Functions of the Authority

(1) The functions of the Authority shall be to– (a) advise the Minister on all matters relating to the development and utilization of the resources of the coastal zone in an orderly and sustainable fashion; (b) advise the Minister on the formation of policies in regard to the coastal zone; (c) assist in the development and implementation of programmes and projects that translate the marine and related policies of the Government into activities that contribute to sustainable development of coastal resources; (d) assist in the development and execution of programmes and projects that foster and encourage regional and international collaboration in the use of marine and other related areas of the environment; (e) review the Coastal Zone Management Plan prepared in accordance with the provisions of Part V of this Act and furnish recommendations thereon, if any, to the Minister; (f) commission research and monitoring in any coastal area or in relation to any activity which may impact on such areas; 9 (g) promote public awareness of the unique nature of the Belize coastal zone and of the importance of its effective conservation and the sustainable management and utilization of its resources for the benefit of present and future generations of Belizeans; (h) in consultation with governmental agencies, non-governmental agencies and the private sector, assist in the preparation of guidelines for developers for coastal zone development; (i) co-operate with government departments, statutory non-governmental organizations and the private sector on matters that are likely to have an impact on the ecology of the coastal zone; (j) in collaboration with government and private sector agencies, maintain a national coral reef monitoring programme and coastal water quality monitoring programme and any other technical monitoring programmes; (k) advise the Minister on any other matters relating to the coastal resources that may be referred to the Authority by the Minister. (2) In the exercise of its functions, the Authority may– (a) appoint committees to examine and submit reports to it on any matters arising out of or connected with any of its functions, and any such committee may consist of at least one member of the Board together with such other persons, whether members or not, whose advice or assistance the Board may consider necessary; 10 (b) by resolution– (i) reject or adopt wholly or with modifications, the of any committee appointed under paragraph (a); (ii) declare the and allowances, if any, payable to persons other than members of the Board, to a committee under paragraph (a); (iii) determine the limit on the value of goods and services which the Chief Executive Officer may procure without the consent of the Board; (c) do all such other things as may be necessary or expedient for the proper performance of its (3) The Authority shall be responsible for the proper administration of the Institute including– (a) approving the work programmes; (b) approving the budget; (c) appropriating funds for the budget of the (d) considering the annual reports; (e) securing finances for the Institute; and (f) generally doing and taking all such steps as may be deemed necessary for the achievement of the objects of the Institute. 11