|
The National Environment and
Planning Agency (NEPA) wishes to advise that the statements made by
Chief Executive Officer of the Jamaica Environment Trust (JET), Diana
McCaulay, in the article “Bahia permits under microscope”
published in The Gleaner newspaper dated March 21, 2007 contains
several inaccuracies.
An Environmental Impact
Assessment (EIA) was conducted for the entire Bahia Principe Hotel
development, which will be constructed in phases. Prior to permits
being granted under the Natural Resources Conservation Authority Act
(1991) by NEPA for the hotel project, a public consultation was held
for the entire development. NEPA advises that the permit for phase one
of the project was granted and issued in 2005. From the Agency’s
routine monitoring, breaches during the construction of phase one were
detected and steps were taken to correct them. To date no permit for
phase two has been issued.
The initial proposal by the
developer was for a 1918 guestroom hotel development to be constructed
in three phases. However based on recommendations from NEPA the
development was reduced to 1610 guestrooms to be constructed in two
phases.
Under the Natural Resources
Conservation Authority Act (1991) the Agency is required to consult
with other government agencies exercising functions in connection to
the environment and recommendations were sought from all other
relevant authorities.
In relation to the letter
forwarded to NEPA’s Chief Executive Officer, Dr. Leary Myers, by Ms.
McCaulay, this document was dated March 16, 2007 and received by NEPA
on March 20, 2007. The Agency has not yet responded to the letter.
In acknowledging the concerns
raised by JET and other environmental groups, the Agency continues its
monitoring exercises of the development. Reports for the week of
February 8, 2007 indicate that the sediment loading on the reefs has
been reduced.
The Agency invites questions and
comments from the public who may require information regarding the
Bahia Principe Hotel development to do so by utilizing the Access to
Information Act.
|
