The Federal Court of Rio decided, on a preliminary basis, to suspend the granting of new environmental licensing for the area of the former Rio de Janeiro Petrochemical Complex (Comperj), in Itaboraí, currently called Boaventura Energy Complex. The injunction was obtained by the Federal Public Ministry of Rio (MPF-RJ).
The decision determines that the Brazilian Institute for the Environment and Renewable Natural Resources (Ibama) and the State Institute for the Environment (Inea) implement measures to reduce the impacts of works in federal conservation units. The area where the complex is located has mangroves and estuaries with rich biodiversity.
The suspension applies to new developments, units, hubs, transmission lines and other structures in the complex.
In case of non-compliance with the measure, a fine of R$1 million will be imposed.
Irregularities
The MPF filed the action after finding that Inea had disregarded or modified environmental conditions provided for by federal institutions, which impacts the preservation of the Environmental Protection Area (APA Guapimirim) and the Guanabara Ecological Station and its buffer zones.
Still in the action, the MPF mentions that the Chico Mendes Institute of Biodiversity (ICMBio) confirmed that two conditions had not been completely met and that Inea had changed one of them, without prior manifestation from ICMBio. According to the federal agency, of the 4,322 hectares that should have been restored, only around 80 hectares (1.85% of the planned total) were restored.
