BASSETERRE, St Kitts, 26 September 2024 – The Ministry of Sustainable Development through the Department of Physical Planning is set to submit for approval to the Federal Cabinet of St Kitts and Nevis, an amendment of national environmental legislation and related regulations, policies, standards, and proposed modifications that will all support the implementation of the recently updated draft National Physical Development Plan (NPDP) before parliamentary approval.
The NPDP is a set of principles and practices that seek to manage land resources in a way that meets current and future demands while at the same time ensuring the health of ecosystems.
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The proposed amendments, delivered under consultancy, would enable coordination between several key Departments including the Departments of Physical Planning, the Department of Marine Resources, and the Department of Environment. This collaboration will facilitate the implementation of coastal zone management and apply the concept of ridge-to-reef developmental control that speaks to landward activities having a significant impact on the coastal zone.
Director of the lead agency, the Physical Planning Department, Austin Farier said the proper implementation of the plan is essential for achieving the goals for the island of St. Kitts for sustainable growth and prosperity. He added that the plan is designed to not only help shape the physical landscape and environment of St. Kitts but also to promote and enhance the economic vitality of the island.
As such, Director Farier said several supporting documents are necessary to strengthen the implementation of the NPDP.
- Draft Cabinet Submission for Amendments to support NPDP
- Draft Development Control and Planning (Amendment) Bill, 2024
- Draft Fisheries, Aquaculture and Marine Resources (Amendment) Bill, 2024.
- Draft Development Control and Planning (Land Use Code) Regulations, 2024
- Draft Development Control and Planning (Planning and Infrastructure Guidelines and Standards) Regulations, 2024
- Draft Development Control and Planning (St. Christopher National Physical Development Plan) Notice, 2024
The review focused on the main legislative obstacles to the implementation of the NPDP.
- Better Institutional Coordination to Operationalize the Principle of Ridge-to-Reef
- Cooperation in case of overlapping or conflicting institutional mandates
- The Role of Consultation of Government Departments and Agencies
- Social Impact Assessment and Hazard Impact Assessment in Environmental Impact Assessment
- Renewable Energy Projects to Trigger Environmental Impact Assessments (EIA)
- Subsidiary Legislation: Land Use Code, Planning & Infrastructure Guidelines & Standards and a Public Notice
Other key departmental and agency stakeholders include: –
- Lands & Survey Department
- Public Works Department
- Environmental Health Department
- St. Kitts Electricity Corporation
- Police Services
- Fire & Rescue Services
- Water Department
- Urban Resilience & Development Department,
- Ministry of Public Infrastructure, Energy & Utilities
- Department of Agriculture
- Department of Marine Resources
- National Emergency Management Agency
The report was prepared within the framework of the Improving Environmental Management through Sustainable Land Management in St. Kitts and Nevis project which is being executed by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), implemented by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and funded through the Global Environment Facility (GEF).
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