reglab/statecodes huggingface dataset:
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWELVE - Conservation (§§ 1-16 — 8162) › Subtitle 6A - Natural Resources (§§ 5001 — 5116) › Chapter 256 - Punta del Viento Wetland Natural Reserve (§§ 5071 — 5076) › § 5073 - Designation

The land of the Punta del Viento Wetland in the municipality of Patillas, which [has] a surface capacity of two hundred fifty-four [point] eighty-one (254.81) cuerdas of extension is hereby designated a Natural Reserve. The buffer zone thereof which shall consist of an [sic] approximately two hundred twenty-nine (229) cuerdas of extension is also designated as part of the Patillas Punta del Viento Wetland Reserve. The latter extends uninterruptedly in a northward direction starting from the Northeast, North and Northwest boundaries of the natural reserve and ends adjacent to the South easement of PR-3 between km. 116.1 and km. 118.4 of said route, excluding existing structures and housing in the zone at the time of approval of this act.
History —June 16, 2008, No. 92, § 4.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWELVE - Conservation (§§ 1-16 — 8162) › Subtitle 6A - Natural Resources (§§ 5001 — 5116) › Chapter 256 - Punta del Viento Wetland Natural Reserve (§§ 5071 — 5076) › § 5074 - Prohibition to issue construction permits

The Planning Board, the Permit Management Office and any other instrumentality of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico with concern in this matter are hereby directed to issue an absolute and total prohibition to the granting of location consultations, construction and use permits of the lands subject to this chapter for any use other than the ecological conservation and preservation of the area.
History —June 16, 2008, No. 92, § 5.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWELVE - Conservation (§§ 1-16 — 8162) › Subtitle 6A - Natural Resources (§§ 5001 — 5116) › Chapter 256 - Punta del Viento Wetland Natural Reserve (§§ 5071 — 5076) › § 5075 - Natural reserve management and preservation plan

The Department of Natural and Environmental Resources shall, in one hundred and twenty (120) days as of the approval of this act, draft and establish a “Patillas Punta del Viento Wetland Reserve Management and Conservation Plan”. This Integrated Conservation and Management Plan shall take into consideration the following criteria:
(1) To establish the specific demarcation and the owners of the geographical area which shall be designated a natural reserve.
(2) To provide the schematic design of the area.
(3) To determine the costs of the expropriation process, including the administrative and operation costs of the project.
(4) To establish the necessary direct and programmatic norms to attain the conservation and management of the natural reserve according to the purposes of this chapter.
(5) To monitor the effective implementation of the prohibition for the granting of location and construction permits, and the refusal of permits in progress that do not comply with this chapter.
The Management and Preservation Plan, as well as any other amendment or modification and the studies conducted shall be remitted to the Governor of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico and to the Legislature.
History —June 16, 2008, No. 92, § 6.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWELVE - Conservation (§§ 1-16 — 8162) › Subtitle 6A - Natural Resources (§§ 5001 — 5116) › Chapter 256 - Punta del Viento Wetland Natural Reserve (§§ 5071 — 5076) › § 5076 - Powers of the Secretary

The Secretary of the Department of Natural and Environmental Resources (D.N.R.A., Spanish acronym) shall have the power to expropriate any property, structure, public or private buildings located in the land in question, adjoining or adjacent to said land, that in his/her judgment should be part of the natural reserve created through this chapter. Furthermore, he/she shall also have the necessary and convenient powers to enforce the purposes and provisions of this chapter, as well as all additional powers, implicit or incidental, which are pertinent and necessary to carry out, perform, fulfill and exercise the aforementioned powers and to achieve the purposes provided by legislative mandate.
History —June 16, 2008, No. 92, § [7]
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWELVE - Conservation (§§ 1-16 — 8162) › Subtitle 6A - Natural Resources (§§ 5001 — 5116) › Chapter 257 - Indio River Natural Reserve (§§ 5081 — 5085) › § 5081 - Title and declaration

This chapter shall be known as the “Indio River Natural Reserve Act”. It is hereby declared as the public policy of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico to protect and conserve the natural resources of high ecological value. For this purpose, the area of the Indio River is hereby designated as a Natural Reserve. To be included as a part of said reserve are the 1,817 cuerdas located on the east riverbank: delimited to the north by Barrio Ceiba, to the east by Barrio Almirante Norte, and to the south by Barrio Almirante Sur. On the west riverbank: delimited to the north by Barrio Río Abajo, to the west by Barrio Pugnado Afuera, and to the south by Barrio Quebrada Arena.
History —Sept. 23, 2004, No. 471, § 1, retroactive to July 1, 2004.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWELVE - Conservation (§§ 1-16 — 8162) › Subtitle 6A - Natural Resources (§§ 5001 — 5116) › Chapter 257 - Indio River Natural Reserve (§§ 5081 — 5085) › § 5082 - Declaration of purpose

It is hereby declared that the purpose of this chapter is to ensure that the management of natural resources remains within the framework of the principle of conservation and preservation, in agreement with a financially sustainable development. It is imperative to direct the planning process toward the achievement of an integrated sustainable development, to ensure the wise utilization of land resources. It is also our purpose to identify, preserve and conserve the lands of high natural, ecological, cultural and agricultural value that are a part of the Indio River’s surrounding land.
The designation as natural reserve under the powers conferred upon this Legislature by Article XIX of the Constitution of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico intends to protect areas with important natural resources of high ecological value that may be subject to current and future utilization. Thus, the necessary steps shall be taken to substantially preserve and conserve these areas in their natural state.
The designation of public and private areas that are an integral part of the Indio River as a Natural Reserve allows for the establishment of structures to enable the development of proposed educational, cultural, ecotourism, and scientific research activities so that the ecological and economic integrity of the designated area is not affected.
History —Sept. 23, 2004, No. 471, § 2, retroactive to July 1, 2004.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWELVE - Conservation (§§ 1-16 — 8162) › Subtitle 6A - Natural Resources (§§ 5001 — 5116) › Chapter 257 - Indio River Natural Reserve (§§ 5081 — 5085) › § 5083 - Duties of the Department

The Secretary of the Department of Natural and Environmental Resources shall implement the provisions of this chapter and oversee compliance therewith. For such purposes, the Secretary shall have the following powers and duties:
(a) To implement the legal provisions regarding the preservation, protection, conservation, administration and management of the natural and environmental resources of age class previously described in this chapter, including special attention to matters pertaining to the establishment of the buffer zone and as natural reserve.
(b) To administer, preserve, conserve and coordinate the management and enjoyment of the lands subject to this chapter. He/she may establish a management agreement with the Municipality of Vega Baja or with non-governmental organizations for the administration, use, protection and conservation of the designated area. Any management agreement established between the Department and the Municipality of Vega Baja or any other organization shall include the legal norms and provisions and the regulations that may apply to the administration of a natural reserve in such a case.
(c) To establish agreements and work or research programs with other local, federal or foreign government agencies or with public or private organizations that seek the achievement of the purposes and public policy declared in this chapter.
(d) To accept and receive donations from private or public persons or entities.
(e) To execute all the legal instruments necessary for the accomplishment of his/her duties and powers.
(f) To perform surveys, topographical and environmental studies and any other type of study that in his/her judgment may be necessary to ensure compliance with the provisions of this chapter and to clearly define which areas shall be covered by the Puerto Rico Natural Patrimony Act, §§ 1225 et seq. of this title.
(g) To promulgate and implement the necessary regulations to carry out the purposes of this chapter and to conserve the Indio River watershed and the lands described in this chapter.
(h) To determine the activities that may be carried out in the natural reserve areas created by this chapter and to issue the corresponding permits.
(i) To exercise all the powers and faculties conferred by any other law to administer, protect and conserve the natural reserve areas.
All pertinent provisions of the Puerto Rico Natural Patrimony Act, as amended, §§ 1225 et seq. of this title, shall apply to all matters concerning the protected areas located on public lands.
History —Sept. 23, 2004, No. 471, § 3, retroactive to July 1, 2004.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWELVE - Conservation (§§ 1-16 — 8162) › Subtitle 6A - Natural Resources (§§ 5001 — 5116) › Chapter 257 - Indio River Natural Reserve (§§ 5081 — 5085) › § 5084 - Maintenance plan

The Secretary of the Department of Natural and Environmental Resources is hereby directed to establish a program for the management and maintenance of the areas designated as the Indio River natural reserve established by this chapter and to take the necessary steps, including title studies, environmental studies and those of any other type which in his/her judgment are necessary to ensure full compliance with this chapter.
The Secretary shall also conduct all pertinent transactions to carry out the necessary registrations in the Property Registry of Vega Baja to register the easement constituted by this legislation and to specify the areas that shall be covered by natural reserve laws, which tasks are imposed by this chapter within 6 months from the approval of this act.
The Secretary shall deliver copies of all surveys and plans made as a result of this chapter to each of the owners of the area and shall notify them about all the registrations to be made at the appropriate time in the Property Registry.
History —Sept. 23, 2004, No. 471, § 4, retroactive to July 1, 2004.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWELVE - Conservation (§§ 1-16 — 8162) › Subtitle 6A - Natural Resources (§§ 5001 — 5116) › Chapter 257 - Indio River Natural Reserve (§§ 5081 — 5085) › § 5085 - Applicability of uses

The uses, land use approvals or permits for private lands located within the delimitation of this reserve that are approved by the Planning Board, or by the Regulations and Permits Administration (ARPE, Spanish acronym) prior to the approval of this act, shall remain unchanged.
History —Sept. 23, 2004, No. 471, § 7, retroactive to July 1, 2004.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWELVE - Conservation (§§ 1-16 — 8162) › Subtitle 6A - Natural Resources (§§ 5001 — 5116) › Chapter 258 - Natural Reserve of Las Cabachuelas (§§ 5091 — 5098) › § 5091 - Declaration

The system of caves, caverns, and gorges located in the geographic area of the Barahona and Torrecillas wards, between the municipalities of Morovis and Ciales, better known as “Las Cabachuelas,” is hereby designated as a Nature Reserve of Puerto Rico to be administered by the Department of Natural and Environmental Resources, pursuant to §§ 1225 et seq. of this title, known as the “Puerto Rico Natural Patrimony Act”.
History —Feb. 29, 2012, No. 46, § 1.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWELVE - Conservation (§§ 1-16 — 8162) › Subtitle 6A - Natural Resources (§§ 5001 — 5116) › Chapter 258 - Natural Reserve of Las Cabachuelas (§§ 5091 — 5098) › § 5092 - Definitions

For purposes of this chapter, the definitions included in §§ 1225 et seq. of this title, are hereby adopted.
History —Feb. 29, 2012, No. 46, § 2.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWELVE - Conservation (§§ 1-16 — 8162) › Subtitle 6A - Natural Resources (§§ 5001 — 5116) › Chapter 258 - Natural Reserve of Las Cabachuelas (§§ 5091 — 5098) › § 5093 - Limits of area

The Department of Natural and Environmental Resources and the Planning Board, in conjunction with the municipalities of Morovis and Ciales, are hereby directed to delimit the exact area comprising Las Cabachuelas to be protected.
History —Feb. 29, 2012, No. 46, § 3.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWELVE - Conservation (§§ 1-16 — 8162) › Subtitle 6A - Natural Resources (§§ 5001 — 5116) › Chapter 258 - Natural Reserve of Las Cabachuelas (§§ 5091 — 5098) › § 5094 - Necessary measures

The Secretary of the Department of Natural and Environmental Resources and the Chair of the Planning Board are hereby directed to take any and all measures as are necessary, including environmental studies, and carry out any other procedures deemed pertinent to achieve the objectives of this chapter.
History —Feb. 29, 2012, No. 46, § 4.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWELVE - Conservation (§§ 1-16 — 8162) › Subtitle 6A - Natural Resources (§§ 5001 — 5116) › Chapter 258 - Natural Reserve of Las Cabachuelas (§§ 5091 — 5098) › § 5095 - Pertinent studies

The Secretary of the Department of Natural and Environmental Resources and the Chair of the Planning Board are hereby directed to conduct the pertinent studies to identify and make an inventory of the flora, fauna, and geological and archaeological value of the site once the limits to the area comprising Las Cabachuelas have been set.
History —Feb. 29, 2012, No. 46, § 5.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWELVE - Conservation (§§ 1-16 — 8162) › Subtitle 6A - Natural Resources (§§ 5001 — 5116) › Chapter 258 - Natural Reserve of Las Cabachuelas (§§ 5091 — 5098) › § 5096 - Protection and development

The Government of Puerto Rico hereby states its commitment to protect the territory comprising Las Cabachuelas, located between the municipalities of Morovis and Ciales, for the enjoyment of present and future generations. Upon its designation as natural patrimony, the Puerto Rico Tourism Company shall see to its development and conservation as a tourist attraction site in accordance with the provisions of §§ 6941 et seq. of Title 23, which creates the Special Mountain Region Tourist District.
History —Feb. 29, 2012, No. 46, § 6.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWELVE - Conservation (§§ 1-16 — 8162) › Subtitle 6A - Natural Resources (§§ 5001 — 5116) › Chapter 258 - Natural Reserve of Las Cabachuelas (§§ 5091 — 5098) › § 5097 - Collective effort

The Puerto Rico Tourism Company and the Council for the Protection of Archaeological Lands Patrimony of Puerto Rico shall join the collective effort sought by this Act ensuring compliance with the provisions of §§ 6313 et seq. of Title 23, better known as the “Puerto Rico Sustainable Tourism Development Public Policy Act”; the provisions of §§ 1551 et seq. of Title 18, better known as the “Act for the Protection of Archaeological Lands Patrimony of Puerto Rico”; and the provisions of §§ 6941 et seq. of Title 23, which creates the Special Mountain Region Tourist District.
History —Feb. 29, 2012, No. 46, § 7.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWELVE - Conservation (§§ 1-16 — 8162) › Subtitle 6A - Natural Resources (§§ 5001 — 5116) › Chapter 258 - Natural Reserve of Las Cabachuelas (§§ 5091 — 5098) › § 5098 - Acquisition included in inventory

It is hereby provided that any acquisitions made within “Las Cabachuelas Nature Reserve” shall be included in the inventory of the Puerto Rico Natural Patrimony Program of the Department of Natural and Environmental Resources, created by virtue of §§ 1225 et seq. of this title, known as the “Puerto Rico Natural Patrimony Act”.
History —Feb. 29, 2012, No. 46, § 8.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWELVE - Conservation (§§ 1-16 — 8162) › Subtitle 6A - Natural Resources (§§ 5001 — 5116) › Chapter 259 - Great Northeast Ecological Corridor Nature Reserve Act (§§ 5101 — 5109) › § 5101 - Declaration of public policy

The Constitution of Puerto Rico establishes that: “It shall be the public policy of the Commonwealth to conserve, develop, and use its natural resources in the most effective manner possible for the general welfare of the community.” The State shall use any means and measures necessary to achieve this purpose, in which all its economic, social, and environmental goals are unified towards sustainable development. The optimal use of our environment, taking into consideration its natural features, is an absolute necessity because of the insular nature of our territory, our high population density, the susceptibility of many areas to natural events such as floods and tides, and the deep impact of our actions. The conservation of forests, wetlands, and any other ecosystems on which our wildlife depends, among other natural resources, is therefore necessary to meet the social and economic needs of present and future generations of Puerto Ricans.
For the purpose of complying with the constitutional mandate regarding the conservation and use of our natural resources, and pursuant to public policies established to effectively achieve this goal, the Government of Puerto Rico hereby declares as public policy the preservation, restoration, and conservation of the area designated as the Northeast Ecological Corridor, or NEC, as well as its development, if possible, towards ecotourism and nature tourism activities. To achieve this, and aware of the economic challenges the Government of Puerto Rico currently faces, any public or patrimonial lands belonging to the Government of Puerto Rico, including all its departments and instrumentalities, is hereby initially designated as nature reserve in order to guarantee their preservation, restoration, and conservation, while simultaneously safeguarding the basis needed to achieve its sustainable development toward ecotourism and nature tourism activities, if possible, provided they are subject to and do not jeopardize the main goal, which is to protect the natural integrity of the NEC. Any submerged land, any land beneath navigable waters, as well as the water itself, located within the NEC, is also hereby designated as nature reserve including the waters just north of the NEC that are part of the coastal zone.
History —June 25, 2012, No. 126, § 2.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWELVE - Conservation (§§ 1-16 — 8162) › Subtitle 6A - Natural Resources (§§ 5001 — 5116) › Chapter 259 - Great Northeast Ecological Corridor Nature Reserve Act (§§ 5101 — 5109) › § 5103 - Boundaries of the Great Northeast Ecological Corridor Nature Reserve

The Great Northeast Ecological Corridor Nature Reserve (GNECNR) is located along the coastal zone of the Pitahaya and Juan Martín wards in the Municipality of Luquillo and the Quebrada Fajardo and Cabezas wards in the Municipality of Fajardo, between latitude 18º20’50” N and 18º22’51” N, and longitude 65º38’12” W and 65º42’49” W. To the North lies the Atlantic Ocean and to the West the historic urban center of the Municipality of Luquillo, as well as the El Cemí and Yuquiyú housing projects and the Rafael N. Coca Junior High School. To the South is State Road PR-3 and the Community of Borrás sector, also known as Juan Martín Afuera. To the south, in the Municipality of Fajardo, lies again State Road PR-3, as well as the Vistas del Convento housing project; Eastern Plaza Mall shopping center; the Fajardo Gardens, Vistas del Convento, and Monte Brisas subdivisions; the Cascajo sector; and the southern limits of the El Convento and Seven Seas parcels. To the East lies the recreational facilities of the Seven Seas parcels.
The lands that constitute the GNECNR cover approximately 4,125 cuerdas of dry land and a portion of the sea equal to 65,582 cuerdas (including territorial waters and submerged lands and ecosystems), which extends 9 nautical miles seaward, between the sea-covered areas of Río Espiritu Santo and Las Cabezas de San Juan Nature Reserves; it also includes a marine corridor located between La Cordillera and Canal Luis Peña Nature Reserves. There are 18.85 km of protected coastline in the GNECNR, which include the protection of important beaches and nesting areas for endangered sea turtles. The new Northeast marine corridor is the second largest in Puerto Rico, protecting an area of 182,354 cuerdas. It is only surpassed in size by the waters and submerged lands protected by the designation of the Isla de Mona and Monito Nature Reserve (384,870.84 cuerdas).
Likewise, the GNECNR includes the riparian corridors that flow into the El Yunque National Forest and are formed by the Sabana, Pitahaya, and Juan Martín rivers, their tributaries, and the riparian buffers along their riverbanks. The riparian corridor area of the aforementioned rivers, streams, and tributaries in the GNECNR also includes shallow bodies of water and a strip 20 meters wide, measured horizontally from both riverbanks that extends all the way from their source up to where they join the main component of the GNECNR. However, in no case do they include any currently existing residential, commercial, or industrial structures or parts thereof.
History —June 25, 2012, No. 126, § 4.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWELVE - Conservation (§§ 1-16 — 8162) › Subtitle 6A - Natural Resources (§§ 5001 — 5116) › Chapter 259 - Great Northeast Ecological Corridor Nature Reserve Act (§§ 5101 — 5109) › § 5105 - Designation and boundaries of the northeast ecological corridor nature reserve

All public and patrimonial lands located in the NEC that belong to the agencies, public corporations, or any department of the government, including the maritime-terrestrial zone, submerged lands, lands beneath navigable waters, and the waters thereof within the maritime limit of the coastal zone north of the NEC are hereby designated as a nature reserve. For purposes of facilitating the identification of the designated territories in dry land, the following parcels or properties, without excluding others, are part of the area of the NEC designated as a nature reserve, according to the cadastre number assigned by the Municipal Revenue Collections Center (CRIM, Spanish acronym):
120-000-004-14
120-000-004-15
120-000-004-10
120-000-004-17
121-000-001-03
121-000-001-04
121-000-002-02
121-000-003-03
120-000-005-AV
The Planning Board is hereby directed to amend any regulations, plans, and land use maps in order to recognize said designation, as well as to temper them with the designation and the public policy established for the NEC in this chapter.
The designation of the public lands in the NEC as a nature reserve shall have the same effect as if they were designated under the provisions of §§ 1225-1241 of this title, known as the “Puerto Rico Natural Patrimony Act”, and the Puerto Rico Coastal Zone Management Program. It shall have the same legal consequences, as well as the same restrictions and statutory and regulatory limitations that apply to nature reserves created or established pursuant to said statute and program without the need to carry out any other formality or action of an executive or administrative nature by any agency, department, or instrumentality of the Government of Puerto Rico.
History —June 25, 2012, No. 126, § 6.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWELVE - Conservation (§§ 1-16 — 8162) › Subtitle 6A - Natural Resources (§§ 5001 — 5116) › Chapter 259 - Great Northeast Ecological Corridor Nature Reserve Act (§§ 5101 — 5109) › § 5106 - Alienation and transfer prohibition

The transfer or alienation of any public or patrimonial lands located in the NEC that have been designated as a nature reserve for purposes other than those indicated herein is hereby prohibited.
History —June 25, 2012, No. 126, § 7.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWELVE - Conservation (§§ 1-16 — 8162) › Subtitle 6A - Natural Resources (§§ 5001 — 5116) › Chapter 259 - Great Northeast Ecological Corridor Nature Reserve Act (§§ 5101 — 5109) › § 5107 - Uses

Any proposed activity or use of land in the NEC shall be subject and give priority to the preservation, restoration, and conservation of its natural resources pursuant to the public policy established in this chapter.
History —June 25, 2012, No. 126, § 8.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWELVE - Conservation (§§ 1-16 — 8162) › Subtitle 6A - Natural Resources (§§ 5001 — 5116) › Chapter 259 - Great Northeast Ecological Corridor Nature Reserve Act (§§ 5101 — 5109) › § 5108 - Transfer of development rights

The lands within the NEC that belong to the Industrial Development Company whose transfer of development rights is authorized at the time of the approval of this act, shall retain said authority. Provided, that the properties receiving said rights are located outside of the NEC.
History —June 25, 2012, No. 126, § 9.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWELVE - Conservation (§§ 1-16 — 8162) › Subtitle 6A - Natural Resources (§§ 5001 — 5116) › Chapter 259 - Great Northeast Ecological Corridor Nature Reserve Act (§§ 5101 — 5109) › § 5109 - Inconsistent provisions rendered ineffective

If the provisions of this chapter are inconsistent with the provisions of any other act, the provisions of this chapter shall prevail unless the provisions of said other chapter specifically amend or repeal some or all of the provisions of this chapter. The provisions of this chapter shall prevail over the provisions of any other chapter addressing the same subject as this chapter.
History —June 25, 2012, No. 126, § 10.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWELVE - Conservation (§§ 1-16 — 8162) › Subtitle 6A - Natural Resources (§§ 5001 — 5116) › Chapter 260 - Isla Verde Reef Marine Reserve Act (§§ 5111 — 5116) › § 5111 - Definitions

The following phrases and terms shall have the meaning stated hereinbelow, unless another meaning is derived from the text:
(a) Legislative Assembly.— Means the House of Representatives and the Senate of the Government of Puerto Rico, separately.
(b) Secretary. Means the Secretary of the Department of Natural and Environmental Resources.
(c) Department.— Means the Department of Natural and Environmental Resources.
(d) Marine Reserve.— Means the total area of the Isla Verde Reef Marine Reserve, as established and designated in this chapter, which defines the areas to be protected from the impact of human activities which allow for the recovery of the area, maintain the biodiversity, reduce conflicts of use by separating compatible activities, and serve as reference areas for the study of natural processes.
(e) Territorial waters.— Means navigable waters under the control or dominion of the Government of Puerto Rico.
History —Sept. 26, 2012, No. 274 § 2.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWELVE - Conservation (§§ 1-16 — 8162) › Subtitle 6A - Natural Resources (§§ 5001 — 5116) › Chapter 260 - Isla Verde Reef Marine Reserve Act (§§ 5111 — 5116) › § 5112 - Designation of the Reserve

The Legislative Assembly of the Government of Puerto Rico, aware of the constitutional mandate to conserve natural resources, recognizes the importance and ecological sensitivity of the coastal zone of the Metropolitan Area. Therefore, the area provided and described in § 5113 of this title is hereby designated as the “Isla Verde Reef Marine Reserve”, hereinafter the Reserve.
History —Sept. 26, 2012, No. 274 § 3.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWELVE - Conservation (§§ 1-16 — 8162) › Subtitle 6A - Natural Resources (§§ 5001 — 5116) › Chapter 260 - Isla Verde Reef Marine Reserve Act (§§ 5111 — 5116) › § 5113 - Location and delimitation of the Reserve area

The Reserve, as designated herein, is located to the northeast of the Island of Puerto Rico, on the coast of the Municipality of Carolina. The same has the shape of a trapezoidal rectangle and is delimited by the following coordinates:
Latitude (North) Longitude (West)
(1) Northwest 18º 27’ 10” 66º 1’10”
(2) Northeast 18º 27’ 10” 66º 0’ 35”
(3) Southwest 18º 26’ 44” 66º 1’ 3”
(4) Southeast 18º 26’ 42.75” 66º 0’ 25.18”
History —Sept. 26, 2012, No. 274 § 4.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWELVE - Conservation (§§ 1-16 — 8162) › Subtitle 6A - Natural Resources (§§ 5001 — 5116) › Chapter 260 - Isla Verde Reef Marine Reserve Act (§§ 5111 — 5116) › § 5114 - Powers and duties of the Department of Natural and Environmental Resources

The Secretary of the Department of Natural and Environmental Resources is hereby directed to draft, within a term of one hundred twenty (120) days as of the approval of this act, in collaboration with government entities and nonprofit organizations, a Co-management Plan and the pertinent regulations for the management, rehabilitation, and conservation of the area described in §§ 5112 and 5113 of this title, pursuant to the provisions of §§ 151 et seq. of Title 3, known as the “Organic Act of the Department of Natural Resources”; §§ 1225 et seq. of this title, known as the “Natural Patrimony Program Act”; §§ 241 et seq. of this title, known as the “Puerto Rico Coral Reefs Protection, Conservation, and Management Act”; and the “Coastal Zone Management Program of September 1978,” established by virtue of the Federal “Coastal Zone Management Act” of 1972. It is further provided that, within the Reserve Management Plan, the Department shall establish uses or human activities that are not harmful and are compatible with the conservation of the Marine Reserve, as well as the feasibility of allowing recreational activities such as surfing, snorkeling, kayaking, or any other activity that may be compatible with the conservation objectives for the area.
The establishment of this Marine Reserve and its co-management plan shall not interfere or be in conflict with previously established Land Use Plans or with Zoning Plans, classifications, qualifications, or zoning in effect at the time of approval of this act, provided that these do not jeopardize the integrity of the Marine Reserve.
History —Sept. 26, 2012, No. 274 § 5.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWELVE - Conservation (§§ 1-16 — 8162) › Subtitle 6A - Natural Resources (§§ 5001 — 5116) › Chapter 260 - Isla Verde Reef Marine Reserve Act (§§ 5111 — 5116) › § 5115 - Coordination and cooperative management agreements

In accordance with the provisions of §§ 151 et seq. of Title 3, and §§ 1225 et seq. of this title, known as the “Natural Patrimony Program Act”, the Secretary of the Department of Natural and Environmental Resources is hereby empowered to enter into management agreements with any government entities and/or bonafide nonprofit organizations committed to the conservation and development of the Marine Reserve in order to establish the cooperative management and custody thereof.
History —Sept. 26, 2012, No. 274 § 6.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWELVE - Conservation (§§ 1-16 — 8162) › Subtitle 6A - Natural Resources (§§ 5001 — 5116) › Chapter 260 - Isla Verde Reef Marine Reserve Act (§§ 5111 — 5116) › § 5116 - Annual reports to the Legislative Assembly

The Department of Natural and Environmental Resources shall submit an annual report to the Legislative Assembly not later than June 30 th of each year in which it shall describe the measures taken to comply with the provisions of this chapter, as well as the use given to the funds appropriated thereunder.
History —Sept. 26, 2012, No. 274 § 7.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWELVE - Conservation (§§ 1-16 — 8162) › Subtitle 8 - Environment II (§§ 8001 — 8162) › Chapter 501 - Environmental Public Policy (§§ 8001 — 8007f) › Subchapter I - Statement of Environmental Policy (§§ 8001 — 8001b) › § 8001 - Statement

(a) The Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, in full awareness of the profound impact of human activity on the interrelations of all components of the natural environment, especially the far-reaching influence of population growth, high urban density, industrial expansionism, exploitable resources, and the new and widespread technological advancements, and in full and further awareness of the critical importance of restoring and maintaining environmental quality for the total wellness and full development of humankind, hereby states that it is the ongoing policy of the Government of the Commonwealth, including its municipalities, in cooperation with all public and private organizations so interested, to use all practical means and measures, including technical and financial assistance, with the purpose of encouraging and promoting general wellness and ensuring that all natural systems are healthy and able to sustain life in all its forms, as well as social and economic activity, within the framework of a culture of sustainability, in order to create and maintain conditions under which humankind and nature can coexist in productive harmony and to meet the social, the economic, and any other needs that may arise for the present and the future generations of Puerto Ricans.
(b) The Commonwealth recognizes that all persons are entitled and should enjoy a healthy environment and that all persons are responsible for making their contribution to the conservation and improvement of the environment. Likewise, all persons responsible for polluting our soils, waters, and atmosphere shall be accountable for decontamination- and restoration-related costs, and when applicable, for compensating the people of Puerto Rico for harm inflicted.
(c) In harmony with the foregoing and in full awareness of the importance and the relation among social, economic and environmental factors, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico shall procure its sustainable development based on the following four comprehensive objectives:
(1) The most effective protection of the environment and natural resources;
(2) the most prudent and efficient use for the benefit of all citizens;
(3) social progress that acknowledges everybody’s needs, and
(4) reaching and maintaining high and stable economic growth and employment rates.
History —Sept. 22, 2004, No. 416, § 3, eff. 6 months after Sept. 22, 2004.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWELVE - Conservation (§§ 1-16 — 8162) › Subtitle 8 - Environment II (§§ 8001 — 8162) › Chapter 501 - Environmental Public Policy (§§ 8001 — 8007f) › Subchapter I - Statement of Environmental Policy (§§ 8001 — 8001b) › § 8001b - Savings clause and complementary nature

None of the provisions of § 8001a of this title shall by any means impair any of the specific statutory obligations of any agency regarding:
(1) Compliance with environmental quality criteria or norms;
(2) coordination or consultation with any other agency, or
(3) taking action or abstaining from taking action, contingent upon the recommendations or certifications issued by any other agency.
The policies and objectives outlined in this chapter are complementary to those established in the already existing authorizations for agencies.
History —Sept. 22, 2004, No. 416, § 5, eff. 6 months after Sept. 22, 2004.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWELVE - Conservation (§§ 1-16 — 8162) › Subtitle 8 - Environment II (§§ 8001 — 8162) › Chapter 501 - Environmental Public Policy (§§ 8001 — 8007f) › Subchapter II - Environmental Quality Board (§§ 8002 — 8002p) › § 8002 - Yearly report

The Chair of the Environmental Quality Board shall render before the Legislature and the Governor, a yearly report on environmental quality (hereinafter, the “report”), stating:
(1) The status and condition of Puerto Rico’s environment, including, but not limited to: air quality, water quality (including freshwater, saltwater or lake water; sources and nature of agents discharged into bodies of water; drinking water sources; and management plans for watersheds, and the progress attained in their application) and the soil environment (including, but not limited to solid waste management and disposal; woodlands, dry lands, wetlands, croplands; and urban, suburban and rural environments);
(2) the current trends as to environmental quality, management and utilization and the effects of such trends on Puerto Rico’s requirements of a social, economic or other order;
(3) the sufficiency of available natural resources to meet Puerto Rico’s human and economic requirements in light of the pressures from the expected population;
(4) the reviewing of programs and activities (including regulatory activities) of the federal government, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, and its agencies and municipalities, as well as non-government organizations or persons, especially in connection with their effect on the environment and on natural resource conservation, development and employment, and
(5) a program to remedy the shortcomings of existing programs and activities, together with recommendations for legislation.
The report shall be submitted before the Legislature and the Governor on or before July 1 of each year; the same shall cover the environmental status at the closing of the preceding calendar year. The Environmental Quality Board shall be empowered to adopt, promulgate, amend and repeal regulations as it may deem necessary in order to meet the requirements established in this section.
History —Sept. 22, 2004, No. 416, § 6, eff. 6 months after Sept. 22, 2004.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWELVE - Conservation (§§ 1-16 — 8162) › Subtitle 8 - Environment II (§§ 8001 — 8162) › Chapter 501 - Environmental Public Policy (§§ 8001 — 8007f) › Subchapter II - Environmental Quality Board (§§ 8002 — 8002p) › § 8002e - Consultations and use of facilities

In discharging its powers, functions, and duties under this chapter, the Board shall:
(1) Consult with such representatives of the scientific community, industry, agriculture, labor, conservation organizations, municipal governments, and other groups, as the Board may deem necessary, and
(2) make the fullest use of the services, facilities, and information (including statistics) from public and private agencies and organizations and from persons, so as to prevent duplication in terms of efforts and expenses, thus ensuring that Board activities shall not be in repetition of or in conflict with similar activities authorized by law and carried out by established agencies.
History —Sept. 22, 2004, No. 416, § 11, eff. 6 months after Sept. 22, 2004.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWELVE - Conservation (§§ 1-16 — 8162) › Subtitle 8 - Environment II (§§ 8001 — 8162) › Chapter 501 - Environmental Public Policy (§§ 8001 — 8007f) › Subchapter II - Environmental Quality Board (§§ 8002 — 8002p) › § 8002g - Nature of the Board for federal purposes

The Environmental Quality Board is hereby designated as the agency of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico with the authority to exercise, execute, receive and administer delegation, establish regulations, and implement a permit system in connection with, but not limited to, the Clean Water Act, the Clean Air Act, the Solid Waste Disposal Act, the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act, and the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act, as these have been amended, and for purposes of any other federal legislation that may be approved in the future by the United States Congress as pertains to environmental conservation, natural resources, solid waste, and other matters relative to the purposes of this chapter.
—Sept. 22, 2004, No. 416, § 13, eff. 6 months after Sept. 22, 2004.
History
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWELVE - Conservation (§§ 1-16 — 8162) › Subtitle 8 - Environment II (§§ 8001 — 8162) › Chapter 501 - Environmental Public Policy (§§ 8001 — 8007f) › Subchapter II - Environmental Quality Board (§§ 8002 — 8002p) › § 8002h - Administration of the Puerto Rico Water Pollution Control Revolving Fund

The Board is herby authorized to administer the Puerto Rico Water Pollution Control Revolving Fund created by virtue of § 1915 of Title 3, as required under Title VI of the Clean Water Act. The Board shall also have the power to solicit, accept, and receive on behalf of the Revolving Fund, capitalization donations under such act, as well as to enter into capitalization donation agreements with the United States Environmental Protection Agency, receive matched funds from the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico as required under Title VI of the Clean Water Act, and deposit such donations and matched funds into the Revolving Fund. The Board shall oversee the use of the moneys of the Revolving Fund by recipients thereof, evaluate environmental studies as dictated under Title VI of the Clean Water Act, and take any other actions as required by such act in connection with the Administration of the Revolving Fund. Furthermore, the Board is hereby authorized to assist the Puerto Rico Infrastructure Financing Authority in lending funds deposited into the Revolving Fund to borrowers that qualify under Title VI of the Clean Water Act, in structuring any financing program, and in issuing bonds to finance such programs. The Board may contract any individual to discharge any of the responsibilities established under this section.
History —Sept. 22, 2004, No. 416, § 14, eff. 6 months after Sept. 22, 2004.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWELVE - Conservation (§§ 1-16 — 8162) › Subtitle 8 - Environment II (§§ 8001 — 8162) › Chapter 501 - Environmental Public Policy (§§ 8001 — 8007f) › Subchapter II - Environmental Quality Board (§§ 8002 — 8002p) › § 8002i - Administration of the Puerto Rico Commonwealth Drinking Water Revolving Fund

The Environmental Quality Board is hereby authorized to participate and assist the Department of Health in the administration of the Puerto Rico Commonwealth Drinking Water Revolving Fund created by virtue of §§ 1901 et seq. of Title 3, and as required under the Title of the Safe Drinking Water Act, P.L. 104-182, as amended.
The Environmental Quality Board may receive from the Department, capitalization donations under such act, as well as receive matched funds from the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico as required under the Title of the Safe Drinking Water Act, in order to use them in any manner allowed under such act, to conduct and/or evaluate environmental studies as dictated under the Safe Drinking Water Act and subsection (b)(3) of § 8001a of this title, and to take any other actions required under the Safe Drinking Water Act in connection with the administration of the Puerto Rico Commonwealth Drinking Water Revolving Fund, as per the terms of any agreement executed by the Authority, the Department of Health, and the Environmental Quality Board.
The Board may contract any person to discharge its responsibilities as established under this section.
History —Sept. 22, 2004, No. 416, § 15, eff. 6 months after Sept. 22, 2004.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWELVE - Conservation (§§ 1-16 — 8162) › Subtitle 8 - Environment II (§§ 8001 — 8162) › Chapter 501 - Environmental Public Policy (§§ 8001 — 8007f) › Subchapter II - Environmental Quality Board (§§ 8002 — 8002p) › § 8002k - Confidential documents

(a) Any information furnished to the Board by owners or operators of potential sources of pollution for the environment and natural resources:
(1) Relative to production or to production procedures.
(2) Relative to the volume of sales.
(3) Which may adversely affect the competitive position of the person furnishing the information, shall be of a confidential nature both for the Board and for the United States Environmental Protection Agency (E.P.A.), subject to federal confidentiality requirements, unless the authorized person furnishing the information expressly authorizes such information to be disclosed and made available to the public.
(b) Data about effluents, discharge permit applications, discharge permits, and information relative to the level of pollutants in bodies of water, shall continue to be documents of a public nature.
(c) The general requirement for the Board to classify certain information as confidential shall not be construed as a limitation on its use:
(1) By an officer, an employee or an authorized representative of the Board, the E.P.A. or the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico in implementing this chapter.
(2) For analyses or summaries relative to the general condition of the environment, insofar as the information does not identify the person furnishing the same.
(3) In legal proceedings initiated under § 8002m of this title, or any other legal action in which the court shall determine the importance of said documents for those from whom the same are requested.
History —Sept. 22, 2004, No. 416, § 17; Dec. 5, 2006, No. 259, § 1.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWELVE - Conservation (§§ 1-16 — 8162) › Subtitle 8 - Environment II (§§ 8001 — 8162) › Chapter 501 - Environmental Public Policy (§§ 8001 — 8007f) › Subchapter II - Environmental Quality Board (§§ 8002 — 8002p) › § 8002l - Effectiveness of previous documents

All quality norms, orders, determinations, rules, permits, contracts, licenses, and authorizations issued, made, granted or enforced by any official or agency of the Commonwealth in exercising the authorities transferred by virtue of this chapter, shall remain in full force, but these may be amended, modified, invalidated or revoked by the Board created under Subchapter II of this chapter.
History —Sept. 22, 2004, No. 416, § 18, eff. 6 months after Sept. 22, 2004.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWELVE - Conservation (§§ 1-16 — 8162) › Subtitle 8 - Environment II (§§ 8001 — 8162) › Chapter 501 - Environmental Public Policy (§§ 8001 — 8007f) › Subchapter II - Environmental Quality Board (§§ 8002 — 8002p) › § 8002m - Civil actions

Any natural or juridical person may institute actions for damages in the courts of justice against any natural or juridical person on the grounds of damages sustained on account of violations of this chapter. Such civil action shall be independent and different from administrative procedures conducted by the Board. Likewise, any natural or juridical person affected for the non-implementation of this chapter may resort to the Court of First Instance to request that a mandamus be issued to enforce compliance with the provisions of this chapter; Provided, however, That such recourse shall not be admissible to question a decision whereby the Environmental Quality Board has determined that the requirements of subsection (b)(3) of § 8001a of this title have been met upon considering an environmental document, which action shall be conducted exclusively under the provisions of the Uniform Administrative Procedures Act, §§ 2101 et seq. of Title 3. None of the provisions of this chapter may be construed so as to allow any natural or juridical person to institute actions against the Environmental Quality Board or its officials or employees for the non-implementation of this chapter or the regulations adopted thereunder.
History —Sept. 22, 2004, No. 416, § 19, eff. 6 months after Sept. 22, 2004.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWELVE - Conservation (§§ 1-16 — 8162) › Subtitle 8 - Environment II (§§ 8001 — 8162) › Chapter 501 - Environmental Public Policy (§§ 8001 — 8007f) › Subchapter II - Environmental Quality Board (§§ 8002 — 8002p) › § 8002n - Limitations

None of the provisions of this chapter shall be construed so as to:
(1) Limit or interfere with the powers and authorities that other laws, executive orders, and regulations have conferred onto the Department of Health and the Secretary of Health of Puerto Rico.
(2) Confer authority onto the Board in connection with atmospheric conditions that may exist exclusively within a commercial or industrial plant.
(3) Revoke or limit the application of any law, municipal ordinance or regulation in effect on the matter of sanitation or industrial health and safety.
(4) Limit any power of the Governor or any other official to declare a state of emergency and to act as dictated by such declaration.
History —Sept. 22, 2004, No. 416, § 20, eff. 6 months after Sept. 22, 2004.