Land, Surveys and Environment Act 1989 (Samoa)

The Land, Surveys and Environment Act of Samoa provides for the conservation and protection of the environment, and the establishment of national parks and other protected areas. It provides for classification of land as either farm land (suitable or adaptable for a type of farming), urban land (suitable or adaptable for residential purposes or in the vicinity of a town or village), and commercial or industrial land (suitable or adaptable for use for a commercial or industrial purpose). Alienation, disposal, or reservation of the lands may be determined based on these classifications. 

The Act identifies functions of the Ministry of Natural Resources and Resources and Environment for purpose of conservation and protection of the environment. These include: 

• To advise the Minister on all aspects of environmental management and conservation.
• To ensure and promote the conservation and protection of the natural resources and environment  of Samoa.
• To act as the advocate of environmental conservation at Government, its agencies, and other public authorities.
• To make recommendations to the Minister in relation to the establishment and naming of national parks or nature reserves.
• To prevent, control and correct pollution of air, water (including inland and coastal waters) and land resources and to promote litter control.
• To carry out investigations and research relevant to the protection and conservation of natural resources and the environment.
• To provide and promote training in the skills relevant to its functions.
• To promote public awareness to the importance of the environment and its conservation.
• To do anything incidental or conducive to the performance of any of its functions.