Regional Act No. 20 on afforestation, soil conservation and protection of regional forests in Calabria Region.

This Act regulates interventions in matter of soil and forest conservation and management for the following purposes: (a) improvement of productive and social potential of existing forests; (b) protection of the environment and hydrogeological resources; (c) promotion of agro-forestry and sylvo-pastoralism in mountain areas; (d) improvement of quality life of communities concerned. The following measures shall be taken for the achievement of the above-mentioned objectives: (a) assessment of the hydrogeological resources and protection of river banks and regional basins; (b) afforestation, reforestation, sanitation of degraded forests and pasture lands, conservation and management of protection forests; (c) construction of infrastructures (artificial lakes, water supply services, small-scale irrigation systems) necessary for the proper implementation of points (a) and (b). Within one year from the entry into force of this Act the Region shall formulate an inventory of regional forests. General directives and policy schemes shall be elaborated by the competent provincial authority or at the regional level with specific regard to the use of land and to the conservation of soil, water and forestry resources. The Act sets out the competent authorities for the approval of (i) regional afforestation plans and (ii) annual plans. Article 8 establishes the powers of the Forest Service in matter of afforestation, forest fires prevention and soil conservation.The Act provides for the establishment of the Forest Authority for Calabria Region (AFOR), which shall: (a) formulate the annual development plan; (b) manage and conserve the regional forestry resources; (c) promote and support research and development institutes as regards forest protection and timber extraction; (d) create and manage natural parks, natural reserves, sanctuaries and other protected areas belonging to public or private entities; (e) establish timber authorities and authorities for the processing and handling of forestry products.