Framework Act on the Environment (Act No. 11/87).

This Act establishes basic national environmental policy, which should be directed towards optimizing and guaranteeing the permanent utilisation of natural resources both qualitavely and quantitatively, with the view to enduring development. In light of the Portuguese Constitution, it confirms the public right to a human and ecologically balanced enviroment and the duty of the State to safeguard this through special agencies and through the promotion of individual and community initiatives.
The application of these general principles should be pursued through the implementation of specific rules, particularly: the prevention of environmental damage; the integration of socio-economic development and environmental conservation policies; public participation in the formulation and implementation of environmental policy; strengthening of international cooperation; rehabilitation of degraded environments; compensation for ecological damage.
These basic provisions are completed by indications on the components of the natural environment (atmosphere, light, water, the soil, sub-soil, flora and fauna); the components of the human environment (landscape, construction, pollution, noise, chemical products, residues and effluents, radioactive substances); the instruments of environmental policy (protected areas, environmental impact studies); permits and critical situations; institutions responsible for the environment; citizens' rights and duties; offences and penalties and final provisions.