Tiger Woods Project May Harm Vital Bahamas Water Supply

Bahamas (SANEPR.com) August 28, 2008 -- Sam Duncombe, President of reEarth Bahamas (http://www.reEarth.org) urges pro golfer Tiger Woods to "green up" his resort or withdraw support for Albany Bahamas development that sits on an important freshwater lenses.

In a letter to Tiger Woods on March 25, 2008, Duncombe wrote, "I write to you to register my deep concern for the environmental and social problems associated with the Albany project and would urge you to remove your support from this forthwith as the development is ecologically, environmentally and socially irresponsible."

Concern for Bahamas Freshwater Supply

In her letter, Duncombe outlined concern about the development's impact to the islands Fresh Water Supply. She wrote, "It is clear to everyone that water is a very scarce resource on this island. The fact that the Albany development will site its golf course on top of the island¹s largest water lens is indefensible. Lined or not, the golf course will impact the islands largest remaining water resource. Golf courses require fertilizers, herbicides and fungicides to keep them green and 'healthy.' Despite the most stringent protocols, during heavy rains run off from the golf course will pollute the freshwater lens."

Additionally, "The Albany development¹s environmental impact statement says that total water use during peak period for the development will exceed 1.2 million gallons of water per day. This is approximately 10% of the water usage for the whole island! Surely in a world already experiencing conflicts as a result of the lack of water, even the "haves" must step up to the plate and conserve water."


Degraded water supply

"New Providence Island (Nassau) is home to at least 215,000 people who use approximately 55-60 gals’ water per day compared to the 1000 persons who will be living at Albany using close to 1000 gallons per person per day. Coupled with the astronomical water demands that Albany will make on the system, clearly it is a disaster in the making."

Mrs. Duncombe outlined other concerns with the project, such as permanent destruction of a four-mile long Adelaide beach for the mega-yacht marina, and barring Bahamians out of a portion of the island for the gated development.

The Tiger Woods Albany development is located near Adelaide Village on New Providence in The Bahamas. Said Duncombe, "Adelaide was one of the first black/African villages to be settled after the Abolition of the Transatlantic Slave Trade in 1807 in The Bahamas. The area is now home to approximately 100 residents who enjoy a 4-plus mile beach which has remained unchanged since the freedom of slaves, and is voted the top of the list when it comes to beaches in New Providence."

For more information on the Tiger Woods Albany Bahamas development, visit http://www.reearth.org

For more information, please contact:
reEarth Bahamas
P.O. Box N-302
Tel: 242-393-7604
Website: www.reearth.org
Email: info@reearth.org
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