Environmental legal principles: reflection in the federal legislation and the legislation of the Russian Federation constituent entities

The analysis of the principles of environmental protection in accordance with federal legislation and the legislation of the Russian Federation constituent entities was carried out. It is concluded that there is a systemic legal defect, expressed in the formal absence of the basic principles of environmental law, which reduces the potential of technical ways to overcome the legislation gaps. The need to improve federal legislation and the legislation of the Russian Federation constituent entities on the establishment of environmental legal principles has been proven. Based on the environmental law doctrine the content of such principles has been developed. It is argued that the leading principle of environmental legislation is the priority of environmental protection in relation to any activity that has a harmful effect on the environment.