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Largest fine issued so far is Dh50,000 for dumping material into marine environment
The Environment Agency of Abu Dhabi (EAD) has imposed 32 administrative fines totaling Dh328,000 on the list of administrative fines for violations of environmental legislation.
The largest fine to date was Dh50,000 for the discharge of substances into the marine environment that caused an unpleasant odour, an unnatural colour, or caused significant changes in temperature and turbulence in the emirate’s waters.
Fines range from AED 1,000 to a maximum of AED 1 million, depending on the nature of the violation, the degree of damage to the environment and the rate of recurrence.
The decision divides administrative violations and fines into three main categories: fishing violations and discharges into the marine environment; violations related to hunting, biodiversity and protected areas; and violations related to development and industrial activities.
The Administrative Violation Form includes 99 violations, 46 of which are non-reconcilable, subject to a 25% settlement discount if paid within 60 days of the date of posting.
Other violations include submitting incorrect data to the EAD, altering data contained in permits or polluting the soil, water or air in protected areas. The agency followed up with the offending business to ensure corrective action was taken to eliminate or mitigate the cause.
The decision to impose administrative fines is made to strengthen the regulatory and supervisory role of the EAD and to support mechanisms to address activities and actions that have a negative impact on the environment. The agency is also responsible for restricting harmful practices not covered by applicable environmental legislation to promote compliance with Abu Dhabi’s environmental legislation.
With the release of the decision, the system of administrative offenses and fines stipulated in Law No. (10) of 2020 was activated, amending part of the provisions of Law No. (16) of 2005 on the restructuring of EAD. The agency has the authority to impose administrative fines for violations of this Law and its organizational and executive regulations, as well as the regulations, policies, decisions and circulars implementing the Law.
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Of the total number of violations, 87.5 percent occurred in the development and industrial activities category, while the remaining 12.5 percent were violations related to hunting, biodiversity and protected areas. There are no fines for violations of the marine fisheries sector or discharges into the marine environment.
Faisal Al Hammadi, Acting Executive Director of EAD’s Environmental Quality Sector, said: “Since our establishment in 1996, as Abu Dhabi’s competent authority responsible for enforcing environmental laws and regulatory controls in the emirate, we have taken several steps in accordance with the Government of Abu Dhabi’s Formulated directives and visions to provide a sound regulatory framework.
“We achieve this by applying best practice and the highest international standards of governance to ensure that the emirate’s long-term economic vision is achieved in a way that protects our natural heritage for a better future for all.”
Khaled Al Hajri, Head of Compliance and Enforcement, Environmental Quality Sector E, said, “We are stepping up our efforts to work closely with facilities and agencies operating in Abu Dhabi to fully understand the various environmental legislation that can help limit or reduce Environmentally harmful behavior, thereby avoiding any penalties or fines. The compliance rate of institutions and projects that have obtained EAD license has reached 97%.”
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