FEATURES

  • Implement national environmental policies, plans, and programs established by the law approving the National Development Plan and the National Investment Plan or by the Ministry of the Environment, as well as regional policies, plans, and programs entrusted to it by law, within the scope of its jurisdiction.
  • To promote and conduct, in collaboration with national agencies under the Ministry of the Environment and entities providing technical and scientific support within the National Environmental System (SINA), studies and research on the environment and renewable natural resources.
  • Coordinate the process of preparing environmental development plans, programs, and projects to be formulated by the various agencies and entities that make up the National Environmental System (SINA) within its jurisdiction and, in particular, advise the departments, districts, and municipalities within its territorial jurisdiction on the definition of environmental development plans and their programs and projects related to the protection of the environment and renewable natural resources, so as to ensure the harmony and consistency of the policies and actions adopted by the various territorial entities.
  • Implement national environmental policies, plans, and programs established by the law approving the National Development Plan and the National Investment Plan or by the Ministry of the Environment, as well as regional policies, plans, and programs entrusted to it by law, within the scope of its jurisdiction.
  • Grant concessions, permits, authorizations, and environmental licenses required by law for the use, exploitation, or transport of renewable natural resources, or for the conduct of activities that affect or may affect the environment. Grant permits and concessions for forest exploitation, concessions for the use of surface and groundwater, and establish closed seasons for hunting and sport fishing.
  • To carry out the functions of environmental assessment, control, and monitoring of activities related to the exploration, exploitation, processing, transportation, use, and storage of non-renewable natural resources, including port operations, excluding those responsibilities assigned to the Ministry of the Environment, as well as other activities, projects, or factors that cause or may cause environmental degradation. This function includes the issuance of the corresponding environmental license. The functions referred to in this paragraph shall be exercised in accordance with Article 58 of this law.
  • To oversee the movement, processing, and marketing of renewable natural resources in coordination with other Regional Autonomous Corporations, local governments, and other law enforcement authorities, in accordance with the law and regulations; and to issue permits, licenses, and safe-conduct passes for the movement of renewable natural resources.
  • To impose and enforce, as a preventive measure and without prejudice to the powers granted by law to other authorities, the police measures and penalties provided for by law in the event of violations of environmental protection regulations and regulations governing the management of renewable natural resources, and to require, subject to the relevant regulations, the remediation of any resulting damage.
  • Promote and carry out irrigation, drainage, flood control, river channel and watercourse regulation, and land reclamation projects necessary for the defense, protection, and proper management of the watersheds within its jurisdiction, in coordination with the governing and implementing agencies of the National Land Improvement System, in accordance with applicable legal provisions and technical standards; In the case of irrigation and drainage projects that, in accordance with applicable rules and regulations, require an environmental license, such license must be issued by the Ministry of the Environment.
  • In coordination with the authorities of indigenous communities and the authorities of the lands traditionally inhabited by Black communities, as referred to in Law 70 of 1993, implement programs and projects for sustainable development and for the management, utilization, use, and conservation of renewable natural resources and the environment.
  • Advise local governments on the development of environmental projects to be funded by the National Royalties Fund or other funds with similar purposes.
  • Promote and implement water supply programs for indigenous and Black communities traditionally settled within its jurisdiction, in coordination with the relevant authorities.
  • Without prejudice to the powers of municipalities and districts regarding zoning and land use, in accordance with the provisions of Article 313, paragraph 7, of the National Constitution, the Regional Autonomous Corporations shall establish the general rules and maximum densities to which homeowners in suburban areas and on hills and mountains shall be subject, so as to protect the environment and natural resources. No less than 70% of the area to be developed in such projects shall be set aside for the conservation of existing native vegetation.
  • To serve as the highest environmental authority within its jurisdiction, in accordance with higher-level regulations and in compliance with the criteria and guidelines established by the Ministry of the Environment.
  • To assess, distribute, and collect betterment taxes levied on real property as a result of public works carried out by the municipality; to establish any other fees that may be collected in accordance with the law.
  • To collaborate with other relevant agencies and entities within its jurisdiction in land-use planning and management processes to ensure that environmental considerations are taken into account in the decisions made.
  • Enter into contracts and agreements with local governments, other public and private entities, and nonprofit organizations whose purpose is the defense and protection of the environment and renewable natural resources, in order to more effectively carry out one or more of its functions when such functions do not involve the exercise of administrative duties.
  • Advise local governments on the development of formal environmental education plans and implement non-formal environmental education programs in accordance with national policy guidelines.
  • To establish, within its jurisdiction, permissible limits on the emission, discharge, transport, or disposal of substances, products, compounds, or any other materials that may affect the environment or renewable natural resources; and to prohibit, restrict, or regulate the manufacture, distribution, use, disposal, or dumping of substances that cause environmental degradation. These limits, restrictions, and regulations may in no case be less stringent than those defined by the Ministry of the Environment.
  • To collect, in accordance with the law, taxes, fees, duties, charges, and fines related to the use and exploitation of renewable natural resources, and to set their amounts within its jurisdiction based on the minimum rates established by the Ministry of the Environment.
  • To administer, under the supervision of the Ministry of the Environment, those areas of the National Park System delegated to them by the Ministry. This administration may be carried out with the participation of local governments and civil society.
  • To set aside, demarcate, administer, or remove, in accordance with the terms and conditions established by law and regulations, integrated management districts, soil conservation districts, regional forest reserves, and natural parks, and to regulate their use and operation. To administer National Forest Reserves within its jurisdiction.
  • In coordination with the authorities of indigenous communities and the authorities of the lands traditionally inhabited by Black communities, as referred to in Law 70 of 1993, implement programs and projects for sustainable development and for the management, utilization, use, and conservation of renewable natural resources and the environment.
  • To establish and enforce rules and guidelines for the management of watersheds located within its jurisdiction, in accordance with higher-level regulations and national policies.
  • To implement, manage, operate, and maintain—in coordination with local authorities—projects, sustainable development programs, and infrastructure works necessary for the defense and protection of, or for the decontamination or restoration of, the environment and renewable natural resources.
  • Implement and operate the Environmental Information System within its jurisdiction, in accordance with the guidelines established by the Ministry of the Environment.
  • To transfer the technology resulting from research conducted by national scientific research and technical support entities that are part of the National Environmental System (SINA), and to provide technical assistance to public and private entities and individuals regarding the proper management of renewable natural resources and the preservation of the environment, in the manner established by regulations and in accordance with the guidelines set by the Ministry of the Environment.
  • Acquire privately owned property and assets belonging to public-law entities, and initiate expropriation proceedings before the competent judge, once the direct negotiation phase has been completed, when necessary for the performance of its functions or for the execution of works or projects required for such performance, and impose any easements that may be required, in accordance with the law.
  • To support municipal councils, departmental assemblies, and councils of indigenous territorial entities in carrying out the planning functions granted to them by the Constitution.
  • All other powers previously assigned to other authorities in the areas of the environment and renewable natural resources, within their respective spheres of competence, provided that they do not conflict with those assigned by the Constitution to local governments, or are contrary to this law or to the powers it confers on the Ministry of the Environment.