The National Environment and Planning Agency (NEPA) hosted a multi-agency meeting today with representatives from the American Airlines (AA) Limited to discuss the clean up and remediation activities, at the AA Flight 331 crash site and other related matters. The meeting was aimed at discussing the scope of work and the methodology to be used for the best possible options for returning the area to pre-crash conditions in keeping with international best practices.  

AA has engaged the services of local environmental consultants, C. L. Environmental Company Limited and Jamaica Environmental Management Services (JEMS) Limited to act on their behalf, in an effort to comply with NEPA’s requirements. 

The following immediate action is to be taken by AA, its consultants and NEPA:  

1. AA will maintain present security arrangements at the site 

2. CL Environmental to secure, berm, cover and begin sampling immediately at the crash site. NEPA to  be on site and to monitor work activities 

3. NEPA will post signage advising members of the public of restricted access until all work is completed. This is expected to take up to twenty-six days. Signs indicating this will be erected at the site.

The meeting agreed that the results of the sampling exercise will guide the remediation solutions.  

NEPA and the ODPEM are available for discussion of the issues arising from the meeting, as well as the likely environmental impacts of the crash of the airplane. Additional information will be released in a timely manner, based on availability.  

Other agencies present at today’s meeting include: the Ministry of Health (MOH), the Office Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management (ODPEM), the Airports Authority, the Jamaica Civil Aviation Authority and the Jamaica Environment Trust (JET).