Resource information
This Law is composed of 7 Parts divided into 68 articles. Part I deals with fundamental principles and general provisions. Part II provides for regulating the environment protection especially the following matters: environmental planning; Environment National Council; financing environment protection through the establishment of a national environmental fund; and the mechanism of environmental pollution control. Part III refers to the Environment Information System and the participation in environment management and protection. Part IV relates to the Environmental Impact Assessment. Part V concerns with environment protection. Part VI deals with responsibilities and penalties. Part VII contains final provisions in particular the following matters: air protection and fighting bad smells; coast protection and marine protection against pollution; water pollution control; land and underground protection; installations; dangerous and harmful chemical substances; noises; natural resources management; and, biodiversity protection and natural disasters.The environmental protection provided for in this Law in particular deals with (i) protection of the coast and marine environment from pollution regarding both the protection of the beaches and their natural resources from pollution hazards and the protection of territorial waters from pollution risks. Art.30 prohibits any discharge, immersion or incineration in the territorial waters that could affect human health and marine natural resources; damage both activities and marine organisms, including navigation, fishing, plants and algae; spoil the quality of marine water; and reduce the tourism potential of the sea and Lebanese beaches; (ii) protection of the aquatic environment from pollution. Art.35 provides for protection of surface (including springs, rivers, banks, lakes, marshes, reservoirs, drinking water distribution networks) and groundwater from pollution hazards and restore the quality of this water; protection of ecological balances and wetlands with their ecosystems; development and protection of natural resources and their valuation as economic resources; development of integrated management of natural resources related to the environment; (iii) protection of the terrestrial environment and the underground. Art.38 provides for reducing soil degradation and erosion, combating desertification, control pollution of land, and its natural resources, and loss of arable land; rational use of the land or the ground and their natural resources; the obtaining of a prior authorization from the Ministry of Environment before undertaking activities related to the aforementioned issues; (iv) rules for the facilities that shall have the potential for environmental review and self-monitoring in order to systematically measure its pollutant releases and the results of its activities on the environment; (v) management of natural resources and conservation of biological diversity. Art.48 provides for setting up an inventory of existing animal and plant species, especially those at risk of extinction; proposing the establishment of national parks, nature reserves and protected areas; developing a control system for the access and use of biological resources; and the participation of citizens and public and private institutions in the conservation of biological diversity and the sustainable use of natural resources; (vi) management of risks and natural disasters including preventive measures to be taken to address all serious environmental pollution caused by natural disasters.
Implemented by: Decree No.8157 of 2012 establishing the National Council for the Environment (NCE) and determining its functions and organization. (2012-05-18)
