HON. KENRED DORSETT, M.P.MINISTER OF THE ENVIRONMENT AND HOUSING

COMMUNICATION TO PARLIAMENTon

BAHAMAS PUBLIC PARKS AND PUBLIC BEACHESAUTHORITY BILL 2013

October 1st, 2014

CHECK AGAINST DELIVERY

Thank you Mr. Speaker

MR SPEAKER

In keeping with our commitments laid out in the Charter for

Governance, this administration has brought historic

legislation to this place; legislation like:

Persons With Disabilities Equal Opportunity Act

· Constitutional Amendment Bills

· The Gaming Bills

· Value Added Tax Bill

· Bahamas Protected Area Fund Act

· The Medical Act

· Juries Amendment Bill

· Investment Condominiums Bill

· Forestry Amendment Bill

· Introduction Duty Free Concession for East and West

Grand Bahama in the budget exercise

These laws will advance this country into the next generation

of development and continue to move us in the right

direction. We have had a robust legislative agenda and the

heavy lifting isn't over yet as there is more to come,

including legislation to usher in major reform to the energy

sector making grid tie connection and net metering lawful as

well as a new legislative regime for the exploration of

petroleum and the establishment of the Environmental

Planning and Protection Agency.

This is the reason that we serve in this place, Mr. Speaker.

We are here to ensure that we do our part to better the

position of our country on the world's stage and more

importantly, to create an environment of prosperity that will

provide opportunities for the advancement for our people.

This administration takes this responsibility seriously. Thus

we have done what we have to do to ensure that The

Bahamas continues to progress in the best interest of

Bahamians through legislation and policy.

MR. SPEAKER

Today, this Progressive Liberal Party administration is again

bringing landmark legislation to this place for the benefit of

the Bahamian people. The Public Parks and Public Beaches

Authority Bill when passed will change the way that we have

operated and managed parks and beaches before this

legislation. This bill will ensure that the Bahamian people

have access to well kept beaches and recreational spaces

across the nation. There will be an organized approach

through the establishment of the Public Parks and Public

Beaches Authority to the management and upkeep of our

beaches and parks. This bill, when enacted, will enhance the

quality of life of Bahamians and will aid in the mitigation of

climate change and green house gas emissions. It will also

create new green jobs for our people, with the introduction of

a trained workforce of park wardens to properly manage

these facilities. They will ensure that our parks and beaches

become family oriented for recreational, commercial and

touristic use.

MR. SPEAKER

I am sure I am not breaking news when I say that our

country is one of the most beautiful places on earth. We are

blessed to be able to call such a paradise home. Those of us

that have had the privilege to travel internationally

understand just how special The Bahamas is. We not only

have the sun, sand and sea for which we are best known, but

we also have, landscape, marine life, flora and fauna that set

us apart from the rest of the world. We are home to the

third largest barrier reef in the world, we have some of the

most beautiful and pristine beaches in the world, some with

white sands and others with pink. In January 2013, our very

own Pink Sands Beach located on Harbour Island was named

to the list of Best Beaches on Earth in an article written by

Stirling Kelso for Travel & Leisure Magazine. The Bahamas

was also named to the 2014 list of the World's Ten Best

Ethical Destinations by the Ethical Traveler organization.

We have also been blessed with a unique geographical

composition. We are many islands linked by the waters of

the Atlantic Ocean across 100,000 square miles. Because of

this composition, we have beaches that are well frequented

and some in the less populated islands that are relatively

untouched. Here on New Providence, one need only to drive

around the island on a holiday to see that Bahamians living

in the capitol need access to more beach space and that

those beaches need to be properly managed and manned by

lifeguards and wardens especially on the busier days of the

year.

MR SPEAKER

As Minister responsible for the Environment, I am often times

concerned by the state of the environment in our country.

The high level of illegal and indiscriminate dumping,

overgrown verges and green spaces. I am pleased that the

Ministry of Works which has oversight for such things since

taking over the Roads and Parks portfolio in May 2012, has

now acquired equipment for the 400 staff members that

were transferred from the Department of Environmental

Health Services in 2012. I trust that they will now be able to

clean and maintain the airport corridor and the other roads

and verges throughout New Providence. It is important that

the government does it part in keeping The Bahamas clean

while we encourage citizens to do their part. As a

government we have to ensure that the quality of life for

Bahamians is superior and I believe that a clean environment

can significantly improve our quality of life. In this regard, I

implore those Bahamians who dump garbage throughout our

streets and neighbourhoods to stop. Despite our efforts to

clear and clean illegal dumping sites, there are some among

us who continue to do dump illegally. For the DEHS it is

difficult to prosecute and pursue culprits that cannot be

identified. We must all do our part to keep the Bahamas

clean.

MR. SPEAKER

There has been research conducted on the therapeutic

benefits of green spaces for human beings. Research has

found that “contact with natural environments promote

psychological restoration, improved mood, improved

attention, and reduced stress and anxiety.” We all know that

in the times that we live in many of our people are suffering

from stress and stress related illnesses trying to meet their

commitments. With this legislation before us we seek to

ensure that all Bahamians have access to green spaces and

beaches to de-stress, unwind, to be educated, to commune

with nature and to congregate.

MR SPEAKER

I was given the mandate by the Prime Minister and Member

for Centreville, as Minister responsible for the Environment

and Housing to see that Clifford Park be transformed into a

space reminiscent of New York City's Central Park. As those

of us who have been there know Central Park is a place

where many, if not every, New Yorker frequents. Whether it

is to exercise, relax, picnic, attend a concert or just take a

stroll, it is a place that is always bustling with activity. It is

envisaged that Bahamians have the same access to a central

meeting place. The Rt. Hon. Prime Minister also advised that

greater access to public beaches must be provided to

Bahamians, even if that meant consideration being given to

the acquisition of properties.

MR SPEAKER

In my communication during the 2013-2014 budget debate, I

spoke to the Prime Minister and Rt. Hon. Member for

Centreville's request that my ministry seek support from the

Bahamas National Trust, Members of Parliament and NGOs to

identify and create a system of Botanical Gardens within or

adjacent to communities on the Family Islands to ensure

easy access to green spaces and natural areas for recreation

and enjoyment.

I noted some of the benefits of the development of spaces on

our Family Islands such as:

Many local settlements on the Family islands lack a city

centre. One of the best examples of this is Marsh

Harbour in Abaco. An urban botanical park could act as

a central area for community activities, tourism

information as well as a staging area for national events

such as independence celebrations. Urban Botanical

Gardens can also encourage development of

complimentary businesses to the outdoor space such as

Ice Cream Shops, Coffee shops, bakeries and other

similar establishments.

The promotion of healthy life styles and access to a safe

area for walking and running would be a valuable

contribution to community LIFE. An easy example for

comparison would have been the beautifully planted area

that ran in front of the Cable Beach Hotels as well as the

newly developed area created by Bahamar to replace the

median walking strip.

Well planned and planted urban botanical parks can

become a wildlife oasis in developed areas. These areas

become not only important for local birds but essential

areas for migratory birds who need food, water and tree

cover as they make their annual migrations. The PARKS

THEN become areas that support urban birding

programmes for youth and ADULTS AND will become key

areas for youth activities in urban renewal programmes.

Urban Botanical Parks can strengthen communities by

providing opportunities for corporate and NGO

partnerships. Community Parks can provide staging

places for special interest groups to accomplish

educational outreach, advocacy and public funding for

special projects.

The Development of these urban botanical areas are

ideal for providing summer employment for youth in

communities. The young people can receive TRAINING

IN landscape design and implementation as well as

learning basic construction skills. Additionally their

involvement in the development of the parks will give

them OWNERSHIP AND DISCOURAGE VANDALISM and

inappropriate activities in these community parks.

Urban Botanical Areas provide a staging place for a

number of educational opportunities. Educators can use

the areas to organize educational activities on plants,

insects and birds.

These parks with proper infrastructure can also become

staging areas for COMMUNITY AND school concerts and

theatrical performances.

I also mentioned in that communication my ministry's plan

for the renaissance of the Nassau Botanical Gardens. Those

of us of a certain age surely can recall when the Nassau

Botanical Gardens was a breathtaking sight to behold. Many

of us would have attended weddings or other events there

when the waterfalls were operational and the pathways were

in better condition. The Gardens are still a tranquil oasis in

the middle of the city but it is not in the operational state

that it used to be.

A revitalized Nassau Botanical Gardens can serve as the

'Central Park' of New Providence. Given its position next to

Clifford Park, the entire space could become a magnificent

spot for recreation, education and entertainment on the

island. This park could offer residents and visitors a place to

relax, congregate and commune with nature. It could be a

place where concerts and theatrical shows can be held with

an amphitheater and concession areas. It could also

continue to be the place where indigenous trees and

flowering plants are grown and displayed. These plants could

be transplanted to beautify other spaces and verges around

the island. The collection of indigenous trees is important

when you take into consideration that some of the young

people of this nation do not know of some of the trees and

flowering plants that we grew up sitting under and swinging

or eating from. It is the vision of this government that this

new Authority will lead the charge in making the

aforementioned plans a reality.

MR SPEAKER

My ministry in consultation with the Ministry of Tourism, the

Ministry of Education, the Antiquities, Monuments and

Museums Corporation and the Department of Environmental

Health Services established a steering committee on the

establishment of a National Public Parks and Public Beaches

System Regulatory framework. The steering committee was

chaired by Christopher Russell, Director of Forestry within my

ministry.

The steering committee presented the proposed Bahamas

Public Parks and Public Beaches Authority Bill which is before

us today. It incorporates provisions that are considered

relevant to The Bahamas from legislation in Barbados and

Singapore. It also contains relevant provisions that can be

found in the Antiquities, Monuments and Museums

Corporation and the Clifton Heritage Authority Acts of The

Bahamas.

MR SPEAKER

My ministry is of the view that the establishment of the

Bahamas Public Parks and Public Beaches Authority will assist

the government in fulfilling its commitment to establish

green spaces throughout the country, create a cadre of

trained public officers similar to the United States Park

Service to manage these parks and create employment and

entrepreneurial opportunities for Bahamians in relation to the

design and development of such parks.

MR SPEAKER

The need for proper planning methods and structure in our

country is a great one. The development of our country

cannot continue to fall prey to party politics and ill-advised

decision making. Our development must be built on concrete

information and data, through research and planning, which

will lead to the responsible and sustainable development of

our country for the benefit of this generation and those to

come. It is for this reason that this administration relies

heavily on research, consultation and planning,

understanding that this country's resources are not infinite

and should be handled responsibly. We also understand fully

that the development of a country such as The Bahamas

must make socio-economic and geographic sense and be

sustainable.

MR SPEAKER

One of the more egregious examples of development falling

prey to party politics in my view was the relocation of the

port from Bay Street. Under the former Christie

Administration reports were commissioned by the

government done by internationally recognized firms which

advised on the relocation of the Nassau Container Port and

the revitalization of Bay Street. Well it so happened that the

general elections were held and the PLP administration was

defeated. With the defeat of the PLP came the cessation of

many projects including the well thought out, well researched

relocation of the Nassau Container Port to southwest New

Providence. One of the reports that was commissioned by

the Christie Administration was the EDAW Report of 2004.

This report is over one hundred pages of research and

conclusions which should have served as the blueprint of the

revitalization of Nassau across governments and across party

lines. This EDAW report in conjunction with an

Environmental Impact Assessment compiled by Coastal

Systems International concluded that the Nassau Container

Port should be removed out of the city center and placed in

southwest New Providence. Coastal Systems International

said of their analysis that each of the alternative locations

were evaluated for “economic, technical and environmental

feasibility.” They also said that their scope of work included,

“literature review, detailed terrestrial and marine

environmental assessments, coastal engineering evaluation

(wind and wave conditions, storm surge modeling, and

flushing analysis), socio-economic evaluation, port design,

stakeholder consultation, and detailed mitigation planning. It

must be noted and repeated again for those who may not

remember or those hearing of this for the first time that out

of the seven locations considered, the current location at

Arawak Cay was ranked sixth. The report done by Coastal

Systems concluded that out of the seven locations it would

be more prudent to leave the port were it was and DO

NOTHING than to relocate it to exactly where it is today. I

should also mention that another world renowned company,

Ecorys, a company specializing in economic, spatial and

social development were also retained by the former Christie

Administration to provide a trade and traffic forecast, a

logistics plan, conceptual design of new port facilities,

economic and financial feasibility and funding options.

As we all know these independent and reliable reports were

ignored and became decoration for somebody's office

because they did not support what the FNM wanted to do.

The former administration decided to ignore sound advice

and research to ensure that their political cronies were

satisfied. The relocation of the Nassau Container Port to its

current position is not only an eyesore and a public health

concern when one considers the amount of dust and

emissions from the large trucks transporting containers that

drive through Arawak Cay throughout the day; but because

of the dredging which had to take place caused much

damage to Saunders Beach. I recall vividly that the member

for Marathon, myself and others took on the cause of trying

to talk the Ingraham Administration out of what we knew

was a bad decision and warned them of what could happen.

As we warned, the construction of the Arawak Cay Port has

had adverse effects on Saunders Beach, so much so, that the

Ingraham Administration had to hire companies to replace

the sand on the beach. Mr. Speaker tons and tons of quarry

was placed on Saunders Beach by Tycoon Management and

Bahamas Marine Construction, companies which received

contracts totaling $2.2 million. Mr. Speaker the Member for

Marathon can attest that at one point during the construction

of the Arawak Cay Port, Saunders Beach which had sand

levels as high as the roadside was so depleted that he

himself, as tall as he is, could stand within the erosion.

Montagu Beach is another example of bad decisions made by

the former administration. This is a very busy site for

vendors almost every day of the week and must be

developed properly taking into consideration that vendors

must use the facility in a sensible and planned way. It should

be noted that we are not interested in deterring persons from

making a living. However, we are proponents of vending

being done in a way that is not unsightly and unorganized

and which preserves the natural beauty and topographical

features of public parks and beaches.

MR SPEAKER

These examples of the missed opportunities and ill-advised

ventures by the former Ingraham administration bolster my

point and the Rt. Hon. Prime Minister's proclamations about

proper planning being vital to the sustainable development of

The Bahamas. Emphasis must be placed on research,

planning and consultation in the country, something that this

administration understands and has done.

MR SPEAKER

We must ensure that Bahamians have access to beaches.

This government is well aware of this need and has been

working to ensure that it is met. On the subject of beach

access, in a speech delivered in November of 2005, the Rt.

Hon Prime Minister stated that “..........my government has

already committed itself to the acquisition, by private

contract with interested landowners of additional beach

properties that will be converted to public use by Bahamians

and visitors alike.............the thrust of my government's

policy in this area is to augment the national inventory of

public beaches, especially here in New Providence, so that all

Bahamians would have ready access to a much greater

number of beaches than is presently the case.” Earlier in

2005, the Christie led administration purchased beach front

properties said to be worth $15 million, on the island of

Harbour Island, for the sum of $4 million in order that

Bahamians on that island can have access to the beach. It

should also be recalled that it was the Christie administration

which purchased the land now known as the Clifton Heritage

National Park, which was set to be developed into a gated

community. This was to ensure that Bahamians can have

access to that historical site and its surrounding beaches.

This administration knows the importance access to green

spaces and beaches is to the lives of Bahamians which is why

this legislation is so important and will cause for there to be

a concrete legal framework for the continuation of the work

that has been done to date.

MR SPEAKER

The need to have a management system in place for our

parks and beaches is also addressed by this legislation. At

present, there are major health and safety concerns

associated with our public beaches and parks. One such

concern is the accumulation of garbage especially after

holidays. Some months ago, I was invited to be apart of a

beach clean up exercise by the students and teachers of

Naomi Blatch School. We went to South Beach where bags

and bags of garbage were taken from the beach by the

students. This garbage that was left there by unconcerned

beach goers and persons who park along the shoreline at

lunchtime. This state of affairs has become commonplace

not just on our beaches and parks but on our roadsides,

vacant properties and verges as well, as I mentioned earlier.

To combat this problem, my ministry has devised the 'DO

YOUR PART' Anti-Littering Campaign, a plan for which we will

solicit support from the private sector to encourage our

people to do their part to keep the Bahamas clean. The

upkeep of this country should be a partnership between the

government and the people; each doing their part to ensure

that we live in clean and sanitary environment. It must be

understood that a clean Bahamas can only be fully achieved

if the government and the citizens of this country work

together.

MR SPEAKER

We plan to ensure that lifeguards are provided for our

beaches. As we know, there are a number of Bahamians,

even children, who have lost their lives in our waters over

the years. In some instances theses were deaths that could

have been prevented had their been a trained lifeguard (s)

on duty at the beach whom persons could have called on for

assistance when they needed it most.

These lifeguards and wardens will ensure that all parties,

those who frequent the beaches and parks and vendors and

tourists conduct themselves in a manner that is not

potentially harmful to others. Today there is a concern of

motor vessels, like small boats and jet skis, being used too

near to the shoreline of public beaches which can be

dangerous to swimmers. This behaviour must be curtailed

and that can only be done if trained persons are on hand to

monitor and deter such activities.

MR SPEAKER

The creation of this authority and the proper management of

parks and beaches will also hopefully end the age old

problem of the unkept condition of public bathroom facilities

at these sites. The central government spends large sums of

monies to ensure that public parks and beaches are equipped

with bathroom facilities. However, because of the lack of

security, many of these facilities within a short time of their

construction are no longer able to be used because the toilets

have been stolen or it has been vandalized or is not kept in a

sanitary condition.

It is also envisaged that with the restoration and

development of public parks and beaches that they will

provide a venue for the staging of community festivals and

cultural events. These events will enable our people to

showcase their talents through music, art, culinary skills,

and provide for more local sporting events within

communities to foster better neighbourhoods and community

outreach.

MR SPEAKER

As minister responsible for the environment, I would be

remiss if I did not elaborate on the positive effect that the

development of green spaces will have on our efforts to

lessen our carbon footprint. Trees are known to clean the air

of carbon dioxide by storing it in its leaves and bark while

releasing much needed clean oxygen. It is said that “an acre

of mature trees absorbs the amount of carbon dioxide

produced when you drive your car 26,000 miles.” As we all

know carbon dioxide is a major greenhouse gas which is

created by the burning of fossil fuels and contributes greatly

to climate change. With the addition of more trees and

green spaces, in conjunction with our efforts to reform the

energy sector The Bahamas will be well on its way to

achieving its goals as relates to environmental responsibility.

MR SPEAKER

As we move to restore our beaches and parks, the need may

arise for invasive species to be removed. Species such as

the casuarina tree or commonly known as the 'cedar' tree

here in The Bahamas, are invasive species. It is said to

contribute to loss of biodiversity and deterioration of sand

dunes in the Bahamas. Another invasive species is the

cattail. Just this year in commemoration of Earth Day the

Bahamas National Trust endevoured to remove as much of

these plants as possible from Harold and Wilson Ponds where

that plants have grown so thick and high that they have now

covered the boardwalk in some places. The need may also

arise for the restoration and refurbishment of beaches to

ensure that people can get the must enjoyment of them with

the replacement of eroded sand.

MR. SPEAKER

The Bahamas Public Parks and Public Beaches Authority

established with the passing of this bill will be charged with

bringing the vision of the Rt. Hon Prime Minister, which I

spoke of earlier to fruition. This will be done through the

identification, regulation, maintenance, development and

conservation of public parks and public beaches for our

people to enjoy.

The functions of this Authority as set out in this bill in Section

Five (5) are:

(a) to control, plan, design, develop, administer, manage

and maintain the public parks and public beaches

designated by the authority;

(b) to conserve the natural beauty and topographic

features of public parks and public beaches.

(c) To propagate, protect and preserve the animals,

plants and other organisms within the public parks and

public beaches, and preserve objects and places of

aesthetic, historical or scientific interest;

(d) to remove derelict objects from any public park or

public beach or from public access to any public park or

public beach;

(e) to maintain public access to and to provide a

lifeguard service at public beaches as it thinks fit;

(f) to maintain green verges and the facilities at public

parks and public beaches;

(g) to secure the observance of sanitary and clean

conditions and practices at and in respect of the public

parks and public beaches and other such sites of

national interest as the Minister may designate

(h) to promote the study, research and dissemination of

knowledge in botany, horticulture, biotechnology,

arboriculture, forestry, landscape architecture, parks and

recreation management and natural and local history;

(i) to provide and manage recreational, cultural,

historical, research and educational facilities and

resources in public parks and encourage their full and

proper us by members of the public;

(j) to advise the Minister

1.on the construction, rehabilitation, restoration and

remediation of public beaches and ancillary

recreational facilities on public beaches

2.on the control of the construction in any public park or

on any public beach, of huts, booths, tents, sheds,

stands, stalls, bath-houses, shops, whether movable

or immovable;

3. on such other matters, relating to the public parks and

public beaches, including matter pertaining to public

beach control and the protection of the sea-coast of

The Bahamas from erosion or encroachment by the

sea;

(k) to beautify and add amenities to the public parks and

public beaches and such other areas as determined by

the Minister;

(l) to enter into written agreements with owners and

occupiers of land adjacent the foreshore for the purpose

of obtaining public access to public beaches; and

(m) to name public parks and public beaches, National

Heroes Park – celebrate our nations heros and heroines

*(Refer to amendment 5 (2) – cooperation with local

government)

MR SPEAKER

The functions read should demonstrate to the Bahamian

people that we are not just here to create another board but

to create a framework for the proper management of our

parks and beaches for their benefit. We are laying a strong

foundation on which future leaders can build upon.

This Authority will be governed by a twelve member board of

directors inclusive of the Directors of government

departments who would have oversight of a portion of the

components necessary to make this new system successful.

As per the amendment to be moved, they are: the Director

of Forestry, a Local Government representative, the Director

ex officio, the Executive Director of the Bahamas National

Trust and eight members appointed by the Governor General

in consultation with the Minister.

The Board may invite other Government Directors to give

advice and provide input, but we have sought to amend the

bill to ensure that there is a dedicated management team

that will focus on the affairs and functions of the Authority.

The duties of the Board of Directors will include the

formulation of policy to ensure such policies are

implemented. The board will also manage the financial

resources and assets of the Authority, manage the fees and

charges for services, provided to and by the Authority,

appoint officers and employees and to advise the minister on

resource applications. The day to day management of the

Authority will be headed by the Director of Public Parks and

Public Beaches who will be appointed by the Board. The

Board is expected to meet as least once per month.

MR. SPEAKER

One day I trust that all of our famous monuments, if not

placed under the Bahamas Public Parks and Public Beaches

Authority, will be placed under another authority and lead to

the establishment of a Bahamas Parks and Beaches Rangers

Service. This unit would not only be tasked with the usual

crime prevention, investigation and apprehension functions in

association with the Royal Bahamas Police Force, but they

would be responsible for policing many of the famous

monuments throughout The Bahamas. This unit would also

oversee a uniformed guard force or wardens, which would

provide many of our public parks, public beaches and

monuments with security and patrol services, which can deal

with access controls, security patrols of buildings and

facilities and assisting members of the public and tourists.

MR SPEAKER

The Bahamas Public Parks and Public Beaches Authority will

create many new and unique jobs, such as park wardens,

interpreters, historians, archaeologists, conservators,

management officers, planners, architects, engineers,

general labourers and trades people and administrative staff.

There will be jobs in administration, financial management,

information services and personnel services. Our island's

botanical gardens and Public Parks which are historic sites,

will also have operational staff such as store clerks,

labourers, tradespeople, equipment operators and general

maintenance staff.

Park wardens will play a key role in supporting the Bahamas

Public Parks and Public Beaches Authority in fulfilling its

mandate by providing regulatory enforcement services. Their

activities will focus on the protection of natural and cultural

resources, public education and ensuring quality visitor

experiences in parks including our marine conservation

areas. The United States Government has expressed an

interest in sharing information and experiences with respect

to their National Parks Warden Services with my Ministry. I

look forward to working closely with them.

MR SPEAKER

We each can make a difference.

I recall the story of a man walking down a beach covered

with dying starfish one morning . The tide the night before

was very strong and thousands of starfish were washed up

on the shore, too far up for them to make it back into the

water by themselves. The man shook his head as he thought

it was a shame that all of those starfish would die on the

beach. He came upon a boy who was throwing starfish back

into the ocean as fast as he could. He was out of breath and

it was obvious that he had been doing this for a while. "Son,"

the man said, "you might as well quit. There are thousands

of them. They are washed up all over the beach as far as you

can see. There is no way you can make any sort of a

difference."

The boy did not even pause in what he was doing. He kept

bending and throwing, but as he did, he spoke to the man, "I

can make a difference to this one, and this one, and this

one." The man thought, and he knew the boy was right. He

began to help return the animals to their home, smiling at

how life's biggest lessons sometimes come from the smallest

people."

So as we consider this bill, I trust that we will remember this

story and make a note of at least one act we can do to help

restore our environs. I believe that supporting this bill is one

way we can act. However, I admonish those who are listening

to me, who are outside this place and cannot vote on this

bill, no matter who they are or where they come from by

doing one act to protect our environment and keep it clean,

we can make a difference in The Bahamas.

This member is proud of this bill before us today as it is a

step in the right direction to ensuring that the Bahamian

people, current and future generations, will always have

access to beaches and green spaces. It ensures that those

spaces will always be in good repair and that park and beach

development becomes a daily endeavour in this country

because we see its importance.

Mr. Speaker there are amendments to the bill, which I shared

with the side opposite several weeks ago and is before us

today that I intend to address in committee stage to address

the grammatical atrocities, identified in the bill. I apologies to

members for that and trust that they will all support the bill.

With that said Mr. Speaker, I so move.

Thank you Mr. Speaker