Overview
What We Do
The mission of the Environmental Section is to ensure sustainable development within the Port Area on the island of Grand Bahama by fair and consistent governance and enforcement of environmentally related national laws, local bye-laws, guidelines, policies and best management practices that pertains to the management of natural resources, social equity and development.
The main goal of this group is to effectively manage, conserve and protect the natural environment of the area governed by the GBPA, through the:
- a) development of appropriate regulations and standards under the Freeport Bye-laws for environmental management and enforcement;
- b) provision of environmental review and oversight to new and existing development/operations; and the
- c) promotion of an atmosphere for sustainable planning and development with ecological considerations within the GBPA jurisdiction.
Our mission is to ensure sustainable development within the Port Area on the island of Grand Bahama by fair and consistent governance and enforcement of environmentally related national laws, local bye-laws, guidelines, policies, and Best Management Practices that pertains to the management of natural resources, social equity and development.
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 agencies, non-government agencies, and other stakeholders involved in environmental management; and
- To explain and publicize the policies and activities of the environmental group to the GBPA group of companies/subsidiaries and the public at large.
Levels of Oversight
- Heavy and Light Industry
- Resort/Commercial Development
- Municipal/Residential (Advisory role to the City Services Group as needed)
Areas of Focus & Activities
Environmental Policy and Standards:
- Identify emerging environmental issues requiring policy or standards.
- Establish ambient environmental quality objectives.
- Develop non-binding guidelines, codes or best management practices.
- Develop an environmental levy policy and establish levy rates, as well as permitting fee structure
Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA)/Environmental Management Plan (EMP):
Based on but not limited to land, coastal zone, and fresh water resource inventories, identify:
- Unique/sensitive natural areas requiring conservation - no development
- Appropriate areas for development
- Appropriate areas for recreation
- Review EIAs and EMPs prepared by project proponents.
- Inspect stages of development and post development/construction for compliance.
- Issue a 'permit to operate' with additional conditions if needed.
Environmental Monitoring and Enforcement
- Review monitoring reports from project operators.
- Evaluate the monitoring of ambient environmental quality, environmental emissions or performance of specific projects to ensure compliance with Environmental Permit to Operate conditions or other environmental requirements.
- Investigate complaints/incidents for resolution.
Incident Management
- Review proposed projects from standpoint of emergency response and provide comments (during EIA process).
- Develop guidelines for environmental disaster prevention.
- Inspect sites for environmental emergency preparedness.
- Arrange/coordinate responses to environmental emergencies.
Environmental Awareness and Outreach
- Develop, present and distribute information about environmental issues for various target audiences.
- Participate and organize environmental initiatives for the general public.
Keep Grand Bahama Clean
In October 2006, The Grand Bahama Port Authority's Environmental Department along with other public and private sector organizations launched the Keep Grand Bahama Clean Initiative. To date, organizations such as the Urban Renewal Programme, Department of Environmental Health Services, Local Government/City Councils, Ministry of Tourism, Sanitation Services, Bahamas National Trust, Local Media Houses, The Paint Fair Company and Interested Residents have been enthusiastically partnering with the GBPA's Environmental Department to promote the Keep Grand Bahama Clean agenda.
The KGBC programme focuses on educating the wider community on the importance of achieving and/or maintaining a healthy environment and changing the culture of residents in the process on their response to the environment.
The motto is: “It’s everyone’s business and everyone’s responsibility to Keep Grand Bahama Clean our lifestyles, our economy and our future depend on it”.