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HOME > Programme > Legal > National
National
This section indicates where to find environmental laws for each of SPREP's members: 14 Pacific Island countries, 4 metropolitan countries and 7 territories.
The best online source of laws for Pacific island countries and territories is the Paclii site.
For legal research tools see: www.paclii.org/gateway.
Refer to PEIN Country Profiles for information on PICs.
From time to time environmental legislative reviews are conducted for countries or territories. These are noted in the Table below.
Legislation and cases can be found on the Paclii site. Under the AS Bar Association website www.asbar.org/, go to "Legal Resources" which contains the AS Code (which includes a detailed Index), the AS Administrative Code and a search engine for court decisions. Under the AS Code, the following Titles are relevant:
Title 18: Parks & Recreation
Title 20: Harbors & Navigation
Title 24: Natural Resources and Environment Ecosystem Protection and Development
Ch 1: Environmental Quality Act
Ch 2: Village Soil Conservation Laws
Ch 7: Endangered Species
Ch 8: Noxious Weeds
Ch 23: Conservation of Flying Foxes
Title 25: Environmental Health
Ch 20: Solid and Industrial Waste and Refuse
Ch 30: Safe Drinking Water Standards
Title 26: Environmental Safety and Land Management
Ch 3: Zoning Regulations
Ch 10: Uniform Building Code
Regulations:
See http://www.environment.gov.au/about/legislation.html for federal and state legislation. For information on cases as well as statutes generally refer to www.austlii.org/. Federal laws include:
Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999
Hazardous Waste (Regulation of Exports and Imports) Act 1989
Legislation and cases can be found on the Paclii site. Important environmental laws include:
Marine Pollution Act 1974 (NZ)
Prevention of Marine Pollution Act 1998
Rarotonga Environment Act 1994-1995
Legislation and cases can be found on the Paclii site. Important environmental laws include:
Birds and Game Protection Act [Cap 170]
Endangered and Protected Species Act 2002
Environment Management Act 2005
Fisheries (Protection of Turtles) (Amendments) Regulations 2004
Land Conservation and Improvement Act [Cap 141]
Land Development Act [Cap 142]
Natural Disaster Management Act 1998
Rivers and Streams Act [Cap 136]
Ozone Depleting Substances Act 1998
For laws generally including application of the French Environmental Code to its Pacific territories see: www.legifrance.gouv.fr/.
See www.environnement.pf Agir - Textes juridiques. See also dmi.net/min/pm/tex/polynesie.html.
Legislation and cases can be found on the Paclii site.
For environmental laws see www.guamepa.govguam.net/regs
Important environmental laws include:
Guam Code Annotated: Title 10 - Health & Safety
Ch 45: Guam Environmental Protection Agency Act
Ch 46: Water Resources Conservation Act
Ch 47: Water Pollution Control Act
Ch 49: Air Pollution Control Act
Ch 51: Solid Waste Management and Litter Control
Ch 53: Guam Safe Drinking Water Act
Ch 54: Environmental Pollution Control Act
Ch 76: Underground Storage of Hazardous Substances Act
Guam does not have a single document called the Constitution. Instead the Organic Act of Guam, 64 Stat. 384, 48 U.S.C. 1421, et. seq. and related federal laws provide the framework for the government of Guam.
Legislation and cases can be found on the Paclii site. Important environmental laws include:
Land Planning Ordinance [Cap 48]
Recreational Reserves Act 1996
Legislation and cases can be found on the Paclii site. Important environmental statutes include:
Alternative Energy Fund Act 1989 [Title 35 Cap 3]
Coast Conservation Act 1988 [Title 35 Cap 4]
Endangered Species Act 1975 [Title 8 Cap 5]
Littering Act 1982 [Title 35 Cap 2]
Marine Mammal Protection Act 1990 [Title 33 Cap 5]
National Environmental Protection Act 1984 [Title 35 Cap 1]
Micronesia, Federated States of
Legislation and cases can be found on the Paclii site. National laws can be found on smlaw.org./fsm/code/index.htm (eg, Title 23: Resource Conservation, Title 25: Environmental Protection) as well as national regulations (eg, Environmental Impact Assessment Regulations, Earthmoving Regulations). In addition each State has its own Constitution, Code and regulations.
Important environmental laws include:
National laws and regulations
Marine Resources Amendment Act 2001
Title 23. Resource Conservation
Title 25. Environmental Protection
Subtitle 1 Trust Territory Environmental Quality Protection Act
Chapter 1. General Provisions (§§ 101-104)
Chapter 2. Environmental Protection Board (§§ 201-208)
Chapter 3. Enforcement (§§ 301-309)
Chapter 4. District Advisory Boards (§§ 401-413) Subtitle 2 Federated State of Micronesia Environmental Protection Act
Chapter 5. General Provisions (§§ 501-503)
Regulations:
Environmental Impact Assessment Regulations
Part V. COMPRHENSIVE ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT
Part VI. CONTENTS OF ENIVIRONMENTAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT STATEMENT
Earthmoving Regulations
Chuuk State
Title 22. ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AND PRESERVATION
Kosrae State
Title 11. LAND AND ENVIRONMENT
Chapter 12. Rivers and Streams
Pohnpei State (pending)
Yap State
Title 18. Conservation and Resources
Division 3. CONSERVATION
Division 4. ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION
Legislation and cases can be found on the Paclii site. Important environmental laws include:
Legislation and cases can be found on the Paclii site.
For New Caledonia and Provinces legislation see www.juridoc.gouv.nc then: Le droit - Autres textes - législatifs et réglementaires - Accès thématique - Environnement.
New Caledonia was annexed by France in 1853 and became an Overseas Territory in 1958. Its current status is set down in the New Caledonia Act 1999 (la loi organique du 19/03/99). The Act identifies four territorial authorities: the French State, New Caledonia, the Provinces (Loyalty Islands, North and South) and the Municipalities and spells out the powers accorded to each authority. The three provinces are given most of powers in environmental matters:
Province des Iles (comprising the 3 Loyalty islands)
Province Nord
Délibération relative aux installations classées pour la protection de l'environnement
Code de développement de la Province Nord
Code de développement de la Province Nord - Synthèse
Province Sud
For environmental statutes and treaties refer to www.mfe.govt.nz/laws. For the Environment Court refer to: www.justice.govt.nz/environment/. Cases under the Resource Management Act can be found at: www.rma.net.nz/. For statutes or cases generally, refer to: www.legislation.govt.nz/.
Some important statutes include:
Climate Change Response Act 2002Environment Act 1986
Energy Efficiency and Conservation Act 2000
Biosecurity Act 1993
Conservation Act 1987
Fisheries Act 1996
Forests Act 1949
Hazardous Substances and New Organisms Act 1996
Marine Mammals Protection Act 1978
Marine Reserves Act 1971
National Parks Act 1980
Native Plants Protection Act 1934
Ozone Layer Protection Act 1996
Plants Act 1970
Resource Management Act 1991
Soil Conservation and Rivers Control Act 1941
Trade In Endangered Species Act 1989
Wildlife Act 1953
Legislation and cases can be found on the Paclii site. Important environmental laws include:
Legislation and cases can be found on the Paclii site; legislation can be searched on the website of the "Commonwealth Law Revision Commission".
Legislation and cases can be found on the Paclii site.
Useful Information can be gleaned from "Ministry of Justice" and "Ministry of Resources": www.palaugov.net/president/president.html.
Section 3 of Article II of the Constitution of the Republic of Palau provides:
Major governmental powers ... may be delegated by treaty, compact, or other agreement between the sovereign nation or international organization, provided such treaty, compact or agreement shall be approved by not less than two-thirds (2/3) of the members of each house of the Olbiil Era Kelulau and by a majority of the votes cast in a nationwide referendum conducted for such purpose, provided, that any such agreement which authorizes use, testing, storage or disposal of nuclear, toxic chemical, gas or biological weapons intended for use in warfare shall require approval of not less than three-fourths (3/4) of the votes cast in such referendum.
Some relevant information:
Title 24 of the Code addresses Environmental Protection and is broken into the following Divisions:
DIVISION I ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY
Chapter I Environmental Quality Protection Act
Chapter 2 Trust Territory Environmental Quality Protection ActDIVISION II WILDLIFE PROTECTION
Chapter 10 Endangered Species Act
Chapter 12 Protected Sea Life
Chapter 13 Illegal Methods of Capture
Chapter 14 Protected Land LifeDIVISION III PRESERVES AND PROTECTED AREAS
Chapter 30 Ngerukewid Island Wildlife Preserve
Chapter 31 Ngerumekaol Spawning Area
Chapter 32 Natural Heritage Reserve System
Environmental Quality Protection Board (EQPB) Regulations
The purpose of the Environmental Quality Protection Act is to ensure protection of the environment while promoting sustainable economic development. The Act created the Environmental Quality Protection Board (EQPB), a semi-autonomous agency of the Republic, responsible for the protection and conservation of the environment. EQPB oversees regulations regarding: (1) Earthmoving, (2) Marine and Freshwater Quality (3) Pesticides (4) Environmental Impact Statements, (5) Air Pollution Control.
Legislation and cases can be found on the Paclii site. The Constitution of the Independent State of Papua New Guinea provides:
4. Natural resources and environment.
We declare our fourth goal to be for Papua New Guinea's natural resources and environment to be conserved and used for the collective benefit of us all, and be replenished for the benefit of future generations.
WE ACCORDINGLY CALL FOR—
(1) wise use to be made of our natural resources and the environment in and on the land or seabed, in the sea, under the land, and in the air, in the interests of our development and in trust for future generations; and
(2) the conservation and replenishment, for the benefit of ourselves and posterity, of the environment and its sacred, scenic, and historical qualities; and
(3) all necessary steps to be taken to give adequate protection to our valued birds, animals, fish, insects, plants and trees.
Important environmental laws include:
Crocodile Trade (Protection) Act 1974
Dumping of Wastes at Sea Act 1979
Environmental Contaminants Act 1978
Environmental Planning Act 1978
Fauna (Protection and Control) Act 1966
Fauna (Protection and Control) Regulation 1968
Fauna (Protection and Control) Bagiai Wildlife Management Area Rules 1977
International Trade (Fauna and Flora) (Fauna) Regulation 1982
International Trade (Fauna and Flora) Act 1979
National Water Supply and Sewerage Act 1986
Prevention of Pollution of the Sea Act 1979
Legislation and cases can be found on the Paclii site. Important environmental laws include:
Lands, Surveys and Environment Act 1989
National Parks and Reserves Act 1974
Planning and Urban Management Act 2004
Samoa Water Authority Act 2003
Stevenson Memorial Reserve and Mount Vaea Scenic Reserve Ordinance 1958
Legislation and cases can be found on the Paclii site. Important environmental laws include:
Environmental Health Act [Cap 99]
Forest Resources and Timber Utilisation Act [Cap 40]
Mines and Minerals Act [Cap 42]
Town and Country Planning Act [Cap 154]
Legislation and cases can be found on the Paclii site. Important environmental laws include:
Marine Pollution Act 1974 (NZ)
Marine Pollution Regulations 1990
Marine Pollution (Dumping and Incineration) Regulations 1982
Legislation can be found on http://legislation.to/cms/home.html. or the Paclii site for both legislation and cases. Important environmental laws include:
Birds and Fish Preservation Act [Cap 125]
Environmental Impact Assessment Act 2003
Fisheries Regulation Act [Cap 122]
Legislation and cases can be found on the Paclii site. Important environmental laws include:
Foreshore and Land Reclamation Ordinance [Cap 26]
Wildlife Conservation Ordinance [Cap 47]
Wreck and Salvage Amendment Act 1990
(At independence all Ordinances were redesignated Acts)
US environmental laws can be accessed at http://www.epa.gov/lawsregs/laws/index.html. The National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) 1969-70 (NEPA) is the basic national charter for protection of the environment. Other major federal laws include:
Comprehensive Environmental Response Compensation, and Liability
For a search of State laws refer to www.constructionweblinks.com/Industry_Topics/Laws_and_Regulations_--_Full_T/laws_and_regulations_--_full_t.html.
Article 7(d) of the Constitution of the Republic of Vanuatu provides:
Every person has the following fundamental duties to himself and his descendants and to others ... (d) to protect the Republic of Vanuatu and to safeguard the national wealth, resources and environment in the interests of the present generation and of future generations;
Legislation and cases can be found on the Paclii site. Important environmental laws include:
Derelict Vessels (Disposal) Act [Cap 9]
Environmental Management and Conservation Act 2002
Physical Planning Act [Cap 193]
Conventions are given the force of law in their entirety at the national level by way of Act of Parliament, eg, Convention on Biological Diversity (Ratification) Act 1992.
Act No. 61.814 of 29 july 1961 confers on Wallis and Futuna the status of French Overseas Territory. There are four established authorities: the French State, the Territory, the Wards, and in Wallis only, the Districts. Traditional institutions co-exist alongside these authorities, in Wallis, the Uvea Kingdom and in Futuna the Kingdoms of Sigave and Alo.