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
- Title 10:Guam Code, Guam Compiler of Laws
- Title 22:Guam Administrative Rules and Regulations, Guam Compiler of Laws
- Environmental Law Institute
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.
- Title 22, Division 1, Chapter 1 – Guam Air Pollution Control Regulations
- Title 22, Division 2, Chapter 5 – Guam Water Quality Standards Regulations
- Guam Public Law 35-115: Guam Safe Drinking Water Regulations
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.
- Title 22, Division 2, Chapter 7 – Guam Water Resource Development and Operating Regulations
- Title 22, Division 2, Chapter 8 – Guam Sewer Connection Regulations
- Title 22, Division 2, Chapter 9 – Guam Underground Injection Control Regulations
- Title 22, Division 2, Chapter 10 – Guam Soil Erosion and Sediment Control Regulations
- Title 22, Division 2, Chapter 11 – Guam Water and Wastewater Operator Certification Regulations
- Title 22, Division 2, Chapter 12 – Guam Individual Wastewater Disposal Systems Regulations
- Title 22, Division 3, Chapter 15 – Guam Pesticide Regulations
- Title 22, Division 4, Chapter 20 – Guam Solid Waste Disposal Regulations
- Title 22, Division 4, Chapter 21 – Guam Solid Waste Collection Regulations
- Title 22, Division 4, Chapter 22 – Guam Beverage Container Regulations
- Title 22, Division 5, Chapter 25 – Guam Connection to Public Sewer Regulations
- Title 22, Division 6, Chapter 30 – Guam Hazardous Waste Management Regulations
- Title 22, Division 7, Chapter 35 – Consultant Selection Procedure
- Title 22, Division 8, Chapter 40 –Guam Feedlot Waste Management Regulations
- Title 22, Division 9, Chapter 45 –Guam Soil Erosion and Sedimentation Control Regulations
- Guam Hazardous Waste Management Regulations VOL.1
- Guam Hazardous Waste Management Regulations VOL.2
- Guam Hazardous Waste Management Regulations VOL.3
External links about Environmental Regulations
- Title 22:Guam Administrative Rules and Regulations, Guam Compiler of Laws
- Title 10:Guam Code, Guam Compiler of Laws
- Environmental Law Institute