August 25, 2026
JET concerned about permits issued by NRCA for reported wetland removal and development in Falmouth, Trelawny
Written byShanice Gibbs
The Jamaica Environment Trust (JET) is raising concerns about permits issued by the Natural Resources Conservation Authority (NRCA) for reported wetland removal and development along an approximately five-kilometre stretch of the north coast road in Falmouth, Trelawny.
In a statement, JET highlighted six permits it said are associated with five sites in the area.
Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Theresa Rodriguez-Moodie, noted that according to the Town and Country Planning (Trelawny parish) Development Order, 2013, the areas associated with these permits are zoned for conservation.
Mrs. Rodriguez-Moodie said JET’s concerns come at a time when the Government has itself highlighted the importance of wetlands to Jamaica’s development and resilience.
She said JET has written to the National Environment and Planning Agency (NEPA) seeking information and documentation relating to the permits.
These include the environmental and technical assessments undertaken, how the conservation zoning was considered, whether cumulative impacts were assessed, what mitigation or restoration measures were required, and whether comments or objections were received from other government entities.
She said JET has also requested copies of the permits.
According to the CEO, JET has been unable to access copies of the permits through NEPA’s online permit/application tracking system.
