Environmental Policies and protection info (Jamaica Case Study and support info) The undeveloped coast is of great

significance from a scientific and recreational point of view. The undeveloped coast means and is comprised of sections mainly on the southern side of the north coast highway between White River and Rio Bueno. Policy: Development along the undeveloped coast will only be permitted if such proposals would not be detrimental to the environmental quality of the surrounding areas. The proposed development is located within the undeveloped coast as outlined in the St. Ann Dev Order and is proposed to be situated in the last remaining area of a disturbed coastal wetland. According to the Natural Resources and Environmental Management Department, University of Hawaii Manoa, USA. Coastal wetlands are located at a critical interface between the terrestrial and marine environments and are ideally positioned to reduce impacts from land-based sources. The objective of the policy here referred to is to protect as much as possible the existing natural character of the undeveloped coastline including coastal rock formations, wetlands, flora and fauna, caves etc. Policy: Building and structures shall be located in such a way as to avoid any adverse effect on the general character of the existing coastline in the area in which it is to be located. The proposed development is proposed within the existing wetland reserve, eliminating all set back possibilities in an area that has been directly provided for drainage to the sea by the NWA. Siting of the proposed development as illustrated on plans will adversely affect the general character of the coastline by virtue of it replacing a natural drainage and storage area which is a coastal hydro terrestrial basin.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) System defines wetlands as Lands transitional between terrestrial and aquatic systems where the water table is usually at or near the surface. The Canadian Wetland Classification System defines a wetland as a land that is saturated with water long enough to promote wetland or aquatic processes as indicated by poorly drained soils, hydrophytic vegetation and various kinds of biological activity which are adapted to a wet environment The Ramsar Convention defines wetlands as Areas of marsh, fen, peatland, or water, whether natural or artificial, permanent or temporary, with water that is static, flowing, fresh, brackish, or salt, including areas of marine water where the depth at low tide does not exceed six m

Hydrogeomorphic (HGM) Classification System Water sources: precipitation, surface water, and groundwater Hydrodynamics: vertical, unidirectional, and bidirectional