The Cabinet yesterday approved amendments to the Sand and Gravel Excavation Act (土石採取法), raising the maximum fine to NT$10 million (US$318,380) to prevent illegal sand and gravel extraction.
The amendments would broaden the range of those who could be held responsible in illegal extraction incidents, including land owners, employers and vehicle drivers.
The Ministry of Economic Affairs said the higher fine aims to obstruct illegal gains and strengthen ecological restoration efforts.
Photo courtesy of the Ministry of Environment Southern Center
The maximum fine for unapproved extraction of sand and gravel would be raised to NT$10 million, while offenders would face a maximum prison sentence of five years and an additional fine of up to NT$50 million, the amendment says.
Should illegal dredging of sand and gravel result in injury or death, the sentence would depend on the severity of the incident, with the possibility of life imprisonment and a fine of NT$100 million.
Equipment and vehicles used in illegal operations would be confiscated, regardless of ownership, to prevent further illicit activities.
The amendment would also require local authorities to order offenders to restore excavation sites within a certain period, with restoration work to be carried out using materials and methods specified by the Ministry of Economic Affairs.
Waste should not be used as part of the restoration process to prevent repeated pollution of land, the amendment says.
The ministry began drafting the amendments late last year, following an incident of illegal sand and gravel extraction in Kaohsiung’s Meinong District (美濃) reported earlier that year.
Six hectares of sand and gravel were illegally removed, leaving 20m-deep “canyon-like” grooves in the land.
Local prosecutors indicted 106 suspects in February and estimated the operation generated NT$300 million in illegal profits through gravel sales and payments collected from truck operators for dumping construction waste at the site.
Additional reporting by CNA
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