Central Public Authorities
The Minister of the Environment oversees the following central governmental bodies:
Chief Inspectorate of Environmental Protection
The Chief Inspector of Environmental Protection is a central public authority performing the tasks of the Inspectorate of Environmental Protection. The main tasks of the Inspectorate of Environmental Protection include:
- monitoring compliance with the law on environmental protection,
- studying the environmental condition under the National Environmental Monitoring Plan,
- prevention of serious accidents.
Tasks related to the Inspectorate of Environmental Protection are performed by: at the central level – the Chief Inspector of Environmental Protection with the help of the Chief Inspectorate of Environmental Protection, and at the voivodeship level, with the help of voivodeship inspectors of environmental protection.
General Directorate for Environmental Protection [PL]
The General Directorate for Environmental Protection is managed by the General Director of Environmental Protection, who governs the 16 regional directors of environmental protection, who perform their tasks in the areas of individual voivodeships. The tasks of the General Directorate for Environmental Protection include, among others:
- participation in the implementation of environmental policy in the field of nature protection and control of the investment process,
- including strategic environmental impact assessments and investigations on trans-boundary environmental impact,
- performing tasks related to the Natura 2000 network,
- participation of the organisation in the EMAS Eco-management and Audit Scheme and forming the ENEA network in Poland,
- drafting a national strategy for conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity and an action programme,
- developing programmes to protect endangered species of plants, animals and fungi,
- issuing permits (including, without limitation: exemptions from prohibitions in national parks and nature reserves for breeding and reproduction of animals and plants).
National Water Management Authority
The President of the National Water Management Authority is a central government authority competent in matters of water management, in particular, water management and water use. The tasks of the President of the National Water Management Authority include:
- development of the hydro-environmental programme of the country,
- drafting of management plans of river basins,
- drafting plans for flood control and for counteracting the effects of drought in the country,
- agreeing upon draft conditions of use of water from the water region,
- conducting water cadastre for the area of the State,
- supervising the activities of seven directors of regional water management authorities.
The President of the National Atomic Energy Agency is a central government authority competent in matters of nuclear safety and radiological protection of the country. The duties of the President of NAEA include, among others:
- preparation of documents relating to government policy on nuclear safety and radiological protection,
- supervision over activities causing or likely to cause human and environmental exposure to ionising radiation and conducing inspections,
- issuing technical recommendations on matters of nuclear safety and radiological protection,
- assessment of the radiation situation of the country and disseminating to competent authorities and the public information on the situation in this respect,
- performing tasks arising from the commitments of the Republic of Poland regarding record keeping and control of nuclear materials and other obligations arising from international agreements on nuclear safety and radiological protection,
- conducting activities related to information, education and popularisation in the field of atomic energy.
The President of the State Mining Authority and the directors of regional and specialised mining authorities exercise supervision and control over the movement of mining plants in the field of:
- occupational health and safety and fire safety,
- mine rescue, management of mineral deposits in the process of extraction,
- environmental protection, including prevention of damages.
i NFOŚiGW 