Gumbs updates Parliament on Nature Policy Plan targets and funding

VROMI Minister Patrice Gumbs updated Parliament on Tuesday 20 October on work under the Nature Policy Plan St. Maarten 2025-2030, including marine protection targets of 15% of national waters by 2027 and 30% by 2030. Gumbs said the plan combines the policy and its action plan in one framework and retains much of the previous plan’s objectives.

Gumbs told Parliament that the Nature Foundation had secured Blue Marine Foundation funding to identify further marine areas for protection and draft legislation for their legal protection. He also said the foundation had secured SPA/RAC funding for legislation to protect red and black mangroves.

According to Gumbs, a lawyer is reviewing the Nature Ordinance through VROMI’s legal and expert-advice budget. The VROMI Policy Department is also working on administrative enforcement legislation with TEO funding, while the ministry is seeking funding to develop policy for mandatory environmental impact assessments for selected developments.

Gumbs said updated environmental norms for hindrance permits have been approved and officials are being prepared to apply them. He also reported that the National Adaptation Strategy for St. Maarten, known as NAS-SX, was developed with IPDC funding, and that the ministry is seeking financing for a National Adaptation Plan.

MP York, MP Ardwell Irion, MP Veronica Jansen and MP Doran questioned the ministry’s capacity to carry out the plan. Their questions covered zero-guilder allocations, staffing shortages, inspectors, support for the Nature Foundation, cooperation with French St. Martin, fisheries, protected areas and environmental impact assessments.