site.btaPeople Approve of Work of Environment and Water Ministry, Expect Strong Control from It

People Approve of Work of Environment and Water Ministry, Expect Strong Control from It

Sofia, December 27 (BTA) - Nearly 30 per cent of the Bulgarians have a better attitude to the work of the Environment and Water Ministry following higher sanctions it ordered for environmental violations and the stronger control it exercises, Environment and Water Minister Ivelina Vassileva said in a BTA interview. Vassileva quoted the findings of a poll conducted in November and commissioned by the Ministry.

Twenty-one per cent of the respondents in the poll said that stricter sanctions for environmental violations will improve the environmental situation. Twenty-four per cent think the control exercised by the Ministry should be stepped up.

Vassileva said that the control activity is a key priority of the Ministry. She recalled that on her insistence last year, the fine for environmental pollution was increased to 500,000 leva, from 100,000 leva. The Minister said that the highest fine has since been imposed twice, the first time to the operator of the Luna hydropower facility, whose license was withdrawn, and to the Montupet auto parts maker in Rousse, on the Danube. Vassileva said that the fines are intended as a disciplining and preventive measure, and not as a source of budget revenue.

Commenting the Environment Operational Programme, Vassileva said that by the end of 2017, the entire resource of the programme will be available to beneficiaries. The bulk of the funding provided under the programme: more than 1.5 billion leva, will be made available to water and sewerage companies. Sixty-five million leva will be provided by the end of 2016 to projects for prevention against landslides.

Vassileva said further that mineral water springs could drive the development of remote mountain areas and create jobs. Nine municipalities have submitted project proposals worth seven milli