Land of Fires: the Regional Law is Operational

The Regional Minister of Environment issued a circular for all Mayors of the region to focus on the obligations of Municipalities according to the regional law no. 20 of 9 December, strongly pushed for by the Regional Executive Board led by Caldoro and the whole regional Council. It aims at implementing the first special measure to prevent and fight waste abandonment and burning.

The regional law is operational before the Government bill, still being examined by the Committee for Environment of the Chamber before being converted into law.

By 8 March, Municipalities shall select and verify through an ad-hoc register any public and private areas concerned with waste abandonment and burning over the last five years, using previous surveys and checks and citizens’ reports.

These areas shall not be used for any activity until no hazard for environment and health is proven, with appropriate detailed certificates issued by authorised laboratories.

This is a remarkable measure aimed at preventing crimes related to illegal waste disposal to be used for building activities.

Municipalities shall publish on their institutional websites the register, whose revision shall be carried out every six months, as provided by the law. In case of non-compliance, Regione will exercise reserve powers.

Regional Minister Giovanni Romano stated: “This is an important step forward to re-build institutional responsibilities to protect citizens’ health as well as a healthy economy of Regione”.

Mr Romano concluded: “The active cooperation of Municipalities is fundamental to fight this occurrence and we will back their needs by funding projects they submitted for the 5 million € regional call. Within the end of January, the call will be completed and it will be possible to implement the local monitoring and checking measures submitted”.