Sustainable+Development,+2013

One of Bermuda Beautiful Beaches Along the South Shore
=Amber Wolffe, Patrice Wilson, and Roma Lewis Environmental Science: EES 2211 Instructor: Leone Samuels = =Topic: The Sustainable Development Department = =Interview: Sustainable Development Department, Director Mr. Charles N.L. Brown. = ===Sustainable Development refers to how we use our environment to its fullest potential today while ensuring that this environment is available and productive for the future. Here in Bermuda we have a unique opportunity to have a positive impact on our environment and by example, the global environment. We are only a very small pebble in the midst of a large pool but what happens in other countries effects us in every way, be it economically, culturally, or physically to our environment. The Sustainable Development Department was created for the purpose of lessoning our environmental footsteps, finding ways to improve the way we use the various resources in our environment, as well as educating and changing how we think in terms of the global environment. === ===The Sustainable Development Department highlights this with the belief that these objectives can only be obtained by balancing economic, social, and environmental policy. This is stated in the framework of the Sustainable Development Departments logo, which highlights the three dimensions of Sustainable Development in Bermuda. In June 2006 the Bermuda Government developed a strategy and published a draft highlighting some of the challenges Bermuda faces as a part of the global environment. It produced sustainable entities that will ensure the islands sustainability in the future. This document is known as the “Sustainable Development Strategy and Implementation Plan for Bermuda” they call it “Chartering our Course: Sustaining Bermuda.”[i]The document includes five themes: === ===1. Building and Maintaining an Inclusive Strong Economy 2. Transforming Governance and the Public Sector 3. Protecting and Enhancing our Natural Resources and Environment 4. Sustaining our Communities 5. Living within Bermuda’s limits === ===The goal of the document is to highlight the valuable part that Bermuda the enduring and continued health and maintenance of our planet and to find ways in which we all can play our part in ensuring that the island is as productive and abundant for future generation. These goals are also presented in a series of four Sustainable Development Department Public Service Announcements featuring Bermudian children. They focus on our economical, social, environmental, and educational sustainability. This presentation will focus on two different aspects of sustainable land use within our island, the Pembroke Marsh area, and the Morgan’s Point Development in Southampton. First we will look at the Sustainable Development Department. We will examine the key players within the organization as well as what ideas and policies it has for Bermuda for today and into the future. === ===Interview with Mr. Charles N. L. Brown === ===Mr. Charles N.L. Brown is the Director of the Sustainable Development Department. Mr. Brown revealed that as a civil servant he has an obligation to future generations and he feels it’s his duty to do everything he can to ensure those future generations have a quality of life as good as or better than their predecessors. Mr. Brown is concerned about decisions being made for the island that would have negative impacts environmentally. He feels duty bound to improve the social justice and balance for Bermudians. Mr. Brown heads a team consisting of two other Sustainable Development Officers, Dr. Nicola O’Leary, and Lynniece Nisbet Garnett. In its infancy The Sustainable Development Unit was in the process of drafting common sense ideas that would highlight Bermuda’s need for a comprehensive Sustainable agenda. By 2001, the Sustainable Development Unit was recognized as a department within the Ministry of Environmental Planning & Infrastructure Strategy and Cabinet’s dedication to the Bermuda Sustainable Development Plan was put into place. According to Mr. Brown the Sustainable Development Round Table acts as an advisory board to the Government of Bermuda. The Board meets regularly and makes suggestions to the Minister and to Cabinet on a course of action that facilitates sustainable development. Mr. Brown holds that the purpose of the Sustainable Development Department is to ensure that decisions concerning public and private policy, meaning programs and ventures both in and outside of government are enabling Bermuda’s sustainability. The goal of the department is to facilitate a holistic decision making process that sustains and improves the quality of life for current and future generations. The department is responsible for reporting’s its findings and recommendations to the Permanent Secretary, Mr. Derrick Binns who in turn informs the Minister of Environment, Planning and Infrastructure Strategy of any plan or policy that may be instated either in the public or private domain. The Sustainable Development Roundtable Board is made up of interested investors from the community who only want to improve the island by promoting sustainable measures. The Sustainable Development Department does not have the authority to start or stop any development in the Island. The Department is only responsible for recommending and advising in the interest of various areas for sustainability. Some of the routine undertakings within the organization include applications from the Department of Planning for new or existing private and commercial developments, working with commercial businesses such as the Ministry of Public Works Water & Waste Section, and private water companies to advise on sustainable methods and practices. Mr. Brown said that he and his team have regular meetings with groups such as the Corporation of Hamilton on projects such as the new Harbour Front Development in order to advise on sustainability matters. ===

===Presently the Sustainable Development Department is consulting on establishing a Bermuda Marine Reserve in the Islands offshore waters within the Exclusive Economic Zone around Bermuda. According to Mr. Brown the department is committed to ensuring that Bermuda’s hydrosphere is protected. Recently there have been discoveries of vast mineral resources within Bermuda’s Ocean Radius. Interested developers have come forward with appeals to mine these resources. The Sustainable Development Department is aware of this and is working closely with Government to ensure that any mining within our offshore Environmental Protection Zone which may or may not happen is approached from an extensively prudent standpoint. ===  ===Mr. Brown revealed that when the Department is made aware of undeveloped land that should be preserved and shared with the community, it endeavors to promote agriculture and social activity within the boundaries of the land and prefers that land that has not been developed remain pristine. The philosophy of the Sustainable Development Department is that development to the greatest extent, and where ever possible, should only be done on land that is already developed. In determining what land is to be protected and preserved the department considers how the land is currently zoned, and then confirms ownership of the land, whether or not it is for sale and can government afford to buy it. If these requisites are fulfilled the Department then asks the question of how the land will benefit the community, does it have agricultural benefits and whether or not the ecosystem is worth preserving. When all the information concerning the land or project is considered the Director will take the findings to the Permanent Secretary who will then pass it on to the Minister and eventually to Cabinet which in turn will embark on a public and private campaign with specific and relevant groups in the community. With enough support the policy will be adopted as a strategy and the wider community is informed of plans for the project. ===

===The Department of Sustainable Development works with local environmental groups like, the KBB, and others such as the Chamber of Commerce, the Bermuda Historical Society, the Bermuda Health Counsel, and the Salvation Army. The Department also works closely with the Environmental Committee, the Marine Environmental Committee, the Preservation Committee as well as International Agencies including the United Nations, The Eastern Caribbean and Latin American Sustainable Development Group. Other governmental ministries include Waste Management Services, Conservation Services, the Parks Department, Works and Engineering, Land Evaluation, Education, Community & Cultural Development, Child and Family services, Tourism Development & Transport, the Department of Maritime Administration, the Department of Energy, and of course the PlanningDepartment. The Sustainable Development Department supports and praises the group Buy Back Bermuda. This group is compiled of a group of concerned citizens that rally to raise money to purchase open spaces. In the past the Bermuda government donated $300,000 to this campaign. The Sustainable Development Round Table has advocated the purchase of more land and properties but these recommendations have yet to be adopted by the government. Like most governmental agencies throughout the world the Bermuda Government has not made a complete and resolute commitment to the sustainable ideas and approaches that would have a significant impact on the environment, however; the Sustainable Development Department staff continues to work in the belief that in time and with continued pressure and cooperation from public and private community organizations this will change. Mr. Brown explained how this point is made evident when one looks at the budget for the Department since its inception in 2009. The Bermuda Sustainable Development Departmental Budget === Above is a table presenting the budget for the Sustainable Development Department from 2009-2013. SDD Annual Report December 2012. =Mr. Brown explained the first part of an educational project headed by the Sustainable Development Department is the Resource Guide on Sustainable Development: Issues for Educators, Teachers and Parents, published by the Ministry of Environment, Planning and Infrastructure Strategy for the Sustainable Development Department in 2007. He went on to say that the department routinely gets calls from teachers around the island to facilitate discussions about Bermuda’s environmental health and welfare. The second piece involves group discussions with social science teachers and their students and giving presentations in Summer Camps on what we as a community, can do to help improve our social and physical environment. Mr. Brown confirmed that the role of the Sustainable Development Department is to be a firm consistent and fair advocate for the preservation of Bermudas natural environment but insisted that this must include taking a balanced approach. For instance he firmly appreciates that there may be a case where the environmental advocacy needs to be stronger than the social, or economic advocacy and vice versa. The department also understands that we may need to develop open spaces such as the properties in St. George where the Holiday Inn Bermuda was located and it may be necessary to use part of the St. Georges Golf Course in the building of such a structure in order to improve our social; and economic well being. Mr. Brown illustrated how this type of development can produce significant economic wealth to Bermuda. This is especially true in today’s turbulent financial climate as people need jobs and government has a mandate which includes the promotion and enhancement of people’s lives. =
 * Year == == || <span style="display: block; font-family: verdana,geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 90%; text-align: left;">Staff == == || <span style="display: block; font-family: verdana,geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 90%; text-align: left;">Rent == == || <span style="display: block; font-family: verdana,geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 90%; text-align: left;">Operation == == || <span style="display: block; font-family: verdana,geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 90%; text-align: left;">Total == == ||
 * <span style="display: block; font-family: verdana,geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 90%; text-align: left;">2009-10 == == || <span style="display: block; font-family: verdana,geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 90%; text-align: left;">346,896 == == || <span style="display: block; font-family: verdana,geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 90%; text-align: left;">76,667 == == || <span style="display: block; font-family: verdana,geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 90%; text-align: left;">82,208 == == || <span style="display: block; font-family: verdana,geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 90%; text-align: left;">505,771 == == ||
 * <span style="display: block; font-family: verdana,geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 90%; text-align: left;">2010-11 == == || <span style="display: block; font-family: verdana,geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 90%; text-align: left;">347,254 == == || <span style="display: block; font-family: verdana,geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 90%; text-align: left;">115,000 == == || <span style="display: block; font-family: verdana,geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 90%; text-align: left;">109,300 == == || <span style="display: block; font-family: verdana,geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 90%; text-align: left;">571,554 == == ||
 * <span style="display: block; font-family: verdana,geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 90%; text-align: left;">2011-12 == == || <span style="display: block; font-family: verdana,geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 90%; text-align: left;">361,438 == == || <span style="display: block; font-family: verdana,geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 90%; text-align: left;">115,000 == == || <span style="display: block; font-family: verdana,geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 90%; text-align: left;">38,380 == == || <span style="display: block; font-family: verdana,geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 90%; text-align: left;">514,818 == == ||
 * <span style="display: block; font-family: verdana,geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 90%; text-align: left;">2012-13 == == || <span style="display: block; font-family: verdana,geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 90%; text-align: left;">369,621 == == || <span style="display: block; font-family: verdana,geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 90%; text-align: left;">115,000 == == || <span style="display: block; font-family: verdana,geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 90%; text-align: left;">30,197 == == || <span style="display: block; font-family: verdana,geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 90%; text-align: left;">514,818 == == ||

=<span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 90%;">Mr. Brown insisted on stressing the importance of not just looking at sustainability singularly as an environmental issue but holistically, the management of the natural environment needs to be viewed in conjunction with the management of the social and economic environments. Mr. Brown explained that the Sustainable Development Round Table decided to engage with agencies that have been advocating for redevelopment of the North Hamilton Zone. He explained that the department supports the Harvard Plan put together by a group of Harvard students that came to Bermuda and inspected the thirty five acre plot of land and proposed the development of a park and nature reserve. The project like many others investigated by Government has been slow to implement. Mr. Brown praises the plan for redeveloping as well as what conservation services and the Ministry of Works and Engineering has done to improve the area and believes that such a wonderful asset should be available to the entire island. Mr. Brown concedes that the only problem is the amount of gas that resides underneath the compost heap. According to Mr. Brown the challenge is that too often we have recommendations that sit on the shelf and are never introduced. Another major development plan at Morgan’s Point represents a mixed potential for Bermuda and he concedes that it is a wonderful asset for Bermuda economically but unfortunately it is in the hands of a private enterprise which is planning to build a large luxury resort. Mr. Brown admits to having some reservations about the size of the resort as well as the extent at which we will have to import labor to operate it once it is built. Mr. Brown explained that the low income threshold for a four household family is seventy thousand dollars in Bermuda and if the wage of a four person household is below seventy thousand dollars they are in fact considered impoverished. His hope is that the jobs promoted by the development will have compatible levels for our economy and income earners. = =<span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 90%;">The Sustainable Development Department Mr. Brown explained is about to reveal a proposal entitled the “National Infrastructure Plan for 2012”and will lay out new sustainable alternatives, however the specifics have not been completely worked out. The Sustainable Development Department has another big program in the works which involves working with consultants on establishing a Bermuda Marine Reserve in the offshore waters within the exclusive economic zone around Bermuda. = =<span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 90%;">Morgan’s Point Development Plan Environmental Damage = == <span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 90%;">During WWII the U.S. Naval Base was developed as a strategic command point between the U.S. and its Allies. The Base Lands were leased to America for a period of ninety-nine years and in 1995 the U.S. decided to close the bases after the Cold War ended. After the U.S. Navy left, the Bermuda Government discovered environmental damage to the Morgan’s Point as well as the caves and outlying water in the area. The damage encompassed tons of oil, raw sewage, and jet fuel. These pollutants are still a threat to the environment especially to Bassett’s Cave on the former NAS Annex. Several species of ocean life have been decimated due to the pollution. The cost of cleaning up the mess would prove to be colossal and although the government looked to the U.S. for help they did very little. In an article from the Royal Gazette in 2004 by Robyn Bardgett it was reported that “Dr. Kent Simmons, chief scientist in charge of environmental programs at the Bermuda Biological Station for Research, noted that some amount of oil has already seeped into the ground water and is migrating.”[ii] ==

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=In 2010 a land swap was signed into effect by then Premier the Hon. Dr. Ewart Brown which saw Southlands Property exchanged for Morgan’s Point. In 2012 the Bermuda Government signed an agreement between developers Craig Christensen, Nelson Hunt and Brian Duperreault to swap 37 acres of land at Southlands for 80 acres of Brownfield land at Morgan’s Point.[iii] The Bermuda Government believed that because it was done on their watch the United States Government should take responsibility for the cleanup of the Base Lands, however after repeated meetings with the United States Pentagon, represents from the United States Congress and Senate leaders and with the help of the UK nothing has been accomplished. For the most part the Bermuda Government has taken complete responsibility for the cleanup. For the past few years Morgan’s Point has been the location of a massive effort to remove the contaminants and pollutants from the area. In 2010 the cleanup of Morgan’s Point was delayed due to a lack of funding by 2011 the government said that the cleanup was cancelled because there was no money available. The Morgan’s Point development of a $2 billion luxury resort cannot be completed without government support. In 2011 the Bermuda Government announced that it will take $35 million of taxpayers’ money to clean up the former US military base, the work was to be started in April 2012.= = =

= Above an aerial photo of Morgan’s Point during the U.S. Military Occupation = =Most of the Waste removed from Morgan’s Point has been transferred to the Tynes Bay Incineration Plant in Devonshire for incineration. Among the issues at Morgan’s Point the Government has to remove and bury asbestos from site buildings, some demolition work has to be done, as well as the removal of underground fuel storage tanks which are leaking underground. There are also miles of leaking fuel sewage and two landfill sites have to be capped the work to be done also includes the construction of new seawalls. One of the most devastating areas of concern is the cleanup of Bassett’s Cave which is contaminated by petrochemical and sewage deposits.[iv]=
 * Morgans Point **



** Future Morgan's Point Resort by an Artist // @Copyright bermuda-attractions.com - All Rights Reserved //**
=In 1992 the Bermuda National Trust put out a “Planning Statement” on Bermuda’s various environmental issues with the intent of advising, and recommending policy to improve our sustainability. The recommendation of the Trust for Morgan’s Point was that the Government keeps that land as an open space or development free area. However the government ultimately did give developers permission to build on the land. In 2004 the 1974 Planning Act was deemed obsolete. Between 1974 when the Act was established and 2004 so much had changed environmentally. Bermuda experienced population growth which gave rise to excessive residential and business development. According to an insider “The Act itself prohibited the government from enforcing the laws it had enacted.” [v] Although a lot of work has been, and continues to go on at Morgan’s Point, the economic prosperity from the development has yet to see fruition for many Bermudians in need of work. The plan though an excellent way of making use of what was once dilapidated and polluted land will not be finished in the foreseeable future. However as land development goes this is more than likely a good thing. For one it will be there for the benefit of future generations, and secondly it is a good way of sustaining the islands natural beauty while making room for future economic growth for the people of Bermuda. The developers are abiding by new Planning Department rules by refurbishing buildings that already exist, and in the process removing pollutants. What would make this plan better is the use of clean energy sources, and a “Green Building Code” which can be used for the building of some of the structures. Another green idea concerning this particular development that would help sustain the islands ecosystem would be the replanting of local vegetation and fauna in the area. Also, a workable environmentally friendly waste system must be installed that would not see the dumping of raw sewage into the waters in the area.= = = =**Pembroke Marsh** **Grand plan****: The Pembroke Marsh redevelopment plan was well-received by residents back in 1987.** //*//=

//Here is a photo of Marsh Folly from//
 * //Conservation Services, Solid Waste Section and the Minister of Public Works are working to restore a canal to help reduce flooding and to preserve the endemic plants and species in and around the marsh. It is also a nature reserve to unusual birds and other local fauna which make it impossible to destroy the natural resources (with sustainable development) needed for these species to co-exist.//**

//Another photo over looking the apartment on Perimeter Lane// //Close up on the Dump// //Horticulture waste at the dump// //Photo of dump Bishop Spence Road// //Photo of dump from Victor Scott Primary//
 * Redevelopment**: Parts of the plan that have come to fruition include the creation of the playground, as well as basketball courts and the Perimeter Lane improvements. //*Photo supplied//

//Photo of affordable housing along Marsh Folly// //Parson's Road Playground//

//Basketball court on Parson's Road//
 * Still much to do****: The underdeveloped areas of Marsh Folly are clearly visible in this aerial view taken in 2007.** //*Photo supplied//

Closing paragraph Bibliography

Interview with Charles Brown Director, Sustainable Development Department, 7 Febuary, 2013

[i] __ “ ____ Sustainable Development Strategy and Implementation Plan for Bermuda: ____ Chartering Our Course Sustaining Bermuda” __ SDEXECSUM SUSTAINING BERMUDA [] Retrieved Friday, February 01, 2013

[ii] Robyn Bardgett (April 7. 2004). [|"Environment Ministry challenged to release reports on cave pollution"]. [|//The Royal Gazette//]. []. Retrieved February 7, 2013

[iii] ** Keith Archibald Forbes __“Exploring this county between Warwick and Sandy’s Parishes”__ ** February 7, 2013. Multi-national © 2013 by [|Bermuda Online]. All Rights Reserved. Contact [|Editor/writer and webmaster]. [] Retrieved February, 2. 2013.

[v]Environmental Committee, Marine Environmental Committee, Preservation Committee Dorcas Roberts (May 2006). __ “ ____ The Bermuda National Trust The Bermuda Plan 1992 Planning Statement Review” __ Publisher. Retrieved February 8, 2013

Pembroke Marsh and Future Park; [|sustainable development P.R.A]