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The National Environment and Planning Agency
(NEPA) is advising developers that applications for Environmental
Permits require accurate scientific information and proven engineering
solutions, if processing is to be concluded within specified time
frames. The Agency is, therefore, appealing to developers to include
in their construction schedules, adequate time for these studies and
the required checks and balances to be undertaken.
Be advised that each applicant must provide
site-specific data for the proposed development or enterprise.
This will ensure that NEPA and the consulting agencies are able to
accurately determine the level of impact each development will have on
the environment, social infrastructure, public health and vise versa.
Consulting Agencies include but are not limited to the Jamaica
National Heritage Trust; Water Resources Authority; Office of Disaster
Preparedness; The Mines and Geology Division; Environmental Health
Unit, Ministry of Health and the National Works Agency.
The application process includes layers of
consultations, site visits, field studies and the analysis of
scientific data, which, depending on the area proposed for
development, may include the examination of decades-old information
and historical checks. Where an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA)
study is required, additional time is needed for the cross-checking of
engineering solutions and scientific information provided by the EIA
and the soliciting of comments from consulting agencies, the NGO
community and the public in general.
The information provided during this process will
also allow the agencies to determine the solutions that will best
minimise the perceived impacts of the individual development on the
environment and vice versa. The concerns of the public must also be
addressed. During this stage of the process, the developer may be
required to redesign the proposed development to address the concerns
or to satisfy the requirements of the various agencies.
The deliberations of the NRCA are informed by data including:
engineered mitigation works, historic and scientific information from
the consulting agencies and traditional and scientific data provided
by the public and NGO community. When representatives make their
concerns known during the public consultations, these opinions are
provided to reviewers in a list of “concerns from the community”.
Developers must take note of the following: in an
effort to streamline the process and reduce the time in which
applications are held in the system, NEPA will not accept incomplete
applications. Additionally, all EIAs that do not conform to the agreed
terms of reference will be returned to the proponents.
NEPA reserves the right to conduct all
investigations and request any information leading up to the approval
or denial of a permit by the NRCA without prejudice or influence.
Regardless of the length of time it takes to complete the processing
of applications, the application process will be determined ONLY by
the scale or size and or the perceived impact(s) of a development or
enterprise on the environment, which the Agency is mandated to
protect.
Developers are being reminded that the Natural
Resources Conservation Act provides them with the right to appeal. The
Beach Control Act also provides Prescriptive Rights for traditional users
of beaches under development.
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