The Environment and Heritage Service (EHS) is the largest agency within the Department of the Environmentwith approximately 600 staff. EHS takes the lead 
in advising on, and implementing, the Government's environmental policy and strategy in Northern Ireland. The Agency carries out a range of activities, which 
promote the Government's key themes of sustainable development, biodiversity and climate change. The overal aim is to protect and conserve Northern Ireland's 
natural heritage and built environment, to control and regulate pollution and to promote the wider appreciation of the environment and best environmental 
practices. 
Environmental Protection seeks to safeguard the quality of air, water and land. This involves the enforcement of legislation and a range of supporting activities 
to monitor and report on discharges and emissions, to establish the impacts of pollution, to set standards, and issue consent licenses and authorisations. 
There are five discrete units within EHS Environmental Protection dealing with water quality, air quality and noise, waste management, industrial pollution 
and drinking water for public and private supplies. 
Information about policy matters and regulations relating to EHS Environmental Protection can be accessed via the 'publications' section.