JAMAICA’S
COMMITMENT
TO
THE CONSERVATION AND MANAGEMENT
OF NATURAL RESOURCES
...ten
years in retrospect
Prepared by:
Laleta Davis-Mattis
Director
Legal and Regulatory Services Division
National Environment and Planning Agency
Over the last decade the Jamaican Government has
embarked on a number of initiatives geared solely towards the proper management
conservation and protection of the natural resources within the context of
sustainable development. The Ministry of Land and the Environment is the
Ministry with the executive mandate to govern
Jamaica’s natural environment. The most recent initiative of the
government was recognition that urban and rural planning must be done within
the context of the wider thrust of environmental management, and to this end
government has established the National Environment and Planning Agency. This
new agency represents an amalgamation of the Natural Resources Conservation
Authority which has a statutory mandate for the conservation, protection and
proper management of the natural resources of Jamaica; the Town and Country
Planning Authority which has the statutory mandate to ensure the orderly
planning of Jamaica and the Land Development and Utilization Commission with a
statutory mandate to ensure that prime agricultural lands are kept in
agricultural production in the interests of inter alia food security and
self sustainability.
This report seeks to highlight some of the major
initiatives undertaken during the past ten (10) years.
There is a large body of statutes that seek to
address environmental protection, most being sector based. Understandably, some
are old but are mentioned here because they have undergone some level of
revision during the last decade.
The Natural Resources Conservation Authority Act
provides for the management, conservation and protection of the natural
resources of Jamaica. The Act establishes the Natural Resources Conservation
Authority, a body of persons appointed by the Minister of the Environment. The
functions of the Authority include the taking of such steps that are necessary
to ensure the effective management of the physical environment of Jamaica; and
the management of marine parks and protected areas. Section 9 of the Act
creates a Ministerial discretion to declare parts of or the entire island a ‘prescribed
area’, in which specified activities
require a permit, and for which activities an environmental impact assessment
may be required. The Natural Resources (Prescribed Areas) (Prohibition of
Categories of Enterprise, Construction and Development) Order, 1996 and the
Permits & Licensing Regulations was passed pursuant to section 9 of the
Natural Resources Conservation Authority Act, 1991. The Order provides that the entire island of Jamaica is a
prescribed area and lists specified categories of enterprise, construction or
development that require a permit.
The Act also addresses Sewage and Trade
Effluent discharges as well as air emissions. Regulations are being developed to specifically address these
sources of pollution. Under the new regulations the polluter pays principle
will be incorporated.
This Act was promulgated to ensure the codification
of Jamaica’s obligations under the Convention for the International Trade in
Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora. The Endangered Species Act
governs international and domestic trade in endangered species in and from
Jamaica. The Act defines the functions of a Management Authority and Scientific
Authority. The Natural Resources Conservation Authority is the Management
Authority. The functions of the Management Authority include the grant of
permits and certificates for the purpose of international trade, the
determination of national quotas and the monitoring the trade in endangered
species. A Scientific Authority is
appointed under the Act to determine whether a species is at risk, vulnerable
or threatened, to advise on trade matters and to monitor the grant of permits
and certificates in respect of limitations to maintain species and to ensure
sustained survival.
The Beach
Control Act, 1956
This is an old but novel piece of legislation that
was passed to ensure the proper management of Jamaica’s coastal and marine
resources by a system of licencing of activities on the foreshore and the floor
of the sea. The Act also addresses
other issues such as access to the shoreline, and other rights associated with
fishing and public recreation, as well as the establishment of marine protected
areas. It is currently undergoing substantive review to address more
contemporary legal and management issues including the expansion of the Judges
discretion on sentencing, an increase in fines and the introduction of valuing
natural resources based on defined criteria.
This Act is primarily concerned with the protection
of specified species of fauna. This Act has also undergone review particularly
in the area of increased fines and the number of animals now enjoying protected
status. Further amendments are being undertaken to address a variety of other
issues relating to the management and conservation of these natural resources,
and the inclusion of flora.
The Watershed Protection Act was
promulgated in 1963 .The purpose of this
Act is to provide for the protection of watersheds and areas adjoining
watersheds and promote the conservation of water resources. The entire island
however is considered to be one watershed, but for management purposes is
divided into smaller units . The Act makes provision for conservation of
watersheds through the implementation of provisional improvement schemes
whereby soil conservation practices are carried out on land. A Watershed Policy
is now under consideration with a view to taking watershed management to
another level of greater effectiveness. This includes a review of the Act and
the development of regulations.
The
Natural Resources (Marine Parks) Regulations,1992
These Regulations were enacted pursuant to Section 38
of the Natural Resources Conservation Authority Act. The object of the
regulations is the establishment of
marine protected areas , primarily for the conservation of marine resources.
The Montego Bay Marine Park, the Negril
Marine Park and the Ocho Rios Marine Park,
are the three marine parks to which these regulations apply.
This is the first declared national park in Jamaica and was so declared pursuant to Section 5 of the Natural Resources Conservation Authority Act. The regulations speak to the establishment of a parks management system.
The object of the Act is to manage the fisheries
resources of Jamaica. The Act, however, has not kept pace with the evolution of
fishing and the attendant resource management issues, and in this regard, a new
Act which will provide an institutional framework for the management, planning,
development and conservation of fisheries resources in Jamaica is scheduled to
be passed soon.
This Act addresses the sustainable management of
forests on lands in the possession of the crown and vests management
responsibility in the Conservator of Forests.
The Act provides for the establishment of forests reserves, the
establishment of protected areas, the promotion of forestry research areas,
reforestation initiatives and the
preparation of a forestry management plan. The latter has been prepared and is
being implemented.
This recent enactment creates the National
Solid Waste Management Authority and mandates inter alia that the
Authority take such steps as are necessary for the effective management of
solid waste in Jamaica in order to safeguard public health as well as the
collection, transportation, re-use and re-cycling of waste in an
environmentally sound manner. The Act establishes a licensing regime for
operators of solid waste management facilities, and the operators of collection
and transfer services.
POLICY INITIATIVES
The
following are some of the policies and draft proposals related to the
management of natural resources and the promotion of sustainable development in
Jamaica.
Towards A Beach Policy For Jamaica (A policy for the
Use of the Foreshore and the Floor of the Sea), November 2000
Though the policy specifically addresses the
controversial issue of beach access, it addresses issues relating to oil
pollution, sewage pollution, solid waste disposal, beach erosion, coastal water
quality, mariculture and wild life protection. The document has undergone a
process of public consultation and is now with the Ministry of land and
Environment for completion of the policy development process.
.
Coral Reef Protection And Preservation Policy And
Regulation, October 1997 (Natural Resources Conservation Authority) (Draft)
The Policy formulated pursuant to Section 5 of the
Natural Resources Conservation Authority Act, describes the protected areas
system as having a common underlying foundation of environmental protection
purposes, and a standardized approach to planning and management. The goals of
the protected areas system are expressed as: economic development, and
environmental conservation.
The
Wetlands Policy Natural Resources
Conservation Authority (Draft)
This document attempts to set out a management
strategy for the protection of wetlands. It identifies five goals which are
aimed at the sustainable use of wetlands. These goals include the development
of guidelines regarding any development of wetlands, and the preservation of
the biological diversity of these areas.
The Policy
recognizes the role of sea grass beds in the conservation and preservation of
marine ecosystems and the overall aim is to promote the conservation of Sea
grasses in order to sustain their important role in the present and future well being of all. The goals of the policy include the control
of practices which result in the destruction of sea grasses.
Land
Administration and Management Project (LAMP) Government of Jamaica
The Land Administration and Management Project (LAMP) was established to promote the efficient administration and management of land resources in Jamaica in an integrated and sustainable manner. The project recognizes that land which includes surface, aquatic, atmospheric and subsurface area is the primary element of the natural and man made environment.and establishes the framework to enhance the efficient planning, management, development and use of land .
National Land Policy
This policy was formulated in recognition of the fact that whilst land is critical to many aspects of human life, this finite resource must be managed in a sustainable way. It establishes a framework for the proper planning, management and development of the use of land, and in so doing recognizes the overlapping interests and the need to balance land use management and development with agriculture, mining, tourism and natural resource management.
National Industrial Policy
This policy was developed against a backdrop of a changing global economy and the need for Jamaica to rise to the attendant challenges, in this context to implement its stated commitment to a market led economy. The policy however recognizes that industrialization carries with it economic and social implications, that industrial activity may necessitate the exploitation of natural resources, but that the pursuit of economic development cannot be in isolation of the need for environmental protection and management. The sustainable use and management of the environment becomes a critical component of the policy.
Policy on Environmental
Management Systems
The
objectives of the policy are inter alia to articulate the government’s
commitment to the promotion and use of Environmental Management Systems;
establish the roles of the government and private sector and communities in the
use of EMS and to put in place the necessary institutional, regulatory and
promotional measures to ensure successful uptake of EMS. The policy is now
undergoing public consultation.
International Environmental
Responsibilities
The development of international environmental law and
initiatives has been catalytic in the development of domestic legislation. The
Ministry of Land and the Environment and the Natural Resources Conservation
Authority are the pivotal agencies in ensuring Jamaica’s readiness for the
ratification of these international
agreements. Some of these agreements are outlined below.
The Vienna Convention on the Protection of the Ozone
Layer)
Montreal
Protocol (Under The Vienna
Convention on the Protection of the Ozone Layer)
Jamaica became a party to the Montreal Protocol on
March 31, 1993. The Convention requires State Parties to gradually phase out
the production and consumption of CFC’s and other ozone depleting substances.
Jamaica commenced implementation of its “country program” in March 1997. The
Country Program sets out the projects that need to be implemented to achieve
the phase out under the Protocol.
The Natural Resources Conservation Authority is the
lead agency implementing the Montreal Protocol. A National Ozone Commission was
set up in 1995. The Commission was formed to start Jamaica’s country program
and give guidance to the National Ozone Unit housed at the Natural Resources
Conservation Authority. The Commission is comprised of representatives from the
Ministry of Land & the Environment, Bureau of Standards, the Air Conditioning
Refrigeration and Ventilating Association, the Ministry of Labour, the
University of the West Indies, Department of Chemistry and a representative
from the private sector. Three Steering committees have been established under
the Commission, the Halon Steering Committee, the Freeze Committee and a newly
formed Legal Committee with representatives from government and the industry. A
decision has been taken by the Commission to implement the Convention by an
overarching Act entitled the Ozone Act. Drafting instructions are being
prepared for this Act.
Jamaica is not yet a party to the Basel Convention.
Regulations have however been drafted under s. 38(1)(d) of the Natural Resources
Conservation Authority Act for implementation.
Jamaica has a policy of not allowing the importation of hazardous waste
into the island. Hazardous waste is currently controlled under the NRCA Permit
& Licensing Regulations 1996 in terms of its storage, disposal and
transportation.
Jamaica became a party to the Cartagena Convention on
May 1, 1987. The Cartagena Convention provides obligations on States Parties to
prevent, control and reduce pollution of the Convention Area by discharges from
ships, aircraft’s, man-made structures at sea, coastal disposal or discharges
emanating from rivers, estuaries, coastal establishments, outfall structures,
land based sources, exploration of the seabed and discharges from the
atmosphere. The Convention requires measures to be taken to protect rare and
fragile ecosystems as well as habitats of endangered species and to establish
protected areas. There are also obligations to co-operate in pollution
emergencies, develop contingency plans, and to institute technical and other
measures to assist in the planning of major development projects and ensure the
assessment of the potential effects of such projects on marine areas,
particularly coastal areas especially to ensure the prevention of pollution of
the Convention area. There are three protocols under the convention that are of
critical interest to Jamaica. These are the Protocol on Specially Protected
Areas and Wildlife (SPAW Protocol)), the Oil Spills Protocol, and the Protocol
on Land Based Sources of Marine Pollution.
Jamaica signed the SPAW Protocol
on January 18, 1990. This Convention
addresses inter alia the sustainable use of biological resources and
recognizes the need for international cooperation in accessing Natural
Resources. SPAW provides obligations on
State Parties to establish protected areas and management protection measures
including buffer zones. It includes obligations for countries to put in place
national measures for the protection of wild flora and fauna, including
identification of species, establishment of recovery plans, regulation of the
introduction of non-indigenous or genetically altered species and establish
provisions for the conduct of environmental impact assessments. There are also
provisions requiring the control of wastes into nearby waters in parks from
land based sources and ships.
Though Jamaica has not yet
ratified the Protocol due to need to ensure the development of domestic
legislation, we are confident that as a nation we have done much to advance our
obligations under the Protocol. The National Environment and Planning Agency
has adopted a comprehensive holistic approach to the development of
legislation, particularly those relating to Jamaica’s international
environmental obligations ratification. The approach includes looking at
resource management in the context of the SPAW Protocol, the Biodiversity
Convention, and the Ramsar Convention and to develop
legislation along this line, which
would also incorporate some issues contained in existing legislation.
Protocol on Land Based Sources of Marine Pollution.
In1999, Jamaica indicated its intention to ratify this protocol, but has not yet done so, as ratification depends on the promulgation of domestic legislation to give effect to the state’s obligations under the protocol. To some extent, the sewage effluent regulations mentioned above will satisfy some of the requirements of Annex 1, but a comprehensive review of the legislative requirements is necessary.
The Oil Spill Protocol
Obligations under this protocol are being addressed primarily through administrative arrangements. There is for example an inter agency mechanism for responding to oil spills. There is also a draft bill on Oil Pollution to be administered by the Maritime Authority of Jamaica.
Convention on Biological
Diversity
Jamaica has ratified this
convention. A strategy and action plan has been developed and the process of
public consultation has been completed.
The Bio-Safety Protocol under this Convention is now being addressed.
Bio-Safety Protocol to the Convention on Biological
Diversity
This protocol is currently being
addressed by the National Commission on Science and Technology, the Ministry of
Land and Environment and NEPA. At present there is a Draft Policy on
Bioprospecting in
Jamaica. Implementation of the Protocol will be within the jurisdiction of the
National Environment and Planning Agency. A project is now being undertaken to
look at the legal and administrative framework to implement the protocol.
Ramsar Convention on the Protection of Wetlands of
international Importance and Waterfowl.
This Convention seeks to protect
wetlands and recognizes the importance of this eco-system as a habitat for
waterfowl. To date one Ramsar Site has
been declared i.e. The Black River Wetlands.
Regulations are already in place, which control the cutting, clearing
and reclamation of wetlands.
CONCLUSION
The Government of Jamaica is
committed to the cause of sustainable development and in keeping with our national
and international mandates, the country will continue to respond to this cause.
This Document may be cited as: Davis-Mattis
Laleta ‘Jamaica’s Commitment To The Conservation And
Management Of Natural Resources Ten Years in Retrospect ’; Unpublished Paper,
National Environmental and Planning Agency; Kingston, Jamaica (March 2002)