NEPA Improves Enforcement Actions in 2013

December 17, 2013

The National Environment and Planning Agency (NEPA) Enforcement team has taken over 600 enforcement actions against companies and individuals who are not in compliance with the various environmental and planning laws between January and November 2013.

The Agency issued 143 Breach Notices; 185 Warning Notices; 139 Warning Letters; 54 Enforcement Notices; 19 Cessation Orders, 22 Stop Notices, 31 Notice of Intention to Suspend Permits and 28 Summonses.

The actions were taken under the Beach Control Act, Natural Resources and Conservation Authority Act, The Town and Country Planning Authority and The Wildlife Protection Act.

The Agency has also increased the enforcement efforts in the parishes of Westmoreland, Portland and St. Catherine. In November, the Agency trained 20 officers from the Island Special Constabulary Force (ISCF) and Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF)) in Westmoreland.

Through a partnership with the Tourism Enhancement Fund (TEF), NEPA has increased the enforcement staff in the Negril. Under a new J$7million operational project funded by the TEF, the Agency will increase its work to mitigate the continued spread of disorderly planning and environmental stresses that have come to characterize the resort town.

The Enforcement officers and the members of the ISCF and JCF have toured the Negril Environmental Protected Area and the Negril Marine Park. The Agency promised to continue to strengthening its enforcement action and team in 2014.

Click here to view Enforcement Notices by Parish