For illegal camping, the supervisor can impose a fine of 100 euros, while the warden can impose 500 euros.
Different penalties for illegal overnight stays by TNP supervisors and municipal wardens
Municipalities in the area of the Julian Alps are introducing uniform fines of 500 euros for illegal overnight stays. However, there is now an inconsistency with the fine prescribed in the area of Triglav National Park, where supervisors can only impose a fine of 100 euros.
In recent years, municipalities in the area of Triglav National Park (TNP) and the Julian Alps have been dealing with an increasing number of violations, so after last year's amendment to the law on the protection of public order and peace, the mayors of the Community of the Julian Alps decided to introduce a uniform fine of 500 euros for illegal camping this year. Previous fines, which were often lower than the price of overnight stays in an organized campsite, did not deter people from violations.
Some municipalities have already adapted their municipal ordinances, while others will do so at upcoming municipal council sessions. As Gregor Jarkovič, head of the Intermunicipal Inspectorate and Warden Service of the municipalities of Jesenice, Gorje, Kranjska Gora and Žirovnica, said, in municipalities that have already introduced changes, wardens fine violators with the new fine. However, wardens in the field decide for themselves whether to only warn the violator or fine them.
He explained that in the spring months they are already dealing with cases of illegal overnight stays and camping, but not yet on such a scale as expected in July and August. "The first swallows already indicate that this season will also be strong," he said. He expects that the increase in fines will have an effect on reducing the number of violations.
"The amount of the fine is what the state or municipality communicates about how unacceptable these deviant acts are to it. Municipalities are trying to send a clear signal that these acts are not welcome here. Spending free time in campsites, apartments and similar accommodations is welcome, but black camping is not acceptable, it is burdensome for citizens and the environment," explained Jarkovič.
A lot of illegal overnight stays also in the TNP area
At the same time, the question arises whether it would make sense for the public institution Triglav National Park to also follow the changes in penalties, as there is a lot of illegal overnight stays also in the area of the park itself. This would require an adaptation of the legislation to which the work of the nature conservation supervisors of the TNP is tied.
Sašo Hrovat, head of the nature conservation supervision service of the TNP, explained that they impose a fine of 100 euros for illegal overnight stays. If someone camps illegally in the park, the amount of the fine will therefore depend on whether they are fined by a nature conservation supervisor or a municipal warden.
"If a municipal warden and a TNP supervisor go on joint supervision along valleys and parking areas that are in the area of the park, the supervisor will have to impose the fine and not the warden, as the principle is that the mildest fines prescribed are imposed," said Hrovat. It is different if the supervisor and the warden are not in a mixed patrol. If the warden alone discovers the violator, they impose a fine according to the municipal ordinance.
Hrovat is convinced that the laws on the TNP and on nature conservation should be changed so that the penalties for the same course of violation are identical. At the same time, he also assesses that the fine of 100 euros, which is reduced to 50 euros if paid immediately, is too low. He considers it sensible that, following the harmonization of municipal ordinances, the TNP would also adopt harmonized fines through legislative changes.
Source:
https://www.rtvslo.si/lokalne-novice/gorenjska/za-nedovoljeno-kampiranje-lahko-nadzornik-izrece-100-evrov-globe-redar-pa-500-evrov/783839