A Russian arbitration court has ordered the “Svobodny Port Kamchatka” company to pay nearly 14 million rubles (approximately $150,000 USD) for extensive environmental damage caused by operating an unauthorized landfill. The ruling, handed down by the Arbitration Court of the Kamchatka Krai, underscores Russia’s efforts to enforce stringent environmental regulations, particularly in its ecologically sensitive regions.
The violation came to light during a routine inspection conducted by the regional branch of Rosprirodnadzor, Russia’s Federal Supervisory Natural Resources Management Service. Inspectors discovered a vast accumulation of industrial and consumer waste, spanning over 1.5 hectares, located directly within the crucial water protection zone of Avacha Bay. Experts concluded that the proximity of the sprawling dump to such a vital water body had inflicted significant and measurable harm on the local ecosystem.
Rosprirodnadzor had initially offered the company an opportunity for an out-of-court settlement to cover the environmental costs. However, “Svobodny Port Kamchatka” declined the proposal, prompting the supervisory agency to initiate formal legal proceedings. Following a thorough review of the case, the court fully sided with the plaintiff’s arguments, ordering the company to pay 13.9 million rubles in damages.
The judicial decision has now officially entered into legal force. Rosprirodnadzor’s press service confirmed that the agency will continue to closely monitor the enforcement of the court order to ensure full compliance. The substantial funds collected are specifically earmarked for the remediation and restoration of the polluted territory, highlighting a commitment to reversing the environmental degradation caused by this illegal waste disposal operation. This case serves as a stern reminder of the escalating penalties for environmental non-compliance in Russia.