Environmental Protection and Management Law of Liberia

This Act, divided into thirteen parts, establishes a legal framework for the sustainable development, management and protection of the environment and the natural resources by the Environment Protection Agency. The Act defines the following relevant terms: air quality; ambient air quality; biological diversity; biological resources; chemical substances; coastal zone; contiguous zone; County Environmental Action Plan; ecosystem; effluent; environmental audit; environmental court of appeal; environmental education; environmental impact assessment; environmental monitoring; environmental planning; exclusive economic zone; forests; genetic resources; good environmental practices; greenhouse gases; hazardous substances; handling of toxic and hazardous chemicals; national environmental action plan; occupational health; oil; ozone layer; pollution; polluter pays principle; precautionary principle; public participation; radiation; standard; sustainable use; sustainable development; territorial water; water, including drinking water; wetland; waste. The Act details fundamental environmental principles and specifies the following goals and objectives: ensuring the sustainable or wise use of the natural resources in pursuance of social and economic development; using and conserving the environment and natural resources of Liberia; increasing the restoration, protection, and the conservation of biological diversity; ensuring the implementation of the biodiversity conservation principles; ensuring access to environmental information; developing a policy framework that encourages sustainable patterns by use of appropriate technology, efficient production processes, minimal generation of waste and reduction of wasteful consumption; establishing adequate environmental protection standards; protecting the right to a clean and healthy environment.
The Act covers the following matters: environmental impact assessment, audit and monitoring; comprehensive environmental mitigation plan and implementation strategy; review and public consultation of the environmental impact assessment; constitution of the environmental impact assessment committee; environmental audit and monitoring measures; mitigation plans for existing industries, projects, activities; environmental quality standards; water quality standards for industrial, agricultural and recreational purposes; use of water for fisheries and wildlife; air quality standards; classification and identification of hazardous waste and materials; soil quality standards; solid waste management standards; noise pollution and standards for noise; standards for ionisation and other radiation; powers of environmental inspectors relating to radiation; guideline for environmental disasters; pollution control and licensing; management of pesticide and related materials; prohibition on import and export of hazardous and toxic waste; prohibition of water pollution; solid and hazardous waste disposal licence; control of emissions of greenhouse gases and other pollutants; guidelines and standards for the management of the environment and natural resources; management and protection of rivers, lakes and wetlands; protection of natural environment from degradation; protection of forests; measures for ensuring afforestation and reforestation; protection of wild animals and birds; energy conservation and use of renewable energy sources; coastal zone and marine environment protection; protection of biodiversity, ozone layer and natural heritage; land use planning; international obligations concerning environmental protection; information, education and public awareness; offences.