Nature in St. Eustatius has been declared vulnerable and under threat by the Nature and Environment Policy Plan.
ST. EUSTATIUS – In collaboration with the Ministry of Agriculture, Nature and Food Quality, Ministry of Infrastructure and Ministry of Kingdom Relations in the Netherlands, St. Eustatius, a public entity, will implement a Nature and Environment Policy Plan. Projects like the roaming animals project and those related nature development, such as the management and treatment for wastewater, will be continued.
The NEPP was prepared by the three ministries in 2019. It provides a framework to guide the Caribbean Netherlands’ environmental policies during the current decade.
By means of more detailed and island-specific implementation agendas, the public entities Bonaire, Statia and Saba, in collaboration with the ministries, prepared an inventory, description and prioritisation of the activities necessary to achieve the goals in the NEPP.
Subsequently, the Directorate of Economy, Nature and Infrastructure (ENI) started with the elaboration of the NEPP in 2020 in a joint effort with St. Eustatius National Parks Foundation STENAPA and other stakeholders under the leadership of Wolfs Consultancy.
This was done through the Implementation Agenda Nature and Environmental Policy Plan St. Eustatius. The Executive Council approved this Implementation Agenda on November 30, 20,21.
The overall objective of the Implementation Agenda is to improve a sustainable food supply and to promote sustainable management and use of Statias nature and environment.
The Implementation Agenda includes a land-recovery programme and continuation of the roaming animals project. A study on wastewater management and treatment options on the island is also funded.
In connection with feasibility, a list of priorities has been drawn up for the short to medium term. Statia places high importance on the agricultural sector in order to reduce import dependence, generate healthy food for its citizens, and create employment and economic opportunities.
Nature, in addition to its intrinsic value, is considered an important carrier for economic sustainability and development.
Currently, Statias nature is vulnerable and under pressure. Implementation of the policy plan is urgently needed and in line with the mission statement for ENI, which is to create economic opportunities through infrastructure development as well as nature conservation.
The fishery sector is also of high importance for the island. This sector is vital for food security and strengthening and diversifying the local economy.
The environmental policy is still in its infancy and further development in the area of waste and wastewater treatment is deemed necessary.
The public entity has limited administrative power and expertise and will only be able to tackle these challenges in close cooperation with the Dutch ministries for financing and implementation and to guarantee long-term management and maintenance.
The NEPP also includes a governance structure for monitoring, coordinating and evaluating progress towards achieving its objectives. A steering committee has been established for Statia. It consists of representatives from the three Ministries, Claudia Toet, deputy Government Commissioner, as well as a programme manger, who will soon be chosen.
The Implementation Agenda is available on request at the ENI Directorate, or at website
