Environmental Law

The majority of Guam EPA’s legal authority is rooted in volume 10 of the Guam Code Annotated. The following is a list of the main chapters codified in Guam law that give this authority and responsibility to Guam EPA.

Chapter 45 – Guam Environmental Protection Agency Act
Chapter 46 – Water Resources Conservation Act
Chapter 47 – Water Pollution Control Act
Chapter 48 – Toilet Facilities and Sewage Disposal Act
Chapter 49 – Air Pollution Control Act
Chapter 50 – Guam Pesticides Act
Chapter 51 – Solid Waste
Chapter 52 – Water and Wastewater Operator’s Mandatory Certification Act
Chapter 53 – Safe Drinking Water Act
Chapter 53A – Guam Lead Ban Act
Chapter 54 – Environmental Pollution Control
Chapter 54A – Guam Oil Spill Responders Act
Chapter 54B – Choose to Reuse: Munga Ma Ayek I Plastek Act of 2018
Chapter 76 – Storage of Hazardous Materials (USTs)
Chapter 76A – Above Ground Storage of Regulated Substances (ASTs)
Chapter 90 – Natasha Protection Act of 2005

The Guam Environmental Protection Act

Chapter 45 Guam Code Annotated

Creates and states the policy, purpose, powers, duties, rules and regulations and other operating mandates.
Creates the Board of Directors consisting of nine members appointed by the Governor. Board members serve a term of three years.
Outlines the Guam Environmental Trust Fund that is used to clean up, restore and repair damage done to the environment.

External links about Environmental Law

Environmental Regulations

Many states and the U.S. federal system rely on regulations to enforce environmental law. For example, the law may state you can’t dump toxic substances in the river. Regulations are put in place so any company collecting toxic substances must do it properly and not dump it in the river. Permits are issued under guidance from the regulations and those permits are enforced by Guam EPA to ensure permitted entities follow rules and regulations so the law is not broken. Regulations are a key component to enforcing environmental law and protecting natural resources.

Most of Guam EPA’s regulations are found in Title 22 of the Guam Administrative Rules and Regulations (GARR). The following is a short list of the main chapters of GARR that give a framework for Guam EPA to follow.

Guam Primary and Secondary Safe Drinking Water Regulations (Guam Public Law 35-115) PLEASE NOTE: the version of these regulations currently available from the Supreme Court of Guam Compiler of Laws website is an older, incorrect version. Please refer only to the copy available from this web page until the official edition is replaced by the Compiler of Laws.

The Guam Environmental Protection Act

Chapter 45 Guam Code Annotated

External links about Environmental Law

Environmental Regulations

External links about Environmental Regulations