To: Dr. Rhianna Neely, Director, Department of Environmental Planning and Protection, Hon. I. Chester Cooper, Deputy Prime Minister and Member of Parliament for Exuma, Hon. Philip "Brave" Davis, Prime Minister of The Bahamas

We, the undersigned Bahamian nationals and concerned advocates for the preservation of the Exuma environment, respectfully petition you to prevent the issuance of a Certificate of Environmental Clearance (CEC) or any permits for the Rosewood Yntegra project planned for Sampson Cay until key deficiencies and concerns with their Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) have been addressed.

We urge you to ensure that a thorough environmental analysis is conducted, particularly focusing on the impacts of the required seabed dredging, especially through seagrass meadows, that are necessary for access to the proposed marinas and supply dock.

Key Concerns:
Lack of Seabed Dredging Analysis: The Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) released in July 2024 and the recent submissions to the Bahamian Physical Planning Council at Black Point do not include any analysis of the seabed dredging required for the current Yntegra project plans.   A response to questions raised during the public comment period in October 2024 was released on March 10, 2025.  This 256-page document included two sentences indicating seabed dredging for the supply inlet on the north bay of 2,700 cubic yards through coral reef and into a seagrass meadow.  This analysis is incomplete and does not contemplate the access route to the supply inlet which traverses through two recreational swimming, snorkeling and kayaking areas and over coral reefs, seagrass meadows and shallow sandbars used by recreational boaters. This oversight is critical, as the seabed dredging will directly affect marine ecosystems and local habitats.

Public Insight and Feedback: It is imperative that the community is afforded an opportunity to review and provide feedback on the environmental impacts of the seabed dredging necessary for commercial ships to access the supply inlet and marinas currently proposed by Yntegra. The absence of public consultation undermines our ability to safeguard our natural resources and community interests.

Safety Concerns: The design of the proposed marinas poses safety risks for boats and staff, particularly with openings facing east on a barrier island exposed to significant wind and tidal actions during weather events.  A comprehensive review of these safety concerns is essential.

Inland Dredging Issues: While the project mentions inland dredging of over 240,000 cubic yards in two marshland regions, it fails to address the broader implications of such activities on our delicate ecosystem and the collateral damage of completely destroying these environments for the entire area.

Our Request:
We respectfully request that you:

Halt the approval process for the Rosewood Yntegra project on Sampson Cay until a comprehensive environmental analysis of the seabed dredging is conducted.

Facilitate public consultations to allow for community insight and feedback on the project's environmental impacts.

Ensure that safety considerations for the marina designs are thoroughly evaluated.

The Exuma region is a precious part of our national heritage, and it is our collective responsibility to protect it for future generations. We urge you to prioritize environmental integrity and community well-being in your decision-making processes.

CLICK HERE TO WATCH "SAVING THE CUT FROM YNTEGRA"