Established in 1981 through the “Environmental Quality Protection Act,” Title 24 of the Palau National Code Annotated (Title 24 PNCA), the Palau Environmental Quality Protection Board (EQPB) ensures the greater protection of Palau’s unique and aesthetically beautiful environment while promoting sustainable economic and social development that would achieve the desired financial goals of the people of the Republic.  EQPB is a semi-autonomous agency of the Executive Branch of the government of the Republic of Palau that is responsible for the protection and proper conservation of quality of the environment and its resources so that sound and sustainable economic and social development proceeds in a manner that will not jeopardize Palau’s future possibilities or opportunities.

 

In order to fulfill its mandate, the EQPB is implementing essential environmental protection programs that will safeguard the quality of the environment and ensure proper conservation of resources while at the same time allow for development that is in line with national social and economic goals. The success of the environmental programs relies on the establishment of a cooperative, coordinated, and effective working relationship with other national government agencies and bodies, the various state governments, as well as private entities within the Republic of Palau.

 

Title 24 PNCA authorized the EQPB to promulgate and enforce regulations addressing the following topics:

(1) Earthmoving, (2) Marine and Fresh Water Quality, (3) Toilet and Wastewater Disposal Facilities, (4) Solid Waste Management, (5) Pesticides, (6) Public Water Supply Systems, (7) Environmental Impact Statements, (8) Air Pollution Control, and (9) Ozone Depleting Substances