Georgetown: The Environmental and Protection Agency (EPA), which has a mandate of implementing measures necessary for effective protection and management of the environment, continued to implement policies and programmes in 2014, to safeguard the natural environment.
Director of the Environmental Management and Compliance Department of the EPA, Khemraj Parsram, during the Natural Resources Ministry’s press conference at the Herdmanston Lodge recently reported that 285 Applications for Environmental Permits were received by the EPA in 2014. Additionally, 350 applications for Short-Term Noise Permits were submitted, all of which were processed and granted.
The agency granted 10 permits for hazardous waste related projects during last year, developed five new environmental guidelines and Air Quality Monitoring Protocol for Linden, established Water Quality Unit (June 2014).
The agency also received 159 environmental complaints in 2014, while 235 complaints overall were investigated. As it relates to enforcement, 17 prohibition notices were served, 8 injunctions were issued and 14 cases were taken to court, while 70 operations were monitored for compliance with environmental permit conditions.
Parsram related that the agency also implemented its Litter Enforcement Programme (LEP), which resulted in 269 citations, 167 Clean-up orders; 93 Removal orders, and nine direct fines. Thirty-four reports of littering and dumping were received and 11 cases pursued in court.
As it relates to biodiversity management, the Shell Beach Protected Area Management Plan was completed, while $29.7M and $10.9M were invested in Tukeit Guesthouse and Warden’s Building and PV system at Kaieteur National Park respectively.
The $42.7M staff living quarters at Kaieteur is 85% completed and the Protected Areas Commission Building constructed to the tune of $31.9M is equipped with a PV System, valued $15M.
Biodiversity research permits given out amounted to 43, and Export Permits, 23. There was also the revision of the National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan (NBSAP). The preparation of the Fifth National Report was completed.
The Litter Prevention Regulations and the Wildlife Management and Conservation Regulations approved in 2013 were put into effect in 2014, and as it relates to the Enforcement and Compliance Regulations, focus was placed on developing these regulations, for which a final draft has been completed. Efforts were also placed on the finalisation of the Regulations on Access to Genetic Resources and Benefit Sharing and bids have also been invited for the undertaking of the assessment of EPA’s Structure and Function.
The Environmental Authorisation forms were revised and updated, Environmental Protection Enforcement and Compliance Regulations developed and finalised, in collaboration with the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) and are ready for final approval and enactment. An ecological and physico-chemical assessment of the Konawaruk and Mazaruni Rivers was completed and a draft regulation was developed, to institute a moratorium on the use of Styrofoam and enforcement of the use of alternative biodegradable food packaging.
This year, the EPA will be seeking to bring existing non-permitted operations into the authorisation process, improve efficiency of the authorisation process and improve preparedness and response to environmental emergencies. It will also seek to ensure compliance with national reporting requirements under the Basel and the Cartagena Conventions.
Efforts will also be placed on improving environmental authorisation data management; strengthening linkages with all sector agencies and stakeholders and improve procedures, tools and mechanisms for air and water quality.
