PREFACE

"Water is life" is a popular slogan in Jamaica, our "land of wood and water". This slogan and the meaning of the Taino name for the island, underscore the importance of water as a natural resource, as well as the linkage between the availability and quality of water and the state of our watersheds.

Given its importance, the active management of our watersheds to ensure sustainability in terms of the quality and quantity of water, is, should and must be, a national priority. This is one of the major challenges facing the Jamaican government and civil society as we enter the 21^st century. In responding to this challenge, this policy document states the essential elements of a national watershed management initiative. It seeks to define opportunities for the people, government and non-government organizations and the international community, to participate in the sustainable management and conservation of Jamaica’s watersheds in the interest of water supply and bio-diversity.

Part I of the document provides an overview of watershed problems, past interventions, current international trends in watershed management. Part II highlights the major challenges facing the country with respect to watershed management and part III the key principles and strategies being employed by the policy to address these challenges. Options for obtaining funding for policy implementation are also suggested in this section. The requirements of the policy in terms of the development of watershed legislation are also noted. Finally, Part IV of the policy document sets out the essential elements of the institutional framework required for the attainment of policy objectives.

A participatory process was used by the NRCA and its Watershed and Protected Areas Committee of the Authority to develop this policy. Many individuals and organizations contributed a considerable amount of time and effort to the preparation of this document, enabling the document to benefit from the valuable inputs of government and non-government members, and members of the private sector and the international donor and lender community.

The preparation of the document was supported by funding from the United Nations Development Programme and the Government of Jamaica.

INTRODUCTION

Over fifty percent of Jamaica’s terrain can be described as hilly or mountainous. This feature of its landscape and its extensive network of rivers give Jamaica a distinct beauty for which it is world famous. The entire island may be considered a watershed based on its topography and hydrology. A watershed can be described as the area of land that delivers runoff water, sediment and dissolved substances to a river.

Watersheds provide a number of important functions such as the protection of the coastal zone, and as a habitat to diverse species. Upper watersheds are of particular importance because they serve as recharge areas for most aquifers and as source areas for rivers which supply water for urban, industrial and agricultural purposes. In addition, upper watersheds provide suitable conditions for the growth of many domestic and export crops in addition to valuable forestry, energy, mineral and recreational resources.

Watershed Management consists of applying known skills to land use in such a way as to minimize or repair degradation and ensures that the capability of the land is continued beyond its present use. One of the main objectives of watershed management is that of securing sustainable yields of good quality water for domestic and productive purposes.

Given the complex interactions between physical, biological and socio-economic factors in watersheds, an integrated approach to watershed management is essential for the sustainable use of natural resources and the minimization of undesirable environmental impacts. In this connection, the Forestry Land Use Policy, the National Land Policy, the Beach Policy, the System of Protected Areas Policy and the Watershed Policy all embrace the integrated approach to natural resource management. The elements of each policy are mutually reinforcing and form an overall policy framework which guides the Natural Resources Conservation Authority (NRCA) in the management of Jamaica’s natural resources.

In order to manage and protect the island's watershed fully and effectively, a clear policy is required which will emphasize inter alia a coordinated and integrated approach, local participation, manpower and resource building, land use planning, among others. The policy will seek to address the most severe constraints to watershed management and will seek to employ strategies which will ensure the sustainable use and development of watersheds.

The Government of Jamaica (GOJ) is therefore pleased to present this draft Watershed Policy which will play an important role in the management of Jamaica’s watersheds for years to come.

LIST OF ACRONYMS