By Garwin Davis, Assistant News EditorSAYING HE had a duty to ensure that the Blue Lagoon - also known as Blue Hole - San San, Portland remained a national treasure, former premier, the late Norman Manley, fought hard to prevent the attraction from becoming overly commercialised.
In a detailed submission to Cabinet on November 30, 1960, and in response to a proposal from overseas developer - Robert L. Moore - regarding a planned commercial development of the property, Mr. Manley, who was also the Minister of Development, wrote that as "part of the national heritage" everything should be done to ensure that the area did not lose its allure and character.
"The Cabinet is invited to consider what steps should be taken for the control and preservation of the Blue Hole in Portland with a view to ensuring public right of access to it, and preservation of the general character of its natural surroundings," Mr. Manley said.
"Although the land surrounding this natural beauty spot is privately owned, for a great many years, the public has not been denied reasonable access to it, which is gained by means of a parochial road leading from the main road between Drapers and Fairy Hill right down to the Blue Hole itself."
BLUE HOLE
The lagoon, set in a cove and described by one visitor as a "shimmering deep blue hole with its crystal clear water and hues varying from indigo to aquamarine which is simply a God-send", is sandwiched by land owned then by Mabel Gordon of Flint City, Michigan, and which was subsequently leased to Mr. Moore, also a resident of the United States.
Mr. Moore's plans for development included: A small cottage on the south-east slope which he wanted to use as his personal vacation home; a row of 10 weekend cottages adjacent to a parochial road forming the eastern boundary of the property; a tea house on the seafront beside the end of the parochial road; a jetty in an inconspicuous situation convenient to a tea house; a row of changing cubicles near the entrance to the property; a small lavatory block in an inconspicuous situation convenient to the tea house; and a guest house adjacent to the cottage. On completion, Moore wanted the entire set-up to be operated as a members club.
Mr. Manley, however, remained sceptical, convinced that Mr. Moore's proposal - if accepted - "would result in over building, which was bound to change the character of the area." And so as part of the presentation to Cabinet, Mr. Manley included a report from the Government's town planner, D.W. Spreull, who also had his concerns.
"Mr. Moore said that it was his intention to run the Blue Hole site as a members club and allow the public access to the area," Mr. Spreull wrote. "In my opinion, this would not ensure any public right of access, and I recommend that it should be run as the type of club which would allow the public right of access to it at all reasonable times."
He continued: "To preserve the character of the Blue Hole, it will be necessary to control more than the lands occupied by Mr. Moore. Parts of the lands of the four adjoining owners along the eastern boundary of the Blue Hole should be brought within the scope of a preservation scheme. This would include lands between the edge of the Blue Hole and the crest of the hill, to ensure that the dense foliage on this sheer slope is not destroyed and that no building development is carried out in this area.
"Ideally, all the land adjacent to, and likely to affect the Blue Hole should be acquired by Government, and this area could then be developed in a similar manner to Castleton Gardens. If this is not desirable or practical, I recommend the land should be left in the possession of the owners, subject to the provision of a preservation scheme under Section 18 of the Jamaica National Trust Commission Law 1958, Law 72 of 1958," Mr. Spreull wrote.
STIPULATIONS
The law states that "for the purpose of preserving the amenities of any national monument, the Commission may, subject to the provisions of this section, prepare and confirm a scheme for any area comprising or adjacent to the site of the monument, being an area to which, in the opinion of the Commission, it is necessary or expedient for that purpose that the scheme should apply. If any person contravenes any provision of a preservation scheme for the time being in force, he shall be liable on a summary conviction before a Resident Magistrate to a fine not exceeding £20 for every day on which the contravention occurs or continues."
In 1985, under a new Act and which saw a number of sites - including Blue Lagoon that were formerly under the Jamaica National Trust Commission's protection being left off, the Jamaica National Heritage Trust was born. No one can say for sure what Norman Manley would say about Blue Lagoon if he were alive to see the attraction today. It is doubtful, however, if he would have been disappointed. True, the area has become overly commercialised but not enough to detract from its natural beauty and as one person puts it, "ambience to die for." The public, also, has not been denied access - one of Mr. Manley's chief concerns - and in fact is very much in tune with daily activities at the attraction. With a number of lovely private villas en route to the entrance and overlooking what has to be a picture perfect view of the Port Antonio skyline, one would be hard pressed to find a more romantic place in the Caribbean - perhaps in the entire world - at night.
Ironically though, there are still concerns. Barbara Marzouca, who owns and operates the restaurant and bar at Blue Lagoon, feels that the National Environment Protection Agency (NEPA) is not doing much to preserve the area surrounding the attraction. She points to the frequent chopping down of trees in and around the area as a major cause for worry, noting that the lagoon itself could be seriously affected. "I can't see why NEPA can't put up signs, forbidding the cutting down of trees," she said. "People are also using jet skis, rafts and boats going up and down the lagoon... NEPA really needs to step in and protect the area or eventually it could lose its appeal."
Lisa Grant, an attorney with the National Heritage Trust, notes that there are plans afoot to bring Blue Lagoon under the agency's umbrella, with the intention being to declare it a national monument. "This is an area of national importance," she stressed. "This wouldn't mean going in to change anything... it's more of a recognition." The Blue Lagoon, Ms. Grant noted, is and will remain a national treasure.
