The National Environmental Guard issued fines of over 2.8 million lei after controls at ballast stations in four counties. “The negative effects are visible from the satellite”

The National Environmental Guard announces that it issued fines of over 2.8 million lei after controls at ballast stations in four counties, in four of the cases suspension of the activity was ordered. GNM representatives state that the negative effects of some ballasts in Dolj county “can be seen from the satellite”, the case not being an isolated one.

The National Environmental Guard informs on Friday that, through the Biodiversity, Biosecurity and Protected Areas Control Directorate, it has carried out 91 controls in four counties to inspect the activity of operators that exploit mineral aggregates (ballasts).

As a result, fines in the amount of 2,805,000 lei, 72 sanctions were imposed, and four suspensions of activity were ordered. Also, in three cases it was decided to cancel the works and bring the land to its original state, reports News.ro.

According to the National Environmental Guard, in Dolj (but not only) the satellite images indicate entire areas where the environment is affected by these non-compliant activities. In these areas alone, 10 controls were carried out, which resulted in fines of 380,000 lei.

“The amount of fines that the Guard applies to non-compliant activities in ballast tanks is less important. However, it is crucial to determine the main cause underlying this phenomenon, and this is a purely economic one. Infrastructure works increase demand and put pressure on the supply of natural resources”, explained the general commissioner of GNM, Andrei Corlan.

Among the irregularities found during such controls made at ballast stations are: the lack of regulatory acts, non-compliance with the conditions imposed by them, exploitation outside the authorized perimeters, improper management of materials and waste, lack of adequate systems for the collection and purification of waste water, insufficient protection of the soil and biodiversity and failure to fulfill the obligations to restore the environment.

“We will continue to treat this sector as a priority at the National Environmental Guard. It is a call for all operators who exploit these aggregates of mineral resources to comply with the law and to respect their environmental commitments. They risk large fines, suspension of activity, withdrawal of notices and even criminal cases, if they do not comply with the norms and the indicated measures”, emphasized Andrei Corlan, general commissioner of the GNM.