Deputy Government Commissioner Mervyn Stegers (seated left) and President of the Board of St. Eustatius National Parks STENAPA Foundation Dr. Teresa Leslie (seated right) signing the 10-year Service Level Agreement between the Public Entity of St. Eustatius and STENAPA, observed by, standing, from right, Acting Island Secretary Malvern Dijkshoorn-Lopes, Government Commissioners staff member Laura Heij, outgoing STENAPA Director Clarisse Buma and incoming STENAPA Director Eric Boman.
- EUSTATIUS–The Public Entity of St. Eustatius signed a ten-year management contract with St. Eustatius National Parks STENAPA Foundation on Thursday.
The agreement defines the tasks STENAPA will execute on behalf of the Public Entity to maintain and manage the land-based The Quill and Boven National Parks and the waters in St. Eustatius Marine Park. STENAPA already has the local mandate to work in and maintain the parks.
The signing of the management agreement now clearly defines STENAPA’s tasks and services, as well as what the public entity provides in return, which gives more clarity about the roles and responsibilities on both sides. The contract outlines tasks such as maintenance of trails and dive sites, protection of species, such as native iguanas, corals and fish, and school lessons.
With the signing, both parties objectify what can be expected of each other. The government will provide in return a task subsidy, and will also develop and update necessary nature legislation.
Present at the signing ceremony were: Deputy Government Commissioner Mervyn Stegers, Acting Island Secretary Malvern Dijkshoorn-Lopes, President of the STENAPA Board Dr. Teresa Leslie, outgoing and incoming STENAPA Directors Clarisse Buma and Eric Boman, Monique Brown of Legal Affairs and advisor to the Government Commissioners Laura Heij.
“I am very glad that we made a very important step today in long-term solidification of the cooperation between the Public Entity St. Eustatius and STENAPA in nature management on Statia. This management contract provides long-term stability and a clear framework for both STENAPA and local government to coordinate and execute the very important works on St. Eustatius in nature management and protecting local species,” Deputy Government Commissioner Stegers said.
“The agreement is for the coming 10 years, which I think is rather unique and it [agreement – Ed.] would make sure that we [public entity – Ed.] trust STENAPA and I hope that STENAPA trusts us as well so that we all can work together in the proper way. From now on we know exactly what to expect from each other, not only concerning what STENAPA has to do for the island, but what the island can do for STENAPA.”
Stegers thanked everyone who worked to get the Service Level Agreement (SLA) together. He thanked Buma for all her work and wished Boman all the best in executing the agreement.
“We are very pleased that the government and STENAPA have come to a mutual understanding and agreement. The SLA defines our work and solidifies our decree for nature conservation on our beautiful island,” said Leslie. “I am happy that we signed this agreement after several years…The agreement should assist our new director Eric Boman in the future.”
Source: The Daily Herald https://www.thedailyherald.sx/islands/88519-ten-year-nature-management-contract-closed-with-stenapa
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