The Editor, Sir:

The Jamaica Environment Trust (JET) is concerned that work has recommenced on the drainage canal in the vicinity of Great Bay in Treasure Beach, although the project has never received the required permits and licenses and is, therefore, being constructed in clear breach of both the Natural Resources Conservation Authority (NRCA) Act and the Beach Control Act.

Drainage projects require an environmental permit under the NRCA Act and as the canal runs from the Great Pedro Pond to the sea and, therefore, through the foreshore, it also requires a beach licence. Neither has ever been issued.

According to JET's research, the community of Great Bay experienced serious flooding in 2005 following hurricanes Emily and Wilma and sought drainage solutions. Despite the clear requirements of the law, the National Works Agency (NWA) proceeded to commence the canal in 2006 without the required permits and in the absence of environmental oversight. Despite objections from JET, the National Environment and Planning Agency (NEPA) took no action.

Work stalled on the canal in 2007 and 2008 and the excavated channel began to collapse. Alarmed when work restarted in 2009 still without any legal status, JET sought and received the environmental documents, relied upon by NEPA, to manage the work. These documents cannot be taken seriously. Of the 57 potential environmental issues posed by the canal, only three were identified by the NWA as having any environmental impact whatsoever - noise, dust and displacement of people. We cannot understand why NEPA accepted this assessment.

Ecological resource

Great Pedro Pond is an important ecological resource and a home for many types of wildlife, especially birds. Draining the pond to the sea could not only cause damage to the marine environment, but it could also present a channel for storm surge from sea to land. We understand that a drainage solution is needed for the people of Great Bay, but we believe this canal, as designed and illegally built, presents dangers to the environment and possibly to human life and property.

JET calls on NEPA to take enforcement action against the NWA, including sanctions, and conduct an urgent and thorough assessment to identify drainage measures that will not harm the environment.

I am, etc.,

Diana McCaulay

Chief Executive Officer

Jamaica Environment Trust

11 Waterloo Road