Eia Process in Jamaica and Case Study
Environmental Impact Assessment & Analysis
Task:
Outline the EIA process in Jamaica and compare the guidelines of NEPA and NRCA.
Highlight 4 high profile development cases in Jamaica using a case study approach.
Done by:
Michael Gordon
(0902335)
&
Kayrie Ramcharan
(ID# 0604664)
Prepared for:
Ms. H. Smith
University of Technology, Jamaica
Submission Date:
Monday November 12, 2012
Introduction & Background
The interaction of mankind with natural environmental systems has resulted in disruptions and changes that affect their normal progression. The possible effect of these changes on environmental quality and livelihoods in human settlements has lead to the need to manage this interaction between mankind and the environment. Within the limited land space and often fragile ecosystems of small developing islands such as Jamaica, the need to reduce poverty and all its ramifications has increased the imperative for developments, and therefore the challenge to harmonise developments with environmental management principles is often colossal. Diverse processes and tools such as the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) has evolved to assist in this environmental management, which itself has undergone evolutionary changes as more data have become available on natural systems and human development. The Natural Resources Conservation Authority (NRCA) in July1997 established the first set of guidelines for the conducting of EIAs in Jamaica, as a means of assisting developers and environmental consultants to understand the NRCA requirements for EIAs. This was a follow up of the introduction of the Permit and Licence System in January 1997, which spoke to the new requirements for the conduct of EIAs for specific type of developments. In 2001, there was the inauguration of the National Environment and Planning Agency (NEPA) which was a result of merging the NRCA, the Town Planning Department (TPD) and the Land Development and
Task:
Outline the EIA process in Jamaica and compare the guidelines of NEPA and NRCA.
Highlight 4 high profile development cases in Jamaica using a case study approach.
Done by:
Michael Gordon
(0902335)
&
Kayrie Ramcharan
(ID# 0604664)
Prepared for:
Ms. H. Smith
University of Technology, Jamaica
Submission Date:
Monday November 12, 2012
Introduction & Background
The interaction of mankind with natural environmental systems has resulted in disruptions and changes that affect their normal progression. The possible effect of these changes on environmental quality and livelihoods in human settlements has lead to the need to manage this interaction between mankind and the environment. Within the limited land space and often fragile ecosystems of small developing islands such as Jamaica, the need to reduce poverty and all its ramifications has increased the imperative for developments, and therefore the challenge to harmonise developments with environmental management principles is often colossal. Diverse processes and tools such as the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) has evolved to assist in this environmental management, which itself has undergone evolutionary changes as more data have become available on natural systems and human development. The Natural Resources Conservation Authority (NRCA) in July1997 established the first set of guidelines for the conducting of EIAs in Jamaica, as a means of assisting developers and environmental consultants to understand the NRCA requirements for EIAs. This was a follow up of the introduction of the Permit and Licence System in January 1997, which spoke to the new requirements for the conduct of EIAs for specific type of developments. In 2001, there was the inauguration of the National Environment and Planning Agency (NEPA) which was a result of merging the NRCA, the Town Planning Department (TPD) and the Land Development and
References: Jamaica Environmental Trust (2007), Evaluation of the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) for the Proposed Cruise ship Terminal at Falmouth, Trelawny, Jamaica. Environmental Solutions Limited (2005) Environmental Impact Assessment, Bahia Principe Hotel Resort Development, Pear Tree Bottom, St. Ann, Jamaica. Goals and Principles of Environmental Impact Assessments [Adopted by decision 14/25, of the Governing Council of UNEP, of 17 June, 1987] Chapter IV.