Home > CZMU Sections > Coastal Resource Management

The main responsibility in this section, which comprises the Coastal Planner (head of section) and the Research Officer, is the evaluation of Town Planning Applications . These applications all have coastal implications and the CZMU, has the responsibility of making recommendations for the developments that are proposed within the coastal planning area. The assessment is part of a collaborative effort by all sections. In instances where engineering works are involved for example, such as revetments and groynes, some input is obtained from the Engineering section before the application is sent back to Town Planning. The Marine Research section becomes involved where there are matters that will have implications for the marine environment.

The Coastal Resource Management Section usually represents the CZMU on Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) Panels in cases where major applications that will have impacts on the coastal environment are involved. The Unit helps to formulate the Terms of Reference for the EIA and then after the full EIA is submitted, evaluates the document.

Staff

Coastal Planner

This officer is responsible for the day-to-day management of this section. The main responsibilities include:

• Review and approval of development permit applications
• Identification of legislative requirements
• Enforcement of coastal zone management regulations
• Coordination of CZMU functions with other agencies
• Development and implementation of Coastal Management Plan
• Input to development and updates of Coastal Management Plan

Research Officer

This officer's main duty is site inspection for development control. Other duties are as follows:

• Provision of information to other agencies involved with education with respect to coastal zone protection
• Coordinating with relevant Government agencies including the Royal Barbados Police Force for the enforcement of the Coastal Zone Management Act and control of water sports and adoption of safety measures

Besides the main duties outlined above, the members of the section also assist in the investigation of complaints from the general public; offer advice to developers; assist the other sections with their duties (e.g. taking part in beach profiling activities which are carried out by the Engineering section and coral reef monitoring with the Marine Research section).

In addition to these tasks, this section is responsible for the Unit's education outreach programme and summer internship programme.

The section is responsible for the Unit's Education Outreach Programme. Information on the activities of the Unit and proper environmental practices are communicated to the general public by means of the On & Offshore newsletter as well as the http://www.coastal.gov.bb website.

Internship Programme

This programme is supervised by this section as well. Students of secondary and tertiary levels are given the opportunity to gain research experience and an introduction to all aspects of scientific method, including hypothesis development, experimental design, data analysis and oral and written communication. The interns are expected to participate in the routine functions of the CZMU to gain a full appreciation of the work performed by the CZMU.