Ministry addresses hazardous waste in Gospić, assures state-funded cleanup

Croatia's Ministry of Environmental Protection and Green Transition has issued a statement regarding the remediation of illegally dumped waste in Gospić, asserting that the state will finance the cleanup operation. The ministry stressed that accountability for the illicit disposal of waste rests with the perpetrators, not with the governmental bodies currently undertaking the remediation efforts.

In a detailed chronology of actions, the ministry and the Environmental Protection and Energy Efficiency Fund outlined their continuous engagement since February 2025. They stated that they have undertaken necessary activities within their capacities to prepare for future remediation, refuting claims of delayed institutional response. The ministry highlighted that their actions included incorporating the site into the Waste Management Plan, preparing for remediation, and initiating public procurement procedures.

According to the Law on Waste Management, the polluter is primarily responsible for the remediation of illegally dumped waste. If the polluter, or the local self-government unit where the waste is located, cannot cover the remediation costs, the Environmental Protection and Energy Efficiency Fund can undertake the cleanup if the site is included in the Waste Management Plan. Given the assessment that the polluter would be unable to afford the cleanup and had not taken necessary steps at the local level, the ministry and the Fund promptly initiated procedures for state financing and implementation of the remediation.

The ministry also stated that potential impacts on the environment and public health will continue to be monitored. The remediation is planned to be carried out in cooperation with the Fund, local authorities, relevant institutions, and citizen representatives. The government's decision in May 2025 to amend the Waste Management Plan was a crucial step enabling state funding for the project, with a mortgage registered in favor of the Republic of Croatia.