Changes at Trinidad's Environmental Management Authority

UNCLAS PORT OF SPAIN 000569 SENSITIVE SIPDIS STATE FOR WHA/CAR, WHA/EPSC, OES/PCI SAN JOSE FOR REGIONAL ENVIRONMENTAL HUB E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: SENV EIND EINV TD SUBJECT: Changes at Trinidad's Environmental Management Authority SENSITIVE BUT UNCLASSIFIED - PROTECT ACCORDINGLY ¶1. (SBU) SUMMARY: Despite a reduction in its authority to regulate quarries, the Environmental Management Authority (EMA) continues enforcement efforts to protect Trinidad's water bodies from quarry impact. Dave McIntosh will end his term as CEO of EMA on December 15, 2008. He will be replaced by Joth Singh. END SUMMARY. -------------- --- Recent Amendment Undermines Oversight Ability -------------- --- ¶2. (SBU) Trinidad's construction boom has ramped up demand for aggregate, leading to a significant increase in quarrying activity and raising the prospective of increased environmental damage. In recent months, for example, a new quarry start-up next to the Asa Wright Nature Center (a world-renowned bird sanctuary located in Trinidad's Northern Range) has caused alarm among local environmentalists. ¶3. (SBU) This concern is heightened since a December 5 amendment to the Certificate of Environmental Clearance rules has decreased the EMA's ability to oversee and limit the environmental impact of quarries. Prior to the amendment, all quarry operations were required to obtain EMA approval. A 2007 amendment exempted quarry operations smaller than 150 hectares, but still required oversight during the land clearing process. With the latest amendment, no oversight is required for land clearing or quarry operations on less than 150 hectares of land. All ongoing investigations of operations on land less than 150 hectares have been closed because the companies no longer require a Certificate of Environmental Clearance. The only remaining avenue for EMA oversight lies in the water pollution rules. -------------- EMA's Enforcement Strategy -------------- ¶4. (SBU) EMA has targeted the North Oropouche watershed area for applying water rules to quarry operations. An EMA contact commented at a recent American Chamber of Commerce meeting that if the runoff to the Oropouche River can be controlled, water quality in the river could be drastically improved within five years. Readymix and National Quarries are located in this area and have been asked by the EMA to obtain water pollution permits. Carib Glass owns a quarry and wash plant near North Oropouche and has also been asked to obtain a permit. Conditions set by the EMA within a permit become requirements under the Environmental Management Act. ¶5. (SBU) To obtain a permit, EMA will set limits and conditions on chemicals that quarry operations can release into the environment. The companies will be required to improve storm water management and introduce best management plans to ensure run-off does not damage nearby water bodies. Companies who do not comply will face a financial penalty of TT$10,000 (US$1600) for the offense and TT$5,000 (US $800) each day until the offense is rectified. Non-compliant companies can also be required to pay civil damages for environmental remediation. Company representatives found guilty of willfully breaking the requirements could face jail time. -------------- New CEO Brings Change to EMA -------------- ¶6. (SBU) Joth Singh will replace Dave McIntosh as CEO of EMA on December 15. In a departure from McIntosh's vision, Singh wants to remake the Authority as a more collaborative agency, according to EMA contacts. Specifically, Singh wants the Authority to take a more strategic position in planning and pre-design conversations with companies considering projects that will impact the environment. Currently, companies contact the EMA only after the planning and design phase, to apply for a CEC. For this reason, the EMA plans to play an active role in the American Chamber of Commerce's Health, Safety, and Environmental Conference. Singh is in the process of developing a new strategic plan for EMA, including expanded public outreach. He has already instituted a weekly radio program to educate the public on environmental issues and to solicit commentary from a wider audience. -------------- Comment: No Longer a Rubber Stamp? -------------- ¶7. (SBU) The EMA has frequently been criticized as a rubber stamp for the GOTT's industrial development agenda. However, EMA contacts think Singh's administration may begin to change that perception. KUSNITZ