The 73 sections of this Act are divided into 8 Parts: Preliminary (I); Establishment, Powers and Functions, etc., of the Department of Environment (II); Prohibition on Dumping (III); Environmental impact assessment and Nutrients (IV); Investigation, procedures and general penalties (V); Enforcement, Notices, Offences and Penalties, etc. (VI); Environmental Management Fund, et.(VII); Miscellaneous (VIII). "Environment" is defined in section 2 as to include water, coasts, seas, air and land and the interrelationship which exists among and between water, air and land, and human beings, other living creatures, plants, micro-organisms and property. A Department of the Environment shall be established under the Ministry for the time being responsible for the environment (sect. 3). Functions of the Department are outlined in detail in section 4 and include the keeping of a register of ecologically harmful substances or effects. The Minister may make regulations relating to the prevention and control of environmental pollution (sects. 6 and 7). Other provisions of Part III concern enforcement of such regulations. Part IV makes provision for the dumping of waste at sea. Dumping is defined in section 12. Section 15 requires a permit for the loading of hazardous substances for the purpose of dumping. Any person intending to undertake any project, programme or activity which may significantly affect the environment shall cause an environmental impact assessment to be carried out by a suitable qualified person, and shall submit the same to the Department for evaluation and recommendations (subsect. 20[1]). An EIA shall identify and evaluate effects on human beings and the environment as specified in subsection 20[2]. Part VI places restrictions on the manufacture, importation and sale of cleaning agents that contain prescribed nutrients. Nutrients are defined by section 23. The Act is completed by a Schedule containing a list of hazardous substances for purposes of section 2 (interpretation) and a list of factors which shall be taken into consideration by the Minister when determining whether or not to grant a permit under section 17 (dumping).
بليز · 1992-10-14