Regional Act No. 16 laying down the legislative framework on mountains

In compliance with the general principles and rules set out in Act No. 97 of 1994, the Piemonte Region promotes the development of mountain areas and encourages the safeguarding of the regional mountain environment. The provisions laid down in this Act shall apply to (i) mountain territories corresponding to Mountain Communities and delimited as per article 3, and (ii) other territories classified as mountain territories. Mountain Communities are designated to be local entities in charge of the promotion and redevelopment of mountain areas, particularly through multiannual development plans and special intervention programmes. Mountain Communities shall also contribute to environmental and soil protection (art. 9). As regards management of forest resources, Mountain Communities may enter into special agreements with private and public proprietors and may also set up forestry consortia (art. 38). Article 50 provides for the establishment of the Regional Mountain Fund, whose resources shall be allocated in compliance with article 51. Moreover, the Regional Observatory on Mountains is set up by article 55 for the purposes of performing special studies and elaborating the annual report required by article 24 of Act No. 97 of 1994. The Regional Information System on Mountains (SIREM) shall be created as prescribed by article 56 with a view to supporting the activities and initiatives of the Observatory.