By BETTY VEDRINE, Guardian Senior Reporter, betty@nasguard.com

The Bahamas National Trust (BNT) is asking the government to verify whether permits have been issued for the South Seas Development taking place near the Bonefish Pond National Park.

"I spoke with the developer, Tennyson Wells, [on Tuesday] and he says that they don't have the permits that are needed but he was awaiting a letter from the government to give him permission, nonetheless, the tractors are going over there," said Eric Carey, BNT Executive Director.

Now, Carey said the BNT would like clarification from the government on whether permits have been issued and if so, if those permits were issued based on a proper assessment of the impact on the environment.

"We can't wait for it to reach the park to act. By then it's too late. Clearly, for anyone to do that type of destructive development there must have been some permits issued," he pointed out.

He said that during a recent site visit, the Trust observed stakes planted in the pond marking what appeared to be the route for the development's marina channel located close to the western boundary of the park.

"If allowed, this planned channel would probably stretch for at least a mile through this pristine wetland, and would wreak unimaginable havoc on the ecosystem," said Carey.

According to BNT President Glenn Bannister, the Trust has requested a halt on canal dredging until a full assessment of its impact on the neighboring national park can be determined.

"Letters have been sent to the Department of Physical Planning, the Port Department, the Ministry of Works and the BEST Commission requesting details on this development," he said.

Bannister added that the Trust was also concerned that the marina channel appeared to be heading directly into Fish Cays, untouched islands located just off the western end of Bonefish Pond National Park.

BNT members have been monitoring the bird life on the cay since the summer of 2007 when Reddish Egrets were discovered nesting there. The Reddish Egrets are a vulnerable species and these cays are the only nesting area for this species on New Providence.

Bonefish Pond National Park was established in 2002 and is a 1,280-acre wetland located on the South Central Coast of New Providence, which is east of the Bacardi plant and south of Millar's Agricultural Allotment, off Cowpen Road.

Carey said that most Bahamians have never seen it because it is currently inaccessible; however, plans are being discussed to develop the area for Bahamians to enjoy.

"We would have loved the opportunity to create activities, such as kayaking, for Bahamians to enjoy the park. But now, I'm not so sure that will happen," said Carey.

He said the park was inaccessible because the only access roads to the wetland systems are via unpaved farm roads, some of which have potholes.

The park is an important marine nursery for the island, providing habitat for juvenile stocks of fish, crawfish and conch. The wetland itself provides critical storm surge protection for communities along New Providence's southern shore.

The Bahamas National Trust is the mandated management authority for the country's 25 national parks and protected areas.

"We will very carefully, on behalf of the Bahamian people, safeguard the integrity both in the short-term and long-term, these systems," said Carey.

Carey said that if the permits did not have the benefit of a full assessment of the impact and potential impact on the national park, then the BNT would consider them "deficient".

"As far as the National Park is concerned, any permits issued would have to be deemed environmentally deficient," he said.