Anguilla National Environmental Management Strategy And Action Plan 2005-2009

The Government of Anguilla ANGUILLA NATIONAL ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT STRATEGY AND ACTION PLAN 2005-2009 [Revised] Prepared by Floyd Homer for the Government of Anguilla 2005 2 TABLE OF CONTENTS TABLE OF CONTENTS ................................................................................................................ 2 ACKNOWLEDGEMENT............................................................................................................... 3 CONTEXT ...................................................................................................................................... 5 Use and Structure of the NEMS ...................................................................................................... 5 POLICY FRAMEWORK................................................................................................................ 6 PRINCIPLE 1: Foster Sustainable Improvement in the Quality of Life ....................................... 10 PRINCIPLE 2: Integrate Social, Economic and Environmental Considerations into National Development Policies, Plans and Programmes. ............................................................................ 10 PRINCIPLE 3: Improve on Legal and Institutional Frameworks ................................................. 12 PRINCIPLE 4: Ensure Meaningful Participation by Civil Society in Decision Making. ............. 14 PRINCIPLE 5: Ensure Meaningful Participation By The Private Sector ..................................... 15 PRINCIPLE 6: Use Economic Instruments for Sustainable Environmental Management ........... 16 PRINCIPLE 7: Foster Broad-based Environmental Education, Training and Awareness............ 17 PRINCIPLE 8: Address the Causes and Impacts of Climate Change ........................................... 18 PRINCIPLE 9: Minimize And Manage the Causes and Impacts of Disaster............................... 19 PRINCIPLE 10: Prevent and Control Pollution and Manage Waste ............................................ 20 PRINCIPLE 11: Ensure the Sustainable Use of Natural Resources.............................................. 21 PRINCIPLE 12: Protect Cultural and Natural Heritage................................................................ 22 PRINCIPLE 13: Protect and Conserve Biological Diversity ........................................................ 23 PRINCIPLE 14: Recognize Relationships between Trade and Environment ............................... 24 PRINCIPLE 15: Promote Cooperation in Science and Technology ............................................. 25 PRINCIPLE 16: Manage and Conserve Energy............................................................................ 25 PRINCIPLE 17: Negotiate and Implement Multi-lateral Environmental Agreements ................. 26 IMPLEMENTATION AND MONITORING............................................................................... 27 Year 1 Implementation Plan.............................................................................................. 30 Appendix 1 ............................................................................................................................... 30 MAJOR ENVIRONMENTAL AND RELATED ISSUES........................................................... 37 IDENTIFIED IN ANGUILLA...................................................................................................... 37 3 ACKNOWLEDGEMENT The cooperation of the various Ministries of Government, Statutory Agencies, community members and enthusiastic stakeholders who participated in the consultations is gratefully acknowledged. This version of the NEMS was based on a version produced by the OECS/NRMU in October 2001 and funded by the Environmental Capacity Development Project (ENCAPD). The ENCAPD Project is funded by CIDA. The views expressed herein are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of the donor agency supporting the activity or of the OECS Secretariat. 4 ACRONYMS CARICOM Caribbean Community CBO Community Based Organisation EIA Environmental Impact Assessment ESDU Environment and Sustainable Development Unit MEA Multilateral Environmental Agreements MICUH Ministry of Infrastructure, Communication, Utilities and Housing NBSAP National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan NEMS National Environmental Management Strategy and Action Plan NGO Non-governmental Organisation OECS Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States SCP Strategic Country Programme SGD St George’s Declaration of Principles for Environmental Sustainability in the OECS TOR Terms of Reference 5 ANGUILLA NATIONAL ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT STRATEGY AND ACTION PLAN, Jan 2005- Dec 2009 28th January, 2005 CONTEXT The preparation of a National Environmental Management Strategy and Action Plan (NEMS) for Anguilla is a requirement of the Government in discharge of its obligations under the St George’s Declaration (SGD) of Principles for Environmental Sustainability in the OECS, 2001. There are 21 Principles that have been prescribed in the SGD, and OECS Member States have agreed to utilize these in the governance of national affairs. Most of these Principles are directly relevant to the operations of the Ministries and statutory agencies in Anguilla. The initial NEMS for Anguilla was developed through a process of consultations held during 2001 and was led by the OECS Natural Resources Management Unit, NRMU – now called the Environment and Sustainable Development Unit, ESDU. The major issues identified during those consultations are noted in Appendix 1. It was subsequently felt that the 2001 version of the NEMS document required some revision so that it could be better streamlined with the structure of the SGD and facilitate ease of reporting on the achievement of the SGD and the Anguilla Environment Charter. This version of the NEMS was finalized based on the comments (from a review of an earlier draft) by several governmental agencies. Use and Structure of the NEMS The NEMS should not be seen as a ‘stand alone’ document, but as integrating the operational plans and priorities of the government agencies and key stakeholders of Anguilla. The NEMS is intended to guide programmes in environmental management over the long term. However, it was designed with an initial 5-year period and two-year implementation plan, so that local action linked to ongoing funding cycles and Public Sector Investment Programmes can be better managed. The NEMS will help to streamline the annual OECS reporting requirements on the SGD and may also serve to harmonize the reporting needs for many of the international agreements. Implementation of the NEMS offers an opportunity to support and expand on the delivery of the Strategic Country Programme and build on local efforts for environmental sustainability. It is therefore anticipated that the NEMS will be used by all Government agencies having significant jurisdiction in the various aspects of environmental management. The NEMS is structured around the major principles contained in the St George’s Declaration of Principles for Environmental Sustainability in the OECS (SGD). It 6 contains a series of preliminary and incremental activities designed to implement aspects of these strategies. Lead agencies in Anguilla will, over the next 5-years, adopt the sections in the NEMS that are relevant to their work and adapt activities that are consistent with their priorities. At the end of this period, these agencies are expected to lead a review of progress on implementation of the NEMS and plan for another 5-year NEMS cycle. Annual implementation plans for the NEMS should also be prepared to guide key stakeholders. These implementation plans should be based on the priorities of the relevant government agencies and should be integrated into the annual work programmes of each Ministry. POLICY FRAMEWORK There were several policy documents produced and adopted within the past few years that provide broad guidance for the sustainable use of natural resources in Anguilla. The key documents and policy objectives are outlined below. UK White Paper on Partnership for Progress and Prosperity Chapter Eight (Sustainable Development-the environment) of the UK White Paper on Partnership for Progress and Prosperity (FCO, 1999) proposes the following policy objectives: 1. To promote sustainable use of the Overseas Territories natural and physical environment, for the benefit of local people; 2. To protect fragile ecosystems such as coral reefs from further degradation and to conserve biodiversity in the Overseas Territories; 3. To promote sustainable alternatives to scarce resources or species which are used for economic purposes; 4. To enhance participation in and implementation of international agreements by Overseas Territories (OT). The document further indicated that: “the role of Overseas Territory Governments, supported by the UK Government, is to develop appropriate, applicable and affordable environmental policies, legislation and standards. These are the basis for integrated environmental management systems to enable them to monitor and evaluate progress towards achieving their environmental objectives and lessons learnt can then be fed back into policy development”. Environment Charter - Anguilla The Anguilla Environment Charter is an agreement with the United Kingdom Government that was signed on 26th September, 2001. Under this Charter, the Government of Anguilla commits itself to: 7 1. Bring together government departments, representatives of local industry and commence, environment and heritage organizations, the Governor’s Office, individual environmental champions and other community representatives in a forum to formulate a detailed strategy for action. 2. Ensure the protection and restoration of key habitats, species and landscape features through legislation and appropriate management structures and mechanisms, including a protected areas policy, and attempt the control and eradication of invasive species. 3. Ensure that environmental considerations are integrated within social and economic planning processes; promote sustainable patterns of production and consumption within the territory. 4. Undertake environmental impact assessments before approving major projects and while developing our growth management strategy. 5. Commit to open and consultative decision-making on developments and plans which may affect the environment; ensure that environmental impact assessments include consultation with stakeholders. 6. Implement effectively obligations under the Multilateral Environmental agreements already extended to Anguilla and work towards the extension of other relevant agreements. 7. Review the range, quality and availability of baseline data for natural resources and biodiversity. 8. Ensure that legislation and policies reflect the principle that the polluter should pay for prevention or remedies; establish effective monitoring and enforcement mechanisms. 9. Encourage teaching within schools to promote the value of our local environment (natural and built) and to explain its role within the regional global environment. 10. Promote publications that spread awareness of the special features of the environment in Anguilla; promote within the territory the guiding principles of this Charter. 11. Abide by the principles set out in the Rio Declaration on the Environment and Development and work towards meeting International Development targets on the environment. Strategic Country Programme (March 2003 Revision) The Strategic Country Programme (SCP) was the outcome of discussions between the Government of Anguilla and the Government of the UK in June 2000. The Environment Section of this policy document aims to support the livelihoods of the people of Anguilla through sustainable management of the environment. This will be achieved through five objectives, which are to: 1. Ensure that appropriate, applicable and affordable environmental policies and processes exist within government which support the sustainable management of the environment. 2. Ensure that key coastal and terrestrial habitats are protected and used sustainably. 8 3. Ensure sustainable use of terrestrial and inshore and offshore marine resources. 4. Facilitate adherence to the obligations of applicable regional and international environmental treaties and agreements. 5. Facilitate initiatives for enhancement and beautification of the environment. The section on Disaster Management in the SCP has as its policy objective: to minimise the impact of natural and human made hazards through appropriate risk reduction and preparedness measures that enable an effective response and faster recovery. This will be achieved through the following objectives: 1. Ensure that disaster plans are prepared, tested and kept up-to-date for hurricanes, floods, earthquakes, oil spills, fires, air, criminal acts and sea disasters, and that they are adequately owned, managed and resourced and that key personnel are properly trained. 2. Ensure that disaster management principles are incorporated in land use and planning processes. 3. Establish a coherent national organisational framework to enhance coordination authority and effectiveness in the management of all hazard risks. 4. Establish an appropriately trained and resources domestic fire service. Native Plant and Animal Habitat Conservation (Biodiversity) Policy The Executive Council approved the Native Plant and Animal Habitat Conservation (Biodiversity) Policy on 4th October, 2001. This policy will demonstrate the government’s further commitment to improving the economic and social development of its people through the adoption of several objectives for the conservation of biological diversity in Anguilla. The Government proposes to: 1. Ensure the protection and restoration of key habitats and species through legislation and appropriate management structures and mechanisms, such as national parks and other protected areas. 2. Establish and promote criteria for the selection of key habitats for protection measures. 3. Establish, strengthen and promote procedures for the broad participatory planning and management of plant and animal habitats to include landowners, community, private sector, non-governmental and other organizations not directly linked to government. 4. Ensure that written agreement is obtained from landowners whose land or portion thereof may be selected for protection measures. Only where there is agreement from the landowner, should any action proceed to include such lands for protection of native plants and animals habitats. 9 5. Arrange for the acquisition of such lands, wherever feasible, that are critical for the protection of key habitats or ecosystems. 6. Take the necessary measures to control the intentional or accidental introduction or escape into or from the environment, of alien or modified organisms that are likely to impact adversely on other organisms or on the environment. 7. Facilitate access to and present information on biodiversity in a clear and understandable manner to everyone without the imposition of undue financial burden on the person requesting the information. St Georges Declaration The St George’s Declaration of Principles for Environmental Sustainability in the OECS, was signed by the Government of Anguilla in April 2001. This document prescribes 21 principles which should govern the conduct of Governments in the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States. The principles that are considered priority for Anguilla serve as the basis of the development of the National Environmental Management Strategy and Action Plan. These Principles and their related actions are provided in the following section. NOTE: Several activities are denoted with AEC. This tag identifies the activities directly relevant to the commitments of the Government of Anguilla under the Anguilla Environment Charter. 10 KEY STRATEGIES AND PRIORITY ACTIONS PRINCIPLE 1: Foster Sustainable Improvement in the Quality of Life Strategy 1: The Government of Anguilla will develop, promote and implement programmes to address poverty, health, employment, education, social development and provision of basic human needs to sustainably improve the quality of life within the carrying capacity of its natural resources, and giving due consideration to levels of acceptable change. Activities: i. Continue the implementation of measures outlined in the Strategic Country Programme (2003 Revision). AEC [Ministry of Finance/Dept of Public Administration] ii. Give priority to the approval of national policies and strategies on the Elderly, Children and Youth. [Ministry of Social Development] iii. Prepare a national strategy for sustainable development, including a medium term economic strategy. AEC [Ministry of Finance] iv. Implement Country Poverty Assessment follow-up programme for pro-poor economic growth. [Ministry of Finance] v. Implement National Health Plan and National Health Insurance. [Ministry of Health] vi. Monitor and evaluate implementation of the 5-year Educational Plan (2000-2005). [Ministry of Education] PRINCIPLE 2: Integrate Social, Economic and Environmental Considerations into National Development Policies, Plans and Programmes. Strategy 2: Pursue sustainable development policies aimed at poverty alleviation, the general improvement of social, economic and cultural conditions, the conservation of biological diversity, the mitigation of adverse effects of climate change and the maintenance of essential ecological processes and life support systems. Activities: i. Revise and update all social and family policies. [Ministry of Social Development] 11 ii. Integrate recommendations of the Country Poverty Assessment into relevant departmental policies and programmes. [Ministry of Finance] Strategy 3: Formulate, promote and implement integrated development policies, plans and programmes to ensure that environmental management is treated as an integral component of planning processes in pursuit of sustainable development. Activities: i. Finalise and approve the draft National Land Use Plan. [Physical Planning Dept/Executive Council] ii. Develop local area plans for at least 3 major sites. [Physical Planning Dept] iii. Continue implementation of approved land use policies. [Physical Planning Dept] Strategy 4: Ensure that any action likely to cause significant negative impact on human health or the existing environment shall only be undertaken subject to a prior assessment of the effects of such action on human health or the environment and subject also to both the identification and implementation of measures to adequately prevent or mitigate potential negative impacts and the requisite authorization following from the assessment. Activities: i. Institutionalise the requirement for Environmental Impact Assessments (EIAs) as a tool in the planning process. AEC [Physical Planning Dept] ii. Build awareness among key stakeholders on the Building Code and Building Height Policy and Guidelines. [Physical Planning Dept] Strategy 5: Adopt measures to restore environmentally degraded areas and to ensure the sustainable use of natural resources in a manner which recognizes the intricate linkages between ecological systems in small island states, and between these systems and human activity, and which reflect the principles of island systems management. Activities: i. Formulate criteria for and identification of environmentally degraded areas. AEC [Dept of Environment/Dept of Fisheries and Marine Resources/Physical Planning Dept] 12 ii. Preparation of Special Area Plans or Local Area Plans to restore these areas, with assigned responsibilities, costs, and schedule. AEC [Dept of Environment/ Dept of Fisheries and Marine Resources Physical Planning Dept] PRINCIPLE 3: Improve on Legal and Institutional Frameworks Strategy 6: Clarify and rationalize, as appropriate, the roles of national, regional and international environmental agencies, networks and institutions to maximize efficiency and accountability in managing the environment and natural resources, and to reduce duplication and maximize cost effectiveness. Activities: i Define an effective institutional structure/mechanism with responsibilities and inter-relationships for coordinating environmental management in Anguilla. AEC [Environmental Health Unit/Dept of Environment/Physical Planning Dept./Dept of Agriculture/Dept of Fisheries and Marine Resources] Strategy 7: Where necessary, create or strengthen existing national agencies with responsibility for environmental management to achieve, and be accountable for, effective management of the environment and natural resources. Activities: i. Increase the staffing of the Physical Planning Dept. and Dept of Fisheries and Marine Resources. [Ministry of Finance] ii. Increase the staffing at the Dept of Environment to undertake aspects of environmental management not under the purview of other agencies. [Chief Minister’s Office] Strategy 8: Support and enhance the capacity of non-governmental and community-based organisations for environmental management. Activities: i. Promote the availability of funding for environmental management from the OECS/ESDU, OTEP and other sources to local communities and NGOs. [Dept of Environment] ii. Consult with NGOs to determine their organizational and financial needs. [Dept of Environment/Physical Planning Dept] 13 iii. Provide short-term in-house training for members of NGOs/CBOs in aspects of environmental/project management and encourage volunteerism in departmental projects among these trainees. [Dept of Environment] Strategy 9: Develop, integrate, strengthen and enforce environmental legislation to effectively implement the Principles contained in the St George’s Declaration and reflect the precautionary approach to environmental management, including the adoption, wherever feasible, of specific standards necessary to ensure protection of human health, the environment and all natural resources consistent with the principles of sustainable development. Activities: i. Revise and enact draft National Parks and Protected Areas legislation. AEC [Dept of Environment/Legislative Council] ii. Enact the new Physical Planning Bill. AEC [Ministry of Finance/Legislative Council] iii. Refine and adopt Disaster Management Legislation. [Chief Minister’s Office/Legislative Council] iv. Identify and prioritise development of new environmental legislation. AEC [Dept of Environment/Attorney General’s Office] Strategy 10: Create and strengthen existing legal and institutional frameworks that allow for the effective participation of the relevant public, private, non-governmental and community-based organizations in environmental management. Activities: i. Encourage the full participation key stakeholder groups on the steering committees of programmes and projects. AEC [Dept of Environment/ Physical Planning Dept.] ii. Restructure the Land Development Control Committee to improve broader participation and effectiveness. [Chief Minister’s Office/Physical Planning Dept.] 14 PRINCIPLE 4: Ensure Meaningful Participation by Civil Society in Decision Making. Strategy 11: Establish, strengthen and promote structures and procedures for the broad participation by Civil Society in the design, implementation and evaluation of decision making processes and programmes. Activities: i. Publish plans and proposals in local newspapers and the Gazette, and hold district consultations. [Dept of Environment/Physical Planning Dept] ii. Promote timely consultations with stakeholders on projects that affect them or where cooperation is needed. AEC [Dept of Environment/Physical Planning Dept] Strategy 12: Facilitate the right of everyone to seek, receive and disseminate clear and timely information on environmental matters, and on all development plans and activities in which they have an interest and which are likely to affect their lives. Activities: i. Strengthen the development of the National and Anguilla National Trust’s libraries for free access by all. [National Library/Anguilla National Trust] ii. Continue and expand the communication of information on national programmes, policies and proposals to all sectors of society. AEC [Government Information Service] iii. Evaluate the effectiveness of environmental awareness/education programmes and dissemination activities. AEC [Education Dept/Dept of Environment] iv. Provide copies of all environmental impact assessment reports and feasibility studies on development projects to the public library for ease of access. [Physical planning Dept/Dept of Environment] Strategy 13: Facilitate the transmission of comments on proposed activities to the competent authority before any formal decision on policy or development proposals is taken and to receive a timely response from the competent authority to comments appropriately made. Activities: 15 i. Improve on the timeliness and format for response to information sent to all agencies and departments for review and comments. [Physical Planning Dept/Dept of Environment] Strategy 14: Provide avenues for the expression of ideas, and the exchange of information and traditional knowledge on environmental management between organisations, communities and individuals, as well as facilitating their effective participation in the formulation, adoption and execution of decisions affecting their lives. Activities: i. Encourage the participation of staff from government agencies and NGO/CBO representatives in local, regional and international meetings and workshops and decision-making processes. [All Ministries] PRINCIPLE 5: Ensure Meaningful Participation By The Private Sector Strategy 15: Collaborate with the private sector to establish best management practices that prevent negative environmental and human health impacts and to adequately mitigate negative impacts that may occur. Activities: i. Encourage participation of the private sector in workshops, committees and Boards. AEC [Ministers of Government] ii. Work with manufacturers, hoteliers and local community to manage waste. [Chamber of Commerce/Environmental Health Unit] Strategy 16: Establish or maintain, as appropriate, a forum through which natural resource management and environmental issues can be discussed between government and the private sector and which can advise government in the design, development and implementation of sustainable development activities. Activities: i. Host consultations with key interest groups among the private sector as appropriate. AEC [All Ministries] ii. Government agencies to have high-level participation in workshops and consultations hosted by the private sector. [All Ministries] 16 PRINCIPLE 6: Use Economic Instruments for Sustainable Environmental Management Strategy 17: Pursue and promote sound environmental practices, in part through the establishment of innovative means of generating public and private financial resources by means of fiscal incentives and market based instruments, and the reallocation and efficient use of resources. Activities: i. Consult with the private and public sector to identify innovative means of generating public and private financial resources. [Ministry of Finance/Dept of Environment/Chamber of Commerce] ii. Identify cost savings that could accrue from integrated environmental and economic accounting. [Ministry of Finance/Dept of Environment/Chamber of Commerce] Strategy 18: Provide economic incentives to encourage the adoption of sound environmental technologies and practices. Activities: i. Assess the effectiveness of existing economic incentives. [Ministry of Finance] ii. Identify the range of potential fiscal incentives that could encourage the private sector to adopt sound environmental technologies and practices. [Ministry of Finance/Dept of Environment/Chamber of Commerce] iii. Develop and approve at least one fiscal incentive for implementation. [Ministry of Finance] Strategy 19: Ensure that where pollution occurs the polluter shall be accountable and shall bear the expenses mandated by law and/or duly established authorities to return the environment to a generally acceptable state. Activities: i. Develop and promote new cost recovery measures for solid waste management. AEC [Environmental Health Unit] 17 ii. Assess the ability of legislation and resources to ensure this takes place and enact appropriate environmental standards. AEC [Attorney General’s Office/Environmental Health Unit/Dept of Environment] Strategy 20: Adopt measures, following an incident which causes pollution or degradation of natural resources or harm to human health, to recover as expeditiously as possible from the legal or natural person responsible for the incident, all expenses incurred in the controlling, managing or the mitigating of the said pollution or degradation. Activities: i. Evaluate the effectiveness of implementation of response measures to marine pollution and recommend improvements for effective implementation and cost recovery. AEC [National Disaster Management Agency/Dept of Environment] ii. Development hazard management plans for fuel transfer/storage facilities and fuel stations. AEC [Fire Service/National Disaster Management Agency/ Dept of Environment/Private Sector] Strategy 21: Develop and apply methodologies for the economic assessment and accounting of natural resources and the environmental services they provide. Activities: i. Adopt an existing methodology for estimating national wealth and for integrated environmental and economic accounting to produce the National Accounts as a guide to government decision-making. [Ministry of Finance] ii. Adopt methodologies for assessing value and services from natural resources. [Dept of Fisheries and Marine Resources/Dept of Agriculture/Tourism agencies] PRINCIPLE 7: Foster Broad-based Environmental Education, Training and Awareness Strategy 22: Facilitate access to adequate and accurate information relating to the environment. Activities: 18 i. Develop and promote clear guidelines and mechanisms for accessing information from government and statutory agencies. AEC [Government Information Service/All Ministries] ii. Upgrade in-house facilities, to include use of information and communication technologies, to improve service to the public. AEC [All Ministries] Strategy 23: Present environmental information in a manner that is clear and understandable to everyone, and without the imposition of any undue financial burden on either the person requesting the information or the government. Activities: i. Continue production of newsletters, booklets, signs, flyers, posters, jingles, brochures, school and community presentations, radio programmes, etc. AEC [Dept. of Agriculture/Dept of Fisheries and Marine Resources/Environmental Health Unit/Physical Planning Dept.] Strategy 24: Cooperate with each Ministry, as well as with accredited national, regional or international organisations, to promote environmental education, training, capacity building and awareness. Activities: i. Collaborate with local agencies, regional and international environmental and development institutions as appropriate, to develop a comprehensive National Environmental Awareness Programme. AEC [Dept of Environment/Dept of Education/Anguilla National Trust] ii. Create a database of local expertise or persons trained in environmental management or related areas, to serve as a source of potential recruitment or technical assistance. [Dept of Education/Dept of Environment] PRINCIPLE 8: Address the Causes and Impacts of Climate Change Strategy 25: Establish appropriate and relevant integrated strategies, plans and policies to adapt and respond adequately and in timely fashion to the causes and impacts of climate change. Activities: i. Develop and adopt a Climate Change policy. [Dept of Environment] 19 ii. Collaborate with other government agencies in the implementation of the Climate Change policy measures. [Dept of Environment/ Physical Planning Dept] PRINCIPLE 9: Minimize And Manage the Causes and Impacts of Disaster Strategy 27: Establish at the community and national levels, appropriate and relevant integrated frameworks to prevent, prepare for, respond to, recover from, and mitigate the causes and impacts of natural phenomena on the environment and to prevent man-made disasters. Activities: i. Revise the National Disaster Management Structure. [Chief Minister’s Office] ii. Develop a national disaster management plan. [Chief Minister’s Office] ii. Train local agencies/CBOs at the district/village level to help coordinate local level activities in response to a disaster. [National Disaster Management Agency] iii. Participate in the Comprehensive Disaster Management programme in the Caribbean. [National Disaster Management Agency] Strategy 28: Exchange information with other States or agencies, relating to the experiences and lessons to be learnt from the causes and impacts of natural and man made hazards and phenomena on its environment. Activities: i. Participate in activities of the Caribbean Disaster Emergency Response Agency and other disaster management activities; and share local disaster management information with other agencies in the Caribbean as appropriate. [National Disaster Management Agency] 20 PRINCIPLE 10: Prevent and Control Pollution and Manage Waste Strategy 29: Adopt and implement appropriate measures to adequately manage solid and liquid waste, including hazardous waste, and atmospheric pollutants. Activities: i. Conduct a feasibility study on the separation and recycling of solid wastes so as to identify opportunities for downstream small business and to minimise the volume of wastes entering the landfill. [Environmental Health Unit/Chamber of Commerce] ii. Develop a management plan for bio-hazardous wastes and procure the required equipment. [Environmental Health Unit] iii. Identify appropriate site for sludge disposal and develop the required system of management. [Environmental Health Unit] Strategy 30: Develop and implement measures, including the identification, adoption and enforcement of effluent and emission standards and guidelines, to prevent, reduce and control pollution, and degradation of the environment from pollution. Activities: i. Recruit, train, empower and deploy Litter Wardens. AEC [Environmental Health Unit/Dept of Labour] ii. Develop or adopt a system of effluent and emission standards for pollution control. AEC [Environmental Health Unit/Dept of Environment] Strategy 31: Develop and implement strategies to regularly monitor and report on pollution levels. Activities: i. Monitor and report on the storage, collection and disposal of solid wastes at district levels and circulate reports to all Ministries. AEC [Environmental Health Unit] ii. Expand the number of sites and frequency of Water Quality Monitoring. AEC [Environmental Health Unit] 21 iii. Analyse data and report on potable and recreational water within the various districts and circulate reports to all Ministries. [Environmental Health Unit] PRINCIPLE 11: Ensure the Sustainable Use of Natural Resources Strategy 32: Manage terrestrial, marine and atmospheric resources, organisms and eco systems in an appropriate manner to obtain the optimum sustainable productivity, while maintaining the integrity of natural and ecological processes and inter-relationships between such systems and processes. Activities: i. Assess threats to sustainable use of natural resources; quantify rates of decline of resources; devise recommendations to counteract rates of decline. AEC [Dept of Agriculture/Dept of Fisheries and Marine Resources/Dept of Environment] ii. Develop and implement management plans for marine and terrestrial protected areas. AEC [Dept of Fisheries and Marine Resources/ Dept of Environment/Anguilla National Trust] Strategy 33: Design, promote and implement measures to prevent, mitigate and control degradation of aquatic, terrestrial and atmospheric environmental quality and processes conducive to desertification. Activities: i. Adopt and implement the measures contained in the National Environmental Management Strategy and Action Plan for Anguilla. AEC [All Ministries] Strategy 34: Work together, in collaboration with Civil Society, to promote and facilitate improved national capability for the management of natural resources. Activities: i. Provide short-term in-house training for Civil Society Organisations to enhance their capacity to participate in the implementation of natural resources management projects. [Dept of Fisheries and Marine Resources/ /Dept of Environment/Physical Planning Dept] 22 Strategy 35: Take all necessary measures within its legal and policy framework, including enactment of new legislation where appropriate, to ensure that conservation and management of natural resources are treated as an integral part of development planning at all stages and levels. Activities: i. Identify and implement a mechanism to incorporate environmental considerations, especially natural resources accounting into development planning. [Ministry of Finance] ii. Adopt and implement the measures contained in the National Environmental Management Strategy and Action Plan for Anguilla. AEC [Dept of Environment/All Ministries] Strategy 36: Develop a schedule of development activities for which environmental impact assessment will be required as part of project definition and design, and the results of which will be considered in determining whether and how a project will proceed. Activities: i. Disseminate widely the requirements for and availability of guidelines and expertise on environmental impact assessments (EIAs). AEC [Physical Planning Dept] ii. Ensure that Public Sector Investment Projects are subject to EIAs. AEC [Executive Council] PRINCIPLE 12: Protect Cultural and Natural Heritage Strategy 37: Institute appropriate measures, including legislation where necessary, to provide for the researching, documenting, protecting, conserving, rehabilitating and management of cultural, historic and natural monuments, buildings and symbols, as well as areas of outstanding scientific, cultural, spiritual, ecological, scenic or aesthetic significance. Activities: i. Build the capacity of the relevant government agencies and the Anguilla National Trust to manage natural and cultural heritage sites. [Chief Minister’s Office] 23 ii. Build the capacity of the Anguilla Heritage and Historical Society to manage historic/cultural/heritage resources. [Ministry of Social Development/Chief Minister’s Office] iii. Declare and protect areas of cultural and natural heritage. [Executive Council/Chief Minister’s Office] Strategy 38: Collaborate on mechanisms for the protection of cultural, historic and natural heritage. Activities: i. Participate in activities of the World Heritage Convention, the Museum Association of the Caribbean and other related activities for the management of cultural and historic resources. [Anguilla National Trust/Anguilla Heritage and Historical Society] ii. Involve the public/CBOs in the management of cultural, historic and natural heritage. [Anguilla National Trust/Anguilla Heritage and Historical Society] PRINCIPLE 13: Protect and Conserve Biological Diversity Strategy 39: Pursue appropriate measures to manage biological resources and, where necessary, restore biological diversity, including species diversity, genetic diversity within species and ecosystem diversity. Activities: i. Prepare a National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan (NBSAP) for Anguilla. AEC [Dept of Environment] ii. Ensure that the workplans of all relevant Ministries contain elements of the NBSAP appropriate to their jurisdiction. AEC [Executive Council] Strategy 40: Take necessary precautionary measures to avoid or minimize, the intentional or accidental introduction or escape, into or from the environment, and the control of alien or living modified organisms that are likely to impact adversely on other organisms, the environment or on human health. Activities: 24 i. Increase the staffing, training and budget of the Dept of Agriculture, Dept of Customs and the Port Authority to enhance plant inspection and phytosanitary control. [Dept of Agriculture] ii. Continue monitoring and control programmes for pests, diseases and invasive species. AEC [Dept of Agriculture] iii. Develop and implement a national framework for Biosafety. [Dept of Agriculture and Dept of Environment] PRINCIPLE 14: Recognize Relationships between Trade and Environment Strategy 41: Cooperate towards the establishment and maintenance of regional and international economic systems that equitably meet the developmental and environmental needs of present and future generations. Activities: i. Participate in the activities of the World Trade Organisation and for the CARICOM Single Market and Economy, and negotiations for the FTAA; and publicize relevant information to the public. [Dept of Foreign Affairs/ Dept of International Trade] ii. Evaluate the implications of trade agreements on environmental health and livelihoods. [Dept of Foreign Affairs/Dept of International Trade] Strategy 42: Adopt measures that prevent importation of products that have been banned or whose use has been otherwise curtailed in other countries because of the negative impact of those products on the environment or human health. Activities: i. Increase staffing and training to effectively research on, and enforce prohibitions of banned products. [Customs Dept/Dept of Agriculture/ Dept of Environment] ii. Increase awareness activities to importers, farmers and others on products that are harmful to the environment and to human health, as well as on alternatives. [Customs Dept/Dept of Agriculture/Dept of Environment] 25 PRINCIPLE 15: Promote Cooperation in Science and Technology Strategy 43: Promote directly or through competent regional or other international agencies, cooperation in the fields of science, technology and other research in support of sound and sustainable natural resource and environmental management, and the sustainable development of human resources. Activities: i. Continue to participate in regional and international technical meetings as well as research and development projects related natural resources management. [Dept of Agriculture/Dept of Fisheries and Marine Resources/ Dept of Environment] Strategy 44: Promote scientific and technical cooperation in the field of environmental conservation and the sustainable use of natural resources. Activities: i. Continue networking with professionals in regional and international agencies to improve local knowledge base and access to technical resources. [Dept of Agriculture/Dept of Fisheries and Marine Resources/Dept of Environment] Strategy 45: Assess and where appropriate, adopt suitable technologies, techniques and methodologies for achieving effective environmental management. Activities: i. Promote appropriate information and communications technology in all departments and provide adequate training for its use. [All Ministries] PRINCIPLE 16: Manage and Conserve Energy Strategy 46: Promote and adopt the sustainable use, management and conservation of energy at the national level. Activities: 26 i. Develop a programme for energy audits of government buildings and offices. [MICUH] ii. Develop proposals for energy conservation in these buildings/offices, including cost savings to the Government; and implement energy conservation measures in selected pilot buildings/offices. [MICUH/Dept of Environment] iii. Develop a National Energy Policy, including an assessment of alternative energy sources. [MICUH/Dept of Environment] PRINCIPLE 17: Negotiate and Implement Multi-lateral Environmental Agreements Strategy 47: Endeavour to become and remain a party to multi-lateral environmental agreements relating to the Principles of the St George’s Declaration. Activities: i. Continue to participate in the activities (Conference of Parties, Subsidiary Bodies, and technical meetings) of the multilateral environmental agreements (MEAs). AEC [Dept of Environment/Dept of Agriculture/Dept of Fisheries and Marine Resources] ii. Arrange for the extension of the Convention on Biological Diversity, the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change and other relevant MEAs from the British Government. AEC [Chief Minister’s Office] Strategy 48: Establish appropriate mechanisms to facilitate the exchange of information relating to the negotiation, implementation and compliance with multi-lateral environmental agreements. Activities: i. Collaborate with all agencies in discharging the Government’s obligations under these multilateral agreements, particularly reporting, initiating enabling activities, and building in-house capacity. AEC [Chief Minister’s Office] ii. Provide training on the MEAs and their implementation to staff of all departments that have a role in discharging national obligations under these MEAs. AEC [Chief Minister’s Office] 27 IMPLEMENTATION AND MONITORING Implementation prerequisites 1. The NEMS is not intended as a separate plan, requiring separate resources at this stage, that selected departments will be required to implement. It must be promoted as a mechanism for the integration of existing and proposed environment/developmental activities for all relevant departments with clear benefits to individual Departments/Ministries. It can provide for a harmonized reporting framework in the context of the government’s obligation under the SGD and other international agreements. 2. The NEMS needs a champion in the Executive Council. The NEMS also needs to be repackaged for presentation to key Ministers to encourage their appreciation and support for its implementation. 3. The Chief Minister of Anguilla must encourage his ministers to understand their obligations under the SGD and the Environment Charter and to place significant priority on the implementation of the NEMS, especially to ensure the full and timely cooperation of senior staff. 4. An ‘Environmental Management Coordination Committee’ should be appointed by the Chief Minister’s Office with a Terms of Reference that allows for the effective coordination of implementation of the NEMS and other environmental activities. 5. Environmental considerations must be included in the national accounts, so that its true value will guide the development of mechanisms for cost recovery or cost containment. Hence, new opportunities for financing environmental activities will emerge leading to less dependence on external funding. 6. Engage the private sector to contribute to the resources needed for implementation of selected components of the NEMS; and promote how the private sector also benefits from the implementation of the NEMS. Communicating the NEMS Much of the NEMS will be implemented by governmental agencies and therefore the lead agencies will be expected to promote the NEMS, especially through their departmental awareness and education activities. The following activities are also proposed for the Dept of Environment: 28 • Arrange for a supplement on the details of the final NEMS to be published in a daily newspaper; this may be done in two parts over two weeks. • Arrange for copies of the NEMS to be available at the public library and in each district/village for public information. • Distribute copies of the NEMS to each school, government agency and NGO/CBO in the country. • Arrange for the NEMS to be available via the internet and for all government websites to have a link to the NEMS. Monitoring Monitoring of the progress of implementation of the NEMS should be done on a quarterly basis and be guided by the ‘Environmental Management Coordination Committee’. The purpose will be to help resolve any constraints identified during implementation and to promote coordination and information sharing among the various departments. It is anticipated that there would be an annual review of implementation of the NEMS. This could coincide with preparations for the annual OECS Heads of Government and Technical Advisory Committee meetings where a report from each Member State on implementation of the SDG will be presented. The following table provides the implementation plan for the first year of operation, together with a selection of indicators that could be used in monitoring the progress of activities undertaken by the various agencies. 29 Implementation Plan 30 Year 1 Implementation Plan SGD Principle Action Specific Activities Lead Agency Indicator Indicative Budget (EC$) 1. Continue the implementation of measures outlined in the Strategic Country Programme (2003 Revision) 1. Conduct a review of the implementation of the SCP to determine level of achievement of objectives. 2. Identify priority actions to achieve objectives. Ministry of Finance - Workshop to review SCP held. Report on status of implementation and priority actions produced. $5,000 2. Approve national policies and strategies on the Elderly, Children and Youth 1. Finalise policies and strategies 2. Present to ExCo for approval. Ministry of Social Development Policies and strategies approved by ExCo. $3,000 1 3. Prepare national strategy for sustainable development, including a medium term economic strategy. 1. Recruit Consultant 2. Hold sectoral consultations 3. Prepare draft strategy 4. Host national consultation on draft strategy 5. Finalise strategy and disseminate Ministry of Finance - Number of consultations held. Strategy prepared and approved. $10,000 2 4. Revise and update all social and family policies. 1. Identify a funding source and submit proposal. 2. Prepare TOR for Consultant. 3. Recruit Consultant 4. Update policies Ministry of Social Development Proposal(s) prepared. TOR for Consultant prepared. Consultant recruited. Number of policies updated. $20,000 31 5. Finalise and approve the draft National Land Use Plan. 1. Select team of persons with the requisite experience to finalise the Plan. 2. Incorporate existing concerns in draft Plan 3. Provide orientation to ExCo on national benefits of implementation of the plan. 4. Submit to Legislative Council for approval. Physical Planning Dept. Team selected. Plan redrafted Orientation for ExCo held. Plan approved. $2,000 6. Institutionalise the requirement for Environmental Impact Assessments (EIAs) as a tool in the planning process. 1. Evaluate the effectiveness of the system for requiring EIAs. 2. Develop and implement plan to address deficiencies in the system. Physical Planning Unit TOR for evaluation developed. Consultant recruited. Implementation plan to address deficiencies developed. $10,000 7. Define an effective institutional structure/ mechanism with responsibilities and inter relationships for coordinating environmental management. 1. Evaluate existing system of coordination and make recommendations for improvement. 2. Select and formalise the coordination mechanism. Chief Minister’s Office Evaluation completed and report prepared. Coordination Mechanism defined and established. $3,0003 8. Increase the staffing of the Physical Planning Dept, and Dept of Environment. 1. Identify numbers and type of staff needed. 2. Develop TORs for staff. 3. Identify sources of funding 4. Recruit staff. Physical Planning Dept Dept of Environment Staffing identified. TORs developed. Sources of funding identified. Number of staff recruited. $100,000 32 9. Promote the availability of funding for environmental management from the OECS/ ESDU, OTEP and other sources to local communities and NGOs. 1. Develop a database of NGOs & CBOs. 2. Develop and implement mechanism for dissemination of donor information. Dept of Environment - Database developed. Mechanism for dissemination developed. Number of bulletins issued. $1,000 10. Revise and enact draft National Parks and Protected Areas legislation and Physical Planning Bill. 1. Develop TOR and recruit Consultant. 2. Prepare draft revision. 3. Seek broad-based review and comments. 4. Finalise and adopt revised legislation Dept of Environment Physical Planning Dept. TOR prepared. Consultant recruited. Number of consultations held. Legislation revised and adopted. $10,000 11. Publish plans and proposals in local newspapers and the Gazette, and to hold district consultations. 1. Identify list of information for publication. 2. Develop bulletins and advisories. 3. Disseminate via audio and visual media. Dept of Environment/ Dept of Fisheries & Marine Resources/ Physical Planning Dept. Publication list prepared. Number of bulletins and advisories published. $5,0004 12. Promote timely consultations with stakeholders on projects that affect them or where cooperation is needed. 1. Develop detailed guidelines on procedure or innovative ways for public consultations. 2. Consult with NGOs to refine the guidelines. 3. Conduct consultations as required. Dept of Environment/ Dept of Fisheries & Marine Resources/ Physical Planning Dept. Public consultation guidelines prepared. Number of consultations held. $1,000 5 13. Work with hoteliers, manufacturers and local community to manage waste. 1. Develop database of hoteliers, manufacturers, and communities. 2. Identify issues in waste management that require action. 3. Develop programme of action with all concerned parties. Chamber of Commerce/ Environmental Health Unit. Database developed. Issues identified. Programme of Action developed. $1,000 33 14. Consult with the private and public sector to identify innovative means of generating public and private financial resources. 1. Plan and host a national workshop to identify innovative means of generating public and private financial resources. 2. Prepare report on the outcome, including recommendations. 3. Select recommendations for immediate action. Ministry of Finance/Dept of Environment/ Chamber of Commerce. National workshop held. Report with recommendations prepared. Recommendations for immediate action selected. $4,0006 15. Identify the range of potential fiscal incentives that could encourage the private sector to adopt sound environmental technologies and practices. 1. Develop TOR and recruit Consultant. 2. Develop draft on fiscal incentives 3. Seek broad-based review and comments. 4. Finalise and adopt fiscal incentives. Ministry of Finance/ Chamber of Commerce Consultant recruited Number of consultations held. Fiscal incentives developed and approved. $10,000 16. Develop and promote clear guidelines and mechanisms for accessing information from government and statutory agencies 1. Develop TORs for multistakeholder team to develop and promote access of information. 2. Select team and develop guidelines and mechanisms. 3. Promote guidelines and mechanisms among all agencies. Government Information Service /All Ministries TORs developed. Team selected. Guidelines prepared and mechanism identified. Number of agencies utilising guidelines. $2,0007 17. Collaborate with local agencies, regional and international environmental and development institutions as appropriate, to develop a comprehensive National Environmental Awareness Programme 1. Plan and host a national workshop to identify issues, components and methods of delivery for a National Environmental Awareness Programme. 2. Prepare report on the outcome, including recommendations. 3. Prepare TOR and recruit consultant to develop the programme. Dept of Environment/ Dept of Education/ Anguilla National Trust Workshop held. Report on outcome prepared. Consultant recruited Draft National Environmental Awareness Programme prepared. $15,000 34 9 18. Revise the National Disaster Management Structure. 1. Develop TOR and recruit Consultant. 2. Host consultation with key agencies, private sector and NGOs/CBOs 3. Develop and submit proposal for new structure. Chief Minister’s Office Consultant recruited Number of consultations held. Proposal for new structure prepared. $10,000 19. Conduct a feasibility study on the separation and recycling of solid wastes so as to identify opportunities for downstream small business and to minimise the volume of wastes entering the landfill. 1. Develop TOR and recruit Consultant 2. Provide guidance to the Consultant as needed. 3. Arrange for broad-based comments on the Consultant’s report. Environmental Health Unit/Chamber of Commerce Consultant recruited. Number of responses to draft report. Feasibility report submitted and accepted. $20,00010 20. Recruit, train, empower and deploy Litter Wardens 1. Develop TORs for Litter Wardens. 2. Develop training programme for Litter Wardens. 3. Encourage volunteers for Litter Wardens 4. Recruit, train and deploy personnel as Litter Wardens. Environmental Health Unit/Dept of Labour TORs developed. Training Programme developed. Number of Litter Wardens recruited. $50,000 11 21. Adopt and implement the measures contained in the National Environmental Management Strategy and Action Plan for Anguilla 1. Finalise NEMS. 2. Arrange for NEMS to be adopted by ExCo. 3. Implement priority actions, identified for Year 1 4. Develop monitoring programme for implementation. Chief Minister’s Office NEMS adopted by ExCo. Workplans developed for priority actions. Monitoring programme developed. $200,000 35 22. Assess threats to sustainable use of natural resources; quantify rates of decline of resources; devise recommendations to counteract rates of decline. 1. Develop TOR, recruit and guide Consultant 2. Arrange for broad-based comments on the Consultant’s report. Dept of Environment - Consultant recruited. Number of responses to draft report. Consultant’s report submitted and accepted. $20,000 23. Develop and implement management plans for marine and terrestrial protected areas. 1. Develop TOR and recruit Consultant 2. Provide guidance to the Consultant as needed. 3. Arrange for broad-based consultations on the Consultant’s draft management plan. 4. Finalise plan, incorporating concerns expressed at the consultations. Dept of Environment/ Dept of Fisheries and Marine Resources Consultant recruited Number of consultations held Number of management plans prepared. $20,000 13 24. Prepare a National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan (NBSAP) for Anguilla. 1. Develop TOR and recruit Consultants. 2. Conduct assessments. 3. Arrange for broad-based consultations on the Consultants draft report. 4. Finalise NBSAP, incorporating concerns expressed at the consultations. Dept of Environment - Consultants recruited Assessment reports prepared. Number of consultations held. NBSAP prepared and approved. $250,000 17 25. Provide training on the MEAs and their implementation to staff of all departments that have a role in discharging national obligations under these MEAs. 1. Identify national obligations and priority training needs under selected MEAs. 2. Identify source of technical assistance for training of staff. 3. Initiate training of staff. Chief Minister’s Office Report on national obligations prepared. Sources of technical assistance identified. Number of staff trained. $60,000 TOTAL (EC$) $ 832,000 36 APPENDIX 1 37 APPENDIX 1 MAJOR ENVIRONMENTAL AND RELATED ISSUES IDENTIFIED IN ANGUILLA [The issues below were identified during consultations in Anguilla held in 2001] Many of the deficiencies in the management of the environment in Anguilla are closely related and intertwined. For clarity and easy reference, however, this situational analysis separates these into discrete problems. It should also be borne in mind that all of these problems are aggravated by the very real fact of general shortages of staff, not only in the public sector, but also among the NGOs that are involved in environmental management. No Holistic Institutional System for Environmental Management At present, there is no holistic institutional system, with adequate structures and mechanisms, in place for environmental management in Anguilla. Instead, there is fragmentation and duplication, without any clear delineation of roles and responsibilities. While a discrete Environmental Unit has been established, staffed by a Director and a Secretary, an Environmental Unit has also been established in the Physical Planning Department. Moreover, the expertise of the Environmental Officer in the Physical Planning Department is not being used in the position intended but, instead, is being used in development control. In addition, responsibility for certain aspects of environmental management is retained by various other Government departments: the Chief Minister's Office, Agriculture, Fisheries and Marine Resources, Lands and Surveys, the Water Department, and Environmental Health. Furthermore, the Pesticides Control Board, which is crucial for the monitoring and control of pesticides harmful to the environment, is either dormant or defunct. To this end, this fragmentation and duplication have to be rationalized, and roles and responsibilities have to be clearly delineated. Failure to Enforce Environmental Legislation Effective environmental management is inhibited by the failure to enforce environmental legislation. A number of laws are in need of updating, while legal and regulatory personnel do not appreciate the importance of enforcing regulations -when they exist. This failure to enforce, in turn, is aggravated by the fragmented nature of environmental legislation, whereby laws pertaining to environmental management are scattered among different pieces of legislation, leading to a situation not only of fragmentation and duplication of laws, but also one of fragmented and ill-defined roles and responsibilities. For example, one agency may have the responsibility to monitor an environmental situation, but the authority to enforce regulations and remedy the situation may lie with another agency. Delays in Approval/Declaration by Government This situation of fragmentation and duplication is further exacerbated by the long delays experienced in obtaining approval by Government for important decisions and 38 regulations, and the protracted time taken for the revision and drafting of legislation. The Coastal development setback standards developed in 1996, although being adhered to by Planning, have not yet been approved by Government. Similarly, the twelve-mile Territorial Sea as required by the United Nations (UN) Convention on the Law of the Sea, and the Exclusive Economic Zone, are yet to be declared and the Valley Development Plan, prepared in 1997, is still with the Executive Council. Non-Integration of Environment into Tourism Tourism is the mainstay of the Anguillian economy, providing the main source of economic growth, employment, incomes and improvement in living standards. Moreover, continued expansion of the Anguillian economy is dependent on the expansion of tourism, especially given the decline of external capital aid grants in recent years. At the same time, tourism is one of the main users of natural resources, and its activities have a great impact on the environment. Despite this importance, and clearly related to this issue of an integrated institutional system, is the fact that environmental policies and standards have yet to be integrated into tourism policy and practices. Concerns include carrying capacity issues, waste disposal including the question of holding tanks for yachts, the certification of hotels and beaches and the control of beach activity, as well as a more dynamic promotion and development of heritage and cultural tourism. Little Real and Meaningful Consultation between Agencies There is little real and meaningful consultation between the various bodies involved in environmental management. Meaningful consultation means that each entity not only knows what the others are doing, but also that the impact of actions in each area is assessed and evaluated before any actions are taken. Moreover, the way in which information is collected and processed does not facilitate use for planning and management. Central to this issue is the management of information: standardizing categories so that information can be shared between agencies, processing and re packaging information for the different audiences targeted, and storing and disaster proofing the information so that it can be easily accessed and is safe from natural or man made disasters. Similarly, technical information needs to be re-packaged for public consumption so that an informed public is able to participate in environmental management. Limited Public Consultation and Participation At present, however, public consultation about environmental matters is limited, and there is little public participation in environmental management. If development plans and policies are to be realistic and successfully implemented, they must command the support of Anguillians. While it is recognized that public consultation is difficult and time-consuming, it is an integral part of the process if there is to be public participation in planning and decision-making. Raising the public's awareness of environmental issues is crucial if public consultation is to be meaningful, and if the public are to participate in making decisions about their environment. The Public Awareness Videos used by the 39 Fisheries Department and the Anguilla National Trust have shown how instrumental public education can be in putting measures into place for environmental protection. Nevertheless, few public awareness and education campaigns and programmes are monitored and evaluated so that the organizers can assess what works. Ineffective and Inequitable Development Planning Even more problematic, however, is the perception by the public that there is no consistent and equal application of policies. Large investors seem to short-circuit, or even by-pass entirely, the application processes for development projects, while a large number of decisions made by the Development Control Authority are reversed via appeals to the Executive Council. Often these reversals go against the principles of sound environmental management. The absence of a comprehensive land use plan for Anguilla contributes to this problem, and complicates the decision of how to deal with development applications while Local Area Plans are being developed. Development planning is also constrained by some traditional cultural practices. For instance, over a number of generations, the practice of sub-division of land by families to ensure that all Children get a piece of land. The resulting fragmentation into small non-viable plots and ownership patterns seriously impact on what can be done. It is estimated that more than 95% of the land in Anguilla is in small parcels and private ownership. The need for relocation and resettlement for certain developments, e.g. the expansion of the airport, is also constrained by this practice, exacerbating the problems of compulsory land acquisition and compensation. An Environment at Risk This assessment of the current situation of environmental management in Anguilla leads to the inescapable conclusion that the natural environment of the country is at risk. Deep seated beliefs that are inimical to the preservation of the environment, the absence of an holistic institutional system for environmental management, the failure to enforce environmental legislation, delays in approvals and declarations by Government, the non integration of the environment into tourism, limited consultation both between agencies and with the public, limited public participation, together with ineffective and inequitable development all result in ad hoc management and development that threatens the very environment on which the present and the future of the country are based. In particular, present patterns of development threaten Anguilla's ecosystems, especially the beaches, while indiscriminate anchoring by charter boats threatens the coral reefs. Over-grazing on land and over-fishing at sea threaten Anguilla's flora and fauna. ***