Proposing National Park, Upcoming Community Meeting

Protecting the creeks of East Abaco: A National Park Proposal

Community Meeting - January 28th, 2009, 7pm at FRIENDS' Education Center in Marsh Harbour. Please attend and invite others as well! This is your chance to ask questions and make suggestions towards the proposal.

Friends of the Environment and The Bahamas National Trust are partnering with the community to put forth a proposal to the government to make Snake Cay Creeks (Angel Cays), Bight of Old Robinson and Cherokee Sound a National Park. The proposal has been written and developed through many stages of community consultation. Details of the proposal are outlined below:

What the document proposes:
That the government designate crown and treasury lands in the Snake Cay Creeks, Bight of Old Robinson and Cherokee Sound as a national park to protect the habitat there from large scale commercial development. It also proposes that the area be left open for cultural fishing, recreation and ecotourism.

Why make this area a national park?
- Bahamians and visitors have been using these areas for generations and want their descendents to be able to enjoy the same experiences.
- We realize that if we want to keep the area “as it is” that we can no longer stand idly by. The community has to be proactive in taking steps towards conservation for Abaco’s future.
- 80% of our seafood grows up in mangrove nurseries like the ones found in these creeks. By protecting them we are protecting our livelihood.
- Our environment is the greatest source of attraction to visitors of The Bahamas.
- Making this area a National Park it is the best way to ensure its long term protection and makes the granting of the land more likely. The Bahamas National Trust was established by the Government for this purpose.

What benefits will the community receive if the park is approved?
- The piece of mind that the land will not be reclaimed for other purposes in the future and will be conserved for future Bahamians.
- The consistency of management by a legislated organization, The Bahamas National Trust, which is dedicated to management and enforcement of national park rules and regulations.

What are the next steps?
- The proposal is submitted to government for discussion.
- If approved, The Bahamas National Trust and Friends of the Environment will return to the community to begin discussions on developing a management plan. That is the document that will detail park use, regulations and enforcement. The community will be involved in many discussion groups that will form the management plan – as was done for the Abaco National Park.

What will be different if a national park is approved for this area?
- Private land owners within the park will still be able to put structures on their property, but will have to make applications through the Bahamas National Trust to ensure that there will be no severe impacts on the creek habitat.
- Plans will be made for increased enforcement in the form of a Bahamas National Trust Park Warden. In addition, enforcement measures will be made more accountable.
- The community will have the option to suggest management guidelines for the park area.
- The community will still be allowed to fish, boat and conch in the area.

The proposal will be finalized in February and will be made available to the public.

For more information, contact: Olivia Patterson, olivia@friendsoftheenvironment.org