Meeting Minutes

Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) Scoping Study

Presentation of Draft Report

Tuesday 3rd March, 2009

Location:

Ministry of Planning, Housing and the Environment

Conference Room, Level 14, Eric Williams Finance Building

Agenda:

Opening Remarks, Mr. Joseph Howard, Deputy Permanent Secretary/Deputy National Authorising Officer, Ministry of Planning, Housing and the Environment

Welcome, Mr. Stelios Christopoulous, Charge d’Affaires, Delegation of the European Commission to Trinidad and Tobago

Draft Report on SEA Scoping Study, Mary Matthews Team Leader

Discussion

SEA Methodology, Mary Matthews Team Leader

Discussion

Closing Remarks, Ms. Kathrin Renner, Programme Officer, Delegation of the European Commission to Trinidad and Tobago

Attendees:

Name / Position / Agency
Joseph Howard / Deputy PD / Min of Planning, Housing and Environment
Stelios Christopolous / EC Delegation Charge d’Affaires / EC
Kathrin Renner / Programme Officer / EC
Mary Matthews / EC SEA Consultant / EC
Tehri Karvinen / Programme Coordinator / EC
Solomon Ioannou / Programme Coordinator / EC
Glenroy Ennis / EC Agricultural Consultant / EC
Ramgopaul Roop / TTABA Consultant / TTABA
Sherisse Ali / Environmental Programme Officer / EMA
Nicola De Pietrantonio / Junior Expert / EC
Willard Phillips / Programme Specialist – Environment / UNDP
Julia Ramierlmorgsie / Planning Officer / Min. of Social Development
Salisha Ali Belamy / Estate Manager / EMBD
Ian Rampersad / Soil Scientist / MALMR
David Persaud / Environmental Manager / Min of Planning, Housing and Environment
Ricardo Ramdin / Manager, Water Planning / WRA/WASA
Kelly-Ann Thorpe / Communication Engineer (ag) / WRA/WASA
Marlene Johnson / Programme Coordinator / EDF Unit, MPHE
Ingrid Charles / Secretary / EDF Unit, MPHE

The meeting was chaired by Mr. Joseph Howard, Deputy Permanent Secretary/Deputy National Authorizing Officer of the Ministry of Planning, Housing and the Environment. In his opening remarks he thanked everyone for coming and asked the attendees to introduce themselves. This was followed by a brief overview on the SEA by Mr Stelios Christopoulos, Carge’d Affaires, Delegation of the European Commission to Trinidad and Tobago. In his statement, he highlighted the purpose of the meeting which was to come up with strategies that would minimize social and economic interference with the environment from any intervention and to assist with identifying activities that would support diversification of the sugarcane industry. He mentioned that the SEA as one mechanism through which stakeholders may help.

Dr. Mary Matthews, SEA EC Consultant then led the group into the presentation of the findings of the scoping study report. She provided a definition of SEA and highlighted the difference between an SEA and EIA. Relating the SEA to policy, plan and program she claimed that it explores the alternatives to elements of the NAS and the associated benefits. Relating the Stakeholder Engagement Plan to the SEA she mentioned that the scoping study is a living document, meaning that the elements keep changing as the SEA progresses. She differentiated among three types of SEA studies: one that focuses on the environment, one on economic issues and another that integrates both environment and economics, which she claimed the current approach will adapt. She went on to explain the inter-sectorial relationship in the framework to which the current SEA will adhere.

In highlighting some of the most important lesson to learn from the SEA she emphasized the importance of inter-sectorial cooperation; the need to develop sustainable agricultural capacity and interests in export markets; that there is a wide range of social, economic and environmental concerns to be considered. The section was close off with her reminder that multiple challenges equal multiple opportunities

Comments on the Scoping Study:

Mr. Joseph Howard expressed concerns about the effect of previous sugarcane practices on coral reefs, ground water quality and chemical run-offs. Mr. Ian Rampersad, Soil Scientist, MALMR mentioned that there are existing papers that address those issues and mentioned incidences in Trinidad of inundation of the lands by sea water, which should be considered in the SEA.

Mr. Ramgopaul Roop, president of TTABA, voiced his concerns about the environment, that it is not being valued in most developmental initiatives and how the SEA could change such a situation, especially as it relates to agricultural development. His concern was on how to get one to look at the environment as an equal pillar (the environment being of equal importance as social and economics). The issue is to allow the environment to become a part of the conversation at every stage.

Ms. Marlene Johnson, program coordinator, EDF Unit MPHE spoke about the concerns of the Ministry of Health as it relates to the issue of increase flooding and increase in water borne illnesses. Mary explained the difficulties in pinpointing the real causes of illnesses as a result of water borne diseases.

Mr. Roop was very strong in the expression of his concerns on whether EU funding was for agriculture or for environmental projects. He wanted to understand the nature of the fund; whether it was just to look at policy, plan and program or for assisting former sugarcane workers.

Mr. Stelios Christopoulos responded by providing an explanation as to how the EU funds will be handled. He said that it is sector-budget based, to help Government to implement its own policies as it relates to the sugar sector and to assist in the diversification process. He claimed that the effort is not assessing policies but is to help it in term of the quality implemented, sector budget support and assessing performance indicators.

Mr. Roop further questioned whether funds would be directed to individual stakeholder and how one should apply for it. At that point, Mr. Joseph explained that the fund was not to be handled that way but that it goes into the consolidated funds of the Ministry of Finance. Stakeholders would need to operate based on stipulated conditions, and they will access the funds accordingly.

Ms. Kelly-Anne Thorpe, Communications Engineer with WASA, voiced her concerns about the cultural perceptions that are often made relating to developmental projects. She argued that interventions are lacking considerations about cultural impacts on development hence the usual failures or lack of success. The softer issues she claimed usually have major far reaching effects but are usually ignored and the SEA could seek to address this issue.

Mr. Willard Phillips, Program Specialist, Environment of UNDP made an observation, that the SEA was not exploring the wet land areas, which is a large part of the Caroni planes. He believes that possible opportunities include tourism, run-off and bio-diversity are important.

SEA METHODOLOGY

Mary provided a concise review of the methodology for the SEA. It was to evaluate the three P’s from a policy and institutional perspective - evaluation of policies and institutional framework, noting where everything fits. She mentioned other salient activities that were to be implemented, including the conduct of baseline studies and attempted to solicit the assistance of stakeholders. Mr. Joseph claimed that data related to baseline studies have been available and that there is a need to figure out what is out there. He mentioned the Central Statistical Office as an important source for consideration. On the issue of maintaining linkages among sectors the idea of emails usage was mentioned. Mary claimed that issues may be crosscutting since individuals are usually very busy. But the need for feed back was important.

Ms. Kathrin Renner, Programme Officer, EC, gave the closing remarks. She thanked everyone for attending and reiterated the importance for every stakeholder to support for the SEA. The meeting was adjourned.

March 3, 2009

List of Attendees:

Name / Position / Agency / E-Mail / Phone
Tehri Karvinen / Programme Coordinator / EC / / 6226628
Solomon Ioannou / Programme Coordinator / EC / / 6226628
Stelios Christopolous / EC Delegation Charge d’Affaires / EC
Glenroy Ennis / EC Agricultural Consultant / EC /
Ramgopaul Roop / TTABA Consultant / TTABA / / 3651103
Kathrin Renner / Programme Officer / EC / / 6226628
Sherisse Ali / Environmental Programme Officer / EMA / / 6229270 ext 4243
Nicola De Pietrantonio / Junior Expert / EC / / 6226628
Joseph Howard / Deputy PD / Min of Planning, Housing and Environment / / 6279700
Willard Phillips / Programme Specialist – Environment / UNDP / / 6237056 ext 237
Julia Ramierlmorgsie / Planning Officer / Min. of Social Development / / 6285220
Salisha Ali Belamy / Estate Manager / EMBD / / 7413737
Ian Rampersad / Soil Scientist / MALMR / / 6428560
David Persaud / Environmental Manager / Min of Planning, Housing and Environment / / 4974611
Ricardo Ramdin / Manager, Water Planning / WRA/WASA / / 4737089
Kelly-Ann Thorpe / Communication Engineer (ag) / WRA/WASA / / 6842889
Marlene Johnson / Programme Coordinator / EDF Unit, MPHE
Ingrid Charles / Secretary / EDF Unit, MPHE
Mary Matthews / EC SEA Consultant / EC / / 7294460