P.O. Box N4805 Nassau, The Bahamas 1 (242) 376-1448 [email protected] www.waypointconsultingbahamas.com VIA EMAIL July 16, 2021 Mrs. Rochelle W. Newbold Director Department of Environmental Planning and Protection Charlotte House – Ground Floor P.O. Box N-7132 Nassau, N.P., The Bahamas Public Consultation Report (PCR) – Disney Cruise Line, Lighthouse Point, Eleuthera, The Bahamas Dear Director Newbold, With respect to the Environmental Impact Assessment Regulations 2020, Sections 7-9 addressing the public consultation process, we are pleased to submit the Public Consultation Report (PCR) for your review. For reference, notices for the Public Meeting appeared in The Nassau Guardian and the Tribune for three (3) consecutive days (March 18th, March 19th, and March 22nd). The Public Meeting was held on April 8th at 6pm. Following the meeting, a 21 business-day comment period ensued ending May 7, 2021 at 5pm. An additional public notice detailing the deadline for the comment period was published in The Nassau Guardian and the Tribune for three (3) consecutive days (April 14th, April 15th, April 16th). All correspondence received between March 18th and May 7th, the consultative period, is included in the PCR. Responses to these inquiries are also catalogued within the PCR. Additionally, the PCR contains a transcript of the public meeting. Thank you for providing guidance on the public consultative process and facilitating the Public Meeting. Sincerely, Melissa Alexiou Director PUBLIC CONSULTATION REPORT FOR THE ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT LIGHTHOUSE POINT ELEUTHERA, THE BAHAMAS APPENDIX L PREPARED FOR DCL ISLAND DEVELOPMENT, LTD. JULY 2021 WAYPOINT CONSULTING LTD APPLIED TECHNOLOGY & MANAGEMENT, INC. P.O. BOX N4805 2047 VISTA PARKWAY, SUITE 101 NASSAU, THE BAHAMAS WEST PALM BEACH, FL 33411 242-376-1448 561-659-0041 www.waypointconsultingbahamas.com www.appliedtm.com Table of Contents 1.0 INTRODUCTION 2.0 PUBLIC CONSULTATIONS 2.1 Virtual Public Meeting 2.2 Emails 3.0 CONCLUSION 4.0 ATTACHMENT A: RECORDED PUBLIC MEETING AUDIO TRANSCRIPT 5.0 ATTACHMENT B: RECORDED PUBLIC MEETING CHAT TRANSCRIPT 6.0 ATTACHMENT C: QUESTIONS EXTRACTED FROM PUBLIC MEETING CHAT TRANSCRIPT 7.0 ATTACHMENT D: QUESTIONS RECEIVED THROUGH LIGHTHOUSE POINT WEBSITE 8.0 ATTACHMENT E: QUESTIONS RECEIVED THROUGH DCL BAHAMAS EMAIL 9.0 ATTACHMENT F: QUESTIONS RECEIVED THROUGH DEPP EMAIL 10.0 ATTACHMENT G: OPINION/COMMENTS RECEIVED THROUGH LIGHTHOUSE POINT WEBSITE, DCL BAHAMAS EMAIL AND DEPP EMAIL 10.1 Attachment G1: Opinion/Comments Received through Lighthouse Point Website 10.2 Attachment G2: Opinion/Comments Received through DCL Bahamas Email 10.3 Attachment G3: Opinion/Comments Received through DEPP Email 1.0 INTRODUCTION The purpose of this report is to document the public consultation that was conducted in relation to the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) for the Lighthouse Point project in Eleuthera, The Bahamas for DCL Island Development, Ltd., a wholly owned subsidiary of the Walt Disney Company. The Public Consultation Report (PCR), like the EIA, is submitted to the Government of The Bahamas through the Department of Environmental Planning and Protection (DEPP) for evaluation of the project’s application for a Certificate of Environmental Clearance (CEC). This report includes a recap of the virtual public meeting and responses to questions received during the meeting as well as responses to emails and letters received thereafter. 2.0 PUBLIC CONSULTATIONS In accordance with the Environmental Planning and Protection Act 2019 and the Environmental Impact Assessment Regulations 2020, the public meeting was advertised in two (2) local newspapers, The Nassau Guardian and The Tribune, at least 14 calendar days prior to the public meeting date. The EIA was made available to the public in two ways: 1) electronic copies were available for download from the Lighthouse Point project website (https://lighthousepointbahamas.com/) and 2) two (2) hard copies were available for reading at DEPP, Charlotte House, Ground Floor in Nassau, New Providence and one (1) copy was available at the Island Administrator’s Office in Rock Sound, Eleuthera. The purpose of these activities was to notify the public about the project, allow them an opportunity to review the EIA, invite them to the public consultation meeting, and provide email addresses the public could use to submit questions or concerns in regards to the EIA directly to the developer through the Lighthouse Point project website (https://lighthousepointbahamas.com/) or at [email protected], and/or to DEPP at [email protected]. 2.1 VIRTUAL PUBLIC MEETING The public consultation meeting for the Lighthouse Point EIA was conducted via Zoom at 6 p.m. EST on April 8, 2021. The meeting was moderated by Mrs. Rochelle Newbold, Director of DEPP, and had over 300 participants. The agenda for the meeting included an introduction of the project team and review of the site plan and EIA findings that were compiled by a team of highly qualified and experienced scientists, ecologists, professional engineers and construction experts over three years, many of whom participated in the meeting. A question and answer period was also included in the meeting providing the public with an opportunity to have questions addressed by those who worked on the EIA. Comprehensive audio and chat transcripts were prepared from a video recording of the meeting and are provided in the attachments to this report. Well over 300 statements, opinions and questions were captured by the system including questions posed verbally, in writing, and via the meeting recording for Disney to provide a response. Additional comments were accepted through May 7, 2021 at 5 p.m. EST. Topics addressed in those questions included, but were not limited to, the following categories: Potential impacts to terrestrial and marine habitats and species and mitigation strategies Proposed use of the property Projected economic impacts to the island of Eleuthera, and The Bahamas in general Proposed infrastructure plans for the project (waste management, potable water, stormwater, etc.) Potential coastal impacts from beach creation and management and mitigation strategies Sustainability planning and initiatives proposed as part of the development 2.2 EMAILS Following the meeting on April 8th, the public was given an additional 21 business days to submit questions or concerns regarding the EIA, either directly to the developer and/or DEPP at the email addresses aforementioned. The public comment period following the public meeting ended on May 7, 2021 at 5 p.m. EST. The public consultation process is guided and moderated by DEPP as the statutory governing body with responsibility for the Environmental Planning and Protection Act 2019 and the Environmental Impact Assessment Regulations 2020. All emails and notifications were shared by the developer with DEPP and vice versa. The PCR accounts for all emails received. 3.0 CONCLUSION All comments received during the public meeting and comments and questions received after the public meeting but prior to the May 7, 2021 5 p.m. EST deadline have been addressed by the developer. The team has thoroughly reviewed all EIA public consultation inquires and does not believe there are any gaps within the EIA document that has been submitted. The developer follows and has the utmost respect for the laws and regulations of the locations where it does business. The environmental regulatory framework of The Commonwealth of The Bahamas is governed by the Environmental Planning and Protection Act 2019 and the Environmental Impact Assessment Regulations 2020. The EIA was prepared in accordance with this framework, and the Environmental Management Plan, the second phase of this process, will be as well. The Bahamas Department of Environmental Planning and Protection oversees the public consultation process. The official public consultation period for Lighthouse Point concludes with the submission of the PCR. This is a public report and shall be considered part of the overall ‘Environmental Impact Assessment – Lighthouse Point’ report. The EIA and PCR documents are available for public viewing on the Disney Lighthouse Point website. The DEPP approved EIA inclusive of the PCR will be available on DEPP website. Following the publication of this report on the DEPP website, the Environmental Management Plan (EMP) will be prepared by the developer. 4.0 ATTACHMENT A: RECORDED PUBLIC MEETING AUDIO TRANSCRIPT LHP EIA Public Consultation - Transcript April 8, 2021 6 p.m. WEBVTT 1 00:01:02.580 --> 00:01:11.280 Director Newbold: Having their concerns or questions heard, I will go through a few housekeeping rules as it relates to the meeting tonight. 2 00:01:11.700 --> 00:01:22.170 Director Newbold: Please note that, due to the issues of bandwidth we are asking that you not turn on your cameras that's allowing the presenters to have the opportunity to use the bandwidth. 3 00:01:22.410 --> 00:01:33.720 Director Newbold: To make their presentation, such that all personnel persons, whether in The Bahamas or outside of The Bahamas, may have the best opportunity of getting the information without disruption. 4 00:01:34.800 --> 00:01:44.880 Director Newbold: Secondly, we ask that your mics remain muted until such time that you are asked, to make any sort of statement or comment or we open the floor to such. 5 00:01:45.630 --> 00:01:57.030 Director Newbold: Third, I know that there are a lot of strong positions relative to this project but tonight, our effort is to identify any matters, gaps. 6 00:01:57.390 --> 00:02:07.800 Director Newbold: Inconsistencies or anything of an environmental concern associated with the environmental document that has been placed in the public domain for review. 7 00:02:08.310 --> 00:02:18.030 Director Newbold: That being said, those individuals who have the need to express an opinion, we are asking that you put those opinions in the chat.