New Organic Law Approved for Regional Directorate of Environment and Sea

Published in the Official Gazette is Regional Regulatory Decree No. 14/2026/M, of July 19, which approves the organic law of the Regional Directorate of Environment and Sea (DRAM). This decree repeals the previous Regional Regulatory Decree No. 24/2024/M, of October 19, and enters into force the day after its publication.

The DRAM is defined as an executive service for control, auditing, and inspection of the direct administration of the Autonomous Region of Madeira, integrated into the Regional Secretariat for Tourism, Environment, and Culture.

Mission and Responsibilities#

The mission of the DRAM is to implement regional policy in the areas of administration, management, and regulation of environmental quality and circular economy, water resources, the coast, sustainability and climate action, and the sea and blue economy. The decree lists a wide range of responsibilities, including:

• Participating in defining regional policy in its areas of operation.
• Promoting environmental education and awareness.
• Developing financial instruments and funds for environmental policies.
• Preparing proposals for legislative and regulatory measures.
• Coordinating environmental management tools and public participation.
• Promoting policies for carbon neutrality, waste management, and circular economy.
• Managing flood risks.
• Ensuring the application of the economic and financial regime for water resources.
• Managing the quality of drinking and bathing water.
• Administering the public maritime domain and integrated management of the coastal zone.
• Planning maritime space and proposing the creation of marine protected areas.

Authority Competencies#

The DRAM accumulates several authority functions, namely:

• Regional Waste Authority.
• Regional Water Authority.
• Regional Environmental Impact Assessment Authority.
• Regional Environmental Inspection Authority (ARIA), with powers of inspection, initiation of administrative offense proceedings, and application of fines.

Structure and Operation#

The service is headed by the Regional Director of Environment and Sea, a senior management position of the 1st degree. The hierarchical structure also includes six intermediate management positions of the 1st degree.

Until the approval of the decrees defining the detailed internal organization, the following transitional decrees remain in force:

• Ordinance No. 144/2020, of April 24.
• Ordinance No. 658/2020, of October 15.
• Dispatch No. 402/2020, of October 19.
• Dispatch No. 264/2022, of July 8.