REPUBLIC OF THE ROSPUDA VALLEY

select * from newsy where idn = 43 and public = 1 order by kolejnosc limit 1

2007-07-31

The statement of non-governmental organizations involved in the protection of the Rospuda Valley

The statement

answering the declaration of the Prime Minister of the Republic of Poland

of stopping the construction works of Augustów bypass

at the nature-protected areas of Natura 2000 – in the Rospuda Valley

The non-governmental organizations involved in the protection of the Rospuda Valley hopefully welcome the declaration of the Prime Minister of the Republic of Poland of stopping the construction works of Augustów bypass at the nature-protected areas of the Natura 2000 until the decision of European Court of Justice in the case. This declaration, announced on July 31 2007 on the First Programme of the Polish Radio, is the first step in the good direction.

The first common success would be setting up the alternative, not interfering the Natura 2000 area, version of above mentioned bypass. We care for the protection of both – the environment and the people. This is why we demand from the authorities to immediately start analyzing and accomplishing the alternative route of the Augustów bypass. The bypass of the cities of Augustów and Suwałki not passing through the Natura 2000 areas, suggested by the non-governmental organizations 2 years ago, is compliant with the national and the European law. It also brings the social and transport needs together with nature conditions.

We are also concerned about the announced continuation of the construction works of the parts of the bypass outside the Natura 2000 area, based on the currently existing plans. This would mean further waste of time and plunging hundreds of millions of zlotys into the investment which may remain unfinished.

The alternative version of the bypass can be supported financially from the European Union funds. We appeal to the Government of the Republic of Poland for guaranteeing the financial means for the realization of this investment by putting it on the indicative list of big projects for “Infrastructure and Environment” 2007-2013 Operating Programme.

We appeal for starting the constructive dialogue bringing us closer to the solution, which would be appropriate for people, for the environment and for the image of Poland in the European Union.

CEE Bankwatch

Centrum Ochrony Mokradeł (Center of the Swamps Protection)

Greenpeace Poland

Ogólnopolskie Towarzystwo Ochrony Ptaków (Polandwide Bird Protection Society)

Pracownia na rzecz Wszystkich Istot (Workshop for All Beings)

Polska Zielona Sieć (Polish Green Network)

Stowarzyszenie Integracji Stołecznej Komunikacji (Society of the Integration of Capital Communication) - SISKOM

WWF Poland

translationÑ Patrycja Kulka, www.dolina'rospudy.pl
photoÑ Joanna Pertkiewicz

THE MANIFESTO OF THE REPUBLIC OF THE ROSPUDA VALLEY

We are here because we believe that the unspoiled nature of the Rospuda Valley should be preserved and left intact for future generations.

We are not against building a bypass for the city of Augustow. On the contrary, we realize the urgent need to solve tremendous communication problems of this city. However, we are against building the road through the widest and wildest part of the valley. It's construction would require building a 500 meters long causeway on pillars over a wetland. It would have disastrous ecological, financial and legal consequences. It could result in the European Union imposing penalties on Poland and bringing the construction to a halt, but the Rospuda Valley would have been destroyed by then.

We support building the motorway along the alternative route – it will solve the problems of the city of Augustów as well as allow to protect this valuable area.

If the chainsaws win again, many plant, bird and mammal species will disappear from the Rospuda Valley. We oppose it because there are no wetlands like Rospuda Valley anywhere west of the Ural Mountains. For much too long consecutive governments have been destroying something we all depend on – the wild nature.

Don't stand by, join us!