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Pitons Management Area

Saint Lucia
Factors affecting the property in 2016*
  • Invasive/alien terrestrial species
  • Major visitor accommodation and associated infrastructure
  • Renewable energy facilities
Factors* affecting the property identified in previous reports
  • Impacts of tourism / visitor / recreation
  • Renewable energy facilities (geothermal energy exploration)
  • Absence of strict development control process (issue resolved)
  • Invasive/alien terrestrial species
International Assistance: requests for the property until 2016
Requests approved: 1 (from 2002-2002)
Total amount approved : 19,950 USD
Missions to the property until 2016**

March 2010: Joint World Heritage Centre / IUCN Reactive Monitoring mission

Conservation issues presented to the World Heritage Committee in 2016

On 21 December 2015, the State Party submitted a report on the state of conservation of the property, which is available at https://whc.unesco.org/en/list/1161/documents. The report presents progress as follows :

  • As the property continues to attract potential investors and developers, the State Party focuses much of its efforts on the implementation of the recommendations of the 2013 study on the Limits of Acceptable Change (LAC), which was endorsed by the Cabinet of Ministers on April 2015 as the tool for appraising applications for development within the property. The integration of the recommendations of the study in the policy framework and other development guidelines for the property are highlighted, including the draft Terms of Reference and Guidance Notes for the incorporation of these recommendations as Regulations within the Physical Planning and Development Act (2001);
  • With regards to geothermal resources, the current stage continues to be restricted to non-invasive exploration and is reported to have no impact on the Outstanding Universal Value (OUV) of the property at this time. Furthermore, preliminary findings suggest modest, if any, direct overlap between areas of geothermal potential and the property;
  • As part of a broader awareness campaign, the State Party organized a successful invasive alien plant eradication exercise on the Gros Piton Nature Trail. Further community outreach and public awareness activities specifically address the World Heritage status of the property;
  • The terms of reference for the updating of the Pitons Management Area (PMA) Management Plan are currently under development;
  • The LAC study recommended two minor modifications to the zones within the property with different levels of restrictions on development (Policy Areas 1, 3 and 4), which can only be implemented by undertaking a survey for the boundary adjustment. The State Party intends to seek the assistance of the World Heritage Centre in identifying funds for this exercise. It also notes that there are challenges related to boundary demarcation due to private land tenure within the property;
  • Construction of villas has already started as part of the Freedom Bay project; however several governmental institutions are involved in monitoring and ensuring compliance with the LAC Study and a “Freedom Bay Monitoring Committee” has been set up for the purpose. Discussions are also ongoing with the developers of the Sugar Beach project with the objective to ensure compliance with the LAC study and the reengagement of the consulting firm responsible for the elaboration of the study has been proposed to provide guidance in that regard.

On 04 May 2016 the World Heritage Centre sent a letter to the State Party regarding third party information which raised concerns about a recent sale of land within the property to a private developer. On 10 May 2016 the State Party responded that the sale had to be abandoned since the land concerned was located in Policy zone 1 where no construction is permitted by the LAC study. 

Analysis and Conclusion by World Heritage Centre and the Advisory Bodies in 2016

It is recommended that the Committee welcome the adoption of the LAC study by the Cabinet of Ministers. It is noted that the study appears to have sparked an ongoing and important debate and has directly informed attempts to find a more balanced approach to conservation and development. The accompanying efforts to raise public awareness are commendable. However, the incorporation of the recommendations of the study into enforceable legislation remains to be completed.

According to the State Party report, the earlier concerns about location of potential geothermal resources within or in the immediate vicinity of the property have not materialized. At the current non-invasive exploration stage, recent findings suggest minor to no potential overlap with the property. Nevertheless, any exploration or eventual use of geothermal energy will require adequate assessment of the potential impacts on the property even when the development may not occur within the property itself.

The efforts to eradicate invasive alien plants along a widely used trail, combined with public awareness-raising, are exemplary. At the same time, it is unlikely that an approach restricted to such short-lived events can effectively achieve the eradication of invasive plants. Systematic and permanent monitoring to guide management responses are needed at all times.

The intention to review and revise the Management Plan for the property as part of the implementation of the Convention on Biological Diversity’s Programme of Work on Protected Areas (PoWPA) is noted. However, the State Party does not further elaborate on this process even though it would appear to be highly relevant for the management of the property. It is recommended that the Committee request the State Party to provide additional information on this process, including on how the outcomes of the LAC study will be integrated into the review process and what the expected timelines are.

It is noted that the State Party intends to undertake a survey and demarcation adjustments of the boundaries of policy areas within the property and it is therefore recommended that the Committee also request the State Party to provide more details on the planned activities and their objectives, as well as the challenges to demarcation due to private land tenure. 

In the view of the World Heritage Centre and IUCN, the most critical issues continue to be the development projects within the property. In spite of finalization and endorsement of the LAC study and a positively evolving policy framework, it continues to be unclear how decision-making is going to be guided, also given the fact that the process of integration of the recommendations of the LAC study into the Physical Planning and Development Act has only just started.

With regards to the Freedom Bay and Sugar Beach development projects, while it is hoped that dialogue with developers will result in a mutually acceptable balance in line with the World Heritage status of PMA, the continued absence of an enforcement mechanism in case dialogue fails to generate a consensus, including as regards visual integrity, is noted. The confirmation from the State Party that a sale of a land within the Policy area 1 of the property to a private developer has recently been rejected is noted. However, the third party information referred to in the letter sent by the World Heritage Centre also noted that there continues to be an interest from the developer to pursue the construction plans. Recalling the previous request of the Committee “to not allow any developments to proceed if they are considered to exceed the LAC”, it is noted that exceeding the limits of acceptable change would trigger the consideration of the inscription of the property on the List of World Heritage in Danger, in accordance with Paragraph 180 of the Operational Guidelines

Decisions adopted by the Committee in 2016
40 COM 7B.77
Pitons Management Area (Saint Lucia) (N 1161

The World Heritage Committee,

  1. Having examined Document WHC/16/40.COM/7B,
  2. Recalling Decision 38 COM 7B.85, adopted at its 38th session (Doha, 2014),
  3. Welcoming the efforts of the State Party and external supporters to address threats to the property stemming from alien invasive plants, including by investing in communication and public awareness-raising, encourages the State Party to continue and increase these efforts;
  4. Also welcoming the endorsement of the Limits of Acceptable Change (LAC) study by the Cabinet of Ministers, notes that the process of integrating the recommendations of the LAC study into the Physical Planning and Development Act has commenced, and requests the State Party to complete the integration of these recommendations into the national legislative and institutional framework as a matter of priority, to ensure compliance with the recommendations can be enforced;
  5. Also notes the confirmation by the State Party that a dialogue with the developers of the Freedom Bay and Sugar Beach development projects is currently taking place which is aimed at ensuring that the developments conform with the recommendations of the LAC study;
  6. Reiterates its consideration that, should any development exceeding the limits of acceptable change, or otherwise having a negative impact on Outstanding Universal Value (OUV) of the property, be allowed to proceed, the integrity of the property would clearly be compromised, leading to consideration of the inscription of the property on the List of World Heritage in Danger, in accordance with Paragraph 180 of the Operational Guidelines;
  7. Also encourages the State Party to fully reflect the conclusions of the LAC study in the planned revision of the Management Plan, and also requests the State Party to provide an electronic and three printed copies of the revised Management Plan for review by the World Heritage Centre and IUCN;
  8. Further notes the State Party’ stated intention to undertake boundary demarcation of policy areas within the property (zones with different levels of restrictions on development) and to seek the assistance of the World Heritage Centre in identifying funds for this exercise, and further requests the State Party to provide to the World Heritage Centre more details on the planned activities and their objectives, as well as the challenges to demarcation noted by the State Party, which are due to private land tenure within the property;
  9. Notes furthermore the preliminary conclusions that the geothermal potential of Saint Lucia appears to have no significant overlap with the property, and requests furthermore the State Party to inform the Committee of any geothermal developments which may directly or indirectly impact on the OUV of the property;
  10. Requests moreover the State Party to submit to the World Heritage Centre, by 1 December 2017, an updated report on the state of conservation of the property and the implementation of the above, for examination by the World Heritage Committee at its 42nd session in 2018.
40 COM 8E
Adoption of Retrospective Statements of Outstanding Universal Value

The World Heritage Committee,

  1. Having examined Document WHC/16/40.COM/8E.Rev,
  2. Congratulates the States Parties for the excellent work accomplished in the elaboration of retrospective Statements of Outstanding Universal Value for World Heritage properties located within their territories;
  3. Adopts the retrospective Statements of Outstanding Universal Value, as presented in the Annex of Document WHC/16/40.COM/8E.Rev, for the following World Heritage properties:

EUROPE AND NORTH AMERICA

  • Austria: Historic Centre of Vienna;
  • Canada - United States of America: Kluane / Wrangell-St Elias / Glacier Bay / Tatshenshini-Alsek;
  • Czech Republic: Gardens and Castle at Kroměříž; Historic Centre of Český Krumlov; Historic Centre of Prague; Historic Centre of Telč; Holašovice Historic Village; Holy Trinity Column in Olomouc; Jewish Quarter and St Procopius' Basilica in Třebíč; Kutná Hora: Historical Town Centre with the Church of St Barbara and the Cathedral of Our Lady at Sedlec; Lednice-Valtice Cultural Landscape; Pilgrimage Church of St John of Nepomuk at Zelená Hora; Tugendhat Villa in Brno;
  • Germany-United Kingdom: Frontiers of the Roman Empire;
  • Greece: Archaeological Site of Aigai (modern name Vergina); Archaeological Site of Delphi; Archaeological Site of Mystras; Medieval City of Rhodes; Monasteries of Daphni, Hosios Loukas and Nea Moni of Chios; Paleochristian and Byzantine Monuments of Thessalonika; Pythagoreion and Heraion of Samos; Temple of Apollo Epicurius at Bassae; The Historic Centre (Chorá) with the Monastery of Saint-John the Theologian and the Cave of the Apocalypse on the Island of Pátmos;
  • Italy: Archaeological Area and the Patriarchal Basilica of Aquileia; Cathedral, Torre Civica and Piazza Grande, Modena; Su Nuraxi di Barumini; The Trulli of Alberobello;
  • Netherlands: Defence Line of Amsterdam; Mill Network at Kinderdijk-Elshout;
  • Poland:Auschwitz Birkenau
    German Nazi Concentration and Extermination Camp (1940-1945);
    Castle of the Teutonic Order in Malbork; Churches of Peace in Jawor and Świdnica; Historic Centre of Kraków; Kalwaria Zebrzydowska: the Mannerist Architectural and Park Landscape Complex and Pilgrimage Park; Medieval Town of Toruń; Old City of Zamość; Wooden Churches of Southern Małopolska;
  • Portugal: Central Zone of the Town of Angra do Heroismo in the Azores; Convent of Christ in Tomar; Historic Centre of Guimarães; Historic Centre of Oporto; Monastery of Batalha;
  • Spain: Alhambra, Generalife and Albayzín, Granada; Catalan Romanesque Churches of the Vall de Boí; Renaissance Monumental Ensembles of Úbeda and Baeza; Roman walls of Lugo; University and Historic Precinct of Alcalá de Henares;
  • Sweden: Agricultural Landscape of Southern Öland; Birka and Hovgården; Church Town of Gammelstad, Luleå; Grimeton Radio Station, Varberg; Laponian Area; Mining Area of the Great Copper Mountain in Falun; Naval Port of Karlskrona; Royal Domain of Drottningholm; Skogskyrkogården;
  • United States of America: La Fortaleza and San Juan National Historic Site in Puerto Rico;

LATIN AMERICA AND THE CARIBBEAN

  • Argentina / Brazil: Jesuit Missions of the Guaranis: San Ignacio Mini, Santa Ana, Nuestra Señora de Loreto and Santa Maria Mayor, Ruins of Sao Miguel das Missoes;
  • Brazil: Iguaçu National Park;
  • Costa Rica: Cocos Island National Park;
  • Ecuador: Sangay National Park;
  • Saint Lucia: Pitons Management Area;
  1. Decides that retrospective Statements of Outstanding Universal Value for World Heritage properties inscribed on the List of World Heritage in Danger will be reviewed in priority by the Advisory Bodies;
  2. Requests the States Parties to provide support to the World Heritage Centre for translation of the adopted Statements of Outstanding Universal Value into English or French respectively, and further requests the World Heritage Centre to upload the two language versions on its web site.
Draft Decision: 40 COM 7B.77

The World Heritage Committee,

  1. Having examined Document WHC/16/40.COM/7B,
  2. Recalling Decision 38 COM 7B.85, adopted at its 38th session (Doha, 2014),
  3. Welcoming the efforts of the State Party and external supporters to address threats to the property stemming from alien invasive plants, including by investing in communication and public awareness-raising, encourages the State Party to continue and increase these efforts;
  4. Also welcoming the endorsement of the Limits of Acceptable Change (LAC) study by the Cabinet of Ministers, notes that the process of integrating the recommendations of the LAC study into the Physical Planning and Development Act has commenced, and requests the State Party to complete the integration of these recommendations into the national legislative and institutional framework as a matter of priority, to ensure compliance with the recommendations can be enforced;
  5. Also notes the confirmation by the State Party that a dialogue with the developers of the Freedom Bay and Sugar Beach development projects is currently taking place which is aimed at ensuring that the developments conform with the recommendations of the LAC study;
  6. Reiterates its consideration that, should any development exceeding the limits of acceptable change, or otherwise having a negative impact on Outstanding Universal Value (OUV) of the property, be allowed to proceed, the integrity of the property would clearly be compromised, leading to consideration of the inscription of the property on the List of World Heritage in Danger, in accordance with Paragraph 180 of the Operational Guidelines;
  7. Also encourages the State Party to fully reflect the conclusions of the LAC study in the planned revision of the Management Plan, and also requests the State Party to provide an electronic and three printed copies of the revised Management Plan for review by the World Heritage Centre and IUCN;
  8. Further notes the State Party’ stated intention to undertake boundary demarcation of policy areas within the property (zones with different levels of restrictions on development) and to seek the assistance of the World Heritage Centre in identifying funds for this exercise, and further requests the State Party to provide to the World Heritage Centre more details on the planned activities and their objectives, as well as the challenges to demarcation noted by the State Party, which are due to private land tenure within the property;
  9. Notes furthermore the preliminary conclusions that the geothermal potential of Saint Lucia appears to have no significant overlap with the property, and requests furthermore the State Party to inform the Committee of any geothermal developments which may directly or indirectly impact on the OUV of the property;
  10. Requests moreover the State Party to submit to the World Heritage Centre, by 1 December 2017, an updated report on the state of conservation of the property and the implementation of the above, for examination by the World Heritage Committee at its 42nd session in 2018.
Report year: 2016
Saint Lucia
Date of Inscription: 2004
Category: Natural
Criteria: (vii)(viii)
Documents examined by the Committee
SOC Report by the State Party
Report (2015) .pdf
arrow_circle_right 40COM (2016)
Exports

* : The threats indicated are listed in alphabetical order; their order does not constitute a classification according to the importance of their impact on the property.
Furthermore, they are presented irrespective of the type of threat faced by the property, i.e. with specific and proven imminent danger (“ascertained danger”) or with threats which could have deleterious effects on the property’s Outstanding Universal Value (“potential danger”).

** : All mission reports are not always available electronically.


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