The Concept of the “Zone of High Environmental Hazard” Pursuant to the Contemporary Russian Legislation

This article introduces and defines the concept and criteria of the “zone of high environmental hazard” towards application of this legal category in legislation and law enforcement. Author reveals the peculiarities of intersectoral legal regulation of the relations when using the objects of high environmental hazard in public circulation, as well as considers the approaches of Russian and foreign law enforcement to protect the interests of citizens and society as a whole against the negative effects of high-risk facilities to the environment. The priority of the public interest with respect to the environmental component of the state’s functions and measures to implement the protection of the civil rights and legitimate interests are formalized.