The Tribune

By NATARIO McKENZIE

Tribune Business Reporter

nmckenzie@tribunemedia.net

Environmental planning and enforcement will soon get “teeth”, a Cabinet Minister said yesterday, through the creation of a Department of Environmental Planning and Protection (DEPP).

Kenred Dorsett, minister of the environment and housing, said the proposed DEPP would be an upgrade on the existing Bahamas Environment, Science and Technology Commission (BEST).

Speaking at a press conference yesterday, he announced that draft legislation for the establishment of the Ministry of the Environment and the  Department of Environmental Planning and Protection have been completed.  

Mr Dorsett added the proposed legislation, when passed by Parliament and enacted,  will ensure there will always be a Minister responsible for the environment and related matters, such as climate change and sustainable development.

The DEPP will have overall responsibility for regulating matters related to environmental policy, planning and protection, and will be under the control and management of a director-general, who will assume technical responsibility for its oversight.

“The Environmental Planning and Protection Bill 2017 will create the DEPP,” Mr Dorsett said. “The role of the BEST Commission will be integrated into the DEPP. The legislation provides a transparent and clear framework for environmental impact statements, environmental impact assessments, environmental management plans and the issuances of certificates of environmental compliance.

He added: “The legislation provides for appropriate penalties for infractions.  Penalties up to $120,000 or two years of imprisonment, or both.  For companies that commit environmental offenses they may be penalized up to $15 million or up to 25 years and imprisonment, or both.

“The DEPP will promote environmental awareness to educate the public on environmental matters, climate change and concerns in an effort to promote best practices and protect the environment, social, economic and sustainable development.”

Mr Dorsett said the legislation and associated reforms meant the “lines will no longer be blurred” in terms of the boundaries between the Department of Environmental Health Services (DEHS) and the BEST Commission, their responsibilties and where each fits in.

“BEST was created in the early 90s and has existed as the advisory arm to the Government, and has really expanded in its remit but has no teeth. It has no legislation to indicate what it can and cannot do. This solves that problem thought the creation of the DEPP,” said Mr Dorsett.

BEST has existed purely as an advisory arm of government, without any legislation underpinning its existence, and no enforcement or regulatory power to give it teeth.