How to Report a Violation of Honduran Environmental Laws
1. REPORT VIOLATIONS TO BICA 445-3117 in Sandy Bay or email us at bicaroatan@yahoo.com.
BICA is grateful to
those environmentally conscious persons who care about
conserving Roatan's natural beauty and report violations of
Hoduras' environmental laws to us. You can reach our office
in Sandy Bay at 445-3117 or 445-3214. If no one is in,
please email us at bicaroatan@yahoo.com.
The most typical
environmental violations on Roatan
include:
•destruction of
mangroves This is
against the law! Mangroves enjoy special protection
under Honduran law and are protected by international
law such as the Ramsar Convention. The law covers all
existing mangroves in the Bay islands, whether they are
alive or not, and includes a 10 meter strip parallel to
the mangroves for its conservation. Mangroves are an
important element in protecting the integrity of the
reef and the shoreline. They are also a hatchery for
marine life and prevent reef sedimentation.
• The Burning of trash ,
brush or vegitation is extremely dangerous
and is strictly forbidden! These practices are also
extremely dangerous to human health and carry a risk of
starting an out of control forest fire.
•Cutting down any tree
without a permit. Generally, the
permit requires you to replant trees that you
cut. Instead of cutting down a tree,
plant a tree as part of BICA's 2007 Reforestation
Initiative!
•Poisoning
seagrass or removing it is against the law.
•Creating an artificial beach is against the law. Not
only does this contribute to the destruction of the reef,
but the elements will eventually take away the sand. This
creates an expense that never ends.
When
you report the problem, keep in mind the 4 "W's":
WHAT is
the violation? Please be as specific as you can. Is it
still going on? If you can take pictures that is extremely
helpful, since oftentimes the perpetrators will simply deny
that they have done anything at all. You can email the
pictures to BICA at bicaroatan@yahoo.com. We will
investigate as best we can, given our limited resources.
WHO is
involved? Do you know names of the people directly
involved, or can you identify them? Pictures are very
helpful.
WHEN did
the violation occur? Day, date and time are important.
WHERE is
the violation? Please give us clear enough directions so
that we can to get the respective authorities to the spot.
BICA is NOT a governmental agency. It does not have enforcement powers. But we work closely with the authorities and work hard to notify them of violations of the law. BICA also monitors these complaints as they make their way through the legal system.
The municipalities of Roatan are limited to issuing permits and fining those who violate the law. The Municipality is limited by law in the amount of fines that can be levied.
The District Attorney has jurisdiction over crimes in Honduran National waters. Destroying mangroves, destroying sea grass, and creating artificial beaches without permits are criminal acts involving Honduran national waters. Penalties include fines and imprisonment.