October 12, 2007

The Hon. Keith Mitchell, Ph.D. Prime Minister Government of Ministerial Complex, Sixth Floor, St. Georges Grenada, West Indies

Dear Honorable Dr. Mitchell,

We write as representatives of a large number of scientists, conservationists and other citizens who are very concerned about the Four Seasons Resort and Private Residences proposed to be built at Mt. Hartman, home of Mt. Hartman National Park and the critically endangered Grenada Dove ( wellsi). Our concern stems from the Grenada Dove’s global importance as one of the rarest in the western hemisphere. This importance has led to many hours of time invested by our groups and ourselves, in addition to the $750,000 Grenada Dove and Dry Forest Conservation Project that some of us helped to convince the World Bank and the Global Environment Facility to provide to Grenada.

We respectfully request that you not complete any deals selling land to the developers of the proposed resort until certain information is provided and until a public participation process is established.

Last week, some of us participated, by invitation, on a conference call with Darren Arekion, representing Cinnamon 88, the company overseeing construction of the development. Although we were pleased with some of the proposed modifications in the project that he described to us, critical information allowing us to analyze the proposed development and its likely impact on the Grenada Dove and other biodiversity has not yet been provided.

We are alarmed that Cinnamon 88 is planning to purchase National Park land for the development within a matter of weeks. Our concern is that once the purchase is made, Cinnamon 88 and the Four Seasons company will be much less likely to modify the project and the boundaries of the project defining the protected area and the area to be developed.

The positive statement that the developers “are also fully committed to protecting and enhancing the natural environment of Grenada, preserving in perpetuity the flora and fauna, most importantly the Grenada Dove” (1st October 2007 letter from Darren Arekion, Development Director to The Right Hon. Gregory Bowen, The Minister of Agriculture, Lands, Forestry, Fisheries, Public Utilities and Energy) must be backed up by action.

We are pleased that Cinnamon 88 has recently contracted with Bonnie Rusk, Grenada Dove expert, to conduct additional studies of the Dove, both in the area of the proposed development and on other parts of the island. These studies should be very important in determining the boundaries of the development, the Dove sanctuary that has been proposed in lieu of the National Park, and in identifying proper mitigation measures. It is premature and inappropriate for any land sale to take place before these results have been presented to the Government, the developers, the scientific and conservation community, and the general public.

We request that the following take place BEFORE you sign and approve any agreements conveying the land: 1. A revised project development plan, including the proposed boundaries of the development area and the protected area, based on Ms. Rusk’s results, be produced and made available for scientific and public review. 2. Establish an open process of engagement of the scientific community and the public, including the Dove Summit proposed by Ms. Jennifer Ellard of your office. 3. The developers agree to certain conditions for management of the property, such as not allowing pets and not using pesticides and other poisons. 4. The developers make a financial commitment to mitigation efforts such as the Public Trust proposed to manage the Dove preserve, and other aspects of the Grenada Dove Conservation and Recovery Plan that were part of the Dry Forest Conservation Project. 5. Any new protected areas or sanctuaries that may be created to compensate for the loss of existing or potential future Grenada Dove habitat at Mount Hartman should be gazetted before the Mount Hartman land is transferred.

We believe that meeting these requirements would not unduly delay project planning and implementation. However, to sell the land before such information is provided and before such commitments are made, would seem to us to be an abdication of the responsibility to do due diligence on a project of this magnitude and impact.

We individually and collectively have contributed scores of pro bono hours to ensuring that any proposed development provides for the long-term survival of Grenada’s endangered biodiversity. We are eager to continue to be involved in the process. We request that you do not make any irreversible commitments on behalf of the Grenadian people and your natural resources at this point.

Sincerely,

Andrew Dobson, Ph.D. President, Society for the Conservation and Study of Birds

George Fenwick, Ph.D. President, American Conservancy

Margaret Atwood and Graeme Gibson Honorary Presidents of BirdLife International’s Rare Bird Club

Kristen Hite, J.D. Attorney, International Program, Environmental Defense

David Blockstein, Ph.D. Grenada Dove scientist