the Secretary of Environment (dealing with norms, environmental assessment and monitoring and enforcement procedures). The Directorate for Coastal and Marine Conservation has virtually no role. Interviews in the field support the fact that there is very small collaboration and cross-support between the two ministries. Table: Achievements and challenges in institutional capacity and institutional coordination in the tourism sector Function Description Actor in DR Achievements and challenges Institutional coordination Planning Establish areas and modalities of construction and operation of Tourism facilities Secr. of Tourism (earlier was a function of the Central Bank) The first planning effort took place in the 80s with the IADB-SECTUR plan. The plan has lacked proper implementation. Recently SECTUR commissioned the preparation of development plans in tourism centers but there is no evidence of their use in planning. Currently SECTUR is preparing a strategy for tourism development in the next 10 years. Low. Currently the Fourth Tourism Convention, which sets tourism development plans for the next 10 years, is being led by the Secretariat of Tourism, with inputs from other ministries. Policy formulation To guide the establishment of norms and the implementation of management plans Secr. Tourism Tourism policy is essentially dictated by the Secretariat of Tourism. The incentive law (158-01) contains conservationist elements putting a strong pressure on SEMARN. It should be complemented by norms on the use of economic incentives for environmental protection. The Sub secretariat of Marine and Coastal Resources is notably not involved in policy formulation for the tourism sector. Very low Environmental Norms To establish environmental quality standards and natural resources use Subs. Environmental Management (SEMARN) Water quality control norms, standards for effluent discharges, solid waste norms and procedures have been established. Low. Subsecretariats and departments contribute to the formulation. Environmental Assessment To identify and limit the environmental impacts of projects and policies. Implementation of norms Subs. Environmental Management and other subsecretariats (SEMARN) Sector EIAs have been practiced regularly since 1998. 37 EIAs received for revision between 1998-1/31/03 of which: 25 approved or not needing approval; 5 approved with conditions; 6 in process. Tourism sector projects have Medium. The “Environmental Review Committee” is the only example of coordination among subsecretariats
(superficial and underground water) treatment capacity Complete infrastructure in tourism areas Improve monitoring and enforcement Medium term: effluent charges sewerage project in tourism centers Water management Insufficient metering system Water under priced Lack of monitoring of aquifer capacity Improve metering system Water pricing Water project for improved management of superficial and underground water resources Technical assistance Beach erosion; mangrove ecosystem degradation; coral reef destruction No observation of development plans – lack of monitoring Land rights and planning not enforced. Department of Coastal and Marine Conservation currently understaffed and with a limited role in conservation Creation of analytic database with a periodic monitoring system for coastal and marine resources. Capacity building and promotion of the Directorate of Coastal and Marine Conservation. Performance bond systems: hotel pays a deposit before building. The deposit is reimbursed upon showing beach quality Further promotion of certification schemes (Blue flag) Coastal resources management support program – establishment of monitoring stations along the coast. Capacity Building in Coastal and Marine Zones Management Slums growth and pollution from solid waste Increase in urban population in tourist centers Lack of disposal and treatment (of competence of municipalities) Resettlement plans and urban planning (note: previous resettlement plans in Sosua have shown limitations as people did not have any incentive to move to the new location) Slum upgrading Coordination among central government, municipalities and hotel operators for solid waste disposal. Creation and operation of sanitary landfills Charges and taxes Build capacity in financial administration for solid waste management in municipalities Education and awareness raising programs for solid waste disposal in poor communities Solid waste management project - Construction of sanitary landfills and design of charge system. Slum upgrade in coastal areas and improvement of waste collection systems. Capacity Building in financing solid waste management Overfishing (a potential problem in the future) Open access. Subsistence fishing near the shore. Increase technical assistance and education with emphasis on conservation. Community involvement in quota allocation to fishermen.