Information gathering on land use and preparation of base maps has begun for the island of San Salvador. This process will feed into the preparation of a Comprehensive Land Use Plan for this island which is considered a "hot spot" for future development. Completion is anticipated by autumn of 1997.

Development of the long-range Planning (Research) Section of the Department of Physical Planning is crucial to improving land management effectiveness. Databases are being developed for the following:

Subdivisions - land use, zoning, services availability

Building Permits - applications for building permits, compliance with Town Planning Guidelines,

Home Occupation Uses - small-scale commercial uses in some residential areas.

The use of Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) reports to support development applications for large projects has increased over the past three years. Two key requirements to ensure the sustainable use of land resources are (a) an effective planning system which provides long and short-term frameworks for the allocation of land among competing uses, and (b) mechanisms to evaluate and monitor proposals for development. Planning at this level requires extensive databases, surveys and analysis and clear policy definition. These are areas which have been lacking in the Bahamas.

Progress has been made with the introduction of a new Geographic Information System by the Ministry of Finance and Planning. In finding rational solutions to equip decision makers with information which would promote sustainable development in The Bahamas, it was recognised that GIS technology is the information system which may be utilised to manage a wide range of land resource/spatial applications. High national priority was therefore given to the development of an "Enterprise Wide G.I.S." in a multi-agency environment with technical assistance provided by the Inter-American Development Bank and funding and technical assistance provided by the Japanese Government.

The overall objective of The Bahamas National GIS Project is geared to strengthening the GIS Unit (anticipated new name: The GIS Centre) and to expanding the use of GIS technology in Government agencies. It was therefore decided that The Bahamas Government would proceed with the B.N.G.I.S. Project as a forerunner to an overall land use project. The problems that have mitigated against the effective guidance and control of the use of land have been identified as follows: weak town planning legislation, weak institutions responsible for control and land development, particularly in the Family Islands, and a dearth of data. Action is now being taken to correct these weaknesses particularly in respect to data collection. Preparation of a comprehensive Land Use Plan and Enforcement Instrument is a top priority for New Province and the major Family Islands. This is a major undertaking but is needed to complement the land use/transportation study now in progress.

The absence of specific forestry legislation is the principal barrier to the more effective and sustained development of forestry in The Bahamas. Until such time as the drafted legislation is enacted, no effective management strategies can be implemented. It is recommended that a programme to protect, manage, and harvest forests on the basis of sustained yields be established. Whether the forests are then harvested for lumber or for pulpwood will be a matter of Government policy. A programme of selective thinning of pine forests is needed, as it is essential to maintain forest cover in designated areas to conserve and protect wildlife. This will entail the establishment of saw-mills. Saw-mill operation could be undertaken by the private sector, but felling would need to be monitored by a strong Forestry Department. Attention must also be given to the coppice lands.

The International Convention to Combat Desertification in Countries Experiencing Drought and/or Desertification

Particularly in Africa has not been ratified.

Additional comments relevant to this chapter

Not applicable.

Not applicable.

The Bahamas recognizes that agricultural expansion must be made compatible with the maintenance of biodiversity. This will require the creation of buffer zones and limitations on the use of pesticides. Lease agreements encourage environmentally friendly patterns of land use by offering incentives to leave shelter belts and not to cultivate areas of unusual biodiversity. Particularly important is (a) the protection of wetlands, where adjacent to agriculture areas, and (b) the protection of freshwater resources from contamination by fertilizer nutrients, pesticides and animal wastes. Since much of the projected agricultural expansion will depend on good quality water for irrigation, it is a matter of self-interest for the agricultural sector to protect water resources. Already, agricultural land, and land for forestry and conservation, are being set aside.

The Bahamas is located in the hurricane belt and is vulnerable to their devastating effects. In 1992 Hurricane Andrew caused severe salt intrusion on one of the major farming areas. More recently, heavy rains following Hurricane Lili in 1996 led to flooding of land with consequent leaching of fertilizer and delay in replanting. In addition, tornadoes, waterspouts, droughts, fire, flooding and other disasters, periodically plague the agricultural sector. Contingency plans with infrastructural support are being developed. Given the permeability of the soils, and indeed of the parent rock, agro-chemicals are readily leached into the freshwater lenses, which supply water needed for agricultural, industrial and domestic uses. No scientists, engineers and technicians are directly engaged in research and experimental development efforts.

It is estimated that on an annual basis five to ten persons assist indirectly in activities sponsored and funded by academic non-national efforts in various endeavours covering the marine and terrestrial environment. Recent developments elsewhere in bio-technology, including tissue culture and rapid propagation techniques, will be adopted here in order to preserve endangered species and develop sustainable agricultural programmes. Agricultural research will be strengthened to improve service to the agricultural community. Better transportation and communications among the dispersed islands will be needed for the full development of the Family Islands in order to facilitate access to markets. The thin soil and limestone substrate increases land preparation costs and will be addressed by research and the development of appropriate technologies.

Additional requirements include institutional strengthening through improved training, data management and research capability; review and introduction of comprehensive natural resource legislation and management programmes, especially in forestry and wildlife; monitoring of compliance with provisions in agricultural leases; introduction of comprehensive pesticide legislation, with a certification programme for pesticide applicators; strengthening and modernization of marketing, communications and transportation infrastructure; and introduction of a comprehensive programme for the control of exotic plants and animals. Immediate requirements include the upgrading of facilities and training in all areas; the collection of data on feral dogs, cats, pigs and their effect on habitat and biodiversity depletion; training in pesticide monitoring and evaluation; and a review and strengthening of legislation to improve plant and animal quarantine so as to exclude, as far as possible, exotic pests and diseases, and to protect endangered and threatened species.

The Convention on Biological Diversity has been signed in 1992 and ratified in 1993. Latest report was submitted in 1996.

Considerable progress is being made in the development of a National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan, which will be completed in 1997. A Biodiversity Data Management Project is at present actively engaged in identifying data on all components of biodiversity. The Bahamas Government has made the submission of EIAs a mandatory requirement for all projects which are likely to have significant adverse effects on biological diversity. In addition to reports submitted to CSD and UNEP, The Bahamas Government will submit to CBC/COP in early 1998 its first national country report covering measures taken relative to the implementation of the Convention.

The Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora was ratified in 1979, the latest report was submitted in 1996.

The Bahamas is taking appropriate measures to enforce regulatory provisions and prohibit trade in specimens in violation of those regulations. With reference to the requirement to prepare periodic reports on its implementation of the Convention and to prepare an annual report listing export permits issued and species involved, the latest report submitted by The Bahamas was in 1996 (in respect of 1995). In 1995, a total of 73 import permits were issued, 58 of these for birds (principally parrots, macaws and cockatoos) and 15 for orchids. Also, 47 export permits were issued. Of these, 12 were for research samples (feathers or blood samples from turtles or iguanas) and 17 for exports of conch meat or products and shells.

Additional comments relevant to this chapter: Over the past five years, there has been increasing recognition of the significance of biodiversity to The Bahamas. This was originally viewed as the creation of national parks for conservation of wild species of plants and animals. However, many sectors of the country, both public and private, have come to realise its importance in the tourism, agriculture, fisheries and forestry sectors. Biodiversity has also been recognized as a principal source of food, especially on the Family Islands, in the form of substance harvesting.

The Government is taking steps to coordinate monitoring and widen public awareness of the economic values and importance of managing biodiversity sustainably so as to ensure continued use. Poaching remains a problem. Not only is the poaching of fish a continuing concern, but also the poaching of snakes and iguanas for the pet trade. Orchids are also being depleted by collectors. The Government is active in taking steps to coordinate monitoring and regulate activities which impact on biodiversity. It is seeking to widen public awareness of the value and importance of biodiversity. It is also exploring possibilities through which The Bahamas may derive further economic benefits through the sustainable use of biodiversity.

Towards this end the Government of The Bahamas established The Bahamas Environment, Science and Technology Commission (BEST) in 1995. The Commission, which is headed by the Ambassador for the Environment, comprises representation from public and private sector institutions responsible for areas relative to the environment, science and technology. Aspects of the Commission's work are undertaken by a number of committees, including on International Convention Obligations, Biodiversity Data Management, National Land Use, National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan, Climate Change, Environmental Safety, Science etc. The Commission is the focal point for all international environmental conventions and agreements.

The Bahamas is a participant in two UNEP projects funded by GEF, namely the Biodiversity Data Management Project and the National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan Project. With the support of GEF/UNEP, The Bahamas completed the Biodiversity Country Study in 1995 with significant upgrading and revision in 1996.

The UN Convention on the Law of the Sea was ratified in 1983.

See also the attached tables on the next pages.

As a result of its geographic configuration, the protection of the ocean is of considerable importance to The Bahamas as the archipelago covers 100 sq. miles, 90% of which is water.

The Bahamas has planned: (1) a national policy on oceans which will be integrated into the National Sustainable Development Plan; and (2) an integrated coastal area management programme. To ensure protection, a number of conventions have been signed in recent years. However, The Bahamas has found many difficult to implement and accurate compliance in some is a challenging task.

Precautionary measures have been taken with respect to marine and coastal activities. It is now official policy to require an Environmental Impact Assessment prior to any major activities and/or development projects. If developers are guilty of negative practices, permits to operate are revoked. The same applies to fishermen, and heavy fines are applicable to cruise ships and boat owners for failure to comply with the laws and regulations.

The Government has access to technologies that serve to identify the major types of pollution of the marine environment from land-based sources. There are data bases used by the Department of Fisheries and the College of the Bahamas for integrated coastal management/information purposes.

A Biodiversity Data Management data base is being developed by the BEST Commission with GEF/UNEP assistance. The Government has rated the existing data bases adequate, and they cover the following: resources, cultural and socio-economic characteristics, activities, uses, habitats, protected areas, coral reef ecosystems, wetlands including mangroves, sea grass beds and other spawning and nursery areas. They do not cover marine degradation caused by land-based activities and estuaries.

The Bahamas has adopted a voluntary Code of Conduct for Responsible Fisheries which sets out principles and international standards of behaviour for responsible practices with a view to ensuring the effective conservation, management and development of living aquatic resources, with due respect for the ecosystem and biodiversity.

The Department of Fisheries is working diligently to ensure sustainable economic development through integrated marine and coastal planning and resource management.

Commercial fishing within the 200 mile exclusive fishing zone is reserved for Bahamian nationals. With the ever increasing demand for certain species, a number of projects have been undertaken to optimise sustainably the yield while not endangering future harvesting of crawfish, stone crab and conch fisheries.

Groundwater resources: The quantified freshwater resources of thirteen of the larger islands of the Commonwealth comprise 28% of their total land area. The groundwater resources of the Commonwealth are comprised of the fresh, brackish, saline and hypersaline water found in the shallow and deep subsurface, and in the lakes and ponds that occur on the surface. The freshwater resources occur as three dimensional lens-shaped bodies which float on and overlie brackish and saline water. These lenses do not occur in subterranean lakes, rivers, or ponds. Groundwater permeates the rock and all its pores, fissures and interconnected cavities. More than 90% of the freshwater lenses are within five feet of the surface. The low lying nature of the islands, and the narrow unsaturated zone between the groundwater and the surface, render the freshwater lenses highly susceptible to contamination by pollutants percolating down to the water table. Industrial pollutants, solid wastes and sewerage discharges in cesspools, septic tanks, pit latrines and disposal wells, endanger the purity of the water, and, when it is used without disinfection, poses a serious health hazard. Urban, agricultural and industrial encroachment into public wellfields poses an additional hazard. The lack of centralized wastewater treatment facilities results in approximately 90% of the residents using septic tanks. Along with the high number of private water supply wells, estimated at between 12,000 and 20,000, this makes the largest threat to water quality be that of human origin.

Sewerage: In The Bahamas there are sewer collection systems serving approximately one fifth of the capital Nassau; on the other islands these are limited to a few small subdivisions and some private developments and hotels. Septic tanks are used most commonly on the major islands though these do not always conform to the Building Code and therefore may not function in the manner that they should. In the less developed areas pit latrines may be used and there are some places where direct discharge to the sea is still used as a means of disposing of wastes. The use of septic tanks is usually combined with a drain field or disposal wall. Where sewerage mains exist the wastes are normally treated to primary or secondary levels, and the effluent is then disposed of in a deep disposal well. Many different types of deep disposal wells are utilized discharging a wide variety of liquid wastes. The wells that are used to dispose of large volumes of effluent are normally cased down to about 200 metres and are open below this depth. Tourist areas usually include golf courses, and these require considerable volumes of irrigation water. In such situations the wastewater from the hotels is usually treated and reused on a nearby golf course. The waste disposal methods used in The Bahamas are presently far from satisfactory, and studies have shown that the groundwater underlying urbanized areas shows relatively high levels of pollution. There is also evidence of sea-water pollution, particularly in some enclosed harbours which are important tourist destinations or may be involved in the seafood industry.

Other chemical and mineral wastes: The disposal of organic wastes and use of fertilizers, herbicides, and pesticides in addition to waste or spilled petroleum products and discharges from industrial and food processing operations impact water quality and are a cause of concern. Contaminated water from these sources drains directly to the water table as storm water runoff. These concerns are heightened in the environment as a result of a lack of controls, and the adequate regulation of drilling companies and the absence of appropriate groundwater regulations. Fuel and oil spills have become a common feature of groundwater contamination complaints, and the reported spills range in volume from several hundreds of gallons to one spill that leaked over a ten year period in excess of one million US gallons.

Water supplies: Groundwater resources in the Bahamas have always been easy to exploit, and regular usage dates back to the earliest settlers. Today, water is still privately obtained by bucket from shallow hand-dug wells; public supplies are obtained from mechanically cut trenches, pits and seasonal freshwater marshes.

The Basel Convention on the Control of Transboundary Movements of Hazardous Wastes and their Disposal was ratified in 1992.

Additional comments relevant to this chapter

The Bahamas is largely dependent on groundwater for agricultural, domestic and industrial water supplies and as such there is great concern about the possibility of its contamination from improper management. Hazardous waste and its management are not specifically dealt with in the existing Bahamian Legislation, however, Hazardous Materials Regulations are being drafted. The Environmental Act of 1987 gives the Department of Environmental Health Services (DEHS) the authority to control the use, manufacture and disposal of toxic chemicals and the responsibility for hazardous waste management.

This is regardless of whether it is for disposal or recycling. Solid waste management in the Bahamas has historically been plagued with several major problems, including: (1) poor equipment which has been highlighted by bad purchasing decisions and which cause repair difficulties, keeping equipment out of service for long periods of time; (2) gross under-funding; (3) lack of properly trained management and technical staff; (4) a poorly organized system of waste storage and lack of waste separation at source; (5) an inefficient system of revenue management and collection from commercial customers; (6) a poorly designed disposal site layout.

The recent change in the Government policy towards solid waste and the change in management structure has allowed for a more realistic budget for the management of the service. This has resulted in more operational equipment and better trained personnel and a better and a more broadly based management structure for the Division, with the separation of cleaning of public areas from waste collection. Consideration now has to be given to re-introducing some cleaning aspects; a survey to categorize the waste has been done and a system for involving the private sector is being finalized; and a detailed plan for the layout and management of the disposal site is under development.

A major pre-investment study of waste disposal has been completed by the Inter-American Development Bank. It is proposed that a nation wide waste disposal project will be established to address all areas of this problem.

GEF via UNEP US$ eq.400,000.

GEF via UNEP US$ eq. 150,000. UNEP has advised that preliminary approval of this amount will be awarded to

the Bahamas for the development of a National Strategy on Biological Diversity.

GEF via Caricom/OAS US$ eq.500,000. This amount may be awarded to The Bahamas via the GEF project

"Caribbean: Adaption to Climate Change".

GEF via UNEP US$ eq.20,000, to be awarded to assist in conducting the Ozone Country Study.

CFTC US$ eq.50,000.

CHANGES IN NATIONAL BUDGET TO ADDRESS SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT: While activities are woven into the budgets of many Departments and Ministries, it is impossible to give a specific amount. There is no separate budget for sustainable development per se.

NEW ECONOMIC INSTRUMENTS: In late 1995, an Environmental Court was established where those found guilty of environmental abuse will be prosecuted and heavily fined.

ELIMINATION OF ENVIRONMENTALLY UNFRIENDLY SUBSIDIES:

Recipient

No information.

MEANS OF IMPLEMENTATION:

The Bahamas does not possess the human and financial resources to expand and further develop the sustainable use of its natural resources. Collaborative efforts in marine and terrestrial ecology, geology and hydrogeology help to expand The Bahamas' scientific knowledge. Research activity is largely driven from the point at which non-national academic priorities and the interest of The Bahamas coincide. The Bahamas Government provides logistical support in exchange for the sharing of the results of the academic findings of reputable international scientific endeavours.

The Bahamas presently has limited access to scientific information, but increasingly the value and importance of accessing the Internet, and the availability of information on BioNet, CARINET and other regional networks is being recognised.

STEPS TAKEN TO ENHANCE SCIENTIFIC UNDERSTANDING, IMPROVE LONG TERM SCIENTIFIC ASSESSMENT, BUILDING OF CAPACITY AND CAPABILITY:

Research permits are required for scientist wishing to carry out ecological and biological research in The Bahamas, and several research stations already exist (in San Salvador and North Andros for example). Increasingly, a local training component is being included in the proposals, and permit holders are sending back to The Bahamas reports and thesis etc. The stock of local information is therefore increasing.

The Bahamas will in 1997 produce a metadatabase of existing scientific information on Bahamian Biodiversity through the GEF funded Biodiversity Data Management Project. The metadatabase is expected to indicate the coverage of various scientific research efforts. It is anticipated that the project will also provide indication of where efforts are required to address deficiencies and assign scientific research efforts in the future.

Approximately five to ten scientists are engaged in research and experimental development through activities sponsored by the College of The Bahamas. This includes work conducted both within the College's confines and in the field station it maintains on San Salvador, the Island which was the first landfall of Columbus in the New World.

In addition, it is estimated that on an annual basis 10 to 30 persons assist indirectly in efforts sponsored and funded by academic efforts in various scientific endeavours covering the marine and terrestrial environment.

The UN agencies have supported educational programmes on environment and sustainable development issues by providing public awareness information on environmental issues, but more UN support is needed. Schools and universities are part of a national network addressing environment and development issues.

At the national level, there is an association of NGO's, including the Bahamas National Trust (BNT), the Bahamas Reef Environmental Education Foundation (BREEF) and Friends of the Environment Conservation Groups, that provide educational upgrading for teachers and students via resource materials, workshops, field trips and assistance with science clubs. Recently, a scholarship for teachers' upgrading in an environmental education workshop was granted. Funding for teacher and student attendance to the global youth forum (UNEP) and UN conferences is also given periodically. At the primary and secondary school levels environmental health, sanitation, ecosystems, recycling and energy saving are dealt in part, and safe drinking water and food are dealt with fully.

a) Reorientation of education towards sustainable development See above.

b) Increasing public awareness Radio and television broadcasts and in-service workshops on environmental education for school administrators, parents and teachers are used by the MOET Committee. The BEST Committee will use Internet, television, radio and the press for public awareness and intends to co-author pamphlets and other materials which relate exclusively to the Bahamian children and the need for sustainable development to protect their heritage.

c) Promoting training See under STATUS REPORT.

ROLE OF MAJOR GROUPS: See under STATUS Report and FINANCING.

FINANCING AND COST EVALUATION OF THE LABOUR ACTIVITIES: Women work in many non-traditional jobs. The evening classes of educational institutions are heavily attended by young and middle aged women taking advantage of the courses offered. Legislation to affirm the rights of indigenous people to play a part in education and training in environmental and development issues being enacted. Pre-service and in-service training programmes are available for teachers, administrators, educational planners and non-formal educators in all sectors concerning the nature and methods of environmental and developing education. Environmental workshops, seminars, on-site supervision, field trips etc. are conducted and facilitated by NGO's and technical officers.

No information.