Law No. 8934 on environmental protection.

This Law establishes the framework on environmental protection, which aims at: (a) the rational use of natural resources; (b) the prevention of environmental damage and, when necessary, the rehabilitation and restoration of damaged environment; and (c) the international cooperation in the field of environmental protection. Environmental protection shall be based upon the following principles: (a) sustainable development; (b) precaution; (c) prevention; (d) polluter-pays; (e) environmental damage repairing, recovery and regeneration; (f) liability; (g) high level protection; (h) integration of environmental protection in sector policies; (i) public awareness and participation in environmental decision-making; (j) transparency. The environment is defined as the entity of interactions between biotic and non biotic elements, which enhance the life on earth, including the natural biophysical environment of air, soil, water, diversity of biologic ecosystems, human health, and values of cultural, scientific and social heritage.
The Law consists of the following Chapters: (1) General provisions; (2) Environmental policies; (3) The use and protection of the environmental constituents; (4) Environmental Impact Assessment; (5) Permitting of activities that affect the environment; (6) Prevention and reduction of environmental pollution; (7) Monitoring and data; (8) Environmental control; (9) Duties of the State bodies related to the environment; (10) Role of the public; (11) Sanctions.