Forestry Management Act 2011 (Samoa)

The Forestry Management Act designates the Ministry responsible for forestry resource management as the Ministry charged with the administration of the Act. The functions of the Ministry shall include the management of forestry resources, promotion of plantation and farm agro-forestry, and implementation of international forestry-related agreements. The Ministry is empowered to impose a fee that is fixed by law or regulation, or where no law or regulation sets the fee, it must be set by the Minister by written order. The Ministry is further vested with powers of enforcement of the Act, including the power to issue precautionary notices, notices to cease activity, as well as to impose penalties on offenses related to the notices, and prosecute offenses committed under the Act. The Act further mandates the preparation of the National Forest Plan by the Ministry for the sustainable management of forestry resources. It expressly directs the application of the precautionary principle by persons and agencies having responsibilities under the Act. The Act likewise classifies land for forestry purposes, and authorizes leasing of land for forestry related purposes. It also sets out forest resource management procedures including the application for forestry harvesting licenses, forestry harvesting permits, license and permit conditions, and suspension and cancellation of licenses and permits.