Despite last week’s warning from a Court of Appeal Justice against any further development at the Bimini Bay development, Resorts World Bimini (RWB) said it will continue with its work in adherence to the law.
Director of Public Affairs at RWB Michelle Malcolm told the Journal that RWB is respectful of the appeals process.
“RWB supports the lower court’s denial of the requested injunction,” she said. “We always follow the proper permitting procedures and work with the government as a partner. We will continue to work as expeditiously on our development as the approvals allow.”
Court of Appeal Justice Abdulai Conteh told lawyers in the matter last week that any construction at the resort site could put the entire case at risk.
Lawyers for the environmentalist groups Bimini Blue Coalition and Save the Bays have filed an appeal against the Supreme Court’s ruling ordering the groups to pay a collective $650,000 security for costs to the government and RWB, otherwise the judicial review would be dismissed.
In November, the groups were granted leave to apply for a judicial review of the North Bimini Ferry Terminal project undertaken by RWB. The coalition also sought an injunction that would prevent any further work from taking place.
At the time, Senior Supreme Court Justice Hartman Longley denied the group’s request for an injunction.
The environmentalists have maintained that without the injunction to halt work at the North Bimini Ferry Terminal, significant damage could be done, in effect, negating the purpose of the review.
RWB is currently seeking a permit that would allow the resort to construct a new ferry terminal along the western shoreline of North Bimini.
The project calls for the dredging of 220,000 cubic yards of material, which will be used in the construction of a new 4.5 acre island that will provide berthing facilities for a 650-foot ferry and mega yachts.
In court last week, John Wilson, the attorney for RWB, when asked whether his client would give an undertaking not to dredge until the judicial review is completed would only agree that RWB would not dredge unless it has the appropriate permits.
The appeal has been adjourned to June 2.
