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Subject: High time to take an action! Please help save Bimini

Posted by: save bimini
Host: adsl-dyn32.78-98-96.t-com.sk
IP #: 78.98.96.32
E-mail: <savebimini@gmail.com>
Date Posted: December 12, 2007 at 17:14:02
Subject: High time to take an action! Please help save Bimini

Message:

Dear Friends,

WE NEED YOUR HELP…………TIME IS RUNNING OUT.

A number of people have been very concerned for some time about the Bimini Bay
Resort and Casino’s impact on the tiny island of Bimini. The project is massive
and if allowed to proceed to completion to include the planned 18 hole golf
course, we feel the Bimini we all know and love, with it’s crystal clear water,
abundant marine life, friendly people and laid back lifestyle will be lost
forever. For a recap of recent happenings, please take a few moments to view
this compelling video http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XOptwatDWQ0.

Also, please know that we are not against the development per se. There is
certainly nothing to gain - and a lot to lose - by attempting to “shut it down.”
Instead, we propose that future building / expansion be limited to the huge
amount of land already manufactured by the developer from dredge effluent. We
feel that the vital mangrove wetlands to the north and east of the project
should be left untouched. So eco-sensitive and vital to the survival of marine
life is this area, it has long been designated – by the Bahamian Government - as
the Number One Priority in all of the Bahamas’ 700+ islands for preservation.
Why this Marine Protected Area is still not officially recognized and the area
covered by it is now destined to become an 18-hole golf course, is anyone’s guess.

It is our feeling that it is not too late to preserve what remains of Bimini.
The developer has deep pockets and has in place a far reaching public relations
media campaign touting the benefits of his completed project. Although the
“other side of the story” has received a good deal of press (please see the
links to media coverage attached) the developer marches on, seemingly
unstoppable. An opportunity to draw more government and international attention
to Bimini’s plight has recently presented itself. A well known filmmaker spent
time last week in Bimini taking an in depth look at the Bimini Bay project and
the impact it’s having on the island and its environs. We’re hoping to take
advantage of his footage, his talent and his interest in preserving our oceans
and vital marine habitats. Doing so, however, could be expensive.

Thus far, efforts to “save Bimini” have cost concerned individuals mostly their
time and expertise. A great deal of information has been disseminated over the
years, raising awareness of the issue both on island and beyond. Not too long
after an informative flier was circulated last summer, the Government of the
Bahamas sent a task force to Bimini for a first hand look at the project. Not
too long after that visit, Bimini Bay was ordered to stop dredging for at least
sixty days while the many complaints and concerns spawned by the development are
investigated. The resort will be told in January whether or not they can proceed
and, if allowed to continue construction and excavation, what they can do. We
would like to take advantage of this reassessment period to accelerate our
awareness campaign. We feel our best shot at present is through a short video
clip, which can be widely circulated. Obviously this will incur costs.

For the first time since our inception, we find it necessary to solicit
donations. Pretty bad timing, we admit, with the Holidays fast approaching, but
we really need to act before the January decision is made. You can learn more
about the cause by visiting our website at www.SaveBimini.org. Should you feel
you can contribute either now or in the future, please do so by clicking on the
DONATE link.

Please know that every dollar given will be much appreciated and will go
directly toward helping preserve Bimini. Also please know there may be
duplications on our email list. If you’re affected, please contact us so we can
remedy the situation. If you think an interested party may not be on our list
and would like information, please email us their address and we will add it to
our list.

Many thanks,

SaveBimini.org