New Environmental Protection Authority announced

The Government today announced the establishment of a new standalone Environmental Protection Authority to perform environmental regulatory functions, Minister for the Environment Nick Smith said.

“New Zealand needs a strong, independent regulatory authority to ensure the protection of our environment at a national level,” Dr Smith said.

“This reform is about bringing under one roof a wide range of environmental regulatory functions and providing stronger national direction to the environment roles of regional and district councils.

“These changes provide a strengthened framework of an Environment Ministry focused on policy, an Environmental Protection Authority responsible for efficient regulation and the Parliamentary Commissioner for the Environment as an independent auditor.”

The EPA will be established as a Crown Agent, with the Board accountable to the Minister for the Environment and will be responsible for the regulatory functions of:

• national consenting under the Resource Management Act 1991(RMA)
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• Ozone Protection Act (1996)
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• Climate Change Response Act (2008) – legislation that covers the administration of the Emissions Trading Scheme
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• Stockholm, Rotterdam, Basel, and Waigani Conventions and the Cartagena Protocol on hazardous waste
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• Antarctica (Environmental Protection) Act 1994
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• Exclusive Economic Zone (proposed).
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“Further work is being done by the Environment and Economic Development Ministries on strengthening the regulatory environment in New Zealand’s Exclusive Economic Zone that falls outside the jurisdiction of the Resource Management Act,” Dr Smith said.

“The intention, as part of the legislation to implement the EPA, is to provide for additional functions to ensure this huge area of ocean has world best environmental protection. The environmental disaster in the Gulf of Mexico reinforces the importance of this work. The Government is determined to ensure that New Zealand’s marine environment is properly protected as we expand petroleum exploration and development in the EEZ.

“Creating an EPA was a 2008 election promise by National and will strengthen New Zealand’s environmental management. It will help achieve the Government’s goal of growing our economy while effectively protecting our natural environment.

“Legislation will be introduced to Parliament later this year to implement Cabinet’s decision this week on the EPA with an intended operational date of 1 July 2011.”

ENDS

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