ST MARY, Jamaica — Operators of the Wata Land attraction in St Mary, Dancorp Limited, was fined $20,000 when they pleaded guilty in court to operating an eco-tourism facility without an environmental permit.

The conclusion of the court hearing comes almost two years after the charges were brought against Dancorp by National Environment and Planning Agency (NEPA) for breaches under section 9 of the NRCA Act, in November 2015.

Following the imposition of the fine on Thursday, August 10, Director, Legal & Enforcement at NEPA, Morjorn Wallock, said that the agency is taking a zero tolerance approach towards breaches.

“The agency recently completed a compliance audit. It revealed that a number of operators were conducting activities without the required environmental permits and beach licenses, said Wallock.

“The Legal and Enforcement arm of the agency has commenced a process that will ultimately result in most of these operators being brought before the court,” she added.

Wallock advised that business people who are unsure of the permits and licenses required under law for their operations should contact NEPA for assistance as the agency would rather have compliance than resort to legal action.