eco-tourists and students for a world-first university course.

An American entrepreneur has tabled a bid to build an environment-based tourism resort on the former Canadian Navy base at Daniel's Head.

Power for the village would be provided by solar panels.

And students from around the world would be invited to the futuristic park to study advanced masters courses in "sustainable development''.

The grand plan, now being considered by the Bermuda Land Development Company, includes: A wooden cottage colony with furniture made of recycled materials and rooftop water collection tins; Solar panels on the roofs of all buildings to provide electricity for the entire site; An education centre to provide study workshops for university environmental students; A major landscaping project and wildlife conservation area.

The idea is the brainchild of Stanley Selengut, who runs Maho Bay Camps Inc.

Mr. Selengut, who spoke to The Royal Gazette from his US office, said he had already developed four eco-resorts in the US Virgin Islands.

He is planning another green holiday centre in Hawaii -- based on the blueprint he has already drawn up for Bermuda.

"Our plan for Bermuda is very extensive and it includes a strong educational element,'' he said. "There is nowhere in the world that has any organised curriculums in sustainable development.

"We thought we would combine a functioning resort with a serious educational facility and we have already started talking to American universities.'' He said the University of South Carolina and Colorado State University had already expressed an interest in sending students to Bermuda for the courses.

"They already want to visit the Island to see our plans,'' he said. "Each of our developments have composting so we can provide our own food needs.

"Water is caught from roofs and we make use of solar power -- or even wind and water energy if it's appropriate.

"In Bermuda, the electric power would be solar-generated with the idea of teaching people to live within their own resources. The whole idea is to give tourists a learning experience.

"We have a very clear idea of the tourists we would like to attract and there would be lectures, workshops and environmental conferences laid on for them if they wanted to get involved.'' He said holidays to the Island would include arts and crafts workshops and educational and play facilities for children.

Mr. Selengut added: "Right now, we're just waiting to hear back from the Bermuda Land Development Company. We estimate the costs of our own development would be around $6 million or $7 million and we would hope to be up and running within about 14 months.'' BLDC spokesman Don Grearson said: "We have come to an exclusive arrangement with Maho Bay which includes an agreement to develop an eco-tourism resort.

"That does not mean we have signed a contract with them. We still have to figure out what kind of return they will be able to pay to the BLDC and agree to certain concepts for the site. There is a lot to be agreed first.'' The Royal Gazette understands BLDC executives were impressed with the plans laid out by Maho Bay and will seek to reach a contract agreement in 1998.

Tourism Minister David Dodwell added: "A location like Daniel's Head is a natural for an opportunity that is unique and something like eco-tourism fits the bill.

"Just to put a traditional hotel on that site would not be taking advantage of the site itself.

"Basically, the eco-tourists are looking to get closer to nature but still have the comforts that one expects on holiday.

"If this project is followed through on those lines, we could have a winner here.'' ENVIRONMENT ENV COLLEGE UNIVERSITIES EDC MILITARY MIL