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PS 229

Para crear la "Ley de protección de tierras agricolas, bosques y áreas naturales protegidas"; establecer la politica pública y prohibición para la protección y conservación de estas areas; establecer la responsabilidad de la Oficina de Gerencia y Permisos, el Departamento de Recursos Naturales y Ambientales y a la Junta de Planificación de Puerto Rico para instrumentar reglamentos y procedimientos que protejan las tierras agricolas, bosques y áreas naturales protegidas; y para decretar otras disposiciones complementarias.

2025-2028 Session

Bill PS 229 creates comprehensive protections for Puerto Rico's agricultural lands, forests, and natural areas through unified policy and multi-agency enforcement mechanisms.

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Bill Summary · PS 229

Legislative bill overview

Bill PS 229 proposes creating a comprehensive law to protect agricultural lands, forests, and protected natural areas in Puerto Rico. It establishes public policy prohibitions against harmful land use and assigns implementation responsibilities to three government agencies: the Office of Management and Permits, the Department of Natural and Environmental Resources, and Puerto Rico's Planning Board.

Why is this important

Puerto Rico faces ongoing pressures from urban development, deforestation, and agricultural land loss that threaten biodiversity, food security, and natural disaster resilience. This legislation would create formal legal protections and enforcement mechanisms to preserve these critical ecosystems, though implementation effectiveness depends on agency coordination and adequate funding.

Potential points of contention

  • Development vs. conservation trade-off: Strict prohibitions on land use may conflict with economic development interests, housing needs, and local property rights concerns
  • Implementation complexity: Coordinating three separate government agencies with different mandates could create bureaucratic delays and inconsistent enforcement across municipalities
  • Agricultural viability: Protections for agricultural lands must balance conservation with making farming economically competitive in Puerto Rico's current market conditions

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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