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Jamaican Environment Authorities Make a Point
By Keith R | August 8, 2009
Topics: Environmental Governance, Environmental Justice | No Comments »
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From National Environment and Planning Agency (NEPA):
The National Environment and Planning Agency, NEPA, has been successful in its court action against Ms. Natalie Hutchinson, for breaching the Natural Resources Conservation Authority Act.
Ms. Hutchinson was charged under Section 9 of the Act for operating a petroleum storage and stockpiling facility without an Environmental Permit. Prior to the Court proceedings, Ms. Hutchinson was served with a Cessation Order after she was found operating the facility without first being issued an Environmental Permit. Ms Hutchinson applied for an Environmental Permit which was granted, however, she failed to collect it from the Agency. This was despite being advised by the Agency that she needed to collect the Permit, which outlined the terms and conditions under which the facility would be allowed to operate. When she appeared in the Montego Bay Resident Magistrates’ Court on 29 July 2009, Ms. Hutchinson pleaded guilty. She was then ordered to pay a fine of Twenty-five Thousand Dollars ($25,000.00) or face three (3) months in prison.
NEPA is again appealing to the public to respect the law as it concerns facilities requiring an Environmental Permit. An Environmental Permit normally consists of stipulated terms and conditions under which an applicant is allowed to operate certain facilities. The Agency is therefore reminding the public that commencing an activity while failing to collect an Environmental Permit granted under the Natural Resources Conservation Authority Act, constitutes a clear breach even though the application was approved. The public may contact the Applications Secretariat Branch of NEPA for further information at 754-7540. Calls may also be made to the Agency’s toll free line at 1-888-991-5005.
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