No permission given to clear mangroves in St Thomas - NEPA

September 30, 2011

The National Environment and Planning Agency (NEPA), is advising that no permission has been given for clearing of mangroves in Bowden, St Thomas.

NEPA is responding to an erroneous media report which stated that the St Thomas Sugar Company had been granted permission to remove mangroves to prepare lands for its sugar expansion programme.

For the record, in March 2011, NEPA took enforcement action against the St. Thomas Sugar Company for clearing a section of mangroves on land adjacent to their property. The Company ceased the activity and supplied a restoration plan, as requested by NEPA. Up to July 27, 2011 during a monitoring visit to the area, there was no evidence that any additional mangroves were removed or destroyed and new mangroves have started to grow in the area that was cleared.

NEPA’s investigation into this most recent report of clearing of mangroves in Bowden revealed that there is presently no clearing of mangroves taking place in the area.

NEPA warns members of the public that decisive action will be taken against any perpetrator that breaches environmental laws or regulations.

Click to view all 2011 Media Releases

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NEPA and UNDP partner to launch State of the Environment and Human Development Reports
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NEPA to increase surveillance in Galleon Harbour, St Elizabeth to address upsurge in sea turtle poaching
October 10, 2011
Two men charged for possession of turtle shell and meat in St Ann
September 30, 2011
No permission given to clear mangroves in St Thomas - NEPA
September 16, 2011
NEPA and JCDT sign new MOU…two motorcycles to be used to monitor Blue and John Crow Mountains National Park
September 16, 2011
September 16 is International Ozone Day…Jamaica makes plans for phasing out HCFCs starting 2013
September 15, 2011
Jamaica celebrates International Coastal Clean-up Day on September 17… NEPA partners with UDC, schools and corporate entities to clean-up coasts
August 24, 2011
Hunter Caught with Protected Birds
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August 3, 2011
NEPA Takes Enforcement Action against WINDALCO
July 27, 2011
NEPA reviews options for safe storage of sodium cyanide from inactive gold mining site
July 27, 2011
NEPA Implementing Watershed Area Management Mechanism (WAMM)
July 25, 2011
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July 15, 2011
Preliminary Work Began at Inactive Gold Mining site in Clarendon: NEPA
July 13, 2011
Gold mining site at Pennants, Clarendon declared restricted area
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NEPA completes preliminary investigation at Pennants, Clarendon
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NEPA responds to report about possible hazardous substance leak in Pennant, Clarendon
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NEPA’s responsibility for the regulations of Bauxite Processing Facilities in Jamaica
June 13, 2011
Jamaican Environmentalists review Caribbean Invasive Species Strategy
June 5, 2011
Crocodile Alert
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NRCA/NEPA files affidavit in court in response to JET’s request for judicial review of Palisadoes shoreline works
April 28, 2011
NEPA warns the public to avoid crocodile nesting areas… Crocodiles are wild animals and must be avoided
April 5, 2011
NEPA serves Breach Notice against Clarendon Distillery for release of Dunder into Rio Minho River…dunder may be the possible cause of the fish kill
April 4, 2011
NEPA warns the public not to feed or harass nesting crocodiles in Hellshire…crocodiles can be extremely aggressive when nesting
March 30, 2011
Beach Licences Expire by March 31, 2011…NEPA encourages licencees to take steps to renew
March 23, 2011
NEPA to provide technical support for new MOU between NRCA and Negril NGOs… Negril Marine Park to benefit from partnership
February 25, 2011
NEPA and UWI sign MOU
February 18, 2011
NEPA Take Legal Action Against Hill Crest Villas for Illegal Beach Operations
February 9, 2011
NEPA Hosts Inception Workshop for Protected Areas Project
February 1, 2011
World Wetlands Day is Wednesday, February 2, 2011
January 20, 2011
NEPA hosts first Visual Emission Observer Training in Jamaica
January 18, 2011
NEPA Honours IYB Photographic Competition Winners
January 7, 2011
NEPA serves NWC with Enforcement Notice for Polluting the Kingston Harbour
January 3, 2011
Enforcement Notice for Polluting the Kingston Harbour
January 1, 2011
NEPA Identifies Cause of Pollution in the Kingston Harbour