Government boundaries in the West Bank, within areas A and B as defined in this Agreement:

3. Issues relating to the provision of Local Government services to Settlements and to installations serving the Israeli military forces, are dealt with in the relevant Articles of this Appendix.
   
   
4. The Palestinian side shall give notice to the Israeli side of any Local Government elections. With a view to avoiding friction in the context of such elections, special security arrangements will be agreed in the security liaison mechanism.
   
   
5. In addition to the existing powers and responsibilities of a city council, in its capacity as local planning committee, it shall also be authorized to issue building permits for various purposes, including factories, hospitals and schools, in accordance and subject to existing detailed planning schemes in force.
   
   
6. Municipal authorities shall continue to supply water and electricity from existing systems in accordance with existing quantities and practices.
   
   
7. Matters regarding planning and zoning, water and electricity are dealt with in Article 27 ( Planning and Zoning ), Article 40 ( Water and Sewage ) and Article 10 ( Electricity ), respectively.
   
   

ARTICLE 25

Nature Reserves

1. Powers and responsibilities in the sphere of Nature Reserves in the West Bank and the Gaza Strip will be transferred from the military government and its Civil Administration to the Palestinian side and shall be assumed by it, including, inter alia, the establishment, declaration, administration, supervision, protection and preservation of Nature Reserves and of animal species, natural assets and plants.
   
   
2. In Area C, powers and responsibilities related to the sphere of Nature Reserves will be transferred gradually to Palestinian jurisdiction that will cover West Bank and Gaza Strip territory except for the issues that will be negotiated in the permanent status negotiations, during the further redeployment phases, to be completed within 18 months from the date of the inauguration of the Council.
   
   
3. The Palestinian side shall safeguard and preserve the Nature Reserves in accordance with established scientific standards.
   
   
4. The two sides shall agree on methods of cooperation regarding the protection and preservation of Nature Reserves, through a Joint Committee of Experts from the two sides. This cooperation shall include exchange of information and data regarding issues such as animal and plant diseases, pests, and scientific research.
   
   
5. The two sides shall each take appropriate measures in order to protect Nature Reserves, Protected Natural Assets and species of animals, plants and flowers of special breeds, as well as to implement rules of behavior in Nature Reserves.
   
   
6. Each side shall enforce, within the areas under its responsibility, the regulations pertaining to hunting, and in particular the prohibition on hunting of protected and endangered species.

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