If you've ever visited Bimini -- just 46 miles east of Miami -- you know that almost everyone drives golf carts. The island is so small that driving a full-sized vehicle is kinda pointless. I've visited several times, snorkeled with the area's dolphins, hunted for the Fountain of Youth, and had some drinks in Hemingway's old haunt, The Compleat Angler, which sadly burned to the ground in January. When I was there last, we rented a golf cart and drove around the island. On the northern end of Bimini -- near Bimini Road -- we noticed a huge development being built. Great location, we thought. But can Bimini really handle this kind of human pressure?
The answer, of course, is probably not. And that's why the construction of the $850 million Bimini Bay Resort is such a hotly-contested issue. Much like Guana Cay, Bimini is threatened by deep pockets. In this instance, the deep pockets belong to the Hilton Hotels Corporation and the Capo Group. Featuring a mega-yacht marina, casino, fitness center, spa, shops, restaurants, and a golf course, the development is busy filling in the only mangrove ecosystem in the Northwestern Bahama Bank. These mangroves are responsible for replenishing the fish population. Additionally, the Resort will destroy an important lemon shark habitat, and there are concerns that dredging and re-contouring the land will put residents of the "old" Bimini in danger, when heavy rains come.
Lots of people have been speaking out against this development, including Shark Trust's Jeremy Stafford-Deitsch, Jamie Hyneman, and Dr. Sam Gruber. Now you can, too. Read about Bimini Bay Resort, and then -- if you feel like it -- sign the petition against it, or take some other action. I'm all for having a beautiful second home, luxurious golf courses, and strolling along private, fenced-off beaches. However, when it comes at the expense of the long-time residents -- especially those that live in the ocean! -- I wonder if it's really worth it.
1. Thank you very much for posting here Bimini issue!
It's important to spread the word! I hope that we'll save Bimini...
Posted at 12:18PM on Sep 29th 2006 by Jana