Egg Island Plans Off

[jeppler]

Disney just said their analysis of Egg Island's environment concluded it can't sustain development of a cruise ship destination

http://www.tribune242.com/news/2016/jul/22/disney-says-egg-island-cannot-sustain-cruise-line-/

 

[FigmentSpark]

And with that, they've done the greatest environmental service they could, while ensuring their competition wouldn't try to get into their back yard. By doing this and having that result, there is no point in any other line trying to buy Egg Island. Now, Disney can rest assured they won't share that area with anyone else and the people who rely on Egg Island can be assured that their livelihood won't be disrupted by tourists and ships.

 

[belac]

Yeah for now, but the hunt isn't over. No matter where they decide to build another cruise destination, there will sadly be a large environmental impact. The take away here is that they are looking to expand. I foresee see drill rigs coming to a near by Bahamian Island soon. In Site Design & Planning you come up with Plan A, B, C, D. Now plan A is out waiting to hear where plan B is going to be since the budget has been approved for a new Island

 

[phinz]

I'd love to see them buy it and then protect it from everybody else. It's not like they don't have the money, and it's not like it wouldn't be fantastic PR.

 

[Hundredacre]

Disney should just buy the bahamas period. Every island. It would be an improvement.

 

[FigmentSpark]

I'd love to see them buy it and then protect it from everybody else. It's not like they don't have the money, and it's not like it wouldn't be fantastic PR.

I thought about this, but then, down the road, a new president and new policies and the island becomes corporate fodder. But this way, Disney has told everyone that there's no reason to look at Egg Island or invest any money in it, because it can't be developed into a cruise ship haven. It essentially keeps the other guys out (what investor wouldn't ask why a RCCL or Carnival is spending money on something DCL already said was environmentally bad?) and Disney only had to spend money doing a cursory environmental investigation. Presumably the study wasn't made public, just the resulting conclusion. Genius.

 

[phinz]

I thought about this, but then, down the road, a new president and new policies and the island becomes corporate fodder. But this way, Disney has told everyone that there's no reason to look at Egg Island or invest any money in it, because it can't be developed into a cruise ship haven. It essentially keeps the other guys out (what investor wouldn't ask why a RCCL or Carnival is spending money on something DCL already said was environmentally bad?) and Disney only had to spend money doing a cursory environmental investigation. Presumably the study wasn't made public, just the resulting conclusion. Genius.

Put it into an irrevocable trust of some sort and it couldn't become corporate fodder. Goodness knows Disney buys their ink by the barrel and could write the trust such that it's untouchable. You make it airtight to keep it out of anybody's hands for the future.

They cynic in me says that the pushback was what made them decide it wasn't feasible, though the tiny size of the island seemed to indicate it would be a dumb place to build anyway.

 

[FigmentSpark]

I think Disney heard chatter that another line was looking for an island. But that's the conspiracy theorist in me.

 

[belac]

Put it into an irrevocable trust of some sort and it couldn't become corporate fodder. Goodness knows Disney buys their ink by the barrel and could write the trust such that it's untouchable. You make it airtight to keep it out of anybody's hands for the future.

They cynic in me says that the pushback was what made them decide it wasn't feasible, though the tiny size of the island seemed to indicate it would be a dumb place to build anyway.

If for any reason it were feasible (Financially and Phyically) they would have continued development. I'm not as sure, as Phinz is, the push back would have made such a difference to them. They would throw their best PR spinners on it, IMHO.

Now I totally agree with Phinz their best PR could have been conserving the island turning into any number of local governmental environmental protection areas, international environmental protection areas, or simply work with the Bahamian government (with a nice donation) and putting into a protected deeded trust to a number of worldwide environmental organizations. There are many to choose from and aren't at the will of one government agency.

Yes that would mean I am in Neverland, because in my line of work I have seen many wetlands areas sold for development because of a so called trade to save land elsewhere, in the end that trade goes on depending on who is in charge at the time and which area they think is most important without any real scientific background. Development rights are sold and land that isn't necessarily a worthy conservation piece is conserved in lieu of the sensitive area. In the past 15 years or so it has gotten better and as more people become educated on the impacts of improperly designed development has on the environment (and ultimately us), the trend should continue for the better.
Sorry for the rant but topic hits a nerve in me.

Back to the topic at hand. 2 things could come of this trust. First the island would be protected and Disney looks like a hero (good for both) and second Disney wouldn't look so terrible when they test out their Plan B island (good only for Disney).

The sad truth is all lines (can substitute, businesses, corporations, governments) are looking to expand and grow and have the best, at any cost but, the good is that Disney did do testing. They will find the island they are looking for but, hopefully do the proper testing and EAF. That is the best I can hope for.