Decree No. 158 of 1998 of the Government determining the duties and competencies of the Minister of Environmental Protection.

The Minister acts in the interest of a harmonized and organized protection, development and restoration of natural and urbanized environment; implements the governmental policy in matters of environmental and nature protection; elaborates short, medium and long term plans in this regard; and establishes monitoring systems of the state of the environment. He also collaborates in the administration of country development and building affairs.