National Environmental (Protection of Watershed, Mountainous, Hilly and Catchment Areas) Regulations, 2009 (S.I. No. 27 of 2011)

Extraordinary Federal Republic of Nigeria Official Gazette No. 59 Abuja - 5th October, 2009 Government Notice No. 280 The following is published as.Supplement to this Gazelle: S. I. No. 27 Short Title Vol. 96 National Enviro.nmental (Watershed, Mountainous, Hilly and Catchment Areas) Regulations, 2009. .. B 1043-1055 l'rintcd and l 1 11hlislicd by The Fcdcrnl CiovcrnlllCllt Pri11tcr, /\hujn. Nigcrin FCiP I 10/102009/l,000(OL53) Annual S11bscrip1i11n l'rrnn 1�, .la111111ry. 2001) is l.oc11I: N15.0()0,00 Overseas: N2l.500.0ll IS11rl:1ce Mai II M24 .500.00 I Seco11d Class/\ ir M11il I, I 'n.:senl issue N 500.00 per copy. Subscribers who wish 111 uhtain Go:e//e ancr ls1 January should apply 10 1h1.: 1:ed1.:rnl Govcr111111.:n1 Printer. 1\hu,i11 ror 11111cmkd Subscriptions. NATIONAL ENVIRONMENTAL STANDARDS AND REGULATIONS ENFORCEMENT AGENCY (ESTABLISHMENT) ACT, 2007 NATIONAL ENVIRONMENTAL (PROTECTION OF WATERSHE D, MOUNTAINOUS, HILLY AND CATCHMENT A�EAS) REGULATIONS, 2009 ARRANGEMENT OF REGULATIONS REGULATIONS PART I: REGULATIONS ON WATERSHED, MOUNTAINOUS, HILLY AND CATCHMENT AREAS 1. Objectives. 2. Identification of Major Watersheds. 3. Registration. 4. Restriction on the use 0f Watershed, Mountainous and Hilly Areas. 5. Delineation of Roles. 6. Prevention of Fires in Watershed, Mountainous and Hilly Areas. 7. Land Use Mapping. 8. Afforestation and Reforestation. 9. Grazing of Livestock. PART II-MISCELLANEOUS 10. Offences and Penalties. 11. Appeals. PART Ill-GENERAL 12. Interpretation. 13. Citation. 14. Schedules B 1043 s. I. 27 of 2009 '\. ... . . NATIONAL.ENVIRONMENTAL (PROTECTION Of WATERS·HED, MOUNTAINOUS, HILLY AND CATCHMENT AREAS) REGULATIONS, Z009 [30th September , 2009 ] In exercise of the powers conferred-on me by Section 34 of the National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency (Establishment) Act 2007 and all oth.!r powers enabling me in th�t behalf, I JOHN OoEY, Minister of Environment make the following Regulations: PART I REGULATIONS ON THE USE or WATERSHED, MOUNTAINOUS, HILLY AND CATCHMENT AREAS. Commence­ ment. 1.-( 1) Every land owner or occupier, while utilising land in a watershed, Objectives. mountainous, hilly or catchment area shall: (a) observe and respect the carrying capacity of the land·; (b) cany out soil conservation measures ; (c) carry out measures for the protection of water catchment areas ; (d) use th·e best available environmentally friendly technoiogies to minimise significant risks and damage to ecologica.l and lanc;iscape aspects ; and (e) maintain adequate vegetation cover. (2) The Agency shall, with respect to watersheds, mountainous, hilly and catchment areas in a particular environment, cot ,trol activities which are inconsistent with good land management practices c-specia lly in areas prone to landslides, floods, drought, desertification, siltation, heavy sediment lo�.ds, falling rocks, fires and damage by wind. 2.-( l) The Agency in conjunction with States and Local Governments shall identify watersheds, mountainous, hilly and catchment areas within each State jurisdiction and indicate those that are at risk of degradation. (2) A watershed, mountainous, hilly or catchment area is at risk from environmental degradation if: (i) the watersheds, mountainous, hilly or ca\chment area is prone tt• point and non- point pollution; (ii) there are unsustainable intensive irrigatio,i practices; ldenti tication of 1rnuor watersheds. B 1046 (iii) there is large scale deforestation and ?ver cultiv�tion a t� rate faster than regeneration of the vegetation and nutrient rep]emshment , (iv) there is overgrazing ; (v) it is prone to soil erosion and flooding; (vi) landslides have occurred in such an area ; (vii) mud slides have occurred in such an area ; (viii) over-exploitation of water resources has occurred in such an area and (ix) any other land use activity in such an area is likely to lead to environmental degradation. (3) The Agency shall in collaboration with States and Local Governments collect and collate data for the purpose of maintaining a National Database of watershed, mountainous, hilly and catchment areas. Registration. 3.-(1) States and Local Governments may register watersheds, Restriction on the use of Watersheds, Mountainous Hilly and Catchment Areas. mountainous, h illy and c:atc.hnient areas within :such �tate and Local Government with the Agency. I I (2) The Agency shall on receipt of t}:ie registration form as prescribed in the First Schedule consider and where satisfied,. regi�ter the watersheds, mountainous, hilly or catchment area. · (3) The Agency shall maintain a register of watersheds, mountainous, hilly and catchment areas and also indicate those that are under threat from environmental degradation. . ·· . . 4.-( I) A person who desires to ' ' (a) graze livestock ; (b) establish a camping or other recreational facility for toutjst purposes ; (c) plant or cultivate crops; (d) carry out mining activities ; b r' · : ,·. · . I ' ' (e) carry out any developme�t activity requiring an Environmental ImpactAssessment (EIA) ; in a. w a�ershed, a mountainous, hilly or catchment area shall submit nnapplacat,on e.ndorsed by the Chairman of the Local Government Area to theAgency, subJect to these Regulation> in the form prescribed in the SecondSchedule to thr�e Regulations. (2) The Agency muy ·1ftc · · · I · , . . . , ' '. consiccnng the upplicntion submitted undersub-re�ulat,on (I) ol this regulut1on, grnnl u permil in l'he form us rescribed inthe Third Schedule lo these Regulations. P • (3) A person granted a permit under sub-regulation (2) of this regulation,to carry out an activity in watersheds, mountainous, hilly and catchment areasshall take such precautions as may be directed by the Agency including theme�sures specified in the Third Schedule to these Regulations to preventenvironmental degradation. (4) A person who carries out any activity under sub-regulation (1) of this regulation contrary to the provisions of these Reg ulations commits an offence. (5) Notwithstanding any other provisions of these Regulations any person who disposes of any waste in a watershed, mountainous, hilly or catchment area commits an offence. B 1047 5.-( 1) The Agency in collaboration with relevant Federal, State and Local Government bodies, Communities and other stakeholders shall ensure that no individual, group of persons or corporations enter into a�y watershed, mountainous, hilly or catchment area for the following activities : Deli neat ion of Roles. (a) logging; (b) dredging; (c) bush burning; (d) disposal of any waste ; and (e) any other land use such as, some agricultural practices,,grazin g and mining, that �ay cause laQd degradation in such an area. (2) The Agency shall establish and maintain a data base of all major watersheds, mountainous, hilly or catchment areas of each State. (3) The State Government: (a) shall furnish the Agency with the particulars of all major watersheds,. mountainous, hilly or catchment areas within the state for registration; (b) shall ensure that ·no individual or group of persons go into the major watersheds for the act ivities stated under sub-regulation (l) (a) to (e) of this regulation ; anq ( c) may receive appiication for permit and recommend same to the Agency for approval. ( 4) The Local Government: ( ) h 11 · conJ· unction with the State Government and the Agencya s a m h · · · . t be reserved for grazing and any ot er acttv1ties necessarydesignate areas o . d · . . h •ources of areas threatened by degra at10n ,to conserve t e res · · d' ction activities likely to degrade the environment(b) within whose JUflS 1 . . d tainous hilly or catchment areas are takmg placeof maJOT watershe s, moun · ' , . . . shall inform the State Government and the Agency m wntmg; I B 1048 Prevention of fires. Land use mapping. Afforestation and Reforestation .. d . espect of which written consent · atershe s m r . . ( ) shall identify the ma.ior w h , ctivities specified m sub-regulationde ·t may be issued to carry out t e a an perm1 . (1) of this regulation ; . . for written consent and permit . (d) shall receive copies of all app hca.t1ons satisfy the conditions for the and determine whether such apphcat1ons dations could be made through. · t here recommen issuance of such pe1 m1 s w u for a proval ; the State Government to the Aeency . p . t any applicant that mayd th State Governmen , . (e) shall recommen to e . of a written consent to carry have satisfied the conditions for the ISSLtance . · be uranted. · out activities of which permits can ° . . h e land is situated rn a (5) Every land owner, occupier or user w os watershed, mountainous, 1 . h·11y or catchment area shall take measures to . h h ·ng of medium· and steep(a) reduce water run off throug t e grass1 slopes; (b) mulch and bund gardens on medium and steep slopes; (c) practice agroforestry ; ' (d) prevent the burning of grass in areas of intensive ag1·iculture or on steep slopes ; (e) prevent pollution of the river, streams, lakes or other water bodies ; (f) prevent the use of harmful ·pesticides within the designated watershed areas. · · 6: No person shall set.fire to a forest (natural or man made) or a grassland or a watershed, mountainous, hilly and Cqtchment area. · ·1. The Agency in cql\�boratio� with the relevant Agehcy; the. State andLocal Government Coun cil shall ��rry out fa�d use mapping in all watersheds,mou ntainous, hilly and catchmeni ateas within their jurisdiction� �howing· thecharacteristics, status, u se and any other informatioir relevan,t to�such areas. 8.-(1) Where a watershed, mountainous, hilly or catchment area is atrisk of environmental degradation, the Agency in collaboration with State, LocalGovernment Council and other stakeholders may issue an order in writing to aperson or persons holding interest in land in the affected area to plant treesand other vegetation as well as take appropriate measures to protect the are:1.(2) Pursuant I? an Y order issued under sub-regulation ( 1 ) of this reg� lat ion,the Agency shall '.n con�ultation with the person or persons, prescribe themanagement plan including the species of trees to be planted. (J) Any tree planted pursuant to an order issued under this regulationshall be the property of the person or persons who phmted ii. , . ' l (4) Any person who contravenes any provision of an order made under . these Regulations commits an offence. (5) Where a person on whom an order under these Regulations has been served, fails, neglects or refuses to take the action required by the order, the Agency in collaboration with the State and Local Government Council may enter the land, subject to the order and take all the necessary actions in respect of the activity to which that order relates and enforce that order as deemed fit. 9.-(1) The Agency in collaboration with the State shall restrict grazing in such watersheds, mountainous, hilly and catchment areas that are identified as threatened by environmental degradation. (2) The Agency in collaborat ion with the State and Local Government may issue an order prescribing the maximum number of animals that may graze or be permitted to graze on any particular area of land. (3) Any order issued under.sub-regulation (2) of this regulation shall be communicated to the target audience thrqugh the appropriate channel. (4) A person shall not cause or permil any livestock belonging to him or under his control to graze on any watershed, mountainous, hilly or catchment area in respect of which there is in force an order made by the Agency pronibiting grazing. (5) A person who causes or permits any livestock belonging to him or under his control to graze on any such watershed, mountainous, hilly or catchment area in contravention of sub-regulation ( 4) of this regulation commits an oft'ence. PART II-Miscellaneous 10.-(1) Any person who contravenes any of the provisions of these Regulations (a) may have his permit revoked; or (b) shall be liable upon conviction to imprisonment of not more than one year or to a fine of not more than Two Hundred Thousand (N200, 000:00) Naira or both. (2) In the case of affor�station and deforestation the violator shall be liable on conviction to imprisonment for a terff} not exceeding six (6) months or to a fine of not less than Fifty Thousand Naira (NSO, 000:00) only or both. (3) Where an offence is committed by a corporate body, it shall on conviction, be liable to a fine not exceeding one milli9n (NI, 000, 000:00) Nuirn and an additional fine of Fifty Thousand Nairn (NSO, 000:00) for cv0ry ctny the offence subsists. B 1049 Grazing of Livestock. Offences and Penalties. B 1050 Appeals. Interpre­ tation. ll.-(1) A person dissatisfied with the decision of the Agen�y- under I . submit a written a ppeal to the Honourable Mm1ster. these Regu at1ons may (2) The Honourable Minister shall c onsider the appeal and communicate the decision to the applicant. PART III-GENERAL 12. Interpretation In these Regulations unless the c·ontext otherwise requir es "Act" means National Environmental St�·ndards and Regulations Agency (Enforcement) Act, 2007 ; "Agency" means National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency established under section 1 of the Act ; "Agro forestry" means an ecologically based natural resource management system in which trees and animals are integrated in farmland and rangeland ; "Appeal" means a formal request to a higher authority demanding a change in or confirmation of a decision ; "Arid'' means a place· lacking sufficient water or rainfall ; . "Bye-Law" means a rul� made by local authority ; "Carrying capacity" means· a level of land. use or hu;nan activity that can ?e permanently accommodated without an irreversible change in the quality of the land ; "Catchment area" means area from wh· h . f 11 fl . 1 k 1c ram a ows mto a nver, stream'. a e, reservoir or other water bodies includino the tributaries andthe entire basm draining into the water body ; 0 "C . . . " onservatwn means protection of valued resources· the preservation,manag�ment , and care of natural resources for pr�sent and futuregenerations ; "Deforestation" means un . · · cover from an area . SUSlamable or unregulated removal of foreSl ' "Drought" means an extend d . . notes a deficiency in its . e penod of months or years when n region sustain the ecosystem . ' wate, supply or when the supply of water cann ot ''Ecological Stability" . . density in rchrtionshi b me,ms the uppearnnce of stability of the population a biotic communily; P etween lbe many species of organisms that make up "Ecosyste,n" means plants, animals and other organisms interacting with each other and with their environment in such a way as to perpetuate them more or less indefinitely; "Environmental Deg rada'tion" means the deterioration o f the environment through depletion of resources, such as air, water, land and vegetation ; "Environ.mental Impact Assessment" means processes by which the environmental consequences of a proposed project or programme are evaluated and alternatives are analyzed; "Floocf' means rising of a body of water and its overflowing onto normally dry land; "Forest cover" means a plant community made up of trees and other woody vegetation, growing more or less clo�ely together; "Forest Officer" means a person employed for forest services ; "Harmful pesticide" means hazardous chemical substance applied to kill pests especially insects ; "Hilly areas" means an area with a natural elevation of land of the local area and a well defined outline higher· than:a rise and lower than a mountain usually not less than 300metres but not up to (>00 metres above the surrounding land; "Land Owner" means a resident who owns land and has exclusive right on it; "Landscape" means the visible features of an area of land, including physical elements, such as landforms and living elements of flora and fauna ; "Landslide" means the movement of soil and bedrock downhill in respon�e to gravity; "Land-Use Mapping" means a map showing the human use to which land is put at a given time; categories could be pasture, natural forest, agricultural land, waste land and so on ; · "Minister" means the Minister responsible for environmental matters ; "Mountain area" means an area with steep elevation with a restricted· summit area projecting 600 metres or more above the surrounding land; "Occupier" means a person in occupation of any land on which there is an activity ; "Permit" means an act of giving a formal (usually written) uuthorizntion; · B 1051 B 1052 Citation. "Protection" means keeping the watersheds, mountainous, hilly and catchment areas safe from harm and destruction of the ecosystem ; "Siltation" means the process in which higher soil fractions are transported into a waterway and carried downstream to be deposited in low flow or still area as silt ; "Sustainable use" means the present use which does not compromise the right to use the same resource by future generations ; "Vegetation" means a general term for plant life of a region ; the ground cover life forms structure, spatial extent or any other specific geographic characteristic ; "Watersltecf' means the total land area that drains directly or indirectly · into a particular stream or river; "Wildlife habitat" means natural areas where non domesticated animals find food, water and shelter; "Wise use" means sustainable use of watersheds, mountainous, hilly and catchment areas in a way compatible with maintenance of the natural properties of the ecosystem in perpetuity ; "Zoning" means public regulation of land and buildino to control the I:) character of a place ; 13. These Regulations .may be cited as the National Environmental (Watershed, Mountainous, Hilly and Catchment Areas) Regulations, 2009. · B 105� FIRST SCHEDULE Regulation 3 FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF NIGERIA NATIONAL ENVIRONMENTAL (PROTECTION OF WATERSHEDS, MOUNTAINOUS, HILLY AND CATCHMENT AREAS) REGULATION, 2009. REQUEST FOR REGISTRATION OF WATERSHEDS, MOUNTAINOUS, HILLY AND CATCHMENT AREAS I hereby request for the registration of : a watershed area (specify) a mountainous area (specify) a hilly area (specify) Catchment area (specify) (Indicate which one is applicable) of which particulars are given below: Name and address of applicant. ..................................................................................... · Name of watershed, mountainous, hilly and catchment area .............................................. . (village, LOA, State) ................................................................................................... . Extent of Watershed, mountainous, hilly and catchment area ............................ ··:·· .. .in Km2) Purpose ............................................................................................. · ........................... . Activities being carried out in the area ...................................... : ..................................... . • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • ♦ • • • • • • • • • • • • • •• •••• • • • • •• • • •• • ••• • • •••••• • • • • • • • ••• • ♦ ••• • •••• ••• •• •• • •••• • • • •• Nature of environmental degradation occuring or likely to occur ........................................ . . . ... . ........ ..... ....... .. . ...... . ... ...... .... ....... ....... ...... . .. ......... ........... . .............. . ....... .... ...... .... . ... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ·: .. .. .. . .. . . .. . . Resolution of NESREA or LGA (Please attach) Any other information ... .-....................... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . '.' ... ' .............. ··�· ................................ ....................... : .... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. .. . .. . . . . Date ................................................................ .. s· . 1gnature ......................................................... . Designation or Title .............................................. . Official Seal POR OPPICIAL USE ONLY Applicat1·on rece·1 ved by Dntc .............................. .. ········································· ............... . Director-General and CEO B 1054· SECOND SCHE DULE Regulation 4(1) FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF NIGERIA NATIONAL ENVIRONMENTAL (PROTE. CTION OF WATERSHEDS, MOUNTAINOUS, HILLY AND .CATCHMENT AREAS) REGULATION, 2009. APPLICATION FOR A PERMIT TO CARRY OU T ACTIVI TIES IN WATERSHEDS MOUNTAINOUS, HILLY AND CATCHME N T AREAS I hereby apply for a permit to carry out activities in : a watershed area (specify) a mountainous area (specify) a hilly area (specify) Catchment area (specify) Particulars are given below Name. and address of applicant ............................................................ : ................... : ..... .Location of watershed, mountainous, hilly and catchment area (Village, LOA, State) ���i�i����·· �� ·· � �·· ���;i · �� ·· � · � · � ················:·········································································· ..... . . .. . . ............... .. . .... ...... . ..................................................... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . �;�;��·:�� . ·;i·;�· . �·��� ·�; ·�·��� ����;:�:: ::.· .·. · . · . · . · .·. ·.·. · . :: : : : : : :: :. · ......................................................... . Proposed area (in hectares) for the activities ························································· .. .. Environmental Impact Assessment (ETA) (pl�� ��. ������· . · .... ·.· · · ( . · · ) · ·· · · · · · · · · · · · · · ·: · · · · · · · · · ·· ··· · · ·· · . . . . , report s and perm1t(s)from the Federal Mm1stry of Environment where applicable) ········ ······ .. . .. . · . ........................................ . �� · ; · . ����-;. ;�,�;�·�����::::: ::::. · . · . · . · ................................................................................... . Date ......................................... :::::::: ............. ���������· ·'.································:··········· -··· ........... ............... ' .... . .. ............. . FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY Application received by ................ . ········································ Date ...Fee Paid N . ···························· ························································ · Amount in words ................................. . ··············· ······ LOA Ch . ··································"···············airman .................... . NESREA Officer ................................................................................ ······· Director-General a�� . � · �� · .............. ··············································································· I THIRD SCHEDULE FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF NIGERIA B 1055 THE NATIONAL ENVIRONMENTAL (PROTECTION OF WATERSHEDS, MOUNTAINOUS, HILLY AND CATCHMENT AREAS),REGULATION, 2009. PERMIT TO CARRY OUT ACTIVITIES IN WATERSHEDS; MOUNTAINOUS, HILLY AND CATCHMENT AREAS Permit No. Name of Applicant .................................. -....... ............................................................ . Address ..... · ................................................................................................................. . You are hereby permitted to carry out the following a�tiv ities .......................................... . Watershed, Mountainous, Hilly and Catchment Area .................................................... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . � .. ... . . .......... . ....... ........ . . .... .. . .......... . ...... . .............. ..... ... ............................ ... . (Location) State, ....................................... . LGA ................................................ This permit is granted·; valid from (date) ...................................... to .. , ................... : ..... . The permit is subject to the conditions listed in Part I (4) of these Regulations . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . ... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . · .. Date ............................................... . Signature ............. � ....................... .......... . Director-Gener�} .............. ........................ DATED at Abuja this 30th day of September, 2009. MR JOHN 0DEY, Honourable Minister, Ministry of Environment