The Governor's tasks

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Environmental protection
The Governor of Svalbard is the environmental protection authority for Svalbard. The Environmental Department’s most important tasks include:

• inspection of natural areas and monitoring of the environment
• safeguarding environmental concerns in land-use planning, development and business activities
• management of protected areas
• management of flora and fauna
• management of outdoor recreation, tourism and traffic in the wilderness
• the treatment of pollution and waste management
• oil spill preparedness
• registration, surveys and information related to cultural monuments
• maintenance and management of cultural monuments
• control of the import and export of pets
• coordination of veterinary services

Police
Svalbard is its own police district. Among other things, the Police Department is responsible for the following tasks:

• investigations
• rescue services
• traffic control on sea and land
• preventive work
• maintaining public order
• passport and visa issuance
• oil spill measures
• maritime authority
• traffic control
• enforcement
• firearms permits

Other tasks and duties
In addition to being the police and environmental protection authority, The Governor of Svalbard performs a number of services that fall under various agencies on the mainland:

• civil protection and preparedness
• acting as a host and representative
• media contact
• handling of tourism matters
• separation and divorce orders
• marriages
• prosecution in criminal cases
• notary public
• legal advice
• fire services
• information