Without an Environmental Impact Study, the proposed Bodden Town Golf Course and marina is going to have problems with the Department of Environment (DoE) and the Water Authority-Cayman.

That is unless the government ministers get involved.

The Central Planning Authority (CPA) who have already made one controversial decision recently over the allowing of the filling in of mangroves in South Sound to a developer, despite objections from the DoE, have referred the matter to Cabinet.

At the CPA meeting held Sept 12^th they heard the Bodden Town golf course proposal that includes 111 house lots, two lots for apartments, two lakes of 20 feet and 50 feet in depth and a canal leading to the North Sound with a 20 foot marina.

Local Architect, Burns Conolly, representing developer Caymarl Ltd., outlined the ambitious proposal that included the area of North Sound known locally as “Duck Pond”. The whole development covers 416 acres approx.. 1,500 feet eastwards of North Sound Estates and 1,300 feet northwest of Northward. The Golf Course would occupy 120 acres.

The DoE in their objections said:

“The proposal, if approved, will represent the first transgression of the Mangrove Buffer Zone in this part of the Island and its severance is vitally important both in terms of precedent and adverse environmental impact. A breach in the mangroves in this location will establish the principle of development gaining access through the fringing mangroves, which will be of detriment to the Replenishment Zone.

“The primary purpose of the Replenishment Zone is to ensure that culturally and commercially important species, namely conch, turtle and the spiny lobster, have protected breeding and nursery habitat such as sea grass and healthy coral beds. Physical damage and siltation caused by excavation in this location will impact seagrass, mangroves and, ultimately, coral in the vicinity. Works of this type are incompatible with the management objectives of the Marine Park System.

“’Duck Pond’ was historically used as a careenage (pre-industrial method of cleaning a ship’s hull by leaning her over with anchors attached to the standing rigging) due to its extensive shallow waters and a wealth of historically important marine artefacts relating to this activity can still be found today. The site is still waiting for a through archaeological investigation to determine its full potential in contributing to Cayman’s culturally and historically important seafaring history. It will therefore be critically important to consult with the National Museum to determine whether a detailed archaeological survey should be conducted prior to the granting of any permission to dredge or excavate in this area.”

The Water Authority said, “This proposed development will result in the deterioration of the Lower Valley fresh water lens in a similar manner as occurred in the 1980s. Therefore the Water Authority is not in a position to support this proposed development.”

This referred to problems when the Mosquito Control and Research Unit (MRCU) dredged canals in the area resulting “in drainage and deterioration of the Lower Valley fresh water lens. As a result of this research the Water Authority requested that the MRCU canals were blocked to avoid further deterioration of the Lower Valley fresh water lens. The canals were blocked and have never been reconnected to the sea.”

The Water Authority along with the DoE also were concerned at the depth of the lakes and canal. Whilst the Water Authority said they usually only approved lakes being up to 20 feet deep the DoE argued for them to be a maximum of 14 feet and the canal at 9 feet.

Mr. Conolly said he needed the deeper lakes and canal for fill to build the contours for the golf course.

We will be reporting further on this story.