The Ministry of the Environment and Housing announces, pursuant to Section 5 of the Environment and Planning Act (No. 40 of 2019), that the Department of Environmental Planning and Protection has been established as of 17^th January, 2020 when the Act came into force.  The Department will replace the Bahamas Environment, Science and Technology (BEST) Commission.  The Department occupies office space on the Ground Floor of Charlotte House, Shirley Street and Charlotte Street in downtown Nassau.

The Ministry also announces, pursuant to Section 7 of the Act, the appointment of Mrs. Rochelle Newbold as Director of the Department of Environmental Planning and Protection.

The Department of Environmental Planning and Protection will assume the functions outlined in Section 6(1)-(2)(a)-(v) in the Act.