rich and white. One of the most wonderful things about Eleuthera is the mixture of cultures, the quiet, unspoiled beaches. Cotton Bay? French Lick, Cape Eleuthera????How many more beaches will be off limits for Bahamians?

Mary Anne Seymour

Mon, 01 Feb 2010 20:21:45 -0100

I agree with Angela and Lynn. Lighthouse Point would be a perfect National Park. It needs to remain available to every Eleutheran, and all Bahamians and tourists, too. What can we do to be sure this current accessibility remains? I'm sure we should not wait to act.

John

Tue, 02 Feb 2010 00:01:05 -0100

Another of our cultural treasures which must not be overlooked is the remains of the original Bannerman Town, which is less than a mile from Lighthouse Point. The site includes buildings and other cultural artifacts that are likely several hundred years old, and thus represents a veritable treasure trove of Bahamian history. Until a proper archaeological survey of this site is conducted, it would negligent for government to allow any development of the area to proceed.

Note: Photos of the original Bannerman Town site can be seen at http://www.projecteleuthera.org/ruins

Cortney

Tue, 02 Feb 2010 12:53:49 -0100

I am a repeat visitor to Eleuthera and what keeps me coming back is that it is not a tourist destination. Lighthouse beach is indeed one of the most beautiful beaches and best kept secret and although I would love for everyone to see such a beauty, I would rather it be kept just that-"best kept secret". I would love to help fundraise to make this a national park and keep it from being ruined by the rich and famous to set as a "resort-style" area. People take for granted visiting places like Eleuthera, and come for these resort types areas, but when I go to Eleuthera I go for the people and the nature, for they are both beautiful!

Pam

Wed, 03 Feb 2010 20:14:15 -0100

I suppose I am part of the target audience for a developed Lighthouse Beach, but I will NEVER go there, if it is built. LB is one of Eleuthera's secret charms. Destroying it would be a crime. From my first visit there, I felt that it had so much beauty that it was truly at risk, I have been hoping that the government would step in and protect this national treasure, and make it a bit more accessible to Eleutherans. We were amazed by how many locals we met who had never been. I hope something can be done, that it is not too late. Count me in.

Bill & Debbie Louda

Sat, 06 Feb 2010 01:17:55 -0100

Bahamas-Bahamas-Bahamas do not follow the folly of Florida. We visit Eleuthera several time seach yera, own a place in Rainbow Bay and alwys drive to the Lighthouse for a days outing.
The ALMIGHTY DOLLAR should not corrupt the beauty of this spot. I too am an environmental chemist and am in the middle of preparing a grant proposal to study cyanobacterial processes in Big Pond and other saline ponds around Eleuthera-
Do not let the Isle of Freedom become another south Florida where the common man and woman cannot even get to the beach, the inlet, the heritage.

Drs. Bill and Debbie Louda
Loxahatchee Groves, Florida and Rainbow Bay Eleuthera.

Pieter Visscher

Sat, 06 Feb 2010 15:06:38 -0100

I am so very pleased to see that there is a growing concern about this development. As I pointed out in my recent letter, I will do anything to help seek alternatives to this destructive plan. This may a unique opportunity to explore sustainable use of this precious area. I just returned from visits to Europe and the Dept of Energy's Pacific Northwest Laboratories. I wish I could relay the (scientific) enthusiasm for what Lighthouse Point and Big Pond have to offer.......

Linda Baker

Tue, 09 Feb 2010 15:26:48 -0100

http://www.nature.org/wherewework/caribbean/features/art30362.html

well, it seems that PM Ingraham has reconfirmed a committment to “the orderly expansion of our national parks system to include up to 10 percent of the terrestrial areas and 20 percent of the near-shore marine resources of the country.” ...but none of the new parks mentioned are on Eleuthera. Perhaps The Nature Conservancy could assist the govt. in buying the land from the developers.

jcb

Wed, 10 Feb 2010 18:08:54 -0100

It would be a shame to have this area developed. It truly is a world heritage quality site. I have only been going to Eleuthera for a few years now, but the beauty of the people and the island are unique. It would be unfortunate to see this beautiful end of the island destroyed for financial gain of a few. And to beat all only the wealthy and certainly mostly off islanders would have access to the area. I would expect the nearby area to become so expensive that the locals could no longer afford to live their.

I'm in on helping if anyone can get it organized.

And who pocketed the money from the sell?

Jen

Thu, 18 Feb 2010 19:05:40 -0100

I've been visiting Eleuthera for almost 30 years. I love everything about the island and it's people. Shame on the Bahamian Government for allowing this sale to go through. Eleuthera is known for it's untouched pristine beaches and friendly people. Lighthouse Point is a gem of nature and of Eleuthera. The people of Eleuthera should unite and demand that it be made a National Park before it is gone forever. There must be SOMETHING that can be done. I will be there to help.