Protection of the coast and wetlands in Uruguay

Abstract

This study addresses the protection of the coast and wetlands. In the past, several actions and regulations promoted the destruction of these ecosystems through urbanization, afforestation with exotic species, extractive activities, among others, motivated even by actions of the State itself, which had to be reversed even by modifying various legal regulations. Currently, there is awareness that these ecosystems deserve to be preserved, and various regulations encourage their conservation through prohibitions, as well as through a planned authorization regime in order to carry out certain actions, constructions or works.

The article reflects the experiences of the author as drafter of the vehicle access prohibition regime in the coast, approved by Law No. 19,535, of September 25, 2017, and the Resolution of the Ministry of Housing, Territorial Planning and Environment No. 1990/2017, of December 29, 2017, as well as the wetland protection regime, approved by Law No. 19,670, of October 15, 2018 (amending the Water Code).