reglab/statecodes huggingface dataset:
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWELVE - Conservation (§§ 1-16 — 8162) › Subtitle 5 - Environment (§§ 1120 — 1436) › Chapter 122 - Protection and Preservation of Caves, Caverns and Sinkholes (§§ 1143 — 1143h) › § 1143g - Protection of vested rights

The vested rights or interests of the persons who upon the approval of this act are conducting commercial activities, with the exception of animal breeding in caves, caverns or sinkholes, shall be respected. The Secretary of Natural and Environmental Resources or the person he designates may initiate discussions so that by mutual agreement they may seek a way to harmonize their activities or physical installations with the purposes of this chapter, it being understood that any improvement or extension of the commercial activities or physical installations to be made after the approval of this act shall be in harmony therewith.
History —July 12, 1985, No. 111, p. 384, § 8.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWELVE - Conservation (§§ 1-16 — 8162) › Subtitle 5 - Environment (§§ 1120 — 1436) › Chapter 122 - Protection and Preservation of Caves, Caverns and Sinkholes (§§ 1143 — 1143h) › § 1143h - Environmental impact statement

Every natural or juridical person, including the agencies of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, public and private corporations, municipal corporations and associations, whose determinations and actions may affect any cave, cavern or sinkhole, shall meet the procedures established under Act No. 9 of June 18, 1970, known as the “Environmental Public Policy Act”, in what is related to the environmental impact statements.
History —July 12, 1985, No. 111, p. 384, § 9.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWELVE - Conservation (§§ 1-16 — 8162) › Subtitle 5 - Environment (§§ 1120 — 1436) › Chapter 122A - Protection and Preservation of Puerto Rico’s Karst Region (§§ 1151 — 1158) › § 1151 - Definitions

For the purposes of this chapter, the following terms shall have the meaning stated below:
(a) Karst region.— Stretches of land located to the north, as a continuous strip; to the south, as a broken strip; the islands of Mona, Monito, and parts of Caja de Muertos; and isolated outcrops in other parts of the island. This region is characterized by a geology composed of chalky sedimentary rocks, mainly of limestone. It is greatly susceptible to being dissolved by the flow of surface and underground waters, to form a special negative (depressions), positive (superficial), and underground geography.
(b) Karst formations.— Limestone hills or mountains of conical configuration with slopes that vary from slight to abrupt, sometimes hollowed by caves, and that rise in alluvial plains.
(c) Doline.— A depression in the terrain formed by the dissolving action of underground water when it percolates through fractures in the limestone rock. It generally has the shape of a plate, a funnel, or a pot.
(d) Sinkhole.— Natural duct or canal in the terrain, through which the waters drain.
(e) Cave or cavern.— Natural cavity, niche, chamber, or series of chambers and galleries under the earth’s surface, inside a mountain, or formed by the horizontal projection of rocks in a cliff.
(f) Secretary.— The Secretary of the Department of Natural and Environmental Resources of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico.
(g) Owner.— Title holder of a portion of land that is part of the karst region.
(h) Natural material.— Any geological material that is a morphological part of the karst system and its related ideological region; or any biological component that inhabits the karst ecosystem.
(i) Areas of natural value.— Lands or bodies of water that have ecological importance and specific geological and hydrological characteristics, where there are one or more ecosystems with a high, precise, and self-sustainable biodiversity, with vital functions for the survival of that biodiversity which result in the survival, well-being or the quality of life of human beings. The areas inhabited by species that are endemic, threatened, or in danger of extinction, shall also be considered as areas of high natural value.
(j) Conservation easement.— A lien on real property with the purpose of guaranteeing the protection of an area of natural value.
History —Aug. 21, 1999, No. 292, § 3.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWELVE - Conservation (§§ 1-16 — 8162) › Subtitle 5 - Environment (§§ 1120 — 1436) › Chapter 122A - Protection and Preservation of Puerto Rico’s Karst Region (§§ 1151 — 1158) › § 1152 - Prohibitions and penalties

Besides the administrative fine, any natural or juridical person that carries out any of the following acts without the corresponding permits of the Secretary, shall be guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction, shall be punished by imprisonment for a term not to exceed six (6) months, or a fine which shall not exceed the sum of five hundred dollars ($500), or both penalties, at the discretion of the court:
(a) The extraction, excavation, and removal of limestone rock for commercial purposes or for the leveling of terrain without the Secretary’s authorization, pursuant to §§ 206 et seq. of Title 28, known as the “Sand, Gravel and Stone Act,” as amended, and its respective regulations. No simple permits or exemptions shall be granted in the zone for these purposes.
(b) The creation of dumps for domestic waste, hazardous waste, or special or industrial non hazardous waste in the karst region.
(c) Agricultural activity that leads to the total extermination of the area’s vegetation, or which implies a substantial reduction, be it within one of the same species, among species, or an ecosystem; the use of pesticides, herbicides, or any biocide that is not degradable by biological, chemical, or folic action, that may seep through to aquifers.
(d) The construction of roads, highways, or other means of access without the Secretary’s authorization, as provided by this chapter.
(e) The construction of infrastructure for the enjoyment of scenic areas without the Secretary’s authorization, as provided by this chapter.
(f) The fragmentation of ecosystems of natural value. The term fragmentation shall include the division, separation, or isolation of any ecosystems that are intact, or that when this act is approved, has a high natural value, even though they have been fragmented in the past. The separation, isolation, and division may be caused by roads, or paths that cross them, or by remaining portions of the ecosystems to destine them for uses other than the preservation of natural systems.
(g) Deforestation, selective or total, removal of native and endemic vegetation for commercial landscape design activities, and removal of live ligneous material for the generation of charcoal without due evaluation and authorization, under the provisions of this chapter, and by the provisions included in other applicable laws and regulations.
(h) Removal, hunting, capture, or extermination of wildlife whose habitat is the karst region, without the proper authorization of the Secretary, as provided by this chapter.
(i) The construction and installation of towers and antennas for electrical transmission lines, or antennas for communication, without due authorization by the Secretary, as provided by this chapter.
(j) The creation of ecological tourism projects in the karst regions without the proper authorization of the Secretary, as provided by this chapter.
History —Aug. 21, 1999, No. 292, § 4.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWELVE - Conservation (§§ 1-16 — 8162) › Subtitle 5 - Environment (§§ 1120 — 1436) › Chapter 122A - Protection and Preservation of Puerto Rico’s Karst Region (§§ 1151 — 1158) › § 1153 - Responsibilities and duties

The Secretary of the Department of Natural and Environmental Resources is hereby conferred the responsibility of instituting the provisions of this chapter, and is invested with the power to adopt the rules and regulations that may derive therefrom, and any others that he/she may deem necessary to comply with this responsibility, pursuant to §§ 2101 et seq. of Title 3, “Uniform Administrative Procedure Act of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico”.
The Secretary of the Department of Natural and Environmental Resources has the responsibility of informing the provisions of this chapter to all the agencies of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico that are responsible for approving or endorsing projects and permits, such as, but not limited to the Planning Board, the Electric Power Authority, the Environmental Quality Board, the Department of Agriculture and all its [agencies], the Land Authority, the Land Administration, the Department of Transportation and Public Works, the Highways and Transportation Authority, the Department of Economic and Commercial Development and all its [agencies], the municipalities, and the Institute of Puerto Rican Culture. It shall also report to the following federal government agencies: the United States Army Corps of Engineers, the Federal Environmental Protection Agency, the Fish and Wildlife Service, the United States Department of Agriculture, and the National Park Service.
The Secretary of the Department of Natural and Environmental Resources shall direct the Geologic, Water Resources, Coastal Zone Program, Natural Heritage, and the Fish and Wildlife Service Bureaus to carry out a study to define the areas that, due to their geological, hydrological, and ecological system significance and function, can not be used under any circumstance for the extraction of materials from the earth’s crust for commercial purposes, or for commercial exploitation. Said study will offer alternatives so that the aforementioned activities can be carried out under appropriate conditions in other areas of the karst region. The recommendations of this study shall be incorporated to the Regulations for the Extraction of Materials from the Earth’s Crust, and in the regulations of the Planning Board to zone those areas of the karst region that should be conserved. The Secretary may form an interdisciplinary committee with personnel from the agency, from state and federal agencies, and representatives of civic groups to offer support for the task assigned herein, as well as to identify the land, natural communities, and habitats that should be conserved. An inventory with this information shall be prepared and, should it be necessary, a plan for the protection or acquisition of lands for their preservation. The study shall be completed in a period of not more than two (2) years from the date of approval of this act.
History —Aug. 21, 1999, No. 292, § 5.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWELVE - Conservation (§§ 1-16 — 8162) › Subtitle 5 - Environment (§§ 1120 — 1436) › Chapter 122A - Protection and Preservation of Puerto Rico’s Karst Region (§§ 1151 — 1158) › § 1154 - Directives of the Secretary and administrative fines

The Secretary of the Department of Natural and Environmental Resources is empowered to issue orders to do or not to do, to cease and desist, and to show cause; to hold investigative and adjudicative hearings; and to impose administrative fines up to a maximum of twenty-five thousand dollars ($25,000) for infraction of this chapter, its regulations, or the orders issued thereunder. Any administrative decision of the Secretary may be reviewed by the Circuit Court of Appeals.
History —Aug. 21, 1999, No. 292, § 6.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWELVE - Conservation (§§ 1-16 — 8162) › Subtitle 5 - Environment (§§ 1120 — 1436) › Chapter 122A - Protection and Preservation of Puerto Rico’s Karst Region (§§ 1151 — 1158) › § 1155 - Activities allowed

All activities which are not prohibited by this chapter shall be allowed without prior authorization of the Secretary, provided they comply with all the permits, endorsements, and franchises required by the applicable federal and state laws.
History —Aug. 21, 1999, No. 292, § 8.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWELVE - Conservation (§§ 1-16 — 8162) › Subtitle 5 - Environment (§§ 1120 — 1436) › Chapter 122A - Protection and Preservation of Puerto Rico’s Karst Region (§§ 1151 — 1158) › § 1156 - Protection of vested rights

This chapter shall not impair all the vested rights in the karst region for the duration of the activities or uses that produce profits to the natural or juridical persons with said rights. However, the Secretary of the Department of Natural and Environmental Resources shall be responsible to harmonize said activities with the purposes of this chapter.
Any future improvements or extensions of the physical installations or profitable activities in this zone, shall be in harmony with this chapter.
History —Aug. 21, 1999, No. 292, § 9.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWELVE - Conservation (§§ 1-16 — 8162) › Subtitle 5 - Environment (§§ 1120 — 1436) › Chapter 122A - Protection and Preservation of Puerto Rico’s Karst Region (§§ 1151 — 1158) › § 1157 - Compliance with the concerned laws

Every natural or juridical person, including the agencies of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, public and private corporations, municipal corporations, and associations, whose determinations and actions could affect any knoll, doline, sinkhole, cave, underground river, spring, aquifer, or wetland in the karst regions, shall comply with the procedures established under the provisions of Act No. 9 of June 18. 1970, as amended, known as the “Environmental Public Policy Act” and its regulations, and §§ 1143 et seq. of this title, known as the “Act for the Protection and Preservation of Caves, Caverns, and Sinkholes of Puerto Rico”.
History —Aug. 21, 1999, No. 292, § 10.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWELVE - Conservation (§§ 1-16 — 8162) › Subtitle 5 - Environment (§§ 1120 — 1436) › Chapter 122A - Protection and Preservation of Puerto Rico’s Karst Region (§§ 1151 — 1158) › § 1158 - Incentives

An exemption from payment of property taxes will be granted to properties in the karst region of five (5) cuerdas or more, which are destined exclusively for auxiliary forests created under §§ 191 et seq. of this title, as amended, known as the “Puerto Rico Forest Act”, and which have a “conservation easement” registered in the Property Registry for a period of fifty (50) years or more, which guarantees the protection of the area and complies with a management plan approved by the Natural Patrimony Program of the Department of Natural and Environmental Resources. The Department of Natural and Environmental Resources shall certify to the Municipal Revenues Collection Center, the registration of the “conservation easement” and shall notify the owner’s compliance with the aforementioned management plan every five (5) years.
History —Aug. 21, 1999, No. 292, § 11.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWELVE - Conservation (§§ 1-16 — 8162) › Subtitle 5 - Environment (§§ 1120 — 1436) › Chapter 122B - Culebra Environmental Preservation Permanent Fund (§§ 1161 — 1164) › § 1161 - Fund—Creation

The permanent fund for the environmental preservation of Culebra, attached to the Municipal Government of Culebra, is hereby created. The fund shall be financed through the collection of an additional two dollars ($2) fee to persons who visit Culebra by sea and, to the extent permissible by the ordinance, those who enter by air. Residents and businesspersons shall be exempt from the payment of this fee. In the exclusive case of businesspersons, a register shall be established of bona fide businesspersons who are to be excluded from the payment of this fee. The definition of bona fide businessperson shall be included in the regulations to be promulgated. This shall not apply to businesspersons carrying out commercial or industrial activities that affect the environment. The entity in charge of the maritime transportation shall collect and remit the total additional fee amount, free of charge, every three (3) months.
Visitors shall pay their fees when they purchase their ferry ticket. The Municipality of Culebra and the Maritime Transportation Authority shall develop the regulations needed and implement the pertinent administrative and accounting systems to ensure the proper management of these funds and to guarantee that they are used for the objectives set forth in this chapter.
The fund shall be used for the following objectives:
(a) To finance the planning and preservation operations of Culebra.
(b) To defray expenses for the contracting of technical personnel to advise the municipality in matters of environmental preservation.
(c) To finance projects or public works related to environmental preservation.
(d) To finance education and promotion activities regarding the social values and environmental preservation of Culebra.
(e) Any other project or activity that favorably affects the environment and ecological preservation of Culebra.
(f) To finance activities for the management and maintenance of the Luis Peña Canal Natural Reserve.
(g) For the Culebra solid waste management problems.
History —Sept. 15, 2004, No. 293, § 3, retroactive to July 1, 2004.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWELVE - Conservation (§§ 1-16 — 8162) › Subtitle 5 - Environment (§§ 1120 — 1436) › Chapter 122B - Culebra Environmental Preservation Permanent Fund (§§ 1161 — 1164) › § 1162 - Citizens education program

The Department of Natural and Environmental Resources and the Tourism Company are hereby authorized to carry out, together with the Municipality of Culebra, a citizens education campaign on the ecological and environmental value of Culebra from the viewpoint of the preservation and tourism development of the Isle. This campaign may be financed by matching funds between the municipal government and the agencies concerned in this chapter.
History —Sept. 15, 2004, No. 293, § 4, retroactive to July 1, 2004.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWELVE - Conservation (§§ 1-16 — 8162) › Subtitle 5 - Environment (§§ 1120 — 1436) › Chapter 122B - Culebra Environmental Preservation Permanent Fund (§§ 1161 — 1164) › § 1163 - Citizen regulations

The Culebra Conservation and Development Authority and the Department of Natural and Environmental Resources are hereby authorized to prepare, together with the municipality of Culebra, a citizen regulations program directed toward the establishment of basic Culebra visitor conduct guidelines, in agreement with the objectives set forth in this chapter for the preservation of Culebra’s environment and the protection of its ecological resources.
For the preparation of this program the following shall be taken into consideration, without it being understood as a limitation:
(a) Importing of products with high propensity for contamination into Culebra.
(b) Marine life preservation and care.
(c) The promotion of and compliance with recycling programs.
(d) The prevention of unnecessary noise and activities in ecologically sensitive areas.
(e) Management of solid waste and other contaminants in ecologically sensitive areas.
The Culebra Conservation and Development Authority is hereby authorized to establish fines for those who do not comply with the regulations established by this program. The monies generated from the fines shall be covered into the Culebra Environmental Preservation Permanent Fund.
History —Sept. 15, 2004, No. 293, § 5, retroactive to July 1, 2004.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWELVE - Conservation (§§ 1-16 — 8162) › Subtitle 5 - Environment (§§ 1120 — 1436) › Chapter 122B - Culebra Environmental Preservation Permanent Fund (§§ 1161 — 1164) › § 1164 - Regulations

The municipality shall adopt the necessary regulations to implement the objectives established in this chapter.
History —Sept. 15, 2004, No. 293, § 6, retroactive to July 1, 2004.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWELVE - Conservation (§§ 1-16 — 8162) › Subtitle 5 - Environment (§§ 1120 — 1436) › Chapter 123 - Natural Resources Rangers Corps (§§ 1201 — 1210) › § 1201 - Short title

This chapter shall be known as the “Natural and Environmental Resources Rangers of the Department of Natural and Environmental Resources Act”.
History —June 29, 1977, No. 1, p. 533, § 1, eff. July 1, 1977.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWELVE - Conservation (§§ 1-16 — 8162) › Subtitle 5 - Environment (§§ 1120 — 1436) › Chapter 123 - Natural Resources Rangers Corps (§§ 1201 — 1210) › § 1202 - Public policy

It is hereby declared that it is the public policy of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico to insure the most effective protection and conservation of Puerto Rico’s natural resources, which are the patrimony and wealth of our people. In recognition of the continuous increase of social and economic pressures that jeopardize these resources, the Government has seen the need to create a civil guard corps under the direction of the Secretary of the Department of Natural and Environmental Resources, in an earnest effort to protect these resources for the enjoyment of future generations. This organization shall use all available means to protect, supervise, conserve, defend and safeguard our natural resources. It shall also be authorized to give any kind of orientation, guidance and assistance to the citizens under the provisions of the various laws administered by the Department of Natural and Environmental Resources.
History —June 29, 1977, No. 1, p. 533, § 2, eff. July 1, 1977.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWELVE - Conservation (§§ 1-16 — 8162) › Subtitle 5 - Environment (§§ 1120 — 1436) › Chapter 123 - Natural Resources Rangers Corps (§§ 1201 — 1210) › § 1203 - Definitions

For the purposes of this chapter, the following terms shall have the meanings stated below:
(a) Corps.— The Natural Resources Rangers Corps of the Department of Natural and Environmental Resources.
(b) Department.— The Department of Natural and Environmenal Resources.
(c) Person.— Any natural or juridical person, including the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, its agencies, departments and instrumentalities, public corporations or political subdivisions, the states of the United States, and the federal government and its dependencies.
(d) Secretary.— The Secretary of the Department of Natural and Environmental Resources.
(e) Commonwealth of Puerto Rico.— The Island of Puerto Rico, the Islands of Vieques, Culebra, La Mona, Monito, Caja de Muertos and any other islets and keys, and the territorial waters under the jurisdiction of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico.
(f) Vigilance.— Action, care, inspection, observation, custody, protection and defense.
(g) Conservation.— Protection, defense, custody, safeguarding and control of the natural and environmental resources.
(h) Bodies of water.— Includes surface, underground and coastal waters within the jurisdiction of the Commonwealth.
(i) Maritime-terrestrial zone.— The area of the coast of Puerto Rico where the high and low water marks caused by the ebb and flow of the tides are discernible, including the highest waves during a hurricane; where the tides are not discernible, including the lands reclaimed from the sea, and the banks of the rivers up to where they become navigable or the tides become discernible; and the term means the maritime-terrestrial zone of Puerto Rico without restrictions, as defined in the applicable laws.
History —June 29, 1977, No. 1, p. 533, § 3, eff. July 1, 1977.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWELVE - Conservation (§§ 1-16 — 8162) › Subtitle 5 - Environment (§§ 1120 — 1436) › Chapter 123 - Natural Resources Rangers Corps (§§ 1201 — 1210) › § 1204 - Creation

The Natural Resources Rangers Corps is hereby created in the Department of Natural and Environmental Resources, as well as [are] the Rangers Youth Corps and the Civilian Volunteers Environmental Rangers Corps. The Secretary of Natural and Environmental Resources shall establish, by regulations, the functions, duties and responsibilities of the Rangers Youth Corps and the [Civilian] Volunteer Environmental Rangers.
History —June 29, 1977, No. 1, p. 533, § 4; Dec. 24, 1998, No. 320, § 1.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWELVE - Conservation (§§ 1-16 — 8162) › Subtitle 5 - Environment (§§ 1120 — 1436) › Chapter 123 - Natural Resources Rangers Corps (§§ 1201 — 1210) › § 1206 - Organization

The Secretary is hereby empowered to determine, by regulations, the organization and administration of the Corps, the obligations, responsibilities and any other matter pertinent to the operations thereof.
The Secretary shall procure and administer the necessary funds to accomplish the effective operation of the Corps, pursuant to the provisions of this chapter.
The clothes that shall constitute the official uniform of the Corps and the equipment it shall use shall be determined by regulations.
The use of the uniform, or any part thereof, by any person other than a member of the Corps, is hereby prohibited. Any person who violates this prohibition shall be punished by a fine of not more than five hundred dollars ($500) or imprisonment for a term of not more than six (6) months.
Corps members shall be subject to and protected by Act No. 5 of October 14, 1975, known as the “Puerto Rico Public Service Personnel Act”.
Corps members may receive, while on duty, discounts in food establishments, provided that such discount is voluntarily offered by the establishment. No Corps member shall offer any service in exchange for such discount.
History —June 29, 1977, No. 1, p. 533, § 6; July 29, 2011, No. 167, § 5.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWELVE - Conservation (§§ 1-16 — 8162) › Subtitle 5 - Environment (§§ 1120 — 1436) › Chapter 123 - Natural Resources Rangers Corps (§§ 1201 — 1210) › § 1207 - Liaison with other agencies; rules and regulations

The Secretary shall establish liaison with related federal and Commonwealth agencies, which in turn shall take the necessary steps to make it effective. The Secretary is also empowered to adopt the rules and regulations required to enforce this chapter, pursuant to Act No. 112 of June 30, 1957. These rules and regulations shall take effect within 90 days from the date of approval of this act.
History —June 29, 1977, No. 1, p. 533, § 7, eff. Jul. 1, 1977.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWELVE - Conservation (§§ 1-16 — 8162) › Subtitle 5 - Environment (§§ 1120 — 1436) › Chapter 123 - Natural Resources Rangers Corps (§§ 1201 — 1210) › § 1208 - Economic assistance

The Secretary shall have the authority to accept economic assistance of any kind, including donations in money, technical services or equipment, from private individuals or from entities, nonprofit institutions, the United States, state governments, individual states, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico or from any government instrumentality, agency or subdivision, for the purpose of fulfilling the objectives of this chapter.
History —June 29, 1977, No. 1, p. 533, § 8, eff. July 1, 1977.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWELVE - Conservation (§§ 1-16 — 8162) › Subtitle 5 - Environment (§§ 1120 — 1436) › Chapter 123 - Natural Resources Rangers Corps (§§ 1201 — 1210) › § 1209 - Contracting

The Secretary is authorized to execute any kind of agreement or contract with natural or juridical, private or public persons, with federal, state or municipal agencies or organizations, under the terms and conditions he may deem necessary or advisable for the best application of this chapter, and the fulfillment of its purposes.
The employees who are at present engaged in the vigilance, protection, conservation and supervision of the natural resources, shall keep their employment, functions, status and any other rights acquired in the positions they may be holding on the effective date of this act.
History —June 29, 1977, No. 1, p. 533, § 9, eff. July 1, 1977.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWELVE - Conservation (§§ 1-16 — 8162) › Subtitle 5 - Environment (§§ 1120 — 1436) › Chapter 123 - Natural Resources Rangers Corps (§§ 1201 — 1210) › § 1210 - Funds

The necessary funds to carry out the purposes of this chapter shall be included in the General Expenses Budget of the Department of Natural and Environmental Resources.
History —June 29, 1977, No. 1, p. 533, § 10, eff. July 1, 1977.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWELVE - Conservation (§§ 1-16 — 8162) › Subtitle 5 - Environment (§§ 1120 — 1436) › Chapter 124 - Natural Patrimony Program (§§ 1225 — 1241) › § 1225 - Short title

This chapter shall be known as the “Puerto Rico Natural Patrimony Act” and through it the Puerto Rico Natural Patrimony Program is hereby created in the Department of Natural and Environmental Resources.
History —Aug. 4, 1988, No. 150, p. 636, § 1.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWELVE - Conservation (§§ 1-16 — 8162) › Subtitle 5 - Environment (§§ 1120 — 1436) › Chapter 124 - Natural Patrimony Program (§§ 1225 — 1241) › § 1226 - Definitions

For the purposes of this chapter, the following terms shall have the meanings stated hereinbelow:
(1) Department.— Department of Natural and Environmental Resources.
(2) Secretary.— Secretary of the Department of Natural and Environmental Resources.
(3) Program.— Puerto Rico Natural Patrimony Program.
(4) Nonprofit organization.— Any private nonprofit institution constituted as such pursuant to the laws of Puerto Rico that is engaged in the conservation of natural resources.
(5) Natural reservation.— Area of natural value that has been declared a Natural Reserve by the Planning Board.
(6) Area of natural value.— Land or bodies of water of ecologic importance.
(7) Conservation easement.— Lien imposed on real property for the purpose of guaranteeing the protection and management of a natural resource of recognized value which makes the area worthy to be included in the Program.
(8) Natural community.— Group of population of flora and fauna that inhabit a place, interact among themselves and with their habitat form a system of composition, structure, environmental relationships, development and functions that are distinctive of and inherent to the system.
(9) Conservation.— Use or management of a natural resource without being detrimental to its nature.
(10) Agency of the Government of Puerto Rico.— The agencies, departments, offices, dependencies, municipalities and public corporations.
History —Aug. 4, 1988, No. 150, p. 636, § 2.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWELVE - Conservation (§§ 1-16 — 8162) › Subtitle 5 - Environment (§§ 1120 — 1436) › Chapter 124 - Natural Patrimony Program (§§ 1225 — 1241) › § 1227 - Goals and objectives

The Program shall have the following goals and objectives:
(1) Identify the lands, natural communities and habitats that shelter wildlife, as well as those that are essential for the survival and protection of the species of flora and fauna that are vulnerable or in danger of extinction and any other land that the Program determines should be preserved for their value as a natural resource.
(2) Design areas of natural interest that should be protected.
(3) Prepare plans for the acquisition and protection of said land.
(4) Strengthen nonprofit organizations engaged in the conservation of natural resources, sharing with them the responsibility of acquiring, restoring and managing said resources.
(5) Coordinate and make feasible the acquisition, restoration and management of said areas by the Department, Government agency or nonprofit organization.
History —Aug. 4, 1988, No. 150, p. 636, § 3.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWELVE - Conservation (§§ 1-16 — 8162) › Subtitle 5 - Environment (§§ 1120 — 1436) › Chapter 124 - Natural Patrimony Program (§§ 1225 — 1241) › § 1228 - Powers of the Secretary

In order to comply with the objectives of the Program, the Secretary of Natural and Environmental Resources shall, among other things:
(1) Enter into contracts and agreements with agencies of the Commonwealth Government and of the United States Government and with nonprofit organizations for the transfer or management of areas of natural interest.
(2) Accept donations of money, as well as real or personal property and rights from persons or private profitable or nonprofit entities.
(3) Receive legislative appropriations for the acquisition or management of areas of natural interest.
(4) Acquire land through purchase, donation, legacy, exchange, expropriation or other legal manner, from any natural or juridical person, Government agency or agency of the Government of the United States of America.
(5) Take money on loan for the acquisition of areas of natural value within the provisions of this chapter, upon prior authorization of the Office of Management and Budget.
(6) Recommend to the Planning Board the designation of any area included in the inventory of areas of natural interest by the Natural Patrimony Program as a natural reserve.
History —Aug. 4, 1988, No. 150, p. 636, § 4.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWELVE - Conservation (§§ 1-16 — 8162) › Subtitle 5 - Environment (§§ 1120 — 1436) › Chapter 124 - Natural Patrimony Program (§§ 1225 — 1241) › § 1229 - Inventory

In order to direct the acquisition and management of the areas of natural interest, the Program shall prepare an inventory which shall include:
(1) Areas that shelter species in danger of extinction;
(2) floodable and humid soil;
(3) areas of importance for migratory species, and
(4) natural communities.
In the drafting of the inventory, the list prepared by the Planning Board indicating those areas that should be conserved or declared as Natural Reserves shall be included. The Program shall establish priorities within said inventory and shall revise it periodically. The Department of Natural and Environmental Resources shall establish adequate procedures so that the members of the community can recommend areas to be included in the inventory, furnish information of use for the preparation of the inventory and have access to it within a reasonable period of time.
History —Aug. 4, 1988, No. 150, p. 636, § 5.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWELVE - Conservation (§§ 1-16 — 8162) › Subtitle 5 - Environment (§§ 1120 — 1436) › Chapter 124 - Natural Patrimony Program (§§ 1225 — 1241) › § 1230 - Funds—Accountability; utilization

The moneys of the Program shall be accounted for in the books of the Secretary of the Treasury separate from any other funds that the Department of Natural and Environmental Resources may receive and without a specific fiscal year. Said funds shall be used for the protection areas of natural interest in Puerto Rico under the custody and the administration of the Secretary of Natural and Environmental Resources, for the acquisition, restoring and management of the lands included in the inventory prepared by the Natural Patrimony Program.
History —Aug. 4, 1988, No. 150, p. 636, § 6.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWELVE - Conservation (§§ 1-16 — 8162) › Subtitle 5 - Environment (§§ 1120 — 1436) › Chapter 124 - Natural Patrimony Program (§§ 1225 — 1241) › § 1231 - Funds—Limitation

At least fifty percent (50%) of the funds of the Program shall be used to match the funds raised by nonprofit organizations or obtained from federal programs; Provided, That this limitation shall be in effect only during the first four (4) years of the Program’s effectiveness. The Secretary of Natural and Environmental Resources shall not use the Program’s money for any operating or administrative expenses of the Program and/or the Department.
History —Aug. 4, 1988, No. 150, p. 636, § 7.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWELVE - Conservation (§§ 1-16 — 8162) › Subtitle 5 - Environment (§§ 1120 — 1436) › Chapter 124 - Natural Patrimony Program (§§ 1225 — 1241) › § 1232 - Funds—Contributions by nonprofit organization

The Secretary may reserve all or part of the economic resources of the Program to be matched with the funds raised by a nonprofit organization; Provided, That in these cases the Secretary shall sign an agreement with said organization committing himself to match the funds raised by it during a specific period of time, which includes the conditions established in this chapter and any others determined by the Secretary, as well as the guarantees for the recovery of the funds of the Program in the event the nonprofit organization fails to comply with the conditions established in the agreement.
History —Aug. 4, 1988, No. 150, p. 636, § 8.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWELVE - Conservation (§§ 1-16 — 8162) › Subtitle 5 - Environment (§§ 1120 — 1436) › Chapter 124 - Natural Patrimony Program (§§ 1225 — 1241) › § 1233 - Funds—Restricted use

The organization shall exclusively use the funds proceeding from the matching of funds to acquire, restore or manage any or some areas of natural interest included by the Secretary of Natural and Environmental Resources in the Program and pursuant to the conditions established by him.
History —Aug. 4, 1988, No. 150, p. 636, § 9.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWELVE - Conservation (§§ 1-16 — 8162) › Subtitle 5 - Environment (§§ 1120 — 1436) › Chapter 124 - Natural Patrimony Program (§§ 1225 — 1241) › § 1234 - Management of areas

All areas totally or partially acquired, conserved and/or restored with the Program’s funds shall be managed for the purposes established in this chapter.
No deed or interest in any of the areas acquired for these purposes shall be acquired by any agency or government or municipal entity through the eminent domain procedure.
The Department of Natural and Environmental Resources shall manage the areas or shall enter into a management agreement with a nonprofit organization or an agency of the Government of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico or the United States of America; Provided, That if the Department of Natural and Environmental Resources decides to enter into a management agreement, it shall give preference to the organization that has acquired the area pursuant to the provisions previously established for the signing of said agreement.
History —Aug. 4, 1988, No. 150, p. 636, § 10.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWELVE - Conservation (§§ 1-16 — 8162) › Subtitle 5 - Environment (§§ 1120 — 1436) › Chapter 124 - Natural Patrimony Program (§§ 1225 — 1241) › § 1235 - Financial resources; tax-deductibility

The Program shall be supported by legislative appropriations and other sources provided by laws or regulations, as well as from any funds received as contributions from private sources. Any donation to the Program made by an individual, corporation or partnership shall be deductible for tax purposes, subject to the provisions of the Income Tax Act in effect.
The income and interest derived from the investment of the moneys of the Program shall become a part of the economic resources thereof. Any balance remaining in the Program at the end of a fiscal year shall be kept in the Program to be used in any fiscal year.
History —Aug. 4, 1988, No. 150, p. 636, § 11.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWELVE - Conservation (§§ 1-16 — 8162) › Subtitle 5 - Environment (§§ 1120 — 1436) › Chapter 124 - Natural Patrimony Program (§§ 1225 — 1241) › § 1236 - Title to property

The title deed of the areas of natural interest purchased by the nonprofit organization with funds matched by the Program shall be property of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico and the organization shall be bound to transfer the title deed to the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico with no restriction other than a conservation easement on behalf of the organization to guarantee the protection and management of the natural resources that made the area worthy of being included in the Natural Patrimony Program. To comply with this provision, the organization shall transfer the title deed to the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico in accordance with the terms stipulated by the Secretary of Natural and Environmental Resources. The property acquired by the Commonwealth for the purposes of this chapter, whether by a nonprofit organization, by the Program or by any Government agency, shall be exempted from property taxes. This exemption shall be effective on January 1 of the year in which the property is acquired by the nonprofit organization to be transferred to the Program on the date it is bound to transfer it to the Commonwealth. The granting of this exemption shall not be subject to the limitations in surface areas imposed by the Political-Administrative Code on nonprofit organizations to be eligible for property tax exemption. Nothing provided herein shall be understood to impair requirements provided by law for the acquisition of land by the government agencies and instrumentalities.
History —Aug. 4, 1988, No. 150, p. 636, § 12.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWELVE - Conservation (§§ 1-16 — 8162) › Subtitle 5 - Environment (§§ 1120 — 1436) › Chapter 124 - Natural Patrimony Program (§§ 1225 — 1241) › § 1237 - Appropriation

The sum of two million dollars ($2,000,000) is hereby appropriated to the Department of Natural and Environmental Resources from unencumbered funds in the Commonwealth Treasury to be used by the Program. In subsequent fiscal years, the funds deemed necessary to carry out the objectives of this chapter shall be consigned in the Commonwealth General Budget of Expenses.
History —Aug. 4, 1988, No. 150, p. 636, § 13.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWELVE - Conservation (§§ 1-16 — 8162) › Subtitle 5 - Environment (§§ 1120 — 1436) › Chapter 124 - Natural Patrimony Program (§§ 1225 — 1241) › § 1238 - Advisory Council

An Advisory Council is hereby created to help the Secretary in the administration of the Program and the fiscal resources available for the acquisition and management of areas of natural interest. The Council shall be composed by representatives of the Government Development Bank, the Planning Board, the Lands Administration and the Department of the Treasury, respectively, who shall be designated as such by the heads of said government agencies. The officials so designated shall represent their respective agencies in a continuous manner while they hold office as such and until their successors are appointed and take office. The Council shall also be composed of five (5) members appointed by the Governor, one of whom shall have vast experience in private banking, and the remaining four (4) shall be persons who have been outstanding for their experience and interest in the conservation of natural resources. The initial appointments of the representatives of the private sector shall be made as follows: two (2) for a two (2)-year term and the remaining members for three (3), four (4), and five (5)-year terms, respectively. All the members shall be entitled to voice and vote in the affairs of the Council and shall hold office until their successors are appointed. The Advisory Council shall meet as often as it deems necessary to achieve the purposes of this chapter, but not less than four (4) times a year. The Council shall adopt bylaws that shall provide for, a quorum, internal organization and the majority required to reach agreements, among other things.
History —Aug. 4, 1988, No. 150, p. 636, § 14.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWELVE - Conservation (§§ 1-16 — 8162) › Subtitle 5 - Environment (§§ 1120 — 1436) › Chapter 124 - Natural Patrimony Program (§§ 1225 — 1241) › § 1239 - Annual report

The Secretary of Natural and Environmental Resources shall render an annual report to the Governor and to the Legislature of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico regarding the Natural Patrimony Program of Puerto Rico. Said report shall be rendered no later than September 30 of each year and shall include a detailed explanation of the income and disbursements during the year and an explanation of the acquisition and management plan proposed for the following year.
History —Aug. 4, 1988, No. 150, p. 636, § 15.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWELVE - Conservation (§§ 1-16 — 8162) › Subtitle 5 - Environment (§§ 1120 — 1436) › Chapter 124 - Natural Patrimony Program (§§ 1225 — 1241) › § 1240 - Governor’s report

As of the effective date of this act, the Department of Natural and Evironmental Resources shall prepare and keep up to date an inventory of the areas of natural interest that are currently owned by the Commonwealth or its agencies or instrumentalities. The Secretary of Natural and Environmental Resources shall render a report to the Governor recommending that said areas or the management thereof be transferred to the Department of Natural and Environmental Resources for protection and conservation. The Governor may, through an Executive Order, direct the transfer of the areas of natural interest or provide that the management thereof will be the responsibility of the Department. The transfer of the areas referred to in this section shall be conducted in accordance with the procedure and subject to the requirements established in the applicable laws and regulations.
History —Aug. 4, 1988, No. 150, p. 636, § 16.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWELVE - Conservation (§§ 1-16 — 8162) › Subtitle 5 - Environment (§§ 1120 — 1436) › Chapter 124 - Natural Patrimony Program (§§ 1225 — 1241) › § 1241 - Responsibility of Department

The Department shall be responsible for the effective operation of the Program and to such ends it shall provide office space, equipment, technical and professional personnel and any other assistance or service deemed necessary.
History —Aug. 4, 1988, No. 150, p. 636, § 17.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWELVE - Conservation (§§ 1-16 — 8162) › Subtitle 5 - Environment (§§ 1120 — 1436) › Chapter 124A - Adopt a Hectare Program (§§ 1242 — 1249) › § 1242 - Creation

The Adopt a Hectare Program is hereby created, attached to the Department of Natural and Environmental Resources.
History —Aug. 17, 2001, No. 108, § 1.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWELVE - Conservation (§§ 1-16 — 8162) › Subtitle 5 - Environment (§§ 1120 — 1436) › Chapter 124A - Adopt a Hectare Program (§§ 1242 — 1249) › § 1243 - Purpose

The purpose of the Program is to provide incentives for profit making and nonprofit persons or entities that participate in the same.
History —Aug. 17, 2001, No. 108, § 2.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWELVE - Conservation (§§ 1-16 — 8162) › Subtitle 5 - Environment (§§ 1120 — 1436) › Chapter 124A - Adopt a Hectare Program (§§ 1242 — 1249) › § 1244 - Coordination

The Secretary of the Department of Natural and Environmental Resources shall designate a coordinator who shall be responsible for the operation of the Program and may attach the Program to a unit within the Department related to the acquisition of land.
History —Aug. 17, 2001, No. 108, § 3.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWELVE - Conservation (§§ 1-16 — 8162) › Subtitle 5 - Environment (§§ 1120 — 1436) › Chapter 124A - Adopt a Hectare Program (§§ 1242 — 1249) › § 1245 - Duties of the Coordinator

(a) Draft and implement, in coordination with the Secretary, the standards and rules that shall govern the Program, including its work plan.
(b) Seek appropriations and donations for the acquisition of natural value areas to be included in the Program.
(c) Coordinate with units of the Department of Natural and Environmental Resources the acquisition of land to be included in the Program. Identify the hectares that shall be adopted under the Program and provide the acknowledgement certificates and other incentives.
(d) Supervise the development and growth of the Program.
(e) Establish the criteria and identify the location, characteristics and potential of the resources and their susceptibility to suffer damages or exhaustion and notify said fact to the Planning Board.
History —Aug. 17, 2001, No. 108, § 4.