The study's findings are likely to lessen the chance of the sort of controversy that has surrounded the proposed Beef Island golf course and resort, which many people have protested on environmental grounds.Beef Island project developers in fact redesigned their plans after EIAs highlighted several probable negative environmental impacts.And Chief Minister Dr. Orlando Smith, who has signed preliminary approval for the Beef Island and Smugglers Cove projects, has said that the projects will not be approved if they are shown to cause "unacceptable environmental damage."

According to the Smugglers Cove EIA, "Excluding the personal perspective where an individual may just not want to see any development take place at Smugglers Cove, any other objection based on environmental grounds may have an acceptable solution."

The Smugglers Cove proposal calls for a 12-acre resort comprised of around 22 villas, a central building, a restaurant, approximately 15 hotel suites, conference facilities and a dock. Room rates will vary from $40 per room per day for a guest house room during the off-season to $12,000 per week for a five-bedroom villa at peak season.

A public hearing on the Smugglers Cove project is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. on Jan. 24 at the West End Community Centre.