East Nimba Nature Reserve Act

AN ACT FC)R THE ESTABLISHMEN1' OF 11IE EAST NIMBA NATURE RESERVE APPROVED: OCTOBER 10, 2003 PUBLISHED BY AUTHORITY MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS NOVEMBER 4, 2003 MONROVIA, LIBERIA AN ACT FOR THE ESTABLISHMENT OF THE EAST NIMBA NATURE RESERVE WHEREAS, it has been the policy ot the Government of the Republic of Liberia to adopt such measures as deemed conducive in the interest of the State; and WHEREAS, our forests are among our greatest natural resources and may be made to contribute greatly to the socio-economic, scientific and educa tional welfare of Liberia by being managed in such a mannner as to ensure their sustainable use; and WHERESA, the protection, conservation and sustainable utilization of these resources must be carried out promptly, efficiently and wisely, under such conditions as will ensure continued benefits to present and future generations of Liberia, and WHEREAS, the Nimba Mountains complex is internationally recongnized as a high priority site for its biological richness and Nimba National Forests is on a Government of Liberia list of representative forest habitats recom mended for strict protection; and WHEREAS, the World Heritage Council of UNESCO has declared the Guinea-Cote d'lvoire side of the Nimba Mountain complex as a World Heritage Site and the Liberian side is likely to meet the criteria for such designation; and WHEREAS, reclassifying the Nimba National Forests into a protected forest area category will support a tri-national program for the integrated conservation of Mount Nirnba and collaboration between Liberia and the . countries sharing this landmark: NOW THEREFORE it is enacted by the Senate and the House of Repre sentatives of the Republic of Liberia, in Legislative Assembled: Section 1.1 Title: An Act for the Establishment of the Nimba Nature Re serve. Section 1.2 Short Title: This Act may be cited as the Nimba Nature Re serve Act Section 2.3 Definitions: "Chains" means a measurement unit that is 80 chains to a mile. "Bounds" means lines defining distance between metes. "Metes" means point of direction change in demarcating boundary lines. "Metes and Bounds" means the perimeter of a demarcated area. "Nature Reserve" means an area that does not represent a complete ecological unit, legally set-aside for the preservation and enjoyment of features that have outstanding natural beauty, cultural or biological signifi cance, which may require managment intervention. Sectiqn 2.1 Metes, Bounds and Description: a) The Nimba Nature Reserve is located in North-Central section of Liberia in Nirnba County. It lies within latitudes 7 degree 00 to 8 degrees 00' North and longitudes 8 degrees 00' West. b) Commencing at a point on the border between Liberia and Cote d' Ivoire at a.44E, N; 7.52 N; thence a line runs 472 chains due north west cros,sing,theNoun River along tbe border over Mount ; Nirnba to·~~t5' E, 7~a. N; onthe Liberia Guinea boreer; thencEtdlJ.e south west for 144.8 chains to -8.52E, 7.57 N where it meets a . tributary of the St. John River; thence the line runs along the northwest side of the St. John River tributary for 316.8 chains to where it crosses the tributary of the St. John River at -8.57E and 7.53N; thence south along the western ridge of the mountain for 362.4 chains to -8.57E, 7.47N; thence due south west for 134.4 chains to -8.58E, 7.45 N; thence south for 90.4 chains to -8.58E, 7.43N; thence southwest for 103:2 chains to -8.S9E 7.42N; thence the line runs southeast along the southwestern slope of the mountain ridge for S9.2 chains to -8.59E, 7.41 N, thence 54.4 chains to -8.58E, 7.4 1N; thence due northeast for 786.4 chains to just north of the town of Setontuo at 8.47E, 7,5 1N; here the line meets the Cavalla River and follows its southeastern bank for 193.6 chains to the point of commencement embracing 33.528 acres of land and no more. Section 2.2 Management of the East Nimba Nature Reserve: The said Nature Reserve shall be managed as a permanent component of the Protected Forest Area Network of Liberia in accordance with such rules and regulations as may from time to' time be promulgated by the Forestry Development Authority of Liberia for the purpose. Section 3: This Act shall take effect immediately upon publication in hand bills. Any Law to The Contrary Notwithstanding.