(a) The Department shall administer and enforce all laws pertaining to:
(1) fish and wildlife, trees and vegetation and water resources including the protection of safe drinking water;
(2) air pollution and water pollution;
(3) flood control, sewers and sewage disposal;
(4) mineral and other natural resources;
(5) preservation of the archaeological, architectural, cultural and historical heritage of the United States Virgin Islands, including public museums, monuments and memorials;
(6) pesticide control;
(7) coastal zone management, coastal lands and off-shore islands and cays;
(8) mooring and anchoring of vessels within the territorial waters;
(9) environmental protection;
(10) land survey and development and building permits; and
(11) earth change permits and zoning.
(b) It is the duty of the Department, and it is empowered to:
(1) administer and supervise the Planning Office; Provided, That the Department shall be the official planning agency of the Government of the Virgin Islands and the state planning agency for the purposes of federal assistance programs;
(2) provide comprehensive long-range planning services for all territorial departments and agencies;
(3) foster, promote and undertake programs and projects for the conservation and development of the natural resources of the United States Virgin Islands;
(4) survey, restore, preserve and maintain real and personal property appropriate to the goal of promoting the fullest public appreciation of the archaeological, architectural, cultural and historical heritage of the people of the United States Virgin Islands;
(5) select and designate sites of historic interest and value in conjunction with the Historic Preservation Commission, and erect and maintain appropriate signs or markers indicating said sites upon public property as well as upon private property where permission is obtained. The Department of Public Works is authorized to permit the Department of Planning and Natural Resources to erect and maintain said historic signs or markers within the right-of-way of any territorial roadway or highway or any other property under its jurisdiction and control under such conditions or limitations as may be appropriate. The Department is vested with the exclusive authority to erect and maintain said historic signs or markers within the right-of-way of any territorial roadway or highway;
(6) foster, promote and undertake programs and projects for the restoration and preservation of the scenic beauty of the United States Virgin Islands, including the identification, preservation and maintenance of scenic overlooks;
(7) provide for the conservation, maintenance and management of United States Virgin Islands wildlife, the resources thereof, and its habitat, and to make investigations to determine the effects of domestic sewage, industrial wastes and other polluting substances on wildlife and means of alleviating dangerous and undesirable effects of such pollution;
(8) establish reasonable impact fees as a condition of approval of all development projects with a construction cost above $500,000.
(9) promote the diffusion of culture through expositions, fairs, concerts, festivals and theatrical performances;
(10) provide for the planning, preparation, development, conservation and operation of projects within its authorized fields of activity and in connection with the same, maintain, operate and administer physical facilities and equipment;
(11) employ such experts, scientists, consultants, technicians or other specially qualified persons as may be necessary for the proper and effective exercise and performance of its powers, duties and functions;
(12) cooperate with any other agencies, organizations or persons, public or private, in undertakings designed to promote the objectives of conservation or development of natural resources, or of any other of its authorized areas of responsibility;
(13) accept on behalf of the Government of the United States Virgin Islands gifts, bequests, devises, contributions or donations from any public or private source and administer and dispose of the same;
(14) coordinate the various fields of its authorized activity through harmonious planning, development and maintenance;
(15) perform such functions as may be required by federal law in order to participate in federally-aided projects or programs and serve as the state agency of the Government of the United States Virgin Islands for participation in all programs of the United States Government relating to its authorized fields of activity;
(16) with the approval of the Governor, issue rules and regulations, not inconsistent with the provisions of this chapter, as may be necessary or appropriate for the implementation and effectuation of its powers, duties and functions;
(17) make recommendations to the Governor for his submission to the Legislature with respect to its authorized fields of activity;
(18) administer the laws relating to construction and repairs under building permits, provide a building inspection service, and administer and enforce the Building Code; and
(19) prepare in a timely manner the operating budget for the Department for submission to the Director of the Office of Management and Budget.