Lithuania: 16 Investigations Launched Over Illegal Earthworks

Lithuania's Environmental Protection Department (AAD) has launched 16 investigations into potentially illegal earthmoving activities conducted between April and June. Officials focused on whether the excavation work was carried out with the necessary permits and if it caused environmental damage or improper land restoration.

In the Kaunas region, AAD officers conducted 23 raids during the second quarter, inspecting 26 land plots. Investigations were initiated for two of these plots. These inspection activities are scheduled to continue from October to December.

Meanwhile, in the Klaipėda region, eight raids were carried out, examining 34 land plots during the same period. Five investigations were opened due to potential violations on plots in the Šilutė, Jurbarkas, and Pagėgiai municipalities. Additionally, nine investigations are underway concerning possible violations in the Šiauliai and Panevėžys territories.

The department reported that in the Panevėžys region, 42 plots were inspected across various municipalities, leading to investigations in six cases. Officials in the Šiauliai region conducted four raids, inspecting 20 plots in Telšiai, Mažeikiai, and Naujoji Akmenė municipalities, with investigations initiated in three instances.