Belmopan. February 7, 2019. The Department of the Environment (DOE) has been collaborating with the Belize Tourism Board (BTB) for the past two years in ensuring that existing and new hotel facilities are compliant with the environmental laws of Belize.
In an effort to streamline the Environmental Clearance process, the DOE made modifications to its processing requirements, including a tailored Environmental Checklist, and even adjusted the processing and monitoring fees, given the large volume of facilities undergoing this regularization process. These modifications were made to enhance efficiency.
Since ample time has passed since the start of this regularization process, the DOE hereby informs hoteliers and other accommodation facilities that the DOE will be ending this regularization process on March 31, 2019. Applications received after this date will be processed utilizing the regularly established protocols and will be required to pay the standard fees. Moreover, facilities not compliant by this time will be operating without Environmental Clearance, and thereby run the risk of facing fines or legal actions for operating without Environmental Clearance.
The Environmental Screening process is an important planning tool used to identify potential impacts a project may have on the environment prior to its implementation. Hoteliers and other tourism facilities can contact the DOE for more information or clarification on this matter.
For further information, please contact:
Chief Environmental Officer
Department of the Environment, Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, Forestry, the Environment, Sustainable Development & Immigration
Market Square, Belmopan
Tel: 822-2548/2819
Email: envirodept@btl.net or envirodept@environment.gov.bz or
Website: www.doe.gov.bz
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