LIBERIA’S ENVIRONMENTAL LAW IS primarily governed by the Environmental Protection and Management Law, enforced by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), providing a comprehensive framework for sustainable development, pollution control, and natural resource management.
LIBERIA’S ENVIRONMENTAL LEGAL framework is anchored in the Environmental Protection and Management Law, which establishes a legal structure for sustainable development, environmental management, and protection of natural resources in partnership with government ministries, organizations, and the public. The law consists of 115 sections divided into 13 parts, covering general principles, environmental impact assessments, quality standards, pollution control, biodiversity protection, environmental restoration, inspections, international obligations, and public awareness.
IN VIEW OF THE ABOVE mentioned legal framework, the
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) that is cloth with the authority to penalize anyone caught in the abuse of the environment therefore ordered the immediate closure of St. Moses Funeral Parlor in Green Farm, New Iron Gate Community, Bong County, over multiple environmental violations.
ACCORDING TO THE EPA, the institution failed to obtain the required Environmental Permit despite receiving several non-compliance notices in 2023 concerning its operations across Liberia.
THIS WAKEUP ACTION ON the part of the EPA is highly commendable and encouraging because there is a unprecedented abuse of the environment by illicit miners in many part of Liberia.
EPA INSPECTORS ARE encourage to go beyond funeral homes because our people farmland is crying for help because the persistent misuse of farmland is causing hunger in many parts of Liberia and difficulties of fetching safe drinking water.
WE APPRECIATE THE EPA for citing the institution for operating without an Environmental Permit, operating without chemical importation authorization, failure to register chemicals, and improper handling of chemicals.
EPA OVERSEES LAND, water, air, and natural resources protection, ensuring that development projects comply with environmental standards.
THE LAW SETS ENVIRONMENTAL quality standards for water, air, soil, noise, hazardous waste, and radiation. It regulates the handling, importation, exportation, and discharge of pollutants, requiring licenses for polluting activities and maintaining registers of pollutant licenses. Provisions also address environmental disasters, hazardous waste classification, and exemptions for certain noise standards.
LIBERIA’S ENVIRONMENTAL LAW emphasizes the protection of biodiversity, natural heritage, and ecosystems, including terrestrial and aquatic habitats. Sustainable resource management is a key objective; ensuring forests, water resources, and biological diversity are preserved for long-term economic and environmental benefits.
EVERY CITIZEN HAS THE rights to ensure the protection of environmental protection.
The law recognizes the right of citizens to protect the environment, allowing individuals to bring actions in their own right under citizen suits. County Environmental Committees coordinate local environmental management, and County Environmental Action Plans guide sustainable development at the local level.
