You are here:
Capacity-Building Programs Under the Dominican Republic-Central America-United States Free Trade Agreement (CAFTA-DR)
The United States signed the Dominican Republic-Central America-United States Free Trade Agreement (CAFTA-DR) in August 2004 with five Central American countries (Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, and Nicaragua) and the Dominican Republic. As a global partner in trade and the environment, Central America and the Dominican Republic represent a priority region for U.S. environmental cooperation.
Recognizing the importance of protecting the environment while promoting sustainable development, the Governments negotiated an associated Environmental Cooperation Agreement (ECA), which is the basis for our environmental cooperation. EPA implements this ECA through an action plan developed in partnership with the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), the U.S. Department of State, and the CAFTA-DR countries.
Presently, EPA is providing technical assistance under Pathways to Prosperity/CAFTA-DR in the areas of Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA), Wastewater Regulations, Solid Waste Management, Enforcement and Compliance and Enhancing Capacity for Low Emissions Development Strategies (EC-LEDS) in Costa Rica.
Explore our CAFTA-DR work in the following sections:
Highlights
November 2014: In collaboration with the Ministry of Environment and Natural Resource of Dominican Republic (DR), EPA organized the Regional Forum on Best Practices in Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) and Related Permitting and Enforcement. Over 50 Directors of EIA, enforcement, geographic information system (GIS)/ Information Technology (IT), and public outreach from 14 countries and 5 International Organizations gathered for three days to compare best practices, explore lessons learned and share solutions to common challenges. The goal of the forum was to strengthen EIA review in CAFTA-DR countries.
The Forum helped EPA explore a more integrated approach to addressing weaknesses in the EIA processes. Forum results are to be developed collaboratively, with a report and recommendations to the Ministers. The DR Ministry of Environment hosted the Forum, as part of EPA’s program under CAFTA-DR funded by USAID.
November 2014: With EPA’s technical assistance, El Salvador launched a new program of reforms for Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) and related environmental permitting and enforcement. This reform package can serve as a model for other countries that are seeking to advance environmental permit programs, environmental impact assessment and enforcement.
The launch event, hosted by El Salvador’s President and Minister of the Environment, included over 300 invitees. The event initiated the public release of VIGEA, El Salvador’s version of NEPAssist; demonstrated the online permit application process; and presented the program of reforms in detail.
August 2013: The action plan for the new Pathways to Prosperity/CAFTA-DR environmental program (2012-2017) was approved by USAID. Under the new agreement, EPA will continue its environmental collaboration in the areas of: EIA, wastewater and solid waste management, and Enhancing Capacity for Low Emissions Development Strategies (EC-LEDS) in Costa Rica.
Activities
Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA)
- Country-specific and regional reforms through EIA;
- Technical assistance for the NEPAssist Geographic Information System-web screening tool;
- EIA Process Administrative Tracking;
- Technical Review Guidelines on EIA; and
- EIA Review Process through recommended regional and country-specific reform agendas.
Wastewater Model Regulation
Solid Waste Management
EPA collaboration with the CAFTA-DR countries aims to improve and harmonize environmental regulations, policies, and procedures related to solid waste management practices. Such actions are expected to be accomplished through information exchanges and training, including:
- courses on sanitary landfill inspection protocol and audits;
- development of regulations, policies and procedures for sanitary landfills and solid waste practices;
- capture and potential use of methane gas as a clean energy source under the objectives of the Global Methane Initiative or contained generation of methane via anaerobic digestion or waste; and
- a demonstration project for closing open dumps.
EC-LEDS (Enhancing Capacity - For Low Emissions Development Strategies)
EPA’s EC-LEDS assistance to Costa Rica is focused on institutionalizing its greenhouse gas inventory preparation process, in the transportation sector. The assistance may include support for improved emissions estimates for the transport sector, emissions standards, reduction of sulfur fuel levels, and economic benefit analysis.
Enforcement and Compliance
- Investigation of environmental crimes to strengthen environmental law enforcement, including both men and women in the trainings; and
- Adjudicating environmental cases to strengthen the judicial response to environmental violations, including both men and women in the training.
Past Activities
Past EPA efforts in the CAFTA-DR countries have included technical capacity assistance in the following areas:
- Harmonization of Environmental Regulations
- Policies and Procedures (Wastewater)
- Environmental Law Enforcement
- Environmental Management Systems
- Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA)
- Hazardous Substances and Sound Management of Chemicals
- Strategic Approach to International Chemical Management (SAICM)
- Pollutant Release and Transfer Registry (PRTR)
- Urban Air Quality Management
- Land Use/Land Cover Mapping
- Green Customs
Agreements and Relevant Documents
- CAFTA-DR Free Trade Agreement
- FTA Chapter 17: Environment; Environmental Cooperation Agreement (PDF)
Partners
The following links exit the site Exit
Learn More About the Western Hemisphere and the Caribbean
- State Department Bureau of Western Hemisphere page
- US Trade Representative: About the CAFTA-DR -- Full Text
- State Department: CAFTA-DR Environment Chapter
- USAID: Environment and Global Climate Change
- CCAD: CAFTA-DR (In Spanish)