1. Environmental Protection Sustainability Use and Natural Resources
The Ministry of The Environment (MTE)
Environmental Protection Sustainability Use and Natural Resources

2. Introduction
Environmental Protection -actions at international, national and local levels to prevent and, where possible, reverse environmental degradation, supported by legislation or public policy
Sustainable Use- improvements in quality of life through economic development are not gained at the expense of the environment or of future generations.
Natural Resources- renewable or non-renewable resources which play an essential role by ensuring environmental stability, the preservation of ecology services, unique habitats controls climate, air and water quality and preserves soils.

3. THE MINISTRY OF THE ENVIRONMENT MARTIME AFFAIRS AND ENERGY
Native Stew
THE MINISTRY OF THE ENVIRONMENT
PLANNING AGENCIES
PROTECTION
AGENCIES
MARTIME AFFAIRS AND ENERGY

4. BAHAMAS MARITIME AUTHORITY
Native Stew Continued
PLANNING
METEOROLOGY DEPT.
WSC
DOPP
BEC
PROTECTION
BEST
DEHS
BNT
TNC
BOTANICAL GARDENS
FORESTRY
MARITIME AFFAIRS & ENERGY
PORT DEPARTMENT
BAHAMAS MARITIME AUTHORITY

5. International Issues
The Bahamas has accepted the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) and ratified multilateral environmental agreements (MEAs) and initiatives (regional- sub regional) on sustainable development and environmental protection, for example:
Climate Change (mitigation, adaptation)
CBD (Biosafety, programme of work on parks and protected areas POWPA)
Ozone (depleting substances)

6. Regulatory Authority MTE is working on;
BEST regulatory framework (MPP)
IN PROGRESS
FORESTRY (draft Forestry Act)
MTE has existing authority under
DPP - physical landscape, town planning
DEHS – water/ wastewater/ solid waste control/ pollution
WSC – water resources
Port – Oils spill activities

7. The exploitation of which has significant impacts
MTE: Special Focus
NATURAL RESOURCES OF THE BAHAMAS
The exploitation of which has significant impacts
Land, timber
Water, salt, aragonite
Plants, animals (birds, fish and other marine life)

8. APRROACHES FOR SUSTAINABLE ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT
Strategic Steps – Minister Deveaux’s charge to agencies:
WSC - Safeguard ground water resources
FORESTRY- Enact a Forestry Act
DEHS - Immediate national waste disposal and cleanliness
DOPP - new and updated building standards/regulations that takes into consideration drainage, flooding, impact on mangroves & wetlands

9. APRROACHES FOR SUSTAINABLE ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT
BEST and DOPP – Establishment of a transparent, efficient and streamlined EIA, EMP for development and monitoring activities.
NISP Partnership – BEST, DMR, BNT and TNC working together to implement PoWPA including Master Plan for National Protected Area System and the Caribbean Challenge
Training of personnel - essential

10. RECOMMENDATIONS TO SUSTAINABILITY MANAGEMENT
Priorities reflecting national, regional and global interest need to be properly structured.
Have a consistent and efficient implementation of the programmes within a framework (of those priorities).
Involve civil society in that process.

11. Challenges Regulatory framework – expansion needed
Training / person power
Information – absence of baseline studies
Pace and scope of development – appropriate?
Enforcement – out of sight out of mind

12. THANK YOU FOR YOUR ATTENTION!
For more information you can contact:
BEST Commission,
Ministry of The Environment
Dockendale House, West Bay Street
PO BOX N-7132
Nassau, The Bahamas
Telephone: