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“use available land in such a way that its quality is conserved so as to enhance its potential for
continuous productivity and to prevent degradation.”
To achieve this goal, GOSL is attempting “to make as priority Environmental Impact
Assessment (EIA) of proposed activities which may significantly affect the environment and
the use of resources.” 10 The NEP also has a specific goal and policy for water resource
management, which ensures adequate quantity and acceptable water quality to meet domestic,
industrial, transportation, agricultural, and fisheries needs. Although Sierra Leone has laws
prohibiting pollution of water bodies, the laws are not adequately enforced.
The National Environment Protection Act, 2000
The National Environment Protection Act (NEPA) of 2000 established the Environment
Protection Department (EPD) and authorized the Director of EPD and Minister of the
Environment to administer and monitor the implementation of the act. The act makes provision
for the development of an EIA for projects in Sierra Leone on agriculture, mining, construction,
waste disposal, and exploitation of water resources. In compliance with NEPA, the EIA
document is to be submitted by the developer and contain an assessment of potential impacts to
the environment and surrounding population; indicate their public consultative process; proposed
mitigation measures and monitoring plan. In issuing a license for a project based on an EIA, the
minister also has the authority to establish regulations for national environmental standards
pertaining to the use of natural resources, water quality, effluent limitation, air quality, wastes,
atmospheric and ozone protection, noise control, pesticide residues, and odors. Internationally
banned chemicals are prohibited in Sierra Leone, as is the discharge of any hazardous
substances into the air, land, or water.
The Forestry Act, June 1988
The Forestry Act of 1988 contains special protection provisions under which the minister is
empowered to declare any area to be a “protected area for the purpose of conservation of soil,
water, flora, and fauna.” The legislation stipulates that ‘no person may cut, burn, uproot, or
destroy trees that are in protected areas or trees that have been declared as being protected.” It
also states that the chief conservator/director of forest may issue a license or concession to fell
and extract a protected tree.
The Wildlife Conservation Act, 1972
The Wildlife Conservation Act of 1972 was enacted to help regulate the utilization and
protection of wildlife resources. However, the bill is characterized by inadequate capacity for
implementation and enforcement and insufficient and unsustainable sources of funding. The bill
is also outdated and merits review and update to reflect current trends in wildlife protection.
The Mines and Minerals Act, 1994
Diamond mining has been ongoing in Sierra Leone for about 70 years. The consequent
environmental degradation in Sierra Leone’s estimated two million hectares of diamondiferous
lands in the southeastern regions of the country presents serious challenges to the government.
10 GOSL, 1994
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