You need a permit to cut down trees and remove cacti on Bonaire.
What does this product or service mean?
You may not cut down trees or remove cacti without a permit.
In the past, there was extensive logging on Bonaire. Trees, plants, and cacti serve an important function: they produce oxygen, absorb CO2, provide shade and coolness, and help prevent erosion. They also provide food and sometimes have medicinal properties. The trees and plants on Bonaire are therefore important for both people and animals. However, they sometimes cause nuisance or damage, for example, when roots damage structures. In such cases, it may be necessary to remove a tree or plant.
Prohibition on Cutting Down Trees and Digging Up Cacti
It is prohibited to cut down trees or dig up cacti with a trunk circumference of at least 65 centimeters (measured at a height of 1.30 meters) without a permit from the Executive Council. An exception applies to the rubber vine (palu di lechi, Cryptostegia grandiflora) and the neem tree (palu di neem, Azadirachta indica), as these species are harmful to the natural environment on Bonaire.
It is also prohibited to cut down trees listed as protected without a permit, regardless of their circumference. This list is included in Annex 1 of the Island Decree on Nature Conservation.
When can you apply for this?
Trees with a trunk circumference of at least 65 cm may not be cut down without a permit.
With the exception of neem trees, which may be cut down without a permit.
How do you apply for this?
Below are the steps and conditions for submitting an application:
1) Submit an application
You must submit a written application for a nature permit to the Executive Council of the Public Entity of Bonaire. This is the competent authority.
2) Required documents
You must include the following documents with your application for a felling permit:
- You must submit a fully completed and signed application form.
- A copy of a valid ID is also required.
- In addition, you must include a copy of your registration with the Chamber of Commerce (KvK), which correctly lists your business activities.
- A copy of your business license is also required.
- You must provide a title deed for the property.
- Proof of payment of the $14 processing fee is also required.
- Provide a clear description of the tree species you wish to cut down.
- You must include three recent photos of the trees and the property, along with a site plan.
- Specify the exact tree species and the dimensions of the trees or plants.
- As compensation, you must provide proof that payment for tree replanting has been made.
- Please refer to the accompanying list of replanting rules.
3) Additional documents
- For large properties: an ecological report from a certified agency, such as Eco Vision or Wild Conscience.
- For a new owner: a copy of the deed of sale or purchase.
4) Additional information
If any information is missing, the Executive Board may ask you to submit additional details.
Who can you contact?
For more information, please email natuurvergunningen@bonairegov.com.
How long does it take?
The Executive Council will make a decision on granting the permit or exemption within 90 days of receiving the application, after seeking advice from the Bonaire Nature Conservation Committee. You can read more about this committee in Article 3 of the Bonaire Island Nature Conservation Ordinance.
What does it cost?
Applying for a nature permit costs $14.00.
This fee can be paid at the front desk of the Civil Affairs Office or via bank transfer to MCB bank account number 30100203 in the name of the Public Entity of Bonaire.
Do you disagree with the decision?
The application for a nature permit must be published and made available for public inspection for a period of 14 days. During the inspection period, interested parties may submit objections to the Executive Council. These objections must be taken into consideration by the Executive Council when deciding on the application.
Which laws and rules apply?
What do we do with your personal data?
When you submit an application or report, the Public Entity of Bonaire needs your personal data. The Public Entity of Bonaire handles your data with care.
The BES Personal Data Protection Act specifies how the Public Entity of Bonaire must do this.
The most important rules are:
- The Public Entity of Bonaire only requests data that is necessary for processing your application or report.
- They record and process your data securely, confidentially, and with care
- Your data will only be used for the application or report, or for something directly related to it.
- Your data will not be retained longer than necessary for the application or report.
- Other organizations will only receive your data if required by law.
- You may ask how your data is being used and what happens to it.
