Firstly, quantifying actual damage to the environment is actually really hard. All the money in the world can't revive an extinct specie for instance. Secondly

Firstly, quantifying actual damage to the environment is actually really hard. All the money in the world can't revive an extinct specie for instance. Secondly, I don't like the stance you defend : fines aren't a price to pay to do whatever we want, there are to dissuade people to act in a way society don't want you to act. People are fined when they violently rob or physically attack others, this doesn't mean money buys you the right to randomly punch people in the teeth. (and to follow through: that's why I believe fines should be proportional, which could be the case here) edit: I just looked at your profile and saw you certainly must know a thing or two about laws and justice so I am pretty sure you have a more subtle point of view than what is reflected in your post and my counter-argument in my second point. Looking forward to it.