The Supreme Court of Justice has ended its intervention in the case of pollution in the Matanza-Riachuelo basin, as stated in the ruling adopted this Tuesday. The highest judicial authority expressed that its role in this case concluded with the approval of the Comprehensive Environmental Sanitation Plan (PISA) and the establishment of the Matanza Riachuelo Basin Authority (ACUMAR), specifically concerning the repair of particular damages caused by collective environmental pollution.
In 2006, the Supreme Court defined that only the restoration of the collective asset represented by the environment was appropriate, sidelining economic reparations. Later, in August of that same year, an agreement was signed between the Nation, the Province of Buenos Aires, the City, and several local mayors to support the creation of ACUMAR. Furthermore, in 2007, the defendant states were asked to report on preventive and restorative actions taken, as well as environmental and health control measures.
After a series of hearings, in July 2008, the Court issued a definitive ruling on the restoration and prevention of collective environmental damage, delegating its execution to a federal judge. In subsequent years, updated reports on compliance with the order were requested, and public hearings were held. In April of this year, ACUMAR and judicial instances were asked to present updated information on compliance with the provisions of the 2008 ruling.
The judges emphasized that the Court's intervention has achieved its goal of promoting the structural reform necessary to align state activity with constitutional principles. In summary, it is considered that the institutional objectives set forth by the initial ruling have been fulfilled with the approval of PISA and the creation of ACUMAR. In 2004, 17 individuals filed a lawsuit against the National State, the Province of Buenos Aires, the Government of the Autonomous City of Buenos Aires, and 44 companies, requesting the restoration of the damaged environment and compensation in cases where restoration was impossible.
