Law no.61, passed in 1994, entrusted environmental protection and control duties to the relevant "Regional Agencies" which became the centers nominated for environmental vigilance and control in local areas.

o ARPAV (Veneto Regional Agency for Environmental Prevention and Protection) was established by Regional Law no.32, passed on October 18, 1996 and became operative on October 3, 1997. The agency pursues two closely-connected objectives: protection, through environmental controls, safeguarding the population's health and territorial safety; and prevention, through research, training, information and environmental education. It operates on the basis of three-year plans and an annual program.