On February 11th, 2008 the developers of the Bahia Principe hotel at Pear Tree Bottom in Runaway Bay – Hoteles Pinero Jamaica Limited (HOJAPI) – held a meeting that was supposed to be a public consultation on the proposed expansion by 900 rooms of their already enormous hotel. We plan to provide more information on the meeting and the issues raised, but will start off by posting this letter received from Lloyd D’Aguilar describing his ‘take’ on the meeting. Were you there, too? You’re welcome to post your comments below.
Re: Public Meeting to discuss the environmental impacts of the proposed expansion of the Bahía Príncipe hotel.
1. The meeting was heavily weighted in favour of the developer. Chairing the meeting was someone (seemingly connected to the Church) who kept “order” in favour of the developer; additionally, on the platform was a representative of the company which carried out the EIA assessment (Environmental Solutions), which if my memory serves me correct, was commissioned by the developer; there were also two HOJAPI representatives, including its lawyer; and, in the audience was a sizable contingent of very vocal and energetic employees of HOJAPI.
2. Without attempting to assess the meeting overall it is clear that there should have been on the platform, a representative from the environmental community to make an evaluation of the EIA and to argue concerns from that perspective. Without such an input there could hardly have been balance and fairness to the proceedings. WHO MADE THE RULES? SHOULDN”T THEY BE CHANGED?
3. Asking questions from the floor under such unequal and adversarial circumstances does not provide for full amplification of the grave implications for the environment should this proposed development go forward.
4. As it stands there was no definitive answer to questions raised about the capacity to handle sewage for such a large hotel. Indeed, the developer expressed satisfaction with existing plans and felt the question was really without merit.
5. Despite this state of bliss, however, the fact is that sewage disposal is one the main issues that go to the heart of the question whether such a mega hotel should be allowed. Indeed, inadequate sewage disposal from hotels right across the north coast is causing tremendous environmental degradation. [Cruise ships are also making their contribution and should be vigorously monitored for their well known practices.]
6. The other glaring weakness of the proceeding was that the NEPA representative arrived late, spoke from the floor, agreed that there have been violations and enforcement issues, but clearly was quite malleable to the philosophy of “why can’t we just all get along.”
7. NEPA it must be clearly stated represents the development side of the equation – it is not a serious environmental protection agency no matter what anyone might think.
8. As it stands there is no reason to believe that environmental concerns made any serious impact on the proceedings because in the final analysis those who will make the final decisions are in favour of development.
9. A successful legal challenge this time around should not be depended upon given the fact that the Marine Ecology Report has now been presented.
1. As Bob Marley says ‘don’t give up the fight.’ So though it is quite likely that the project will go ahead, those who have the strength to put up with the BS coming from NEPA, government officials, and the rest, should continue to use whatever access they have to make their points and try to educate the public in the process.
2. The bigger picture, however, is that there has to be change of course as far as this tourism push is concerned. Not only will the reefs die off in a few years but poverty, social inequality, social frustration, and repression will increase to in order to sustain this destructive, unsustainable path in the quest of wealth for a few. [NB: squatting has grown up around some of these mega hotel sites and the present government if it is to believed has stated that it will be quite resolute with squatters. Not so resolute with hotel developers, unfortunately, and certainly the methods against the squatters will be quite harsh. Afterall, squatters are not able to invite government officials to cocktails and tea parties.]
3. The ‘environmental movement’ also needs to strike out on a new path in order to win public support. The movement cannot afford to get bogged down trying to put out one bush fire after another. It needs to look at the bigger picture.
ISSUES AND QUESTIONS:
I believe there should be no support for any sort of mega hotel development along the lines of Bahia Principe and RIU in Mammee Bay. Many more are coming on stream and much faster than it is possible to adequately react to. We need to have a discussion about whether this kind of development makes sense and to see if there can’t be agreement about size sustainability and limits. It is clear that Bahia Principe should never have been built on the site where it is now located because of the sensitive environmental nature of this property. I believe it was a mistake for the environmental movement to have supported any sort of building there– small or otherwise. Indeed HOJAPI made it quite clear that they would not have been satisfied with anything less than the near 2000 rooms they are seeking to build. I’m sure there were many other suitable sites there throughout the Island?
One of the opportunist refrains coming from the pro-developer quarter, was that poverty is greatest agent of environmental degradation. In other words, turn a blind eye to the environmental degradation being caused by HOJAPI because it is relieving poverty. This kind of argument has to be countered because it is pernicious, but yet appealing to those seeking work to support themselves.
Finally, is it possible to organize a comprehensive discussion among environmentalists to look at the kind of organizational and political strategies and tactics that need to be adopted in order to capture the public’s imagination and hopefully to save the island from the environmental disaster that awaits us? I would look forward to some response.
Our friends the Wards in Kingston rescued t
