NEPA
Overview
The National Environment and Planning Agency (NEPA) of Jamaica is an Executive Agency that became operational on April 1, 2001.
NEPA represents a merger between the Natural Resources Conservation Authority (NRCA), the Town Planning Department (TPD) and the Land Development and Utilization Commission (LDUC). The Agency results from the work of the Government of Jamaica Public Sector Modernization Programme (PSMP). The aim of the merger is to integrate environmental, planning and sustainable development policies and programmes and to improve customer service.
Our Mission
To promote sustainable development by ensuring protection of the environment and orderly development in Jamaica through highly motivated staff performing at the highest standard.
Our Vision
That Jamaica’s natural resources are being used in a sustainable way and that there is broad understanding of environment, planning and development issues, with extensive participation amongst citizens and a high level of compliance to relevant legislation.
Our Core Values
Integrity: We earn our reputation by adhering to the highest ethical standards, conduct and moral principles and at all times act in ways to preserve our integrity.
Accountability: We hold ourselves accountable to the public, accept responsibility for the decisions and actions that we take and will submit ourselves to the scrutiny that attends our decisions and actions.
Justice & Fair-play: In valuing the diversity in human nature and circumstances, we apply the principles of justice and fair-play in all our dealings within and outside the Agency to ensure that equity always prevails.
Customer Service: We acknowledge our role as a provider of services and will always strive to satisfy and exceed our customers’ expectations.
Teamwork: We foster collaboration and teamwork among staff while maintaining individual accountability.
Health & Safety: We strive to create and maintain a safe and healthy work environment.
Empowerment: We aim to create a learning organization where all our employees are empowered to achieve excellence, and high levels of performance are recognized and rewarded.
Respect: We treat our team members, clients and partners with mutual respect and sensitivity, recognizing the importance of diversity.
Legislative Mandate
NEPA operates under the following Acts:
The Natural Resources Conservation Authority Act;
The Town and Country Planning Act;
The Land Development and Utilization Act;
The Beach Control Act;
The Watersheds Protection Act; and
The Wild Life Protection Act
Endangered Species (Protection, Conservation and Regulation of Trade) Act
Policies
The work of NEPA is guided by the following policies and plans:
Jamaica National Environmental Action Plan (JaNEAP) 1999-2002
National Physical Plan
Policy for Jamaica’s System of Protected Areas – 1997
Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan (Draft)
Watershed Management Policy (Draft)
Beach Policy for Jamaica (Draft)
Environmental Management Systems Policy and Strategy (Draft)