Frequently Asked Questions

Q: When was the Environmental Department formed?

A: The Environmental Department was formed in March 2006

Q: What are the main areas of focus of the Environmental Department?

A: The main areas of focus include:

• Developing and regulating environmental policies and standards;
• Reviewing Environmental Impact Assessments (EIA)/Environmental Management Plans (EMP);
• Engaging in environmental monitoring and enforcement; and
• Coordinating environmental awareness and outreach programmes.

Q: Does the Environmental Department have any guiding principles

A: The following guiding principles:

• To work for the well-being of all citizens in the jurisdiction of the GBPA and consistently take the island of Grand Bahamas' interest and it's changing needs into consideration when making decisions;
• To seek a steady improvement in the provision of information and services through ingenuity, integrity and proficiency;
• To conscientiously cultivate and strengthen relationships with those government and non-government agencies involved in environmental management; and
• To explain and publicize the policies and activities of the Environmental Department to the GBPA group of companies/subsidiaries and the public at large.

Q. Are there any environmental regulations governing the Port Area?

A. The Environmental Department has proposed a set of Environmental Bye-laws, which have been submitted to the Government for its consideration.

Q. What do the Proposed Environmental Bye-laws address?

A. Pollution Prevention and Waste Management - Pollution Prevention Plan, Ambient Limits, Hazardous Material and Waste Management etc.

• Natural Resources Protection & Management - Coastal Resources, Native Vegetation, Wetlands, and Freshwater Resources.
• Environmental Management and Protection - Environmental Impact Assessments, Environmental Approvals, Environmental Monitoring and Inspections, Environmental Incidents, Accidents and Emergencies.
• Nuisances - Noise, Odour, Visual etc.
• Additional Clauses to existing Bye-laws - Sewage Management, removal of refuse -construction debris, abandoned or inoperable vehicles etc.

Q. What have been the main issues that the Environmental Department has had to address since its inception?

• Improper Waste Disposal Practices such as: Indiscriminate Dumping, Unkempt Premises, and Derelict Vehicles.
• Nuisances: Odour
• Health and Sanitation Issues
• Industrial Monitoring

Q. Are there any opportunities for recycling in Freeport?

A. Under the Environmental Department, a 'Used Oil Recycling' programme was started in May 2007. There are currently three official collection depots: Freeport Jet Wash, AID, and Municipal Motors. Once the used oil is collected, arrangements have been made with VOPAK to assist in transporting the used oil to their facility for blending purposes. Additionally, in January 2008, a pilot project was initiated with four local schools (Jack Hayward High, Tabernacle Baptist Academy, Hugh Campbell Primary and Lucayan International School) for the collection of aluminum cans for recycling. Other waste streams will be looked at in the future.

Q. What environmental outreach programmes have the Environmental Department initiated?

A. The main programme initiated to date by the Environmental Department is the 'Keep Grand Bahama Clean' (KGBC) initiative.

Q. What is the main focus of Keep Grand Bahama Clean?

A. The KGBC programme focuses on educating the wider community on the importance of achieving and/or maintaining a healthy environment. The activities are geared primarily to: school visitations and presentations; community - walk-abouts; publication of environmental messages in the daily news; and the production and distribution of environmental literature.

Q. Who makes up the Keep Grand Bahama Clean Committee?

A. The Committee is an Inter-Agency Committee comprised of public and private entities such as: Sanitation Services, The Department of Environmental Health Services, The Ministry of Tourism, Local Government/City Councils, The Urban Renewal Programme, Local Media Houses and The Paint Fair Company.