The Bulgarian Ministry of Environment announced Friday that it has enforced a halting of all repair activities on the controversial repair of a ski lift in Bulgarian ski resort Bansko.

All work on the site has been stopped until a full clarification of the situation is made by the ministry.

Thursday the Environment Ministry annulled their prior decision to allow the Yulen company to replace an old lift with a new one.

The permission was granted end of June without environmental impact assessment on the grounds the company will only replace the old equipment with a new one without enlarging the lift area and cutting down trees.

The Ministry’s probe, conducted just two days ago after signals from environmentalists and Pirin National Park authorities, however, showed at least 25 trees have already been cut.

For that Bulgaria might be subjected to a penalty procedure by the European Commission, deputy minister Evdokiya Maneva said, adding Yulen have been extremely dishonest.

The Ministry further says they will fine the company with the maximum BGN 2 000 and will halt its other 4 smaller projects in the area.

The Yulen request for a new lift was based on Bulgaria’s upcoming hosting of the World Men Ski Cup and it became clear they have already ordered the new lift before even obtaining the June permit from the Ministry.