Donor attracts flak for plans
Company's resort said to harm reefs
By: Colin Campbell, Staff Writer
Issue date: 4/17/07 Section: University
A major donor to the new UNC Institute for the Environment is drawing criticism for what some groups are calling an environmental disaster.
Officials announced last week that Michael Meldman is funding a professorship at the institute. His company's resort development in the Bahamas is opposed by environmental groups and residents of the area.
The development, a resort and golf course called Baker's Bay, likely will destroy coral reefs around the island of Great Guana Cay, said Thomas Goreau, president of the Global Coral Reef Alliance.
"It's a really bad project," Goreau said. "The thing is that the reefs in that area are some of the best left in the Bahamas."
Livingston Marshall, senior vice president for environmental and community affairs at the Discovery Land Co., said the firm has several initiatives to minimize the project's impact, including replacing sand dunes and removing invasive species.
"We're definitely in the leading edge of trying to do environmentally sensitive and responsible projects," he said.
The institute, which launched Thursday, is an expansion of the Carolina Environmental Program. It aims to integrate environmental programs through four research centers, each offering a five-year degree program and field research sites.
The institute is receiving $2 million to $3 million in outside funding from sources including companies and private individuals.
Meldman's contribution will fund a new professorship, which will bear his name, in conservation and sustainable development, part of the institute's Center for Landscape Change and Health.
Doug Crawford-Brown, director of the institute, said that Meldman's involvement will bring his firm into the institute's discussions and that he doesn't think the gift will reflect negatively on the institute.
"He's at least open to the idea of reducing the environmental impact," Crawford-Brown said. "I think we clearly have some work to do with him."
Officials announced last week that Michael Meldman is funding a professorship at the institute. His company's resort development in the Bahamas is opposed by environmental groups and residents of the area.
The development, a resort and golf course called Baker's Bay, likely will destroy coral reefs around the island of Great Guana Cay, said Thomas Goreau, president of the Global Coral Reef Alliance.
"It's a really bad project," Goreau said. "The thing is that the reefs in that area are some of the best left in the Bahamas."
Livingston Marshall, senior vice president for environmental and community affairs at the Discovery Land Co., said the firm has several initiatives to minimize the project's impact, including replacing sand dunes and removing invasive species.
"We're definitely in the leading edge of trying to do environmentally sensitive and responsible projects," he said.
The institute, which launched Thursday, is an expansion of the Carolina Environmental Program. It aims to integrate environmental programs through four research centers, each offering a five-year degree program and field research sites.
The institute is receiving $2 million to $3 million in outside funding from sources including companies and private individuals.
Meldman's contribution will fund a new professorship, which will bear his name, in conservation and sustainable development, part of the institute's Center for Landscape Change and Health.
Doug Crawford-Brown, director of the institute, said that Meldman's involvement will bring his firm into the institute's discussions and that he doesn't think the gift will reflect negatively on the institute.
"He's at least open to the idea of reducing the environmental impact," Crawford-Brown said. "I think we clearly have some work to do with him."
Viewing Comments 1 - 8 of 8
Sam
posted 4/17/07 @ 6:22 PM EST
What does preserving native plant species have to do with the reef?
The man is the worst kind of conspiritorial carpet bagger scum. Congratulations on your choice of contributors. (Continued…)
Marie
posted 4/18/07 @ 7:56 AM EST
Anybody that has seen the extent of the damage to the mangroves and the improper way that Mike Meldman and his company have ignored proper practices in environmental stwerardship is insulted by the naming of a Distinguished professorship in his name. (Continued…)
Marie
posted 4/18/07 @ 11:05 AM EST
This is a letter from the Costeau Society about this ill-planned project. I believe that the students there at UNC are smart enough to put the pieces together on this issue. (Continued…)
DSC
posted 4/18/07 @ 4:08 PM EST
Throughout this project Meldman's Discovery Land Co. has been exposed for a number of misrepresentations specifically, an affiliation with the University of Miami, for environmental monitoring, that did not exist. (Continued…)
Pauline
posted 4/18/07 @ 6:41 PM EST
For many pictures of the destruction at Bakers Bay on Guana Cay and the story from the beginning, please check out www.notesfromtheroad.com
Jay
posted 4/19/07 @ 1:53 PM EST
I've been to Guana Cay and to see the destruction Meldman has already caused is heartbreaking. Another project of his in Idaho has also created controversy regarding respect for the locals, the land, hiring relatives of government officials, ignoring local laws. (Continued…)
caroline
posted 4/19/07 @ 9:51 PM EST
though... there is opposition to the development on Guana Cay.. it is by no means a universal opposition ,there is a small group of visitors and local residents who are voicing their opposition. (Continued…)
Erik
posted 5/02/08 @ 8:55 PM EST
The charge by Caroline that there is a 'small group of visitors and local residents' who are against the development is patently false. 75 of the 91 Bahamians on the island have recently signed a petition stating opposition to the development, and almost all second-home-owners of the island oppose it. (Continued…)
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