Damage to environment and death or harm to persons

(1) Every person who– (a) negligently or carelessly causes a disaster that results in a loss of the use of the environment; or (b) shows wanton or reckless disregard for the lives or safety of other persons and thereby 36 causes a risk of death or harm to another commits an offence and is liable on summary conviction to a fine of not less than twenty-five thousand dollars and not exceeding two hundred thousand dollars, or, in the case of a conviction under paragraph (a), to three times the assessed value of the damage caused, whichever is the greater, or to imprisonment for a term of not less than two years and not exceeding ten years, or to both the fine (or the assessed value of the damage), and the term of imprisonment. (2) Subject to sub-section (3), every person who causes or permits any damage to critical habitats declared by the Department, or to any other part of the environment, commits an offence and is liable on summary conviction to a fine of not less than fifty thousand dollars and not exceeding two hundred thousand dollars, or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding two years or to both such fine and imprisonment. (3) Every person who causes or permits any damage to the Belize Barrier Reef System or any significant coral formation, commits an offence and shall be liable on summary conviction to a fine of not less than five thousand dollars and not exceeding twenty five thousand dollars per square meter of damage. (4) Any person who causes or permits any damage in the manner specified under this section, shall promptly report such damage to the Department. 37 (5) Any person who fails to make a report required under this section, commits an offence and is liable on summary conviction to a fine of not less than five thousand dollars and not exceeding ten thousand dollars or to imprisonment for period not exceeding one year or to both such fine and imprisonment. (6) Any person who is required to give a report under this section, makes, in giving such a report, a statement which is false or misleading in any material particular, commits an offence and is liable on summary conviction to a fine of not less than five thousand dollars and not exceeding twenty five thousand dollars or to imprisonment for a period not exceeding two years or to both such fine and imprisonment.