Schooner Bay Development

[SusieAndAl]

Hi Everyone,

Well, one of the most beautiful beaches is now being developed. Schooner Bay is one of our most favorite places (Tina also posted some beautiful photos) and we're glad we had the chance to enjoy it while we still could.

Here's the difference though:

1) The development will NOT have a golf course

2) It will NOT be a gated community

3) The marina is NOT just for megayachts

4) The developer is VERY responsible and has a long history of good work in The Bahamas

5) There is plenty of land and NO reef to destroy

6) ALL the locals embrace this project

We have no connection to the developer and will really miss that beach, but we also fully support the project. We hope it will serve as a role model for future developments.

Tina, just be happy you were one of the lucky ones to enjoy it in its natural state!

Cheers -- SusieAndAl


http://www.dpz.com/project.aspx?Project_Number=628&Project_Name=Schooner+Bay

[dogfish]

There are a lot of houses there. That equals a lot of poopy water going into the Sea of Abaco unless they put in some sort of waste water treatment system.

[snorkler]

It's a nice plan but with out waste treatment it will pollute far more than Bakers Bay.

Pump out stations for boat sewage in my opinion is the most needed thing in the Abaco's. There are more and more live aboard boats every year and nowhere to properly dispose of the waste. If I am wrong about this please post the name of the facility and lets spread the word.

Heck the way it is going Bakers Bay Marina might be the first to have one in Abaco.

[SusieAndAl]

No, it will be properly done (we hope as he's done it before) and it's on the Atlantic, not The Sea of Abaco.

[TOLERance]

Pump out facilities are, of course, available in Abaco...where do you think our septic tanks are pumped?
Lou Schneider runs a "honey pot" boat and truck, in addition to shore-side pump out at his dock.
The pump out stations are here, what we need are people who care enough to use them.

[SamFamAustin]

I think that's a great idea that should be expanded and advertised more. "Clean Ports and Harbours" is a noble concept. Be nice if they was some government money for a few pump out boats - and that would provide a few jobs and tips as well. In the US the EPA has a similar program, and once designated a "Clean Port" must provide honey wagon service for all boats. The fish cops even inspect for proper holding tanks and no "Y" valves.

Marina pumping is great but during the high season like the tournaments and Regatta a pump out boat would be nice. These are basically just an outboard Jon boat maybe 20 feet long built from cheap plywood and glassed over, with a tank in the middle to hold a few hundred gallons. Lots of rubber guard rails so you don't scratch or mark a big boat. A small 5HP pooter engine is used as a pump. There's a hatch so the honey wagon can pump up the waste.

You might think it's horrible business but I see break and butter here.
-sammie

you'll never look at a Jon boat the same way now!

[DrRalph]

Pump out facilities are, of course, available in Abaco...where do you think our septic tanks are pumped?
Lou Schneider runs a "honey pot" boat and truck, in addition to shore-side pump out at his dock.
The pump out stations are here, what we need are people who care enough to use them.

Patti, I've never heared this, and neither have any of the boaters I have talked to. Can you give us a list of marinas or docks in Abaco that have pumpout facilities? Also, what are the costs and procedures, who do you talk to? Thanks!!

[TOLERance]

Certainly, and it is a question The Cruisers Net gets often...
You just call Lou Schneider (he is in the book) and make arrangements to have the deed done. No idea of the price. The procedure is smelly and unattractive but involves a large hose and a "deposit transfer" into his truck or storage tank.
He will either come to a pre-arranged slip or put out at his dock. I have also been in HT when his pump out boat was operating in HT Harbour.
Not pretty but beautifully simple engineering...it is exactly like we used to have it done in VA.

[DrRalph]

From the Batelco web site: Louis Schneider, 367-2043; no further info.

[Tropical Concepts]

Reoccuring theme: Cruisers dumping holding tanks
Just a few words on some of my qualifications on this topic; I have a degree in environmental science, I have a class B license in both wastewater and water treatment operation. I am also a Registered Nurse. You can say that I have dealt with more human waste on both ends of the spectrum than most people. I am not an expert on water pollution, but I have more awareness than the average person.

Water pollution 101- most water pollution is caused by "nutrient load". Just like the 6-6-6 fertilizer that you buy at the nursery, the main villians in water pollution are the same ones that are good for your lawns. These nutrients are good for plant life (to a degree). The excess nurtient load is great if you are a plankton or algae- but having lots of algae is not good for other plants or animals that require sunlight. Excess algae clouds the water and soaks up the dissolved oxygen (DO) choking fish and other organisms, as well as blocking sunlight to the sea grass and corals. Nutrient load is good for plankton bad for the rest of us, that's why it's labeled pollution. Seems we have more than just carbon footprints.

You look at those boats in the harbour dumping their poo into the water , 'that's awful and I don't want to swim in that water.' Well, that's right, they are contributing to the nutrient load, luckily most human pathogens die as soon as they hit the saltwater. What else contributes to this pollution? 'Well, not me, I flush my poo down the toilet'... ever wonder where it goes after it leaves the porcelain throne? Most of us have no earthly idea. In rural places we use a septic tank system. It works great away from the shores especially in land that has lots of sand and soil .- that's why the grass is greener over the septic tank.

What about in places like the Keys or Bahamas where we live on ancient porous rock and ancient coral reef. It goes into our septic tank where there is a little anaerobic digestion (single cell microrganisms) but mostly it drains right back into the sea, just more dissolved poo. In the Keys they put yellow dye in the commode and flushed it, within hours the dye was in the ocean. But instead of a few hundred flushes from the boats there are many thousands and thousands of flushes (millions in the FL Keys) going directly or indirectly into the ocean adding to the nutrient load. All those homes, restaurants, hotels, bars and all the other places that people downdload so to speak.

When scientists study sources of pollution (nutrient load) run off from our green lawns (fertilizers and pet waste) are large sources.That's why you should not have golf courses next to the ocean. 'When my septic tanks get filled the guy comes and makes it disappear'. Not really- your septic tank gets filled with lots of inorganic junk that we flush down with it (tampons and applicaters are the biggest offender) think about it, the average flush takes 3-5 gallons of water do you think that little truck could haul off several years worth of flushes, instead he's hauling off several years of tampons and junk that won't breakdown and flow into the sea. And just what happens to hauled waste- it doesn't majically go to poo heaven. 'But I live in the big city and we have a waste water treatment plant! '. They are truly wonderful things if operated correctly. Most wastewater plants take many years to fund, just ask the folks in the Keys. They are having to shell out billions because they, like us,in the Bahamas, are on the septic system, but instead of a population of thousands- it's millions. Usually by the time the plants are built the population has increased where the plant is overloaded.

I have witnessed many a midnight dump of excess solids at advanced wastwater plants. Then there is the rainwater run off from our roads. Have you ever purchased new tires for your car? Ever wonder where that old tread went? If you live a coastal area much of it ended up in the ocean along with all the other fluids and oils that you added to your car. Yes, those boats in the harbour are adding to the nutrient load, but it is the proverbial drop in the bucket when compared to what the rest of us contribute. Rather than point our finger we need to look in the mirror or for Christ sakes get your head out of the toilet!

[dogfish]

SusieAndAl,
I'll take your word on the developer. I looked up the location and it looks pretty much off the beaten path - pretty cool.

-Doug

[dogfish]

No off the beaten path makes it a place I would want to visit, that is why it is pretty cool.

I'm done stoned maligned

[DrRalph]

Stone Malone will be taking a little vacation from the Forum.

[SusieAndAl]

Well done sir! No rancor, no diatribe. We thought Doug's question and comments were quite proper, and we tried to respond in kind. The only reason we posted this topic was to describe what we think is a good model for future developments.

We thoroughly enjoy civil disagreements, but only as long as they are just that.

BTW Doug, we tried to get your poster name in the puzzle, but for the life of us we couldn't figure out how to present a clue that wouldn't be too obvious!

Cheers -- SusieAndAl

[dogfish]

I chose the name of a small shark because as a kid as was totally taken by the ocean and sharks in particular. Living in Hawaii for three years and having a Dad that was a complete nut when it came to snorkeling and diving was probably one of the reasons I liked sharks as a kid.

-Doug