2014 Annual Report

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Annual Report of the Minister for the Public Service, Sustainable Development, Energy Science & Technology Development of the Limits of Acceptable Change Study Report PROTECTED AREAS MANAGEMENT The single most important priority for the PMA during the current (2013-2014) Financial Year was the completion of the Limits of Acceptable Change (LAC) Study. The study also addressed key outputs of the broader protected area programme goal, which is working towards establishing and sustaining an effective and integrated system of protected areas. The commissioning of the Limits of Acceptable Change Study was an essential part of Saint Lucia’s commitment to the UNESCO World Heritage Committee for addressing issues within the PMA. After an intense period of data collection, consultation and dialogue among stakeholders, the Protected Management Areas Office can now report that a major target has been achieved. Of great significance is the report’s conclusion that “since attaining World Heritage Status, the features of the PMA that confer Outstanding Universal Value have largely been preserved”. While the completion of the Study is a significant milestone, the Office must now respond to the new challenge of monitoring new and/or proposed developments planned for the PMA to ensure conformity with the stipulations of the Study. This added responsibility would require, among other things, addressing the human resource constraints of the Protected Areas programme and the Protected Areas Management Office in particular. At its most recent meeting, the Pitons Management Area Advisory Committee agreed that the Protected Areas Management Office should undertake the following actions: a) Provide greater information and interpretation of the PMA for visitors and liaise with landowners and 37
Annual Report of the Minister for the Public Service, Sustainable Development, Energy Science & Technology members of the local community to raise awareness of the Limits of Acceptable Change Study. b) Establish a strong working relationship with the Development Control Authority. c) Set up a system to monitor the changes in the landscape of the PMA using the important viewpoints as the basic unit of assessment of the maintenance of the outstanding universal value of the PMA. d) Commission a detailed survey of the flora and fauna throughout the PMA from which accurate geographical information system maps are to be created, which identify areas of high biodiversity value that should be preserved. e) Collaborate with stakeholders to identify and address any threats to the biodiversity (terrestrial and marine) and general health of the PMA. f) Liaise with local businesses and community organisations to help maximise the economic potential of the PMA while remaining within the Limits of Acceptable Change. iii. Engaged the community to increase public awareness of the Protected Areas Management Office and the Pitons Management Area in general, and of the potential to leverage funds from the GEF Small Grants Programme Office in Saint Lucia for small projects within the PMA. iv. Created opportunities for dialogue and collaboration amongst agencies with an environmental mandate operating within the PMA. v. Established networks to facilitate collaboration with critical stakeholders, such as the Soufriere Marine Management Authority, Saint Lucia National Trust and other departments of the MSDEST. This network extends to the Soufriere Regional Development Foundation, the Environmental Health Office in Soufriere and the Soufriere Action Theatre among others. vi. Enhanced the aesthetics of the PMA Inscription Monument in collaboration with the Soufriere Infant School and the Soufriere/Fond St Jacques Constituency Council. CLIMATE CHANGE Solar PV panels on the Marchand Community Center Other Notable Achievements The Protected Areas Management Office can also report some success in other programme areas. These include: i. Submitted the 2014 Sate of Conservation Report for the PMA to the UNESCO World Heritage Committee. ii. Commenced eradication of invasive alien species (IAS) plants on Gros Piton. Special Programme on Adaptation to Climate Change - Photovoltaic System (Marchand Community Centre) The Special Programme on Adaptation to Climate Change Project focuses on the implementation of select adaptation measures designed to address climate change impacts. This pilot adaptation measure seeks to demonstrate the design and implementation of appropriate interventions to reinforce critical infrastructure (e.g. hospitals, shelters) to withstand the effects of intensified hurricanes in the Castries region of Saint Lucia. 38
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2014 Annual Report

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