Program Description

Establish and implement public policy related to water and mineral resources. In addition, plant and implement flood prevention and mitigation measures. Establish the boundaries of maritime-terrestrial, rivers, forests, wildlife refuges and natural reserves. Counsel the Planning Board and the Regulations and Permits Administration (ARPE, Spanish acronym) on the feasibility of hydro-modification project techniques, mineral, geological and archeological resources. Services offered include: cleaning of channels and rivers, consultation evaluations for flood prone areas, issuance of construction permits and water franchises, issuance of permits for the extraction of minerals from the earth's surface and the inspection of landslide prone zones. Its primary function is to regulate and administer the use, management, conservation and development of mineral resources in Puerto Rico that are not regulated as economic resources and set the boundaries of lands under the jurisdiction of the Department of Natural and Environmental Resources.

Objectives

• Design mitigation projects that are well suited for the situation rather than just building channels.

• Coordinate river and stream bank conservation projects with municipal governments.

• Administer water resources to guarantee its availability and optimum use to protect its quality.

• Oversee the Integral Water Resources Plan.

Statistical Data	2010	2011	2012
Cleaning procedures in areas identified as contaminated	3	3	4
Complaints	18	30	40
Economic studies	2	2	2
Flood control projects in acquisition phase	7	8	9
Flood control projects in construction phase	4	4	4
Flood control projects in design phase	2	2	2
Flood control projects in permits phase	2	2	2
Flood control projects under research	1	5	5

Statistical data provided by the Agency during the fiscal year 2011-2012 budget formulation process.

Customers

The population living in flood prone zones, near lakes, streams and rivers

Human Resources

Authorized and Proposed Positions	2009	2010	2011	2012
Sciences and Environment staff	6	8	12	20
Managerial,Technical, Administrative, and Office Staff	18	19	17	17
Other staff	6	5	7	7
Maintenance and General Services Staff	107	117	74	55
Total, Positions	137	149	110	99

Program Description

Implements public policy related to the management, administration and auxiliary support of the Department of Natural and Environmental Resources and its components. Services offered include: prepare reports that are requested by the Management and Budget Office and the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico Human Resources Office; coordinate and administer the development of federal wildlife projects, endangered species, management of costal zones, geographic, surveying and cooperative assistance for forests.

Objectives

• Process fiscal and budgetary transactions submitted by the Department and its operational components.

• Improve administrative functioning through the implementation of corrective measures and the development of effective actions.

Statistical Data	2010	2011	2012
Training for commercial fishermen	1,697	1,697	1,697

Statistical data provided by the Agency during the fiscal year 2011-2012 budget formulation process.

Customers

General public

Authorized and Proposed Positions	2009	2010	2011	2012
Managerial,Technical, Administrative, and Office Staff	107	112	65	65
Maintenance and General Services Staff	17	12	12	12
Total, Positions	124	124	77	77

Program Description

Implement and administer laws and regulations related to the use, conservation and protection of natural resources. Survey maritime-terrestrial and forest property lines, watch over the coastlines, lakes, forests, nature reserves and wildlife refuges through a continuous and uniform prevention system of ground, sea and air patrols. Services offered include: coordination of simple ground surface permit applications, supervise gravel pits and extraction from areas in the public domain, coordinate water franchise permit applications, process camping permits, clean and conserve forests, reserves and recreational areas and investigate complaints about land surface extractions.

Objectives

• Continue to provide maintenance to rivers, coastal areas and flood control pumping systems.

• Continue to provide support through the regional offices to the Office of Secretary of Permits, Endorsements and Specialized.

• Provide continued maintanance of the beaches.

Statistical Data	2010	2011	2012
Customers served	6,687	6,687	12,000

Statistical data provided by the Agency during the fiscal year 2011-2012 budget formulation process.

Customers

General public

Authorized and Proposed Positions	2009	2010	2011	2012
Managerial,Technical, Administrative, and Office Staff	74	57	45	45
Other staff	13	13	4	4
Maintenance and General Services Staff	163	114	63	20
Total, Positions	250	184	112	69

Program Description

Protect, preserve and conserve natural resources to guarantee compliance with the law and regulation. Among the services offered to the citizens are: conferences in schools, ground surface extraction permit inspections and hunting permit inspections.

• Patrol areas under the jurisdiction of the Department of Natural and Environmental Resources to prevent violations of laws that protect natural resources.

• Investigate violators of environmental protection laws.

• Hold conferences for students and the citizens about the distinctive aspects of natural resources protection and guarding corps responsibilities.

Statistical Data	2010	2011	2012
Administrative fines for violation of laws and regulations	2,450	2,940	3,200
Training for commercial fishermen	25	30	65

Statistical data provided by the Agency during the fiscal year 2011-2012 budget formulation process.

Customers

Hunters, bathers, boat owners, students, community groups, pet shop owners, fishermen, developers, business people and heavy equipment owners

Authorized and Proposed Positions	2009	2010	2011	2012
Managerial,Technical, Administrative, and Office Staff	98	105	105	95
Other staff	2	2	2	2
Other Safety and Protection Staff	420	415	405	400
Total, Positions	520	522	512	497

Program Description

Provide administrative management, coordination and assistance to the Management Affairs programs; Water and Mineral Resources Administration and Preservation; Reforestation, Management and Conservation of Living Resources; Regional Coordination for Natural Preservation; the Natural Resources Guarding Corps; Marine Safety and Citizen Training; Enviromental Protection Information and Education; Comprehensive Planning on the Use, Preservation and Development of Natural Resources; Permits, Endorsements and Specialized Services and the Secretary's Advisory Office.

Objective

• Manage and coordinate all of the programs under the Administration of Natural Resources.

Human Resources

Authorized and Proposed Positions	2009	2010	2011	2012
Managerial,Technical, Administrative, and Office Staff	8	7	5	5
Total, Positions	8	7	5	5

• Develop educational campaigns at all levels and all existing media about the importance of conserving and protecting natural resources.

• Support and coordinate other governmental agencies activities such as: the Department of Education and the Tourism Company to establish programs and campaigns about the conservation of the natural resources and promote eco-tourism.

• Provide mechanisms to increase the access to information about natural resources.

• Provide mechanisms and technology to increase access to information about natural resources.

Statistical Data	2010	2011	2012
Activities in communities and other sectors to promote natural resources management	600	450	500
Lectures, conferences and camps on natural resources	8,800	5,000	5,000

Statistical data provided by the Agency during the fiscal year 2011-2012 budget formulation process.

Students and general public

Human Resources

Authorized and Proposed Positions	2009	2010	2011	2012
Managerial,Technical, Administrative, and Office Staff	23	23	12	11
Total, Positions	23	23	12	11

Program Description

Support the Department of Natural and Environmental Resources and its components offering services to ensure operations, regulations, taxes and quasi-judicial authority are developed in accordance with legal principles. Legal suopport is also offered constantly as well as guidance for the Secretary of the Department of Natural and Environmental Resources, its components, to other governmental agencies, the Office of the Governor, the Legislature and citizens, regarding the laws and regulations administered by the Department. It represents the Agency in judicial proceedings, writes contracts, agreements, legislative bills and proposes regulations. Acts as a notary, conducts research, interprets and applies governmental public policy about the conservation of natural resources and implements the regulation of the public interest and the adjudication of controversies and complaints as provided by current law and regulation.

Objectives

• Ensure compliance with the Comptroller Office's Internal Corrective Action Plans.

• Hold hearings to resolve controversies or complaints in accordance with the law.

• Represent and advise the Department and its components.

Customers

Project developers and the general public

Human Resources

Authorized and Proposed Positions	2009	2010	2011	2012
Managerial,Technical, Administrative, and Office Staff	42	31	25	25
Judges, Lawyers, and Legal Staff	0	10	10	10
Total, Positions	42	41	35	35

• Conduct scientific research to support Department of Natural and Environmental decisions.

• Provide guidance in the area of public policy implementation.

• Create a permanent interdisciplinary technical group to evaluate permit and endorsement applications while offering guidance on various matters in compliance with its responsibilities as an agency.

• Evaluate the impact of development on the Island's natural resources.

Statistical Data	2010	2011	2012
Documents reviewed for environmental compliance	393	425	425
Economic studies	184	200	180
Location inquiries	1,058	1,538	1,500
Provisional building permits	453	636	732
Warehouse requests dispatched	900	900	558

Statistical data provided by the Agency during the fiscal year 2011-2012 budget formulation process.

General public, state and federal governmental entities and Natural Resources Department and Administration personnel

Human Resources

Authorized and Proposed Positions	2009	2010	2011	2012
Sciences and Environment staff	41	41	26	26
Managerial,Technical, Administrative, and Office Staff	23	23	17	15
Other staff	3	3	2	2
Maintenance and General Services Staff	1	1	0	0
Total, Positions	68	68	45	43

Program Description

Provides guidance to the Secretary regarding the establishment and implementation of The Goverment of Puerto Rico's public policy related to the use, conservation, development and administration of natural resources. Administers Territorial Waters, Lands Submerged under them and the Maritime-Terrestrial Zone Regulations and Act No. 150 of August 4, 1998, as amended, that officially created the Natural Patrimony Division. Proposes management strategies for special planning areas and protected natural areas, acquisition of lands with natural value, compiles, updates and maintains the information in the biological and conservation data base. Evaluates authorization and concession applications for the use and management of areas in the common domain. In addition, it evaluates consultations to land development and use projects, comments on territorial organization plans, legislative measures and zoning change applications. It prepares management plans for special planning areas, protected natural areas and the designation of nature reserves.

Objectives

• To increase the percent of acres consigned as protected natural areas through the implementation of a variety of protection mechanisms as provided by current law.

• Effectively manage, plan and measure the Department's public policy.

• Promote natural area management plans.

• Administer Act No. 268 of September 5, 2003, known as the Puerto Rico High Ecological Value Lands Acquisition and Conservation Law.

Statistical Data	2010	2011	2012
High natural and ecological value acres of land acquired	660	700	700
Regional plans, area plans and environmental impact statements evaluated	25	25	25
Requests for amendments to zoning maps evaluated	10	10	10

Statistical data provided by the Agency during the fiscal year 2011-2012 budget formulation process.

Customers

General public

Human Resources

Authorized and Proposed Positions	2009	2010	2011	2012
Sciences and Environment staff	7	7	5	5
Managerial,Technical, Administrative, and Office Staff	6	6	6	6
Total, Positions	13	13	11	11

Program Description

Responsible for investigating, planning and managing Island forestry, aquatic and wildlife resources. Among the activities and services offered are: reforestation projects, scientific research permit evaluations and the exportation of wildlife, and hunting and fishing permit evaluations. Administers Act No. 133 of July 1, 1975, as amended, known as the Forests Law, Act No. 70 of May 30, 1976, as amended, known as the Wildlife Law and Act No. 83 of May 13, 1936, as amended, known as the Fishing Law.

Objectives

• Strengthen conservation incentive programs for highly ecologically valued areas, the Green Platform program for the planting, care and management of tree on private rural lands and establish a similar program for urban areas. In addition, creates focal points through the planting of trees, bushes and plants.

• Focus reforestation program on planting of native species to serve as habitats and provide food for wildlife.

• Improve wildlife resources to maintain sustainable populations and ensure their enjoyment by future generations.

• Emphasize reforestation in the schools, public areas, communities, the private sector, community organizations and protected areas to mitigate global warming.

Statistical Data	2010	2011	2012
Exhibitions	84	84	324
Lectures, conferences and camps on natural resources	300	300	1,048
Trees planted or distributed	210,000	210,000	393,076

Statistical data provided by the Agency during the fiscal year 2011-2012 budget formulation process.

Customers

Visitors to forests, reserves and sanctuaries

Human Resources

Authorized and Proposed Positions	2009	2010	2011	2012
Sciences and Environment staff	302	235	204	184
Managerial,Technical, Administrative, and Office Staff	70	70	46	46
Maintenance and General Services Staff	129	104	57	37
Total, Positions	501	409	307	267

Program Description

Protects the public and natural resources by promoting the responsible use of boats through information, education, regulation and law enforcement. Includes the following services: marine safety courses and registry, registration and inspection of boats as part of the public policy on marine safety and the aquatic recreational practices and sports related to Act No. 430 of December 21, 2000, as amended, known as the Puerto Rico Boating and Aquatic Safety Law.

Objectives

• Review Act No. 430 of December 21, 2000, to temper it according to citizen's needs and current public policy.

• Educate citizens about the use and management of boats in harmony with state and federal laws and regulations.

• Identify traditional anchorage areas and natural resource protection areas for the installation of buoys.

• Coordinate with law enforcement agencies the monitoring of compliance with Act No. 430.

Statistical Data	2010	2011	2012
Central genealogical registry	1,730	1,800	1,800
Educational Activities	7,000	7,500	8,000
Special marine events authorized	150	175	175

Statistical data provided by the Agency during the fiscal year 2011-2012 budget formulation process.

Customers

Sea craft owners, boating course participants and the citizenry in general

Human Resources

Authorized and Proposed Positions	2009	2010	2011	2012
Sciences and Environment staff	11	11	9	9
Managerial,Technical, Administrative, and Office Staff	22	22	14	14
Total, Positions	33	33	23	23

FISCAL YEAR 2011-2012 ADOPTED BUDGET

The adopted consolidated budget for Fiscal Year 2011-2012 is $73,703,000. This funding includes: $39,245,000 from the Joint Resolution-General Fund, $10,000,000 for Special Appropriations-General Fund, $11,924,000 from State Special Funds, $12,424,000 in Federal Grants and $109,000 from the American Reinvestment and Recovery Act (ARRA).

Operational Expenses reflect an increase of $10,549,000 in comparison with the funds allocated for Fiscal Year 2010-2011. This is due to an increase in improvement projects for the Portugues/Bucana Rivers in Ponce. This project will benefit approximately 35,000 families that reside near the banks of these rivers. In the rehabilitation of Portugues Rivera channels, sediment and rubbish will be removed (including their disposal) from several Portugues Rivera and Chiquito Rivera courses. As for the Bucana Rivera, removal and disposal work will begin for all vegetation and garbage found around the project borders.

The Joint Resolution-General Fund will allow the Natural Resources Administration to continue its functions and to the development of public policy related to the conservation of our natural resources by maintaining a balance between economic development and the quality of life.

The Special State Funds are generated from fines and services offered by the Agency. They will be used to cover part of its administrative and operational expenses in accordance with the provisions of the following laws: Act No. 430 of December 21, 2000, known as the Puerto Rico Boating and Aquatic Safety Law; Act No. 136 of June 3, 1976, as amended, known as the Water Resources Conservation, Development and Use Law; July 1, 1975 Law Num. 133, as amended, known as the Puerto Rico Forests Law, that created Forest Development Special Fund, and Act No. 132 of June 25, 1968, as amended, known as the Ground Surface Extraction Law.

Contributing federal programs include: the Coastal Management Administration, Boating Safety Financial Assistance and Fish and Wildlife Management Assistance. It is estimated that there will be a reduction in federal funds of $514,000 due to a decrease in federal proposals for Fiscal Year 2011-2012.

For Fiscal Year 2011-2012, $109,000 are included for the acquisition of equipment and public safety equipment to reinforce the Natural Resources Guarding Corps Program, funded by ARRA.

SUMMARY OF AVAILABLE RESOURCES

Water and Mineral Resources Administration and Preservation

Regional Coordination for Natural Preservation

Natural Resources Guarding Corps

Environmental Protection Information and Education

Secretary's Advisory Office

Comprehensive Planning on the use, preservation and development of natural resources

Reforestation, management and conservation of living resources

Marine Safety and Citizenship Training