BCs are committed to engaging ILT in licensing and enforcement
From our correspondent
The Hague – With the Decree on the Establishment and Activities of the BES (IAB BES) entering into force on 1 April 2024, outgoing State Secretary Heijnen for Infrastructure and Water Management (I&W) will draw up a ministerial regulation in which officials from the Human Environment and the Environment Inspectorate (ILT) are charged with supervision. To carry out the tasks assigned to the Executive Boards of the Dutch Caribbean by or under the Vrom BES Act.
She announced this yesterday in a letter to the House of Representatives.
She says in her letter that she takes ILT reports on the VTH (environment, building and nature) system in the Dutch Caribbean very seriously. “The report confirms that the concerns that I and the House of Representatives have regarding the implementation of VTH’s missions are well-founded,” Heijnen said. She sees improving the implementation of this on the islands as a common task faced by all partners in the VTH system and has previously promised that she will consult with local administrative councils, relevant administrations, the Environment Agency of North Holland and stakeholders to discuss this next. Summer vacation to arrive at an assessment of the conclusions and recommendations of the international working group’s report. “But I also indicated that I consider a number of short-term actions necessary to prevent avoidable damage to nature and the environment.”
Therefore, Heijnen sought further advice from the ILT on additional measures under the Vrom Bes Act and, based on the advice issued, decided to adopt a Ministerial Regulation from the date of entry into force of the IAB BES in which the ILT officials are charged with supervising the implementation of the tasks assigned to the Executive Boards of Dutch Caribbean under or under the Vrom BES Act. In addition, the Inspector General of the ILT is appointed as the “Inspector” referred to in Article 1 of the BES Vrom Act. After the relevant legal provisions enter into force, administrative councils will be obliged to involve the ILT in the preparation of a number of decisions specified in the law, such as preparing and granting environmental permits and sending implementation decisions.
