SEA concerned about proposed amendments to EIA regulations
Environmental advocates are warning that proposed amendments to The Bahamas’ environmental impact assessment regulations could significantly reduce the public’s ability to question, challenge and provide input on major developments that may affect the country’s natural resources.
The Save Exuma Alliance (SEA) released a statement on Sunday and joined the Organization for Responsible Governance (ORG) in raising concerns that the proposed changes would make public consultation discretionary rather than mandatory, leaving decisions on whether communities are consulted in the hands of the director of environmental planning and protection.
“Bahamians could be stripped of the chance to have their say on developments under proposed changes to the law, even if those projects could be harmful to our environment,” SEA said.
According to the group, the proposed amendments would weaken existing safeguards that allow residents, environmental advocates and affected communities to participate in decisions that may have significant environmental consequences.
“The proposed amendments represent a significant shift away from mandatory public consultation and toward greater administrative discretion, while also reducing public reporting and transparency requirements,” SEA said.
“While there are parts of the proposed Environmental Impact Assessment (Amendments) Regulations, 2026, that make sense, we must be very careful that we don’t weaken the need for consultation, especially in cases where there are genuine concerns over the impact on the environment.”
SEA argued that public participation is essential to maintaining confidence in the environmental approval process.
It urged that any changes should strike the right balance between the interest of developers and communities.
The organization warned that the proposed changes extend beyond any single development proposal and instead raise broader questions about transparency and public accountability.
“If that assessment is correct, then this becomes about far more than a single development,” SEA said.
“It is about whether The Bahamas responds to legitimate public engagement by strengthening environmental governance or by narrowing opportunities for public involvement and access to information.”
SEA also pointed to The Bahamas’ commitment to the Escazú Agreement, an international treaty aimed at improving access to environmental information, increasing public participation in environmental decision-making and protecting environmental advocates.
“The Bahamas has not only signed Escazú, but has recently assumed a leadership role within the agreement’s governance structure,” SEA said.
“It is therefore difficult to reconcile a commitment to greater access to environmental information and enhanced public participation with proposals that make consultation discretionary and reduce transparency requirements.”
“If The Bahamas is to lead on Escazú regionally, it should be moving toward stronger public participation and disclosure mechanisms, not weaker ones.”
The group is urging policymakers to ensure that any reforms to the environmental approval process preserve meaningful opportunities for public consultation and maintain transparency in decisions affecting the country’s environment and natural resources.
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