The Act establishes the Natural Resources Conservation Authority and sets out its functions, which include the effective management of the physical environment and the promotion of public awareness of the ecological systems of Jamaica and their importance to the social and economic life of the Island.
Active transparency (Sections 4, 5, 9, 32 and 33)
In performing its functions, the Authority may conduct seminars and training programmes and gather and disseminate information relating to environmental matters.
The Authority shall cause any order made to designate a national park or a protected area to be published once in a daily newspaper circulating in Jamaica.
The Minister may, on the recommendation of the Authority, by order published in the Gazette, prescribe the areas in Jamaica, and the description or category of enterprise, construction or development to which the provisions of this section (permit required) shall appIy; and the Authority shall cause any order so prescribed to be published once in a daily newspaper circulating in Jamaica.
The Authority shall cause a copy of every order made to protect the environment or to declare an environmental protected area to be published once in a daily newspaper circulating in Jamaica.
Right to appeal (Section 35)
An aggrieved person may appeal to the Minister against a decision of the Authority in relation to a permit or licence and the appeal shall be made in writing within twentyeight days of the date of the decision or within such further period as the Minister may in any special circumstances allow.
Legal standing (Section 36)
The Authority may by instrument in writing authorize any such person as it thinks fit (hereinafter referred to as the authorized person) to institute proceedings against any person for an offence against this Act and to recover any penalties under this Act or regulations made thereunder, and the authorized person may prosecute or conduct such proceedings.